■er
; !
the consequence was, we were extremely cold, as there was a
sharp frost, and the snow was lying every where very deep.
Next night we were wiser, and reduced our tent to the smallest
dimensions.
“ 2 9 th. Eai-ly in the morning we resumed our search. I had a
chronometer with me, but as we never saw the sun, nor even a
star, I should have been as well without it. We pulled and
sailed towards the northernmost comer first, but found no
opening, and went thence to the eastward, with a strong and
favourable breeze. Passing Still-hope Point I felt sure of
finding a passage, for before me were the tops of mountains
seen from the Otway Water. I was, however, deceived, the
gulf ended in two bights, or inlets, unconnected with other
waters : so we returned to Still-hope Point and hauled up the
boat. The night passed very well, in a snug place among
trees, although the snow was falling thickly. Early next morning
we left the shore, having employed a quarter of an hour in
clearing the snow out of our boat. When we started, it snowed
fast but without wind, and we steered by compass for the Sphinx.
I sketched what I could see of the south side of this gulf, but
did not consider it worth delaying longer, in such weather, for
so unimportant a place, while anxious that the Beagle should
reach Childe before her provisions were expended, and that I
should fall in with the Adelaide before leaving the Strait.
I f ever a minute survey is made of this gulf, it should be
after all others have been examined, as it is utterly useless.
The temperature of the water within it we found to be 40°
Fahr. We landed on St. Anne’s Island, having run near thirty
miles since the morning, and thence we sailed across the Strait,
reached His Majesty’s little vessel, and found that the Adelaide
had not yet passed by. All looked cold and wintry, every thing
being covered with snow; and our sails were hard frozen, for
the first time.
“ July 1st. After beating loose the sails, we stood out in the ship
to meet the Adelaide, which was seen coming towards us. I went
on board, and found every one well. They too, in attempting
to anchor ofi‘ Carlos Island, had, like ourselves, been driven
out : we compared chronometers, and supplied her with a few
things not thought of before (keeping under all sail meanwhile
to profit by an easterly wind); and the Beagle’s officers lent the
Adelaide their own stove.
“ In the afternoon, we parted company ; the Adelaide stood
towards Upright Bay, and anchored at dusk, while we steered
out of the Strait, with a freshening breeze from the east, which
increased much as we made westing. At midnight, we were in
the Pacific, and all our anxiety about weeks of beating to windward
upon short allowance of provisions, vanished as quickly
as the land astern. The glass falling, with the wind in the S.E.
quarter, foretold unusually bad weather; we therefore shortened
sail by degrees, making all secure.
“ 2d. At six o’clock in the morning, it was blowing a gale
of wind, with so much sea, that it was necessary to steer right
before it,—or heave-to,—which with a fair wind was not preferable
; and we found the vessel scud extremely well, under
close reefed fore and main topsails, and double reefed foresail.
Our quarter boats caused anxiety, for the davits were low, and
at every lurch the boats were risked. Frequently they dipped
in the sea, and sometimes were half filled ; but they hung fast
till by a moment’s neglect of the steerage, a sea broke over
the whale-boat, and carried her away. The other, being much
smaller and stronger, held on well, though frequently under
water. Towards midnight the gale broke; by the next morning
the weather was more moderate ; and from that time it continued
fine, until our arrival at Chiloe.
“ On the .5th, at daylight, we saw land at a great distance,
which afterwards proved to be the Island of Guafo, and in the
afternoon the south end of Chiloe was seen.
“ On the 8th, we were working towards the Port of San
Carlos, being ofi' Point Huapilacuy, and next day (9th)
anchored in the port of San Carlos, which seemed to be well
sheltered by a country, the appearance of which was very agreeable
when contrasted with that of Tierra del Fuego.
“ The town reminded me of a Cornish village. I thought,
I'rom their ajipearance and colour, that the houses were built
!