April 1827. SAXE cobourCt schooner. 67 



be. The boat eventually arrived safely at the place of her 

 destination, and the crew entered as volunteers on board of 

 th^ Buenos Ayrean squadron, at that time engaged in the 

 war with Brazil. 



Again a boat was despatched, directed to go westward 

 through the Strait in search of vessels. She had only reached 

 as far as Playa Parda, wlien the Beagle fell in witli her 

 (March Sd, 1827). While passing through the small channels? 

 before entering the Strait, she met several canoes, with Indians, 

 who endeavoured to stop her, and shot arrows at the crew ; 

 but, happily, without doing any mischief. 



After the last boat's departure, Mr. Brisbane began to build 

 a small vessel, and, while so employed, was visited by a party 

 of natives, who conducted themselves very peaceably, and went 

 away. Their visit, however, gave the shipwrecked people, 

 now much reduced in number,* reason to apprehend the 

 return of a larger body, who might try to possess themselves 

 of the property which was lying about on the shore ; they 

 therefore buried a great deal, and took means to preserve 

 the rest by making preparations to repel attack. When 

 Captain Stokes appeared with his two boats, the Sealers flew 

 to their arms, calling out " the Indians, the Indians but 

 in a very few minutes excess of joy succeeded to their sudden 

 alarm. 



Captain Stokes found the vessel lying on the rocks, bilged, and 

 an utter wreck. The master and crew were extremely anxious 

 to get away, he therefore embarked them, with as much of 

 the property as could be carried, and succeeded (after another 

 night in the boats, and a long pull of eighty miles,) in conveying 

 them safely to the Beagle. 



The following is an abstract of Captain Stokes's journal of 

 his cruise to the western entrance of the Strait. 



The Beagle sailed from Port Famine on the 15th of January, 

 to explore the Strait westward of Cape Fro ward, and to fix 

 particularly the positions of Cape Pillar, the rock called West- 



* Including' the master, tliere were on board, when oast away, twenty- 

 two persons. 



F 2 



