34 COAST OF TERRA DEL FUEGO. 



Le Maire. At 9 A. M., passed Staten Land. The aspect 

 of this island is wild and savage beyond description, or even 

 imagination. At 11 A. M., found ourselves in the Straits of 

 Le Maire, and as the wind was unfavorable, we ran into the 

 bay of Good Success, and anchored in thirteen fathoms 

 water. 



January 22d. Landed in a cove situated near the south- 

 west end of the bay. Saw a stream of fresh water about 50 

 feet wide, which discharged itself into the bay ; the water 

 was of a dark brown color, but of excellent quality. 

 Ascended the highest hill in the vicinity of the bay ; found 

 the ascent, in consequence of the density of vegetation and 

 looseness of the soil, extremely fatiguing, but on reaching 

 the summit, thought ourselves amply compensated for all 

 our trouble, by the magnificent view afforded us of the 

 surrounding country. Several of our number had taken their 

 guns with them, expecting to find plenty of game, but were 

 disappointed. We saw no living animals of any kind. At 

 daylight we got under-way, and stood out of the bay with a 

 light breeze, but it soon died away, and the ship was drifted 

 back into the bay. About 6 o'clock, several natives were 

 seen to come opposite the ship, and, in order to draw our 

 attention, set up a shout. By 8 o'clock, having drifted back 

 to our former berth, we again came to anchor. Soon after 

 this we left the ship in three armed boats, to visit the na- 

 tives. On our landing they came running toward us, and 

 after welcoming us to their shores, which they did by first 

 placing their hands upon their breasts, and then pointing 

 to the ground, they commenced crying out, " cuchillo," 

 "cuchillo." This being the Spanish for knife, and as 

 Wadel in his book states, that they have many Spanish 

 words in their language, we were all under the impression 

 they were asking if we had any knives to sell. We were, 



