Page:Narrative of a Voyage around the World - 1843.djvu/198

144 fathoms will be found alongside all the rocks, and twenty-five to thirty in mid-channel. Round Point Grifo sharp, rather than stand over to San Lorenzo, as the wind, generally westerly, heads on that shore. If working, tack when the rocks on the south point of Town Bay show in the gap.

The two best berths are off the rocks alluded to; that outside is preferable, but in either case let the outer rock bear W.S.W. or W.N.W., so that a hawser fast to the rock may keep your broadside to land or sea breezes, and prevent a foul anchor.

The breeze barely carried us to the Boca Chica by sunset, which made me determine on taking that channel in preference to the chances of calm or other delay by rounding the island. Fortunately we succeeded in rounding Point Grifo by dark, and beat up to our anchorage before eight, passing under the stern of our old friend Venus, who kindly sent immediate offers of any aid we might require.

On calling upon Captain Thouars, I found he had also been tantalized by calms, had seen the Starling off the port, and had only been four days before us.

On the following morning I waited on the Governor, who in the most civil manner offered me every facility in erecting the observatory, or in any other matter where his services could be available. He appears to be a complete military character, preserves strict discipline, and is much esteemed.

The Venus, after some trifling difficulties with