Feb. 1827. FUEGIAN NATIVES. 77 
hands on the dog, at which the woman set up a dismal yell ; 
so bidding him desist, I increased my offers. She declined to 
part with it, but would give two others. At last, my offers 
became so considerable, that she called a little boy out of the 
thick jungle (into which he had fled at our approach), who 
was the owner of the dog. The goods were shown to him, 
and all his party urged him to sell it, but the little urchin 
would not consent. He offered to let me have his necklace, and 
what he received in exchange was put away in his own little 
basket. 
“ These people never evinced any thankfulness for our pre- 
sents. Whatever was offered they ‘ clutched at,’ doubtful of 
getting it, although held out to them ; and when in their own 
hand, it was instantly stowed away, as if they feared it would 
be recalled. 
“‘ T sometimes tried to discover whether they preferred any 
particular colour, and for that purpose held out three strings 
of beads, black, white, and red ; they clutched at all three, in 
their usual manner, without showing any preference. 
“ Their pronunciation is exceedingly harsh and guttural ; 
not more than two words, whose signification was at all ascer- 
tained, could be made out, ‘ sherroo,’ a ship, boat, or canoe, 
and ‘ peteet,’ a child. They have a wonderful aptitude for 
imitating the sounds of strange languages: let a sentence, of 
even a dozen words, be distinctly pronounced, and they will 
repeat it with the utmost precision. 
“ Their only articles of traffic, besides such implements and 
weapons as they use, are seal and otter skins; and I should say 
that the quantity of peltry to be procured from them would be 
insignificant towards completing the cargo of a sealing vessel.” 
During the next few days the Beagle was employed in the 
most exposed, the least known, and the most dangerous part 
of the Strait. Fortunately, she was favoured by weather, and 
effected her purpose without injury or loss; but I never reflect 
upon this piece of service without an inward tribute of admira- 
tion to the daring, skill, and seamanship of Captain Stokes, 
Lieutenant Skyring, and Mr. Flinn. 
