116^ 



NATIVES INTOXICATED. 



Jan. 1828. 



trifles, some of which they had attempted to get by pilfering. 

 They made themselves so contented, that it was not without 

 much difficulty we could persuade them to go on shore. 

 Maria had made her mind up to pass the night on board, and 

 so anxious were they all to remain, that it was only by giving 

 Maria two bottles of spirits (which had been well diluted) 

 that they were induced to get into the boat, and accompany me 

 ashore. Being a lee-tide, and low water, the boat grounded at 

 a considerable distance from the beach ; seeing this, some of 

 the Indians rode into the water, and taking us up behind them, 

 conveyed us to the encampment, my place being behind Maria, 

 the smell of whose zorillo-skin mantle was hardly bearable ; 

 but it was necessary to conceal our dislike of our companions 

 as much as possible, for they are very sensitive, and easily 

 offended. 



While waiting for the tide, we witnessed a drunken scene at 

 Maria's toldo. Fifteen persons, seated around her, shared the 

 spirits she had obtained on board, until all were intoxicated. 

 Some were screaming, others laughing, some stupified, and 

 some bellowing. The uproar drew all the other Indians round 

 the tent, who tendered their assistance to compose their friends, 

 and we returned to the ship. When we visited them the next 

 day, they were quite recovered, and gave us some guanaco 

 meat, which had been brought in that morning. On com- 

 municating my intention of proceeding on the voyage, Maria 

 wished to know when we should finish our " seal-killing,"" 

 and come back. I told her " in five moons," upon which she 

 endeavoured to persuade me to return in four, because she 

 would then have plenty of skins to barter. 



I wrote a few lines to Captain Stokes, who, I expected, 

 would arrive in a day or two, communicating my desire that 

 he should follow, as soon as possible, to Port Famine, and 

 committed the letter to Maria's care, who promised to deliver 

 it to him ; then, taking leave of her and her companions, I 

 embarked, and proceeded through the Second Narrow to an 

 anchorage off Cape Negro. 



Our visit to Gregory Bay, and communication with the 



