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but a few people on board, their idea of the power of Europeans
is very poor, and their dread of fire-ai'ins not nearly so
great as might be imagined.
“ From this cove we returned to the Beagle. My Fuegian
captive, whom I named ‘ Boat Memory,’ seemed frightened,
but not low-spirited; he eat enormously, and soon fell fast
asleep. The meeting between him and York Minster was very
tame, for, at first, they would not appear to recognise or speak
to each other. ‘ Boat’ was the best-featured Fuegian I had
seen, and being young and well made, was a very favourable
specimen of the race : ‘ York’ was one of the stoutest men I had
observed among them; but little Fuegia was almost as broad
as she was high: she seemed to he so merry and happy, that I
do not think she would willingly have quitted us. Three natives
of Tierra del Fuego, better suited for the purpose of instruction,
and for giving, as well as receiving information, could
not, I think, have heen found.
“ 10th. This morning, having been well cleaned and dressed,
‘ Boat’ appeared contented and easy ; and being togethei-, kept
York and him in better spirits than they would probably otherwise
have been, for they laughed, and tried to talk, by imitating
whatever was said. Fuegia soon began to learn English,
and to say several things very well. She laughed and talked
with her countrymen incessantly.
“ 12th. Some evenings, at dusk, 1 observed large flights of
birds, of the petrel kind, skimming over the sea (like swallows),
as if in chase of insects. These birds were black, about the size
of a ‘ Cape Pigeon.’ We tried to shoot one, but did not succeed.”
Mg Murray r e tu rn s -G o to New Year S o u n d -S e e Diego Ramirez
Islands from Henderson I s la n d -W e d d e ll’s Indian C o v e-S ym p ie -
s om e te r -R e tu rn to Christmas S o u n d -B e a g le s a ils -P a s s e s the Ild e fonso
and Diego Ramirez Is la n d s -A n c h o rs in Nassau B a y -O r a n g e
Bay—Yapoos—Mr. M urray discovers the Beagle Channel—Numerous
N a tiv e s-G u an a co e s -C om p a s s e s a ffe c ted -C ap e H o rn -S p e c im e n s—
C h a n tid e e r-M is ta k e about St. Francis B a y -D ie g o Ramirez Islands
C hm a te -S a n Joachim C o v e -B a rn e v e lt Is le s -E v o u ts I s le -L e n n o x
Harbour.
“ 14th. T his morning the master returned, having succeeded
m tracing the coast far enough to join our former work,
although the weather had been very unfavourable. He met
with many Fuegians, most of whom were armed with slings,
spears, and cutting weapons made with pieces of iron hoop
fastened on a stick. They were very troublesome, especially
at mght, and obliged him to keep them at a distance. Their
respect for a musket was not so great as might have been
expected, and unless they saw it tolerably close, and pointed
directly at them, they cared not. The boat’s crew bought some
fish from them, for buttons and other trifles. From forty to
fifty men, besides women and children, were seen in one place
alone; and many were met elsewhere.
“ Mr. Murray penetrated nearly to the base of the snow-
covered mountains, which extend to the eastward in an unbro-
en chain, and ascertained that there are passages leadino-
rom Christmas Sound to the large bay where the whale-bo^
was stolen; and that they run near the foot of the mountains.
He also saw a channel leading farther to the eastward than
eye-sight could reach, whose average width seemed to be about
a mile. He left the two children in charge of an old woman.
whom they met near the westernmost part which his party
leached, who appeared to know them well, and to be very
much pleased at having them placed in her care.
“ ISth. Raining and blowing;—as usual, I might say. When
vol.. I . 3 J,