SURVEYING VOYAGES 



OP 



THE BEAGLE. 



1831—1836. 



#. 



CHAPTER I. 



Explanation — Natives of Tierra del Fuego, or Fuegians — Passages across 

 the Equator (Atlantic)— Letters— Small-pox — Hospital — Boat Me- 

 mory — Fuegians in London — At Waltharastow — At St. James's — 

 Beagle recommissioned— Correspondence with Mr. Wilson — Fuegians 

 re-embark. 



As the following narrative of the Beagle's second voyage to 

 South America is a sequel to the " Surveying Voyages of the 

 Adventure and the Beagle," which are related in the preceding 

 volume, it may be advisable that this chapter should contain 

 a sketch of some few incidents intimately connected with the 

 origin and plan of the second Expedition. 



Captain King has already mentioned that the two ships 

 under his orders sailed from Rio de Janeiro, on their home- 

 ward passage, early in August 1830. 



During the time which elapsed before we reached England, 

 I had time to see much of my Fuegian companions ; and daUy 

 became more interested about them as I attained a further 

 acquaintance with their abilities and natural inclinations. Far, 



VOL. II. B 



