262 THROUGH THE HEART OF PATAGONIA 



" Lake Argentine .... extends sixty miles to the west ; and 

 the fjords of the extreme west divide into three arms, which receive 

 the waters of large glaciers from Mount Stokes up to the vicinity 



HELLG \TL 



of Lake Viedma. An important river flows into the end of the 

 north fjord, with clear waters — a sure sign that it proceeds from 

 another great lake still unknown. The western end is closed by 

 the main chain of the Cordillera with its glaciers, which cross to 

 the Pacific fjords of Peel Inlet and St. Andrew's Sound, and one 

 can distinguish peaks more than 10,000 feet, as Mount Agassiz 

 (10,597 feet)." 



On March i r, having mended the launch to the best of our 

 ability, we intended to make a start from Cow Monte Harbour. 

 As we rode down from Cattle's, driving my troop of horses before 

 us, the calm weather which had attended the period of repairs 

 broke up and a strong wind began to blow out of the south-west. 

 A start was, therefore, rendered impossible. We accordingly 

 camped beside the launch, to be ready for an early departure. All 

 night long the wind held, and the sheepskins in the after-hatch, 

 where I was sleeping, took in water. It needed little waking, 



