CHAPTER V. 



Lieutenant ShoU arrives — Beagle returns — Loss of the Saxe Cobourg 

 sealer — Captain Stokes goes to Fury Harbour to save her crew — 

 Beagle's proceedings — Bougainville's memorial — Cordova's memorial 

 — Beagle's danger — Difficulties — Captain Stokes's boat-cruize — Pas- 

 sages — Natives — Dangerous service — Western entrance of the Strait 

 of Magalhaens — Hope's cruize — Prepare to return to Monte Video, 



The Beagle^s time of absence had expired on the 1st of April, 

 and our anxiety, more excited by our recent loss, was becoming 

 painful. I detained the Hope from going upon a service for 

 which she was prepared, in case she might be required to 

 search for our consort : but on the 6th a strange whale-boat 

 was descried pulling towards us from the southward, in which 

 we soon distinguished Lieut. Sholl. His appearance, under 

 such circumstances, of course raised fears for the Beagle'*s 

 safety ; but, on approaching, his gratifying shout, "alPs well 

 at once removed anxiety. 



Mr. Sholl informed me, that the Beagle had picked up a 

 boat, belonging to the schooner ' Prince of Saxe Cobourg, 

 wrecked in Fury Harbour, at the south entrance of the Bar- 

 bara Channel ; and that she had put into Port Gallant, whence 

 Captain Stokes had gone with the boats to assist the Sealers, 

 leaving Lieut. Sky ring on board. 



The safety of the Beagle being established, I despatched 

 Mr. Graves, in the Hope, to examine some openings between 

 the Magdalen Channel and the Dos Hermanos of Bougainville. 



Several days earlier than I expected, the Beagle made her 

 appearance, and Captain Stokes soon gave me the agreeable 

 intelligence of having succeeded in saving the Prince of Saxe 

 Cobourg's crew. Favoured by the weather, though delayed by 

 his guide having forgotten the way. Captain Stokes reached 

 Fury Harbour in two days, and embarked the master and 



VOL. I. F 



