402 HOPES DISAPPOINTED. Feb. 1830. 
sage opening to the sea,* and a wigwam just deserted. Here was 
cause for hope; and seeing, beyond the passage, some large 
islands lying to seaward of that which we had been coasting, it 
appeared probable that our boat had been taken there for au 
fishing. Our prisoners had given us to understand plainly 
enough that such was the object of those who had stolen her, 
and outlying islands were the most likely to be visited, as on 
them most seal are found. 
** Next day (19th) I passed over to Gilbert Island, and in 
a cove found such recent marks of natives, that I felt sure of 
coming up with the chase in the course of the day. When the 
Fuegians stop anywhere, they generally bark a few trees, to 
repair their canoes or cover their wigwams ; but those whose 
traces we were following, had made long journeys without 
stopping ; and, where they did stay, barked no trees, which 
was one reason for supposing them to be the party in our boat. 
In the course of the day we pulled nearly round the islands,+ 
looking into every cove. 
“On the 20th, we discovered three small canoes with their 
owners in a cove.} All the men ran away, except two. As we 
saw that there were no more persons than the canoes required, 
we did not try to catch them, knowing that this could not be 
the party we were in search of. We had now examined every 
nook and corner about these islands, and I began to give up 
all hope of finding our boat in this direction. Having no clue 
to guide me farther, and much time having been lost, I re- 
luctantly decided to return to the Beagle. Our only re- 
maining hope, that the master might have met with the boat, 
was but very feeble. 
*¢ (21st.) All this day we were pulling to the westward, to 
regain the Beagle. At night-fall I met Mr. Murray, with the 
cutter, in the cove where I had appointed a rendezvous. He had 
not found any signs of the boat upon the opposite shore, and 
therefore ‘identities but he saw the people who had. escaped 
from us when we surprised the whole family. They fled as 
soon as his boat was seen. Leaving, therefore, three men to 
* Adventure Passage. + Gilbert Islands. + Doris Cove. 
