168 



ANECDOTES TRAFFIC. 



people, who seem to them always in want of provisions, and 

 tossed about at sea. These natives have a great dislike to 

 the motion of a ship ; yet, for novelty, they will go afloat when 

 opportunity offers. 



In landing at Gregory Bay, Mr. Low has had much trouble 

 in preventing the natives from croAvding into his boat, all 

 being anxious to see the vessel. Once, when many strange 

 Indians (of another tribe) were present, he was obliged to 

 affect to quarrel with them; and afterwards they behaved 

 better and were quite civil, but he never allowed his boat to 

 be grounded. Having left a Dutchman as boat-keeper, the 

 natives teased him into a quarrel, and then dragged him out of 

 the water, boat and all, with their lassoes, leaving him among 

 the bushes, frightened and spluttering, while they galloped 

 off", laughing heartily. The Dutchman hastened to Mr. Low ; 

 but while he was gone, the boat was put into the water by the 

 authors of the trick, who then dashed off" at full speed, highly 

 amused at their feat. Mr. Low gave one of the women a gay 

 gown : it was the first she had seen ; and wishing to suckle 

 her infant, she put it under the skirt of the gown, and, with 

 some difficulty, forced the little thing upwards to her breast. 



When the Patagonians meet white men, their inclinations 

 are almost always friendly ; but if they find themselves able to 

 dictate to the strangers, a tribute of tobacco, bread, muskets, 

 powder, ball, or such articles as they see and fancy, is often 

 imposed. 



A trading schooner called at Gregory Bay (in the Strait of 

 Magalhaens) in 1834. Her mate landed, and was asked for 

 various things which he could not or did not wish to give. The 

 natives detained him as a prisoner ; sent his boat away ; and 

 kept him till his ransom (tobacco and bread) was sent ashore. 



Considerable traffic for knives, swords, muskets, ammunition, 

 tobacco, bread, and, latterly, spirits, has been kept up between 

 the southern Patagonians and the vessels which have touched 

 on their shores (especially at Gregory Bay) in going through 

 the Strait. Their returns have been mantles, skins, and fresh 

 guanaco meat. 



