350 SIR JOSEPH BANKS. 



when they touched on the arid and inhospitable coast of 

 Terra del Fuego. But amid their repose and relaxation, 

 business never was forgotten. They spent the time that 

 elapsed before the Transit in astronomical observations, 

 and in a minute examination of the island. Mr. Banks 

 and his friend became thoroughly acquainted with every 

 branch of its natural history, but he also acquired extra- 

 ordinary favour and influence with the natives, insomuch 

 that he became the frequent arbiter in their disputes. 

 This ascendant he owed to his frank and manly carriage, 

 his perfect good humour, and his unfailing firmness, to 

 which we must certainly add his noble presence, so well 

 fitted to make an impression upon rude minds. An 

 important service was rendered by him, and he was 

 enabled to render it through the influence which he had 

 thus acquired. When the observatory was established on 

 the 1st of May, and the instruments had been taken on 

 shore the evening before, it was found that the quadrant, 

 contained in a large packing-case, and deposited in a 

 tent guarded by a sentinel, had been carried off. The 

 whole object of the expedition was frustrated should it 

 not be recovered. Every search proved unavailing. At 

 last Mr. Banks went into the woods, and his judicious 

 and spirited exertions proved successful ; the precious 

 instrument was restored in perfect safety. In his expe- 

 dition he was sometimes surrounded by the crowd of 

 impatient and angry natives, and had to show his pistols 

 in order to control them. He went among them with a 

 single attendant only. 



The event so anxiously expected, of the Transit, took 

 place at the time prefixed by the calculations, June 3. 

 As the critical day approached, the general anxiety 



