JUAN FERNANDEZ. 353 
and some curious caverns like those of Monte Albano. In one of 
‘ the largest of these we found an enormous goat dead, which of 
course reminded us of “ Poor Robin Crusoe.” The island abounds in 
these animals; but though in my walk to-day I found the lairs of 
several, I saw nothing alive. 
And now, just as we were going to re-embark, a man made his 
appearance, and told us that he and four others were stationed on the 
island, as we supposed, on account of the cattle, and that a cargo of 
charqui, tallow, &c., had recently sailed for Talcuhana: we imagine 
this visit was occasioned by the appearance of our party on the other 
side this morning. Some tallow and hides that the master of the 
vessel had taken on board, Lord Cochrane now paid for. After 
which I left Juan Fernandez, probably for ever. 
27th. — The vessel was anchored so far off shore, that she dragged 
her anchor and chain-cable out to a considerable distance; the 
anchoring ground being almost as steep as at St. Helena. I remained 
on board, making sketches of the two bays ; and the gentlemen went 
a-fishing, and brought on board a boat-load of the finest fish imagin- 
able, both of known and unknown kinds. Of the known kinds the 
principal were some fine rock-cod and crawfish, the latter nineteen 
inches long. 
28th. — Having completed our water we sailed from Juan Fernan- 
dez, highly pleased with our visit. Cattle, and wine, and vegetables, 
might be produced here to a great extent; but any nation that takes 
possession of it as a harbour would have to import corn. The island 
might maintain easily 2000 persons, exchanging the surplus beef, 
wines, and brandy, for bread and clothing; and its wood and its 
water, besides its other conveniences, would render it valuable as a 
port in the Pacific: as it is, our whalers resort thither continually. 
The three bays called the East, the West, and the Middle Roads, are 
all under the lee of the island, so that the water is always smooth ; 
they are all well watered, and very beautiful. 
Monday, February 10th. — Since we left Juan Fernandez we have 
had a tolerable run. The thermometer has not been below 40°, 
22 
