March 1830. RETURN TO CHRISTMAS SOUND. 423 
*¢ 29th. This morning, with better weather, we sailed very. 
early in hopes to get round Black Point; the wind being 
moderate promised well, but, with the sun, it rose again. 
However, we tried hard for about six hours, during four of 
which I hardly hoped to succeed, for it blew strong, and the 
tide race was dangerous: but before evening we gained the 
sheltered part of Trefusis Bay. The men were on their oars 
from five in the morning till four in the afternoon, and, except- 
ing two rests of a quarter of an hour each, pulling hard all the 
time. We landed in a sheltered spot, about half a mile within 
the entrance of a passage which leads from Trefusis Bay to 
Christmas Sound. ‘Our fatigue and thorough drenching, by 
sea and rain, was then little cared for, having gained our point, 
and being only a day’s pull from the Beagle. 
“‘ I had seen along this passage from Christmas Sound, as 
well as from Leading Hill, and rejoiced to get into it, for the 
outer coast is a wild one for a boat at any period of the year 
—and this was the month of March; about the worst time. 
“ 30th. A fine clear morning. We started with the sun, and 
pulled so fast along in the smooth water, that by the evening 
we reached our little vessel, and found that all was well on 
board ; that there had been no more visits from the Fuegians, 
nor any troubles. The new boat was finished on the 23d, only 
twenty days having been occupied by Mr. May and three men 
in building her. Appearance was very much in her favour, 
notwithstanding the disadvantages under which she was built. 
Lieutenant Kempe had finished all the ship’s work with his 
usual promptness: new topmast rigging had been fitted, and 
every thing prepared for sea. I was two days over the time 
for which we carried provisions, but by my coxswain’s care of 
them, and by using limpets and other shell-fish, we still had a 
sufficiency. 
‘* Having seen as much as seemed necessary of the coast 
between Christmas Sound and Nassau Bay (I mean necessary 
in proportion to our limited time and provisions), the Ilde- 
fonsos and Diego Ramirez Isles were to be our next objects. 
“ 31st. A strong wind, with much rain, prevented our mov- 
