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March.
deceived as to no channel existing,* so well defined and distinct
did a wWe opening appear. A few more minutes, however,
undeceived me: I discerned low fiat land stretching
along the western horizon : and soon afterwards we anchored in
the bay. The following week was occupied in surveying the
north-eastern shore of Tierra del Fuego, which, except San
Sebastian Bay, does not contain a port. San Vicente Cove
IS not worth notice as a harbour.
On the 25th, we anchored at the Hermite Islands, on the
north-east side of Wollaston Island. Thence, on the 27th
we crossed Nassau Bay to Goree Road, and the following day
entered the Beagle Channel. ^
The 1st of March passed in replenishing our wood and
water at a cove, where we had an opportunity of makino-
acquaintance with some Yapoo Tekeenica natives, who seemed
not to have met white men before.
Till the 5th the Beagle was actively occupied, by day, in
working to windwai-d (westward) through the channel, and
then she anchored at Woollya. But few natives were seen as
we sai ed along : probably they were alarmed at the ship, and
ffid not show themselves. The wigwams in which I had left
York, Jemmy, and Fuegia, were found empty, though uninand
potatoes of moderate size were pulled up by us, and eaten
a^^ my table, a proof that they may be grown in that region.
No ahvmg soul was visible any where; the wigwams seemed
to have been deserted many months; and an anxious hour or
two passed, after the ship was moored, before three canoes were
seen in the offing, paddling hastily towards us, from the place
now called Button Island. Looking through a glass I saw
that two of the natives in them were washing their faces, while
he rest were paddling with might and main : I was then sure
that some of our acquaintances were there, and in a few minutes
recognized Tommy Button, Jemmy’s brother. In the o Z
canoe was a face which I knew yet c L d not name. « I t m Z
be some one I have seen before,” said fr-when his sharp rye
* Vol. I. p. 457_8.
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