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this spot; I called it Latitude Bay. It is remarkahly easy of
access, and is also easy to leave: rather rare qualities in a
Fuegian Harbour. Cape Inman being prominently situated, is
a good guide to the anchorage.
“ Sunday 20th. A fine d a y ; and, knowing its value, we
turned it to account. From a height I saw Cape Gloucester
and the point of land on this (the northern) side of i t ; and to
the northward I could distinguish the land about the entrance
to the Strait. The Landfall Islands appeared to be the top of a
ridge of mountains lying (partly below the sea) in the same
direction as most of the neighbouring ranges. Many dangerous
rocks lie off the S.W. side; and there is no passage for a ship
between the islands, for the opening is narrow, and has only
two fathoms in some places.
“ 21st. This morning I sent the master and Mr. Wilson* in
a whale-boat to the east end of the island, to make a plan of
that part, and get some angles and bearings necessary for continuing
the survey.
“ 22d. A bad day, blowing hard and raining. The wind
being from north and N.N.W. threw in a swell; and as we were
not yet sure of the quality of the bottom, though apparently
good, we struck topmasts and veered away a long scope of
cable.
“ 24th. The wind shifted to the S.W. and became rather more
moderate, though still squally, with much rain. It freshened
again in the night, and backed to the northward.
“ Christmas-day. Blowing strong from N.N.W. with a
thickly clouded sky and heavy rain. I was very anxious to see
the master return, but he could not in such weather. I feared
that his provisions would be exhausted, having taken only
enough for four days; yet they had a good tent, guns, and
ammunition.
“ 26th. A strong wind with thick weather and much rain
throughout the whole day. There was no possibility of sending
a boat to the master, or of his returning by water. The island
being very narrow he, or some of his party, could walk across,
* Mate, lent to the Beagle, from the Adventure.
i f they were in want of provisions, so as we did not hear from
them I trusted that they had found wild fowl enough, and
were not in distress.
“ 27th. Rather a more moderate morning with clearer weather.
We looked out anxiously for the whale-boat, as, in such
weather, she might get back to the ship without much difficulty.
Before noon Mr. Wilson and the coxswain were seen
on shore making signals to the ship ; and a boat was sent
immediately to bring them on board. They were very weak
and tired, having walked across the island during the preceding
afternoon and night, and having had no food for the last two
days. The master and the other four men were said to be in
a cove at the back of the island, and to have been without provisions
since the 24th, not having been able to find either shellfish
or wild fowl.
“ At the time Mr. Wilson arrived on board, I was absent taking
angles and bearings, but was soon informed of his return,
and at noon left the ship with a week’s provisions for the
master’s party and my own boat’s crew. I had not lost sight
of the Beagle when I met the former returning. Having given
them some food, and two fresh hands to help them in pulling
to the ship (it being then quite moderate and fine) I continued
my course to the place they had left, in order to do what the bad
weather had prevented the master from doing. Being favoured
with a fine afternoon I succeeded in obtaining the necessary
angles and bearings, and returned to our vessel the following
morning.
“ 28th. At my return I found the master and his party
nearly recovered. They had tried every day to return to the
ship, but had been repeatedly forced hack, at the risk of being
driven out to sea. The gusts of wind from off the high land
were so powerful as almost to upset the boat, although she had
not even a mast up. Continual rain had wetted their ammunition
and tinder, and they were then without fire or victuals :
upon which Mr. Wilson and the coxswain set out, on Saturday
afternoon, to acquaint us with their situation.
“ When they came down to thé sea-side the Fuegians took