SOUTHWARD HO! 



17 



in Patagonia. Of these, Mr. Greenshields, whose estancia or farm 

 we visited later, owned the credit of having broken new ground in 

 colonising a part of the country some one hundred and fifty miles 

 south of the Welsh settlement of Trelew. The earlier sheep- 

 farms lay about Punta Arenas, eight degrees to the southward, 

 and there the men of the south 

 swore by the south, and much 

 difference of opinion existed as 

 to how sheep would flourish in 

 the more northerly region chosen 

 by Mr. Greenshields. But it 

 seemed that his daring was likely 

 to be richly repaid, and that 

 many, when they heard of his suc- 

 cess, would follow his example. 



At length it was bedtime, 

 and we turned in with the com- 

 forting reflection that when we 

 woke " first night out " would be 

 over. 



Next morning land had sunk 

 from sight and there was a light 

 ground-swell, but the Primero de Mayo was rolling heavily, a trick 

 that Government transports possess and seem to regard in the light 

 of a privilege all the world over. The evenings and the mornings 

 followed each other in grey but serene regularity, till on the 12th 

 we turned coastwards, heading for Puerto Belgrano, and ran 

 between low, green, hummocky banks up a stretch of shallow, 

 mud-coloured water to our anchorage. It was a reddish sunset 

 with lightning playing continuously upon the horizon, and while we 

 were at dinner a thunderstorm broke with heavy rain. That night 

 we were permitted the privilege and amusement of choosing the 

 morrow's menu. We chose a truly British repast ; roast beef, jam- 

 roll and plum-pudding figuring amongst the items. There are no 

 employments too trifling to help one to pass the time on board a 

 ship doing service as a coaster. As to the arrangements made for 

 our well-being on the transport, the Minister of Marine had, I was 



W*tf^ 



J. a. SCRIVENOR 



