88 



MARIA VISITS ADVENTUKE. 



May 1827. 



nent by their powerful neighbours, are now called Tekeenikas. 

 Our knowledge of the names of these two tribes, Alikhoolip 

 and Tekeenika, results from Captain Fitz-Roy's subsequent 

 examination of the outer coast of Tierra del Fuego in the 

 Beagle (1830). A Cacique, belonging to the nation of the 

 Key-yus, told Falkner that he had been in a house made of 

 wood, that travelled on the water. A party of the Indians, in 

 four canoes, were met on the borders of the Otway Water by 

 Captain Fitz-Roy in 1829, whose arms, implements, and every 

 thing they had, were precisely like the Fuegian Indians, 

 excepting that they had a quiver made from the skin of a deer, 

 and were in form a superior race, being both stronger and 

 stouter. 



For want of better information upon the subject, we must 

 be content to separate the natives into Patagonians and Fue- 

 gians. The sealing vessels'* crews distinguish them as Horse 

 Indians, and Canoe Indians. 



These people have had considerable communication with 

 the sealers who frequent this neighbourhood, bartering their 

 guanaco skins and meat, their mantles, and furs, for beads, 

 knives, brass ornaments, and other articles ; but they are 

 equally anxious to get sugar, flour, and, more than all, '* aqua 

 ardiente,"" or spirits. Upon the arrival of a boat from any 

 vessel, Maria, with as many as she can persuade the boat's 

 crew to take, goes on board, and, if permitted, passes the 

 night. As soon as our boat landed, Maria and her friends 

 took their seats as if it had been sent purposely for them. Not 

 expecting such a visit, I had given no order to the contrary, 

 and the novelty of such companions overcame the scruples of 

 the officer, who was sent on shore to communicate with them. 

 Their noisy behaviour becoming disagreeable, they were soon 

 conducted from below to the deck, where they passed the 

 night. Maria slept with her head on the windlass ; and was so 

 intoxicated, that the noise and concussion produced by veering 

 eighty fathoms of cable round it did not awake her. The 

 following morning, whilst I was at breakfast, she very uncere- 

 moniously introduced herself, with one of her companions, and 



