994 OTWAY WATER—INDIAN CHANNEL. May 1829. 
lower and less wooded. This was, indeed, an animating view: 
I stood considering what might be the boundary of this water, 
till I recollected, that the longer I thought about it, the longer 
I should be finding it out ; so we pushed on with the boats, of 
course taking the necessary bearings and angles, until we 
reached the ‘ Point of Islets’ in ‘ Otway Water.’ 
“¢ On the 12th, our oars were going early. 
‘‘ The two islands, ‘ Englefield’ and ‘ Vivian,’ were the only 
land upon the horizon for six points of the compass. The 
southern coast trended away nearly east from Cape Charles, pre- 
serving the high mountainous character of the Fuegian shores, 
while that to the northward was low, though as yet well wooded. 
“* I was nearly tempted to try whether Fanny Bay led towards 
the Gulf of Xaultegua; but fortunately did not, as I should 
have regretted the time so employed. 
** Point Hamond is thickly-wooded with evergreens, similar 
to those of the Strait ; and with a species of pine, about thirty 
or forty feet in height. 
“To the S.E. three remarkable promontories stand out in 
bold relief from the Fuegian shore ; but beyond them the Jand 
sinks into the tame flatness of Patagonia. 
‘¢ I'he water on the west shore is not deep ; from ten to thirty 
fathoms at a quarter of a mile off shore, but getting more 
shallow advancing northward. There is anchorage for a vessel 
after passing Indian Channel, the whole way along ; and as the 
prevailing winds are off shore, it would generally be safe. In 
Indian Channel I only know of two anchorages, Cutter Bay 
and Bending Cove. 
“‘ Such constant rain fell during this evening, that it was 
not until after much trouble that we at last made fires. Carry- 
ing dry fuel in the boats we found indispensable, and I would 
recommend any person who passes a night on shore in this wet 
climate, with a boat, to carry a sheet of copper, or a piece of 
flat iron, in preference to any boat-stove, as a fire can be lighted 
upon it much more easily, and it does not take much stowage : 
the great difficulty about fires here is getting fuel to burn 
when the ground is wet, or when snow lies on it. 
