PRESERVED MEAT SKYRING WATER. May 1829. 



agreeable mess. On boat service, meat preserved in tin is parti- 

 cularly useful, being already cooked, and therefore fit for 

 dinner without the aid of fire. 



" We were surprised at the mildness of the weather. Indeed, 

 the change of climate was as pleasant as it was sudden and un- 

 expected. 



" 16th. At daylight, we found ourselves in the entrance 

 of what was thought a river. Under this impression, I hoped 

 to penetrate into the interior of the country, and meet some new 

 tribes of Patagonians. As soon as we could get underweigh, we 

 pulled and sailed along a winding channel, on one side of which 

 was a pleasant-looking, woody country, extending towards 

 Tierra del Fuego ; and on the other, a low, barren district, like 

 Eastern Patagonia. The banks on both shores were from five 

 to forty feet high, sloping, and covered with grass. 



" The current was in our favour, which with the saltness of 

 the water, inclined me to think it a channel, and not the mouth 

 of a river. In this opinion I was confirmed in a short time, by 

 seeing surf breaking against some land beyond an opening, 

 which showed that we were approaching a large body of water. 

 Soon after, we reached the extreme west point of this small 

 channel ; and, to our surprise, saw an expanse, at least thirty 

 miles across from east to west, and twenty from north to south. 

 I thought it more at first, but probably was deceived. West 

 and south of it I observed high snow-covered mountains ; and 

 the summit of one was remarkable, being like a castle with a 

 high tower. Northward, the land was low ; excepting a few 

 ranges of down-like hills with large plains between them. 



" It happened to be a very clear day, and all that could be 

 seen at any time was visible. In two places there seemed to me 

 to be openings to the westward ; in the southernmost I could 

 see no land at all ; the other was backed by distant mountains, 

 but still had the appearance of an opening. After this I went 

 to the top of a hill near me, about three hundred feet high, to 

 gain a better view, yet so small an elevation made but little 

 difference, and I rather thought the opposite coast farther off 

 than I had at first supposed. 



