VOYAGE TO PANAMA. 



181 



a diving-bell ; but there was not a sufficiency 

 of pearls to render the scheme worth pursuing^ 

 and it has been again abandoned to the natives^ 

 who sell what they find to the merchants of 

 Panama^ for the use of the native women^j few 

 being exported to Europe. 



The wind failed us as we approached the 

 high land of Tobogo^ and it was midnight be- 

 fore we cast anchor^ under the mountainous 

 shore^ apparently so near as to impend over 

 the deck of the Crawford. 



Previous to our arrival at the island^ the 

 land-breeze had commenced^ so as to oblige 

 us to make many tacks before we could w^eather 

 a little island between our position and To- 

 bogo. The night was dark^ and I was leaning 

 over the side of the vessel, in conversation with 

 the captain^ when on a sudden we both ob- 

 served^ close under the ship^s side^ as she sailed 



