



chap, x.l FUEGIANS. 227 



derstand the reason of our tacking, and, instead of meeting us at 

 each tack, vainly strove to follow us in our zig-zag course. I 

 ■was amused at finding what a difference the circumstance of 

 being quite superior in force made, in the interest of beholding 

 these savages. While in the boats I got to hate the very sound 

 of their voices, so much trouble did they give us. The first and 

 last word was " yammerschooner.' , When, entering some quiet 

 little cove, we have looked round and thought to pass a quiet 

 night, the odious word " yammerschooner" has shrilly sounded 

 from some gloomy nook, and then the little signal-smoke has 

 curled up to spread the news far and wide. On leaving some 

 place we have said to each other, l Thank Heaven, we have at 

 last fairly left these wretches !' -when one more faint halloo from 

 an all-powerful voice, heard at a prodigious distance, would 

 reach our ears, and clearly could we distinguish — " yammer- 

 schooner." But now, the more Fuegians the merrier ; and very 

 merry work it was. Both parties laughing, wondering, gaping 

 at each other ; we pitying them, for giving us good fish and 

 crabs for rags, &c. ; they grasping at the chance of finding 

 people so foolish as to exchange such splendid ornaments for a 

 good supper. It was most amusing to see the undisguised smile 

 of satisfaction with which one young woman with her face 

 painted black, tied several bits of scarlet cloth round her head 

 with rushes. Her husband, who enjoyed the very universal pri- 

 vilege in this country of possessing two wives, evidently became 

 jealous of all the attention paid to his young wife ; and, after a 

 consultation with his naked beauties, was paddled away by 

 them. 



Some of the Fuegians plainly showed that they had a fair 

 notion of barter. I gave one man a large nail (a most valuable 

 present) without making any signs for a return ; but he imme- 

 diately picked out two fish, and handed them up on the point of 

 his spear. If any present was designed for one canoe, and it 

 fell near another, it was invariably given to the right owner. 

 The Fuegian boy, whom Mr. Low had on board, showed, by 

 going into the most violent passion, that he quite understood 

 the reproach of being called a liar, which in truth he was. We 

 were this time, as on all former occasions, much surprised at tho 

 little notice, or rather none whatever, which was taken of many 



Q2 



