362 



ADVENTURE SOLD — CHANGES. 



Nov. 



allowed to bear twenty additional seamen on the Beagle's 

 books, whose pay and provisions would then be provided by 

 Government, being willing to defray every other expense 

 myself ; but even this was refused. As soon as my mind was 

 made up, after a most painful struggle, I discharged the 

 Adventure's crew, took the officers back to the Beagle, and 

 sold the vessel.^ 



Early in November our charts of the eastern coasts of Pata- 

 gonia and Tierra del Fuego, as well as those of the Falkland 

 Islands (the work of the Adventure) were finished, and shipped 

 off for England ; and on the 10th we sailed, alone, to resume 

 our more active occupations on the southern coasts. My former 

 intention was to have filled up all blanks in the charts of the 

 outer west coast of Patagonia, between the parallels of fifty- 

 three and forty-eight, and then carried a connected survey along 

 the coast to the equator ; after which the Galapagos Islands ; 

 Dangerous Archipelago; Marquesas, Society, Friendly, and 

 Feejee Islands ; besides New Zealand ; were to have had as 

 earnest an examination as could be effected by both vessels 

 during 1836 and part of 1837. That this plan might have 

 been carried out by the divisions of labour and exertions of 

 the Beagle and her tender may, I think, be inferred from 

 what has actually been executed with inferior means and 

 in much less time. But my reduced arrangements were on 

 a much smaller scale : I could only look to the most useful 

 objects that might be effected within the limited time to which 

 I dared to look forward. 



All on board partook, more or less, of the mortification caused 

 by parting with our consort, just as she was most wanted, and 

 most able to take an effective part ; and I confess that my own 

 feelings and health were so much altered in consequence— so 

 deprived of their former elasticity and soundness — that I could 

 myself no longer bear the thoughts of such a prolonged sepa- 

 ration from my country, as I had encouraged others to think 



* Though her sale was very ill-manag-ed, partly owing to my being- 

 dispirited and careless, she brought 7,500 dollars, nearly £1,400, and is 

 now (1838) trading on that coast, in sound condition. 



