JUAN FERNANDEZ. 353 



and some curious caverns like those of Monte Albano. In one of 

 the largest of these we found an enormous goat dead, which of 

 course reminded us of " Poor Robin Crusoe." The island abounds in 

 these animals ; but though in my walk to-day I found the lairs of 

 several, I saw nothing alive. 



And now, just as we were going to re-embark, a man made his 

 appearance, and told us that he and four others were stationed on the 

 island, as we supposed, on account of the cattle, and that a cargo of 

 charqui, tallow, &c, had recently sailed for Talcuhana : we imagine 

 this visit was occasioned by the appearance of our party on the other 

 side this morning. Some tallow and hides that the master of the 

 vessel had taken on board, Lord Cochrane now paid for. After 

 which I left Juan Fernandez, probably for ever. 



9,1th. — The vessel was anchored so far off shore, that she dragged 

 her anchor and chain-cable out to a considerable distance ; the 

 anchoring ground being almost as steep as at St. Helena. I remained 

 on board, making sketches of the two bays ; and the gentlemen went 

 a-fishing, and brought on board a boat-load of the finest fish imagin- 

 able, both of known and unknown kinds. Of the known kinds the 

 principal were some fine rock-cod and crawfish, the latter nineteen 

 inches long. 



28th. — Having completed our water we sailed from Juan Fernan- 

 dez, highly pleased with our visit. Cattle, and wine, and vegetables, 

 might be produced here to a great extent ; but any nation that takes 

 possession of it as a harbour would have to import corn. The island 

 might maintain easily 2000 persons, exchanging the surplus beef, 

 wines, and brandy, for bread and clothing; and its wood and its 

 water, besides its other conveniences, would render it valuable as a 

 port in the Pacific : as it is, our whalers resort thither continually. 

 The three bays called the East, the West, and the Middle Roads, are 

 all under the lee of the island, so that the water is always smooth ; 

 they are all well watered, and very beautiful. 



Monday, February 10th. — Since we left Juan Fernandez we have 

 had a tolerable run. The thermometer has not been below 40°, 



z z 



