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no deep channel; and, except in very fine weather, an attempt
to cross is hazardous.
At its mouth, the breadth is about a quarter of a mile,
but within the entrance it increases for a short distance: at
three miles up, it is three hundred yards, and thence gradually
diminishes. The shores are a mixture of clay and sand;
and the country, on both sides, is low and marshy,- abounding
with brant-geese, ducks, teal, and snipe.
The land, near the mouth of the river, is studded with dead
trees (a species of pine, about twenty feet high), which appear
to have been killed by the sea overflowing the banks; (A) as it
does at high-water for several miles.
Three miles from the entrance this river divides into two
branches, one leading N.W., and the other eastward. Considering
the latter, from Byron’s description, to be the proper
course. Lieutenant Skyring followed it. At nine miles from
the mouth, a stream was found falling into the river from the
north, in every respect differing from the principal stream; the
water being fresh, dark, and clear, and the current constantly
running down, uninfluenced hy the tide; while the water of
the river was brackish and turbid, and affected by the ebbing
and florving of the tide, although, at that distance, its effect
was much diminished.
The shores of the Black River, as this new stream was called,
are thickly wooded, which is not the case with the principal
stream. They had entered it about a hundred yards before they
discovered that they had left the main river ; but being desirous
of proceeding, they followed its windings, the next day, for
three leagues; during the greater part of which distance, they
found a strong current against them, and were also much impeded
by fallen trees lying in the bed of the river. In many
parts they dragged their boat along by the help of overhanging
branches, or projecting roots; and the width, generally, was
not more than fifty yards. As no piragua could pass there.
Lieutenant Skyring felt assured that he was not in the right
stream; therefore, returning to the main river, he proceeded
Or by an earthquake wave.—R. F
up it during the next two days. At two miles above the junction,
the tide ceased to be felt; and a rapid current met them,
which increased in strength until they were unable to stem i t ;
and as they were prevented from tracking the boats, by trees
growing on the banks, they could ascend no farther.
This place was not more than eleven miles from the sea;
although, from the tortuous course of the stream, they had
gone double that distance, and were about two miles from the
foot of a mountain, whence the river descends. The mountain
was very high, and the vallies, or ravines, were filled with glaciers.
From Byron’s description, it seems probable that Lieutenant
Skyring was near the carrying place; but as further delay
could answer no ¿ood end, he very prudently returned, looking
carefully about, as he proceeded, for some signs of a landing-
place, but without success. He re-crossed the bar, reached
the Adelaide without accident, and the next day went on in her
to Xavier Island. On the way they passed Dead-tree Island ;
where, observing seal on the rocks, a boat was sent ashore, and
her crew succeeded in killing a few sea-elephants, twenty feet
long.
Favoured with fine weather, they were enabled to land on
the north side of Xavier Island, to improve the former survey ;
and in the evening anchored in Xavier Bay, where they
remained four days; during which, Jesuit Sound was explored,
and found to terminate in two narrow inlets. Being a leewardly
opening, it is unfit for any vessel to enter.
The name Jesuit Sound, and those of the two inlets at the
bottom, Benito and Julian, are memorials of the missionaries,
who, in the expedition of 1778, entered and explored it.*
(Agüeros, p. 232.)
The Adelaide anchored the next night in Ygnacio Bay, at
the south end of Xavier Island, which Lieutenant Skyring
• Mr. Kirke, who examined them, says, “ T h e re are two openings
opposite Xavier Island, on the main land : the northernmost runs through
high land, and is terminated by a low sandy beach, w ith a rive r in the
middle, running from a large g la c ier; the southern inlet is ended by
high mountainous land.”
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