228 PRESERVED MEAT—SKYRING WATER. May 1829. 
agreeable mess. On boat service, meat preserved in tin is parti- 
cularly useful, being already cooked, and therefore fit for 
dinner without the aid of fire. 
‘“* We were surprised at the mildness of the weather. Indeed, 
the change of climate was as pleasant as it was sudden and un- 
expected. 
“16th. At daylight, we found ourselves in the entrance 
of what was thought a river. Under this impression, I hoped 
to penetrate into the interior of the country, and meet some new 
tribes of Patagonians. As soon as we could get underweigh, we 
pulled and sailed along a winding channel, on one side of which 
was a pleasant-looking, woody country, extending towards 
Tierra del Fuego ; and on the other, a low, barren district, like 
Eastern Patagonia. The banks on both shores were from five 
to forty feet high, sloping, and covered with grass. 
‘¢ The current was in our favour, which with the saltness of 
the water, inclined me to think it a channel, and not the mouth 
of a river. In this opinion I was confirmed in a short time, by 
seeing surf breaking against some land beyond an opening, 
which showed that we were approaching a large body of water. 
Soon after, we reached the extreme west point of this small 
channel ; and, to our surprise, saw an expanse, at least thirty 
miles across from east to west, and twenty from north to south. 
I thought it more at first, but probably was deceived. West 
and south of it I observed high snow-covered mountains; and: 
the summit of one was remarkable, being like a castle with a 
high tower. Northward, the land was low; excepting a few 
ranges of down-like hills with large plains between them. 
‘< It happened to be a very clear day, and all that could be 
seen at any time was visible. In two places there seemed to me 
to be openings to the westward ; in the southernmost I could 
see no land at all ; the other was backed by distant mountains, 
but still had the appearance of an opening. After this I went 
to the top of a hill near me, about three hundred feet high, to 
gain a better view, yet so small an elevation made but little 
difference, and I rather thought the opposite coast farther off 
than I had at first supposed. 
