CHAPTER XTII. 



Beagle and Adelaide anchor in Possession Bay — Beagle passes the First 

 Narrow — Fogs — Pecket Harbour — Adelaide arrives with Guanaco- 

 meat — Portuguese Seamen — Peculiar light — Party missing — Return — 

 Proceed towards Port Famine — Fuegians — Lieut. Skyring — Adelaide 

 sails to survey Magdalen and Barbara Channels — Views — Lyell Sound 

 — Kempe Harbour — Cascade Bay — San Pedro Sound — Port Gallant — 

 Diet — Rain — Awnings — Boat cruise — Warning — Jerome Channel — 

 Blanket bags — Otway Water — Frequent rain — Difficulty in lighting 

 fires. 



The following is an account of the Beagle's and Adelaide"'s 

 operations, after separating from the Adventure, on the 1st of 

 April, at the entrance of the Strait of Magalhaens. 



Light northerly winds were favourable for their entering the 

 Strait, and they reached Possession Bay the first night. The 

 following day was foggy, and almost calm, until the afternoon, 

 when both vessels weighed, and proceeded with the tide. At 

 sunset the Adelaide anchored on the north shore ; but the 

 Beagle stood on, and entered the Narrow. After dark, when 

 within it, with a rapid tide running, the wind fell light, and 

 an anchor was let go, under the north shore, in eight fathoms ; 

 but the cable being accidentally checked too soon, snapped like 

 a small rope, and the vessel was hustled out into deep water. 

 As it would have been both useless and imprudent to let go 

 another anchor, the Beagle was kept underweigh, and worked 

 to the westward, aided by a very powerful tide, which speedily 

 carried her through the Narrow, without accident, although 

 the night was dark ; and they had no guide but the chart and 

 lead. At eleven o'clock she was anchored within the Narrow, 

 in twelve fathoms, soon after which the tide turned, and ran 

 with great strength ; but the night was calm, as well as the 

 next morning. 



While waiting for wind, and the change of tide, several 

 Patagonian Indians were observed on horseback hunting gua- 



