Jan. 1828. 



BEAGLE UXBRIDGE- — LOW. 



119 



the southward, over Fitton Bay, were so covered with snow, 

 that not a particle of the rock could be seen ; but this year 

 many bare spots were visible. Every thing else, however, indi- 

 cated a bad season, and the berberis bushes and arbutus shrubs 

 had scarcely any show of fruit ; which was rather a disappoint- 

 ment, as the berries of the former plant proved an agreeable 

 addition to our food last year. However, there was no scarcity 

 of birds, and with the seine we procured plenty of fish. 



The Beagle's long and unexpected absence caused us much 

 uneasiness, and some apprehension for her safety. Her visit to 

 Port Desire ought not to have occupied more than three days, 

 and her superior sailing should have enabled Captain Stokes 

 to rejoin us in the entrance of the Strait. People were sent 

 daily to look out for her, and every succeeding day increased 

 our anxiety. 



A long succession of blowing and rainy weather much 

 impeded our progress with the Adelaide ; but the Hope was 

 hoisted out, and prepared for service. 



Before daylight on the 14th I was informed that the Beagle 

 was seen in the offing. Blue lights were burnt, and lanterns 

 immediately shown to guide her to the anchorage ; but our 

 disappointment was great when the stranger proved to be Mr. 

 W. Low's schooner, the Uxbridge. He had been sealing since 

 November in the neighbourhood of Noir Island, near the outer 

 entrance of the Barbara Channel, and was on his way to Cape 

 Gregory to meet his elder brother, who had been collecting 

 sea-elephant oil at South Shetland. The Uxbridge had entered 

 the Strait from the Pacific, by the Magdalen 'Channel,' which 

 last year we thought a Sound, and had attempted to explore in 

 the Hope, but had been deceived by the abrupt change in the 

 direction of the Channel at Cape Turn. 



At last (on the S8th), after the Beagle's absence had been 

 protracted to more than a month beyond the time intended, 

 we were relieved from painful anxiety, and much rejoiced, by 

 Mr. Tarn's telling us he had just seen her, and in two hours 

 afterwards she arrived. 



Captain Stokes, to my great surprise, told me that he had 



