April 3 Summary and Analysis

On this day they sail southward along the coast of Guardian Angel Island, encountering schools of jellyfishes that cannot be easily netted or preserved. Steinbeck discusses the Seri Indians, which have been rumored to be cannibals, though no proof of this has ever been found. He goes on rather tongue-in-cheek about how, if other societal restrictions were removed, man might easily overcome any other objections to such food. He discusses the history of the Seris, who have been violent toward other tribes and visitors (though not cannibals). However, try as they might, they don't see any of the local Indians onshore.

At the island of Tiburon, they stop to collect on a reef and rocky shoreline, where there are many different kinds of habitats and species present. Tiny spends his time taking the skiff into little inlets to harpoon sting-rays. At...