May.] PHILIPYILLE — CAPE FROWARD — INDIAN SOUND. 89 



May 6th, — Having recruited our strength and spirits by sleep and 

 refreshment, we again went on shore, and examined the ancient ruins 

 of Philipville. During the day we also shot several otters, and saw 

 many of the Fuegian natives on the opposite shore. We likewise 

 visited the fort which had been erected to protect the Spanish colony 

 from the natives, and to command the strait. It appeared to be but 

 little decayed, considering the length of time it had been abandoned. 

 This fortress was built only eighty years after the first discovery of the 

 American continent by Columbus ; and a very little labour would now 

 restore it to its original condition, and render it an effective protection 

 against any attacks which the natives could make. The ruins of the 

 town bear much stronger marks of the withering touch of time. The 

 remains of some stone edifices are yet visible ; but the walls have 

 generally crumbled into complete decay. After examining this part 

 of the country to our satisfaction, and inspecting a number of wigwams 

 of a conical form, which the natives had recently deserted, apparently 

 from fear of hostilities on our part, we prepared to leave Port Famine, 

 and double the cape which forms the centre angle of the strait, and 

 the most southern extremity of the continent. 



May 7th. — On Wednesday, the seventh, at five o'clock, A. M., we 

 again got under way, and steered to the south, with the wind from 

 west-north-west, and a light rain. At ten, A. M., we passed Cape Fro- 

 ward, and changed our course, first to west, then to west-north-west, 

 which is that of the strait from this cape to the Pacific Ocean. In 

 passing this angle of the strait, we saw many of the natives on the 

 shore, apparently just landed or landing from a fishing excursion. But 

 no sooner did they see our vessel than they abandoned their canoes, 

 and all started for a neighbouring wood, where they remained until we 

 had doubled the cape, and left it behind off our starboard quarter, 

 These Indians are a distinct race from the Patagonians, as will appear 

 presently. 



This unexpected timidity on their part led me to suspect that they 

 had lately experienced foul play from some civilized, Christian naviga- 

 tor, who, conscious of physical power, had forgotten humanity, and per- 

 haps justice. I therefore came to the resolution of opening an inter- 

 course with the next tribe I fell in with ; and, if possible, of inspiring 

 them with confidence towards foreigners and strangers. 



May 8th. — On Thursday, the eighth, we continued our course to- 

 wards the Pacific, nearly in a west-north-west direction, passing York 

 Road and some very picturesque scenery on the northern shore, re- 

 sembling the Highlands of the Hudson. At eleven o'clock, P. M., we 

 came to anchor at the mouth of Indian Sound, where a vast number of 

 the natives were fishing by torch-light. From attendant circumstances 

 I concluded that we were now near the location of an extensive tribe. 

 In order that we might not alarm them, I had the vessel moored with 

 as little noise as possible, while the binacle-lights were promptly ex- 

 tinguished. We had anchored in four fathoms of water, with clay 

 bottom, and with such precaution that the natives continued their voca- 

 tion, totally unconscious of our proximity, until after midnight. Our 

 watch on deck consisted of one-half the crew at a time, every man 



