192 



LEAVE LIMA. 



long, of 93^ W. On the SOtk, saw the island of 

 Mas-afuera rising out of the sea like a huge 

 black rock, its summits covered with clouds. 

 This island is called Juan Fernandez de Afuera^ 

 or Juan Fernandez Further Out;, being about one 

 hundred and twenty miles to the westward of 

 that island. It is not inhabited^ but is frequently 

 visited by sealers^, on account of the numerous 

 quantity of seals there. During the nighty we 

 passed within five or six miles of it^ and the fol- 

 lowing day observed the island of Juan Fer- 

 nandez bearing E. by S. This is the island so 

 famed for the solitary residence of Alexander 

 Selkirk, whose history formed the basis of that 

 well-known and interesting tale of Robinson 

 Crusoe. As we neared the island^ and passed it 

 about sunset^ the captain pointed out to me the 

 spot which is marked out as the residence of poor 

 Robinson Crusoe. The weather was so thick 

 and hazy^ that I could just perceive a change of 

 colour from the dark rocky appearance the whole 

 island bears as viewed from the sea; but it 



