ladder, with three or four rounds, which was let down into the water, and upon one of which he sat to rest, basking himself in the hot sun. Wooroo did not appear at the surface, until I began to think that he would never come up at all—and said as much to Garbo. ‘Drowned,’ said the good-tempered Spaniard; ‘that’s not the fate he was born to. Caramba! that fellow’s lungs will hold as much air as the biggest bellows that ever were puffed.’ And accordingly, after an unconscionable space of time, the negro rose, and clung to the ladder, his features appearing only a little swollen, and his vast chest heaving a little faster, as the consequences of his plunge. As soon as the basket was reported filled, it was drawn up and emptied into the deep waist, and then let down again. In the course of the day, another negro and an Indian, both expert divers, arrived from the shore to help us, there being generally four divers to each boat. Two cages were then let down together, and by nightfall, the bark had half her cargo on board. In consequence, however, of the bold attack of the pirate, or Buccaneer, the captain of the frigate determined that all the pearl fishermen should proceed together to the shore, and from thence back to the banks, sailing in a squadron; and as the greater number of the boats had their full cargoes on board, we all weighed anchor in company, stealing in slowly for the shore, upon a smooth sea glistening in the starlight. It was a fair spectacle that small squadron, with their white sails just sleeping in the light breeze, and with the great frigate, her huge lanterns shining over her poop like sea-beacons, and now and then belching forth a sheet of red spouting fire, as an admonition to any of the faster boats, which might appear to be inclined to take the lead of the rest, not to break the order of sailing. As we glided along, the crews of the barks often sang in chorus, the music being re-echoed and reflected as it were between the many sails spread out, until it appeared as if hundreds of choristers were joining in the burden. About midnight we crossed the bar of the Rio de la Hacha, the frigate remaining outside, and presently anchored near the shore, in a shallow bay, where the water was brackish. The land hereabouts is low and sandy, with abundance of thin-stemmed, narrow-leaved herbage, and few trees. The town is a mere assemblage of huts, kept up for the purpose of the pearl fishery, and inhabited by the Indians, being principally old men, women, and children, who open the oysters, under the constant superintendence of watchful Spanish overseers, who are there to keep a sharp eye upon the pearls. Notwithstanding all their care, however, they are very often cheated, and the most valuable pearls hidden and conveyed away. I had often opportunities while on board the fleet, and ashore in the ranchiera, or village, of seeing the process of opening the oysters. These were brought from on board the