130 



SAUMIENTO— HOLD AN— POND. April 1828. 



the Magdalen Channel ; but, upon leaving San Nicolas Bay 

 (1st April), the weather was so favourable for our proceeding 

 to the westward, that I changed my mind and steered round 

 Cape Froward in order to get to Port Gallant, whence, with a 

 westerly wind, we might more easily survey the coast in return- 

 ing. An easterly breeze carried us near Cape Holland, into 

 Wood^s Bay, where we anchored, and obtained a bearing of 

 Mount Sarmiento, which, being clear of clouds, was a con- 

 spicuous, and even splendid object ; for the sun's setting rays, 

 shining upon the projecting snowy ridges on its western side, 

 gave it the appearance of a mass of streaky gold. It had been 

 in sight the whole day, as well as the preceding evening, when 

 its bearings were taken from the islet in San Nicolas Bay. 



The next day was so calm that we only reached an anchorage 

 in Bradley Cove, on the west side of Bell Bay, of which a plan 

 was made ; an extensive set of bearings was also taken on the 

 west point of the bay, evidently that called by Sarmiento 

 Tinquichisgua.* The conspicuous mountain at the back of the 

 bay, on its south-eastern side, is particularly noticed by him, 

 and, according to his opinion, is the " Campana de Roldan" 

 of Magalhaens.*j- Between Bradley Cove and Point Tinqui- 

 chisgua are two coves, over which a high double-peaked moun- 

 tain forms a conspicuous object upon rounding Cape Froward; 

 and they were named in compliment to Mr. Pond, the late 

 Astronomer Royal. 



While at Point Tinquichisgua we were discovered by some 

 natives to the westward, who immediately got into their 

 canoes, and paddled towards us ; but, as we had no arms in 

 the boat, I did not think it prudent to await their arrival ; 

 and therefore, after taking the requisite angles, embarked and 

 returned to the Adelaide, examining the inlets under Mount 

 Pond on our way. Nothing more was seen of the Indians 

 until the following morning, when, as we sailed out of the bay, 

 they made their appearance, but we did not communicate 



* Sarmiento, p. 213. 



t Este monte es el que Uaraaii las Relaciones antiguas la Campana de 

 Roldan, — Sarmiento. 



