July 1829. PART ENTER PACIFIC CHILoE. 249 



out : we compared chronometers, and supplied her with a few 

 things not thought of before (keeping under all sail meanwhile 

 to profit by an easterly wind); and the Beagle's officers lent the 

 Adelaide their own stove. 



" In the afternoon, we parted company ; the Adelaide stood 

 towards Upright Bay, and anchored at dusk, while we steered 

 out of the Strait, with a freshening breeze from the east, which 

 increased much as we made westing. At midnight, we were in 

 the Pacific, and all our anxiety about weeks of beating to wind- 

 ward upon short allowance of provisions, vanished as quickly 

 as the land astern. The glass falling, with the wind in the S.E. 

 quarter, foretold unusually bad weather; we therefore shortened 

 sail by degrees, making all secure. 



" 2d. At six o''clock in the morning, it was blowing a gale 

 of wind, with so much sea, that it was necessary to steer right 

 before it, — or heave-to, — which with a fair wind was not pre- 

 ferable ; and we found the vessel scud extremely well, under 

 close reefed fore and main topsails, and double reefed foresail. 

 Our quarter boats caused anxiety, for the davits were low, and 

 at every lurch the boats were risked. Frequently they dipped 

 in the sea, and sometimes were half filled ; but they hung fast 

 till by a moments neglect of the steerage, a sea broke over 

 the whale-boat, and carried her away. The other, being much 

 smaller and stronger, held on well, though frequently under 

 water. Towards midnight the gale broke; by the next morning 

 the weather was more moderate ; and from that time it conti- 

 nued fine, until our arrival at Chiloe. 



" On the 5th, at daylight, we saw land at a great distance, 

 which afterwards proved to be the Island of Guafo, and in the 

 afternoon the south end of Chiloe was seen. 



" On the 8th, we were working towards the Port of San 

 Carlos, being off Point Huapilacuy, and next day (9th) 

 anchored in the port of San Carlos, which seemed to be well 

 sheltered by a country, the appearance of which was very agree- 

 able when contrasted with that of Tierra del Fuego. 



The town reminded me of a Cornish village. I thought, 

 from their appearance and colour, that the houses were built 



