738 LOUIS AGASSIZ, 



evidently addressed to them. There was some- 

 thing curious in the character of this Fuegian 

 song. Rather recitative than singing, the 

 measure had, nevertheless, certain divisions or 

 pauses, as if to mark a kind of rhythm. It 

 was brought to a close at regularly recurring 

 intervals, and ended always in the same way, 

 and on the same note, with a rising inflection 

 of the voice. When the song was finished, a 

 certain surprise and expectancy in the listeners 

 kept them silent. This seemed to trouble the 

 singer, who looked round with a comical air 

 of inquiring disappointment. Thus reminded, 

 the audience were quick to applaud, and then 

 he laughed with pleasure, imitated the clap- 

 ping of the hands in an awkward way, and 

 nothing loth, began to sing again. 



The recall gun from the Hassler brought 

 this strange scene to a close, and the party 

 hastened down to the beach, closely followed 

 by their guests, who still clamorously de- 

 manded tobacco. Meanwhile the women had 

 brought the boat close to that of the Hassler 

 at the landing. They all began to laugh, 

 talk, and gesticulate, and seemed a noisy crew, 

 chattering unceasingly, with amazing rapidity, 

 and all together. Their boat, with the babies 

 and dogs to add to the tumult, was a perfect 



