Page:Narrative of a Voyage around the World - 1843.djvu/72

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TABOGA.
[1837.

submit to the miserable landing at the sea-port gate, which is as filthy as it is inconvenient.

Of the governor we saw nothing, except officially. I made the acquaintance of General Herran, with whom I was much pleased. He has been at the British court, and was a friend of the late Admiral Fleming. I am indebted to him for his influence in preserving order at our quarters on the lines.

Panama affords the usual supplies which are to be obtained in these tropical regions, and at moderate prices, but vessels wishing to procure water, bullocks, &c., can obtain them more readily at the island of Taboga.

Having completed our operations at Panama, as well as the survey of the immediate neighbourhood, the Sulphur was moved to the anchorage at Taboga, where she remained completing water and the necessary arrangements for the run up the coast. On quitting Panama, our chronometric force was twenty, two; of these seventeen were trustworthy.

On the 15th March, we quitted Taboga, and pursued our voyage along the coast, with the Starling in company. On being becalmed off a deep indentation of the coast, which appeared to be the mouth of a river, I left in my gig, in order to fix one of its points, directing the ship to follow in should the breeze permit, and the signal for depth be made. About noon she was anchored in what we found to be Baia Honda, and about four p.m. our operations