Feb. 1833. indiax tombs—port santa elena. 



305 



might have been procured had they dug fresh wells. On the 

 summit of South Cape an Indian tomb was found. The stones 

 had been displaced, and some bones were lying about, a few 

 of which were taken on board, but none could be got in a 

 perfect state. Mr, Bynoe afterwards examined them, and 

 informed me that they had belonged to a female of small 

 stature.* 



Off Ship Island, and thence to Cape Dos Bahias, the tide- 

 stream was again felt strongly, running two, three, or, in some 

 places, four knots an hour. At a little creek, in Camarones 

 Bay, near Cape Dos Bahias, abundance of small wood, fit for 

 fuel, was found ; and plenty of fresh water in hollows of the 

 rocks. A guanaco was shot, which weighed upwards of two 

 hundred pounds. Not only is small wood plentiful about Cama- 

 rones Bay, but the country is sufficiently covered with grass of 

 good quality. Several Indian tombs were seen on the hills, 

 whence it may be inferred that natives at times frequent the 

 neighbourhood, although no recent traces were met with by our 

 party. Unfortunately, not one of these tombs, simply irre- 

 gular piles of stones, was found in an undisturbed state, nei- 

 ther were any more bones discovered : they are all similarly 

 situated upon the most conspicuous, smooth, and round-topped 

 hills. 



At Port Santa Elena many tons of excellent water were pro- 

 cured from hollows in the rocks. (7th Feb.) Approaches to trees . 

 were found at this place, which though stunted as to height, 

 much like thorn-trees in exposed situations, were of respectable 

 dimensions. One measured more than three feet round the 

 trunk, but its fellow was not seen. 



After dusk, on the 10th, while endeavouring to enter New 

 Bay, with a fresh wind and strong flood-tide, the Liebre got 

 into a ' race,'' and was hustled within a fathom of a rock, over 

 which the tide was boiling furiously. Fortunately, the Paz 

 saw the Liebre alter course and make more sail, and by imme- 



* I gave them to Sir Francis Chantrey, by whom they were shown to 

 several persons. 



VOL. II. X 



