500 



SALT SPRING THICK WOOD. 



Oct. 



expected to arrive in a few days, with a vessel laden with ani- 

 mals, and supplies for the settlement. We stood across, during 

 the night, to the four islands near Point Woodford; and at day- 

 light next morning (17th) resumed our usual occupations, while 

 sailing along the east side of Albemarle Island. At noon we 

 steered for Albany Islet, to embark Mr. Darwin and Mr. 

 Bynoe ; and after our party were on board, we returned to- 

 wards the shore of Albemarle Island, and there passed the 

 night under sail, in order to start early from a particular posi- 

 tion. Our landsmen had enjoyed their stay and profited by it, 

 though the heat was oppressive, and the sky nearly cloudless 

 by night and by day : how different was this from the weather 

 we had had on board ! The higher grounds of James Island 

 are extensive, and would be adapted to cultivation if the wood, 

 which now grows thickly, were cleared. There is a fine salt 

 spring, or lake, in an old crater ; the salt is excellent, in colour 

 and quality : and the men employed by Mr. Lawson were 

 using it daily for curing their fish and terrapin. 



When at some height upon the island, among the thick 

 wood, it is extremely difficult to find the way : men have been 

 lost thereabouts, and it is said that some of the bodies never 

 were found. The day we re-embarked Mr. Darwin there was 

 a man missing, belonging to an American whale ship, and his 

 shipmates were seeking for him. The master of this whaler 

 was very obliging to our party, supplying them with water, 

 and offering his hearty assistance in any way which lay in his 

 power. The earnest wishes to be of use, and the attentions of 

 North Americans to us on all occasions, have been often and 

 gratefully remarked by many on board the Beagle. 



18th. Continued our examination of Albemarle Island- 

 When off the northern volcano, the black streams of lava, which 

 have flowed in every direction down the sides of the mountain, 

 looked like immense streams of ink. Thence we steered for 

 Abingdon Island to meet Mr. Chaffers. I thought the cur- 

 rent less strong, and setting more to the west, than when I was 

 here on a former day. 



On the 19th we were close to Abingdon Island, where there 



