250 SAN CARLOS DE CHILGE—ALDUNATE. July 1829. 
of stone, and roofed with slate; but afterwards found they were 
of wood, from their foundations, to the tops of their roofs, 
Except a few cleared spaces, the island is entirely covered with 
trees, even on the highest hills. The Captain of the Port 
(an Englishman) boarded us as we neared the anchorage, and 
was very obliging in his offers. From him I learnt that the 
Adventure had not yet arrived, nor even been heard of on the 
coast. We anchored under the lee of Barcacura Heights, in a 
good berth, and moored ship. I went on shore immediately, and 
paid my respects to the Governor, Don José Santiago Aldunate, 
a brigadier-general in the Chilian Service, whose kind manner, 
and friendly offers of every assistance he could render us, were 
very gratifying. From the master of a merchant ship, lately 
arrived, I was surprised and concerned to learn, that the Adven- 
ture had not reached Valparaiso before the time of his sailing 
thence (20th of June).* 
* Refitting the Beagle, repairing and building boats, occu- 
pied most of the officers, and all the crew, while Mr. Stokes and 
I were engaged in the work of the survey, during our stay in 
the Port of San Carlos. Our ship required caulking, which, 
in so rainy aclimate, was difficult to accomplish. So continually 
wet was the weather, that had we not dried our sails, and un- 
bent them, during three fine days which we had(7) on our 
arrival, they would not have been dry during our stay.” 
* The Adventure arrived on the 2|st.—P. P. K. 
(r) Por milagro (miraculously); as the inhabitants told me.—R. F. 
