CHAPTER III. 



Prepare the Beagle, and our decked boat (the Hope) for surveying- the 

 Strait — Beadle sails westward, and the Hope towards the south-east — 

 Sarmiento's voyage — and description of the colony formed by him at 

 Port Famine — Steamer-duck — Large trees — Parroquets — Mount Tarn 

 — Barometrical observations — Geological character — Report of the 

 Hope's cruize. 



In almost every account published of the Strait of Magal- 

 Iiaens, so much notice has been taken of Port Famine, that I 

 had long considered it a suitable place for our purposes ; and 

 upon examination I found it offered so many advantages, that 

 I did not hesitate to make it our head-quarters. As soon, there- 

 fore, as the ship was moored, tents were pitched, our decked- 

 boat was hoisted out and hauled on shore, to be coppered 

 and equipped for the survey ; — and Captain Stokes received 

 orders to prepare the Beagle for examining the western part 

 of the Strait ; previous to which she required to be partially 

 refitted, and supplied with fuel and water. 



For several days after our arrival, we had much rain and 

 strong south-westerly wind, with thick clouds, which con- 

 cealed the high land to the southward ; allowing us only now 

 and then a partial glimpse. One evening (11th) the air was 

 unusually clear, and many of the mountains in that direction 

 were distinctly defined. We had assembled to take leave of our 

 friends in the Beagle, and were watching the gradual appear- 

 ance of snow-capped mountains which had previously been con- 

 cealed, when, bursting upon our view, as if by magic, a 

 lofty mountain appeared towering among them ; whose snowy 

 mantle, strongly contrasted with the dark and threatening 

 aspect of the sky, much enhanced the grandeur of the scene. 



This mountain was the " Snowy Volcano" (Volcan Nevado) 

 of Sarmiento, with whose striking appearance that celebrated 

 navigator seems to have been particularly impressed, so minute 



