san. 1828. BEAGLE—UXBRIDGE—LOW. 119 
the southward, over Fitton Bay, were so covered with snow, 
that not a particle of the rock could be seen; but this year 
many bare spots were visible. Every thing else, however, indi- 
cated a bad season, and the berberis bushes and arbutus shrubs 
had scarcely any show of fruit ; which was rather a disappoint- 
ment, as the berries of the former plant proved an agreeable 
addition to our food last year. However, there was no scarcity 
of birds, and with the seine we procured plenty of fish. 
The Beagle’s long and unexpected absence caused us much 
uneasiness, and some apprehension for her safety. Her visit to 
Port Desire ought not to have occupied more than three days, 
and her superior sailing should have enabled Captain Stokes 
to rejom us in the entrance of the Strait. People were sent 
daily to look out for her, and every succeeding day increased 
our anxiety. 
A long succession of blowing and rainy weather much 
impeded our progress with the Adelaide; but the Hope was 
hoisted out, and prepared for service. 
Before daylight on the 14th I was informed that the Beagle 
was seen in the offing. Blue lights were burnt, and lanterns 
immediately shown to guide her to the anchorage ; but our 
disappointment was great when the stranger proved to be Mr. 
W. Low’s schooner, the Uxbridge. He had been sealing since 
Noyember in the neighbourhood of Noir Island, near the outer 
entrance of the Barbara Channel, and was on his way to Cape 
Gregory to meet his elder brother, who had been collecting 
sea-elephant oil at South Shetland. The Uxbridge had entered 
the Strait from the Pacific, by the Magdalen ‘Channel,’ which 
last year we thought a Sound, and had attempted to explore in 
the Hope, but had been deceived by the abrupt change in the 
direction of the Channel at Cape Turn. 
At last (on the 28th), after the Beagle’s absence had been 
protracted to more than a month beyond the time intended, 
we were relieved from painful anxiety, and much rejoiced, by 
Mr. Tarn’s telling us he had just seen her, and in two hours 
afterwards she arrived. 
Captain Stokes, to my great surprise, told me that he had 
