116 NATIVES INTOXICATED. Jan. 1828. 
trifles, some of which they had attempted to get by pilfering. 
They made themselves so contented, that it was not without 
much difficulty we could persuade them to go on shore. 
Maria had made her mind up to pass the night on board, and 
so anxious were they all to remain, that it was only by giving 
Maria two bottles of spirits (which had been well diluted) 
that they were induced to get into the boat, and accompany me 
ashore. Being a lee-tide, and low water, the boat grounded at 
a considerable distance from the beach; seeing this, some of 
the Indians rode into the water, and taking us up behind them, 
conveyed us to the encampment, my place being behind Maria, 
the smell of whose zorillo-skin mantle was hardly bearable ; 
but it was necessary to conceal our dislike of our companions 
as much as possible, for they are very sensitive, and easily 
offended. 
While waiting for the tide, we witnessed a drunken scene at 
Maria’s toldo. Fifteen persons, seated around her, shared the 
spirits she had obtained on board, until all were intoxicated. 
Some were screaming, others laughing, some stupified, and 
some bellowing. The uproar drew all the other Indians round 
the tent, who tendered their assistance to compose their friends, 
and we returned to the ship. When we visited them the next 
day, they were quite recovered, and gave us some guanaco 
meat, which had been brought in that morning. On com- 
municating my intention of proceeding on the voyage, Maria 
wished to know when we should finish our “ seal-killing,” 
and come back. I told her “in five moons,” upon which she 
endeavoured to persuade me to return in four, because she 
would then have plenty of skins to barter. 
I wrote a few lines to Captain Stokes, who, I expected, 
would arrive in a day or two, communicating my desire that 
he should follow, as soon as possible, to Port Famine, and 
committed the letter to Maria’s care, who promised to deliver 
it to him; then, taking leave of her and her companions, I 
embarked, and proceeded through the Second Narrow to an 
anchorage off Cape Negro. 
Our visit to Gregory Bay, and communication with the 
