CHAPTER XIV. 
Place for a Settlement—Frost—Boats in danger—Narrow escape— 
Sudden change—Beagle Hills—Fuegian painting—Tides—Medicine 
—Water warmer than the air—Jerome Channel—Mr. Stokes returns 
to the Beagle—Cape Quod—Snowy Sound—W hale Sound—Choiseul 
Bay—Return to the Beagle—Adelaide returns—Plan of operations— 
Difficulties removed —Preparations—Wear and tear of clothing— 
Ascend the Mountain de la Cruz—Sail from Port Gallant—Tides— 
Borja Bay—Cape Quod—Gulf of Xaultegua—Frost and snow—Meet 
Adelaide—Part—Enter Pacific—Arrive at Childe. 
“18th of May. Very cold, raining heavily, and blowing 
strong from S.W. The tide turned this day (full moon), and 
set to the westward at 1.15. I only say ‘ turned,’ because I 
could not distinguish the ebb from the flood, so little rise and 
fall was there. No sooner had the tide ceased to run in one 
direction, than it began to run as strongly in the other, for 
about six hours. For the last four nights I noticed, that soon 
after sunset the sky was suddenly overcast, a trifling shower 
fell, and afterwards the heavens became beautifully clear. The 
climate must be much like that of the east coast of Patagonia, 
as shrubs grow here like those I saw at Port Desire. While 
walking, the leaves and dry sticks crackled under foot, which 
is very different from what one observes about the Strait of 
Magalhaens, where everything is wet and spungy. I was 
inclined to think this place suitable for a settlement. There is 
water, wood, and good soil, fit for planting, besides pasture 
land; the climate is not bad; and probably the Patagonian 
Indians might be induced to trade in guanaco meat, as they 
now do at Gregory Bay ; while any of their hostile incursions 
would be prevented by the channel. 
“© 19th. Two natives, a man and a boy, came to our boats 
this morning ; they seemed to have neither curiosity, nor fear, 
nor even a relish for tobacco. They took a piece of tinder, 
picked up a stone, and went away to some wigwams, at a little 
distance, where we soon afterwards saw a fire burning. 
