222 TIERRA DEL FUEGO. [chap. x. 



they expressed a wish to remain here, and as the spot was singu- 

 larly favourable, Captain Fitz Roy determined to settle here the 

 whole party, including Matthews, the missionary. Five days 

 were spent in building for them three large wigwams, in landing 

 their goods, in digging two gardens, and sowing seeds. 



The next morning after our arrival (the 24th) the Fuegians 

 began to pour in, and Jemmy's mother and brothers arrived. 

 Jemmy recognised the stentorian voice of one of his brothers at a 

 prodigious distance. The meeting was less interesting than that 

 between a horse, turned out into a field, when he joins an old com- 

 panion. There was no demonstration of affection ; they simply 

 stared for a short time at each other ; and the mother imme- 

 diately went to look after her canoe. 'We heard, however, 

 through York that the mother had been inconsolable for the loss 

 of Jemmy, and had searched everywhere for him, thinking that 

 he might have been left after having been taken in the boat. 

 The women took much notice of and were very kind to Fuegia. 

 We had already perceived that Jemmy had almost forgotten his 

 own language. I should think there was scarcely another human 

 being with so small a stock of language, for his English was 

 very imperfect. It was laughable, but almost pitiable, to hear 

 him speak to his wild brother in English, and then ask him in 

 Spanish (" no sabe?") whether he did not understand him. 



Everything went on peaceably during the three next days, 

 whilst the gardens were digging and wigwams building. We 

 estimated the number of natives at about one hundred and twenty. 

 The women worked hard, whilst the men lounged about all day 

 long, watching us. They asked for everything they saw, and 

 stole what they could. They were delighted at our dancing and 

 singing, and were particularly interested at seeing us wash in a 

 neighbouring brook ; they did not pay much attention to any- 

 thing else, not even to our boats. Of all the things which York 

 saw, during his absence from his country, nothing seems more 

 to have astonished him than an ostrich, near Maldonado : breath- 

 less with astonishment he came running to Mr. Bynoe, with 

 whom he was out walking " Oh, Mr. Bynoe, oh, bird all same 

 korse !" Much as our white skins surprised the natives, by Mr. 

 Low's account a negro-cook to a sealing vessel, did so more 

 effectually ; and the poor fellow was so mobbed and shouted at 



