TERRA DEL FUEGO. 39 



jealous. The child had an interesting countenance, and was, 

 I should judge, about three years of age, though it was still in 

 arms. It was attired in the same manner as the rest ; a piece 

 of seal-skin, about a foot square, tied around its waist, being 

 all the poor little thing had on to protect it against one of the 

 coldest days that we had yet experienced. 



Our two friends appeared to be much pleased with their 

 visit; their countenances and manner plainly indicated the 

 pleasure which they felt on seeing so many new objects. 

 When about to leave, we made them some presents in the way 

 of clothes, with which they all appeared to be greatly pleased, 

 and insisted upon giving us in return some bows and arrows. 

 It was very amusing to see them in their new dress ; they 

 moved about with strutting affectation of dignity, and gave 

 themselves a thousand consequential airs. 



Their imitation of sounds was truly astonishing ; we tried 

 them with the flute and guitar, and they followed the sounds 

 correctly. They were also found to be great mimics in action ; 

 anything they saw, they would mimic, and with an extraor- 

 dinary degree of accuracy. They were very talkative, and 

 often burst out into a loud laughter when with each other ; 

 but whenever they discovered that we were watching them, 

 they looked as grave as judges, and said but little. We also 

 observed that they spoke to each other in a whisper. 



Their arms consisted of bows, arrows, and spears. They 

 use the latter for killing the seal, which is found in great 

 abundance in all the bays, and which they esteem to be excel- 

 lent food. 



At an early hour next day another canoe, with seven natives, 

 came alongside, and asked permission to come on board ; but 

 finding it could not be granted so early in the day, they 

 paddled off again, and we saw no more of them. 



