1833. 



WESTWARD EXPLORATION. 



215 



a westward excursion, accompanied by Messrs. Darwin and 

 Hamond, in the other two boats : my intention being to com- 

 plete the exploration of Whale-boat Sound, and the north-west 

 arm of the Beagle Channel ; then revisit Woollya, either leave 

 or remove Matthews, as might appear advisable, and repair to 

 our ship in Goree Road. With a fair and fresh wind my boat 

 and Mr. Hamond's passed the Murray Narrow, and sailed far 

 along the channel towards the west, favoured, unusually, by 

 an easterly breeze. Just as we had landed, and set up our tent 

 for the night, some canoes were seen approaching ; so rather 

 than be obliged to watch their movements all night, we at once 

 embarked our tent and half-cooked supper, and pulled along 

 the shore some miles further, knowing that they would not 

 willingly follow us in the dark. About midnight we landed 

 and slept undisturbed. Next day we made little progress, 

 the wind having changed, and landed, earlier than usual, 

 on the north side of the channel, at Shingle Point. Some 

 natives soon appeared, and though few in number, were in- 

 clined to give trouble. It was evident they did not know 

 the effect of fire-arms ; for if a musket were pointed at them, 

 and threatening gestures used, they only made faces at us, and 

 mocked whatever we did. Finding them more and more inso- 

 lent and troublesome, I preferred leaving them to risking a 

 struggle, in which it might become necessary to fire, at the 

 hazard of destroying life. Twelve armed men, therefore, 

 gave way to six unarmed, naked savages, and went on to ano- 

 ther cove, where these annoying, because ignorant natives 

 could not see us. 



On the 29th we reached Devil Island, and found the large 

 wigwam still standing, which in 1830 my boat's crew called 

 the ' Parliament House.' Never, in any part of Tierra del 

 Fuego, have I noticed the remains of a wigwam which seemed 

 to have been burned or pulled down ; probably there is some 

 feeling on the subject, and in consequence the natives allow 

 them to decay naturally, but never wilfully destroy them. We 

 enjoyed a grand view of the lofty mountain, now called Darwin, 

 with its immense glaciers extending far and wide. Whether 



