TEERA DEL FUEGO. 39 



of the canoe, and appeared to take an equal share with 

 the men in the labors of the paddle. We invited her on 

 board repeatedly, but she would not venture ; doubtless 

 she was afraid of offending the men, who are very jeal- 

 ous. 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 expe- 

 rienced. 



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 dig- 

 nity, 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 extraordinary 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 



