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408
Februaiy, notwithstanding the vexatious delays we had so
often experienced.
“ As we had not sufficiently examined the coast between this
sound and Gilbert Islands, I proposed sending Mr. Murray
there with the cutter, while 1 should go to the eastward, during
which time our new boat would be finished.
“ 1st March. This morning 1 went to look for a better
anchorage for our vessel, that in which we lay being rather
exposed, and very small. Neither Pickersgill Cove nor Port
Clerke suited ; so 1 looked further, and found another harbour,
nearer to York Minster, easier of access for a ship arriving
from sea, and with a cove in, one corner where a vessel could
lie in security, close to a woody point. Having sounded this
harbour, 1 returned to move our ship. Cook says, speaking
of Port Clerke, ‘ South of this inlet is another, which 1 did
not examine—and into that inlet, named March Harbour,
the Beagle prepared to go, hut before we could weigh and
work to windward, the weather became bad, which made our
passage round the N.W. end of Shag Island rather difficult,
as we had to contend with squalls, rain, and a narrow passage
between rocks. The passage between AVaterman Island and
the south end of Shag Island is more roomy ; but there is a
rock near the middle which had not then been examined.
AVe worked up to the innermost part of the harbour, and
moored close to a woody point, in the most sheltered cove.
Finding this to be a very convenient spot for building our
boat, and in every point of view a good place for passing part
of the month of March, I decided to keep the Beagle here for
that purpose. This harbour might be useful to other vessels,
its situation being well pointed out by York Minster (one of
the most remarkable promontories on the coast), and affording
wood and water with as little trouble as any place in which the
Beagle had anchored.
“ March 2d. The master set out in the large cutter, with
a fortnight’s provisions, to examine the coast between the north
part of Christmas Sound and Point Alikhoolip, near which
we passed on the 28th, without seeing much of it. AA^itb
moderate weather and a little sunshine, he might have been
expected to return in a week or ten days. He carried a chronometer
and other necessary instruments. Two of the three children,
left by their mother at Stewart Harbour, I sent with
Mr. Murray, to be left with any Fuegians he might find
most to the westward, whence they would soon find their friends.
The third, who was about eight years old, was still with u s :
she seemed to be so happy and healthy, that I determined to
detain her as a hostage for the stolen boat, and try to teach her
English. Lieutenant Kempe built a temporary house for the
carpenters, and other workmen, near the ship and the spot
I I chosen for observations, so that all our little establishment was
close together. The greater part of the boat’s materials being
already prepared, she was not expected to be long in builcb
ing, under the able direction and assistance of Mr. May.
“ 3d. Some Fuegians in a canoe approached us this morning,
seeming anxious to come on board. I had no wish for thrir
company, and was sorry to see that they had found us ou t;
for it was to he expected that they would soon pay us nightly
as well as daily visits, and steal every thing left within their
reach. Having made signs for them to leave us, without effect,
I SCTt Mr. AAtolson to drive them away, and fire a pistol over
their heads, to frighten them. They then went back, but only
round a point of land near the ship ; so I sent the boat again
to drive them out of the harbour, and deter them from paying
us another visit. B,efiecting, while Mr. AVilson was following
them, that by getting one of these natives on board, there
would be a chance of his learning enough English to be an
interpreter, and that by his means we might recover our lost
boat, I resolved to take the youngest man on board, as he, in
all probability, had less strong ties to bind him to his people
than others who were older, and might have families. AVith
these ideas I went after them, and hauling their canoe alongside
of my boat, told a young man to come into i t ; he did so,
quite unconcernedly, and sat down, apparently contented
and at his ease. The others said nothing, either to me or
to him, but paddled out of the harbour as fast as they could.