170 



-CAPITAX CHUX'S. 



in all probability, on bad terms with their neighbours at that 

 time. 



Those who first arrived were invited on board; but declined 

 going, because their chief was expected : and with the last 

 party came a boy, about nine years'* old, fantastically decked 

 with ornaments of copper and brass, with beads, and with a new 

 mantle. A tall, fine-looking man, of the Gregory Bay tribe, 

 accompanied this young cacique, and made him known to Mr. 

 Low, by the name of ' Capitan Chups.' 



These natives have adopted the word ' capitan,' and now 

 always use it when addressing white men who they suppose 

 have authority. When some Patagonians of the Gregory Bay 

 party came on board the Beagle, in 1834, seeing a larger 

 number of officers than is usual in small vessels, one of the first 

 questions asked, in broken Spanish, was, " Quanto capitanes 

 abordo ?'*^ 



Little Capitan Chups seemed to have no small idea of his 

 own consequence, and tried to affect much dignity. He wil- 

 lingly went on board the Unicorn; but not a native would 

 enter the boat until the young chief was seated, when there 

 was a most inconsistent scramble, which nearly swamped it. 

 However, after pushing out a few of the intruders, the party 

 reached the vessel in safety. On board her was a Patagonian 

 boy, who had been four months with Mr. Low, and had been 

 clothed at Monte Video. He had recognized Capitan Chups 

 at a distance, Said who he was, and showed by his manner that 

 he considered him a person of high distinction. The little 

 cacique called this boy, asked him many questions, and 

 examined every part of his dress. Afterwards the boy joined 

 some of his own family, who were present. He had before 

 refused to go to the party at Gregory Bay, while there in the 

 vessel, alleging that they were not his people. 



Mr. Low said, that the tribe on the banks of this channel 

 were mixed, being partly horse and partly canoe Indians. They 

 were entirely under the dominion of the Gregory Bay party, 

 who appointed their chiefs. Maria's son, called ' Capitan Chico,' 

 was their ruler, until the arrival of Capitan Chups. 



