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like those of far higher elevations in Tierra del Fuego, and
the fragments—some very large—have rolled down the nearest
ravines, so that they look like the heds of dried-up torrents.
The sand-stone, which is abundant, offers beautifully
perfect impressions of shells, many of which were brought to
Fngland. In these fossils the minutest portions of delicate
shells are preserved, as in a plaster of Paris cast, though the
stone is now very hard. There are fine stalactites in some large
caverns, but they are known only to a few sealers. The large
muscles produce pearls of considerable size, though inferior
quality, perhaps ; Mr. Brisbane had a small bottle full. In
one of the cottages I saw a heap of good whalebone, and was
informed that some hundred pounds worth had heen picked up
on the coasts, and sold to whalers for a tenth part of its Fiiro-
pean value, in exchange for clothes, spirits, ammunition, and
biscuit. On West Falkland there are beautiful pebbles, and
on the heights fine crystals have heen found.
Although the climate is so much colder than that of Buenos
Ayres, the gauchos sleep in the open air, when in the interior,
under their saddles, just as they do in the latitude of
35°. While idling at the settlement they gamble, quarrel,
and fight with long knives, giving each other severe wounds.
With their loose ponchos, slouched hats, long hair, dark complexions,
and Indian eyes, they are characters fitter for the
pencil of an artist than for the quiet hearth of an industrious
settler. Besides these gauchos, we saw five Indians (p. 267),
who had been taken by the Buenos Ayrean troops, or their
allies, and allowed to leave prison on condition of going
with Mr. Vernet to the Falklands. Including the crews of
some thirty whale-ships, hovering about or at anchor among
the islands; the men of several American vessels, all armed
with rifles; the Fnglish sealers with their clubs, if not also
provided with rifles; these cut-throat looking gauchos; the
discontented, downcast Indian prisoners, and the crews of
several French whalers—who could not or would not see why
they had not as good a right to the islands as Fnglishmen—
there was no lack of the elements of discord; and it was with a
heavy heart and gloomy forebodings that I looked forward to
the months which might elapse without the presence of a man-
of-war, or the semblance of any regular authority.
Our tender, the Adventure, sailed on the 4th of April,
under the charge of Mr. Chaffers, who was desired to call off
the River Negro, and thence go to Maldonado, moor his vessel
close to Gorriti Island, land every thing, and commence her
thorough refit.
About this time one of the officers went to see some wild
cattle taken. After riding far beyond the hills seen from Port
Louis, a black speck was discerned in the distance—instantly
the three gauchos stopped, adjusted their saddle-gear, lassoes,
and balls, and then cantered oft’ in different directions. While
stopping, my shipmate saw that the black spot moved and
doubled its size. Directly afterwards, he perceived five other
black things, and taking it for granted they were cattle, asked no
questions of his taciturn, though eager, companions, hut watched
their movements and galloped on with the capataz (Jean Simon),
the other two making a détour round some hills. Having got
down wind of the herd, Simon slackened his pace, and, lying
along his horse’s back, gradually ascended a slight eminence,
beyond which the cattle were feeding. For a moment he stopped
to look round ;—there was a monstrous bull within a hundred
yards of him ; three hundred yards further, were about
twenty cows ; and in a valley beyond, was a large herd of
wild cattle. Just then the heads of the other two men were seen
a quarter of a mile on one side, also to leeward of the cattle,
which were still feeding unsuspiciously. With a sudden dash
onwards, such as those horses are trained to make, Simon was
within twenty yards of the overgrown, hut far from unwieldy
brute, before he could ‘ get way on.’ Whirling the balls around
his head, Simon hurled them so truly at the bull’s fore-legs,
that down he came, with a blow that made the earth tremble,
and rolled over and over. Away went Simon at full gallop
after a fine cow ; and at the same time, each of the other men
were in full chase of their animals. The herd galloped off almost
as fast as horses ; but in a few moments, another bull was bel