March 1830. carpTIVE—sTRENGTH AND BRAVERY. 415 
they could land, but so close to the shore that while securing 
one canoe, the other escaped. From that which we seized a 
young man and a girl jumped overboard, deserting an old 
woman and a child, whom we left in order to chase the young 
man; but he was so active in the water that it was fully a 
quarter of an hour before we could get him into our boat. 
Having at last secured him, we followed the others, but they 
had all landed and hidden, so we returned across the sound 
with our captive. In our way a smoke was seen in a cove of 
Waterman Island, and knowing that it must be made by 
those who escaped us yesterday, as there were no other natives 
there, we made sail for it; but the rogues saw us, and put out 
their fire. When we reached the spot, however, we found two 
wigwams just built, and covered with bark; so that there 
they had passed the night after their skirmish. I would not 
let any one land, as the Fuegians might be lurking in the 
bushes, and might be too much for two or three of us on 
shore,—but left the place. They would think us gone for more 
boats, as at the former meeting, and would shift their quarters 
immediately ; so by thus harassing them, I hoped to be freed 
from any more of their visits while we remained in the neigh- 
bourhood. 
‘< The bodily strength of these savages is very great (* York 
Minster’ is as strong as any two of our stoutest men), which, 
with their agility, both on shore and in the water, and their 
quickness in attack and defence with stones and sticks, makes 
them difficult to deal with when out of their canoes. They are 
a brave, hardy race, and fight to the last struggle ; though in 
the manner of a wild beast, it must be owned, else they would 
not, when excited, defy a whole boat’s crew, and, single- 
handed, try to kill the men; as I have witnessed. That kind- 
ness towards these beings, and good treatment of them, is as 
yet useless, I almost think, both from my own experience and 
from much that I have heard of their conduct to sealing ves- 
sels. Until a mutual understanding can be established, moral 
fear is the only means by which they can be kept peaceable. 
As they see only vessels which when their boats are away have 
