34 



COAST OF TERRA DEL FUEGO. 



imagination. At 11 A. M., found ourselves in the Straits of 

 Le Maire, and as the wind was unfavorable, we ran into 

 the Bay of Good Success, and anchored in thirteen fathoms 

 water. 



January 22d. Landed in a cove situated near the south- 

 west end of the bay. Saw a stream of fresh water about fifty 

 feet wide, which discharged itself into the bay ; the water was 

 of a dark brown color, but of excellent quality. Ascended 

 the highest hill in the vicinity of the bay ; found the ascent, 

 in consequence of the density of vegetation and looseness of 

 the soil, extremely fatiguing, but on reaching the summit, 

 thought ourselves amply compensated for all our trouble, by 

 the magnificent view afforded us of the surrounding country. 

 Several of our number had taken their guns with them, 

 expecting to find plenty of game, but were disappointed. We 

 saw no living animals of any kind. At daylight Ave got under 

 way, and stood out of the bay with a light breeze, but it soon 

 died away, and the ship was drifted back into the bay. About 

 6 o'clock, several natives were seen to come opposite the ship, 

 and, in order to draw our attention, set up a shout. By 

 8 o'clock, having drifted back to our former berth, we again 

 came to anchor. Soon after this we left the ship in three 

 armed boats, to visit the natives. On our landing they came 

 running toward us, and after welcoming us to their shores, 

 which they did by first placing their hands upon their breasts 

 and then pointing to the ground, they commenced crying out, 

 " cuchillo," " cuchillo." This being the Spanish for knife, 

 and as Wadel in his book states, that they have many Spanish 

 words in their language, we were all under the impression they 

 were asking if we had any knives to sell. We were, how- 

 ever, soon convinced that we had not understood them, for on 

 showing them our knives they still kept crying out " cuchillo." 



