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I had overshot the proper place; especially as the land continued
flat, and unbroken, for many miles to the N.W., while
to the S.E. it seemed hilly and irregular.
“ Having ranged along shore several miles, yet still seeing
from the mast-head a continuation of the same kind of coastline,
as far as an eye could trace the surf on the beach, ivithout
any opening, we wore ship and stood to the northward, satisfied
that the St. Sebastian channel did not exist within many
miles of the position laid down in the chart.
“ In the afternoon the weather became very thick, with
rain, a fresh wind blowing right on shore, and the glasses
falling; so we carried sail to get oflT the land and out of the
shoal water, in which there was a heavy ground swell. At
midnight we had obtained a good offing.
“ On the 10th, a fresh breeze from the N.E., a low glass,
and thick weather, with constant rain, would have prevented
my nearing the land again if I had been disposed to do
so. Though reluctant to leave any part of the coast of Tierra
del Fuego unexplored, while I had so effective a vessel,
and all with me in good health, I was bound to remember
our distance from the appointed rendezvous ; the state of our
provisions, of which we had only three weeks left on board ;
and that I was ordered to be at Rio de Janeiro on the 20th
of this month. I therefore decided to hasten to Port Desire,
for the sake of the chronometer measurements; and from
thence proceed to Monte Video and Rio de Janeiro. I had
previously made up my mind to carry the Fuegians, whom we
had with us, to England; trusting that the ultimate benefits
arising from their acquaintance with our habits and language,
would make up for the temporary separation from their own
country. But this decision was not contemplated when I first
took them on board ; I then only thought of detaining them
while we were on their coasts; yet afterwards finding that
they were happy and in good health, I began to think of the
various advantages which might result to them and their
countrymen, as well as to us, by taking them to England,
educating them there as fai- as might be practicable, and then
bringing them back to Tierra del Fuego. These ideas were
confirmed by finding that the tribes of Fuegians, eastward of
Christmas Sound, were hostile to York Minster’s tribe, and
that therefore we could not, in common humanity, land them
in Nassau Bay or near the Strait of Le Maire. Neither could
I put the boy ashore again, when once to the eastward of
Nassau Bay, without risking his life ; hence I had only the
alternative of beating to the westward, to land them in their
own districts, which circumstances rendered impracticable, or
that of taking them to England. In adopting the latter course
I incurred a deep responsibility, but was fully aware of what
I was undertaking.
“ The Fuegians were much slower in learning English than
I expected from their quickness in mimickry, but they understood
clearly when we left the coast that they would return to
their country at a future time, with iron, tools, clothes, and
knowledge which they might spread among their countrymen.
They helped the crew whenever required ; were extremely tractable
and good-humoured, even taking pains to walk properly,
and get over the crouching posture of their countrymen.
“ When we were at anchor in Good Success Bay, they went
ashore with me more than once, and occasionally took an
oar in the boat, without appearing to harbour a thought of
escape.
“ During the night of the 13th, we were near the land about
Sea Bear Bay ; the wind, however, drew to the northward, and
with a strong current setting to the S.E., drove us off again.
“ The 14th was foggy ; clouds preventing any observations,
but at three in the afternoon we made the land, a little north
of Port Desire, near what is called in the chart ‘ Rivers Peak.’
The wind having hauled to the southward, and the current
setting northward, prevented our approaching nearer to the port
on that day.
“ At daylight on the ISth, we were again oif Rivers Peak,
notwithstanding our having carried a press of sail in order to
make southing during the night. We were set twenty miles to
the northward during that time; but a slant of wind and