VOYAGE TO PANAMA, 



177 



obtaining ships^ provisions. He also gave a 

 favourable account of the Galapagos Islands, 

 two of which have lately been colonized from 

 Guayaquil. We have seen one other vessel, 

 heavily laden, but though we attempted to 

 approach her, she did not approve of a meet- 

 ing, probably thinking our appearance some- 

 thing piratical, and her prudent skipper bore 

 away, under a press of sail. 



I find it less difficult to pass the time agree- 

 ably here than in the Tyrian. The captain is 

 musical, plays at chess, has a large collection 

 of novels and travels, and is both an entertain- 

 ing and cheerful messmate. 



Panama, April 30. — I had nearly got through 

 all the novels, and all my stock of patience, 

 when, after five days^ calm, the Crawford once 

 more rushed through the sea, distanced the 

 heavy clouds and lowering atmosphere, and 

 was no longer a Pilgrim, chained to the heavy 

 I 3 



