114 CORDIAL MEETING. Jan. 1828. 



and formed the encampment. Among them, mounted on her 

 white horse, was Maria, who, duly escorted, paraded on the 

 beach to challenge our recognition. In the centre of the 

 encampment, a large flag suspended from a pole was a signal 

 to us, and showed the position of her toldo. 



The next morning being fine, we landed near the encamp- 

 ment, and were most cordially received. Maria was parti- 

 cularly attentive, and embraced me closely, while her compa- 

 nions chaunted in chorus a sono^ of delioht at our arrival. 



When we reached her toldo, a mat was spread out for 

 me to sit on. Maria and her family placed themselves in front 

 of me, while the rest sat round. Almost the first question was 

 an inquiry for my son PhiHp, whom they called Felipe,^ and 

 two or three skins were given to me for him. They then asked 

 for our pilot on the former voyage, and were much disap- 

 pointed to find he had left the ship. After a short conversation 

 I returned the two bags (which I had so unwillingly carried 

 away at our last visit), having filled them with flour and 

 sugar, and then proceeded to deliver our presents. As each 

 article was delivered into her hands, she repeated, in Spanish, 

 " I'll pay for this but upon a bit for her horse being pre- 

 sented, a general burst of admiration followed, and it was 

 handed round the tents, whilst each individual, as it passed on, 

 looked, I thought, anxious to be its possessor. 



Maria then began to consider what adequate requital she 

 could possibly make me. The result was, a present of two 

 mantles, one new, of guanaco skin, and the other well worn, 

 of zorillo skin, besides two or three skins of the puma. She 

 then produced a piece of paper, carefully wrapped up in canvas, 

 containing a letter, or memorandum, left by Mr. Low, master 

 of the Uxbridge sealer, addressed to any shipmaster passing 

 through the Strait, apprising him " of the friendly disposition 

 of the Indians, and impressing him with the necessity of treat- 

 ing them well, and not deceiving them ; for they had good 

 memories, and would seriously resent it." 



The advice, no doubt, was good ; but I think the fear of 

 * He was a great favourite with them. 



