250 SAN CARLOS DE CHILOE ALDUNATE. July 1829- 



of stone, and roofed with slate ; but afterwards found they were 

 of wood, from their foundations, to the tops of their roofs. 

 Except a few cleared spaces, the island is entirely covered with 

 trees, even on the highest hills. The Captain of the Port 

 (an Englishman) boarded us as we neared the anchorage, and 

 was very obliging in his offers. From him I learnt that the 

 Adventure had not yet arrived, nor even been heard of on the 

 coast. We anchored under the lee of Barcacura Heights, in a 

 good berth, and moored ship. I went on shore immediately, and 

 paid my respects to the Governor, Don Jose Santiago Aldunate, 

 a brigadier-general in the Chilian Service, whose kind manner, 

 and friendly offers of every assistance he could render us, were 

 very gratifying. From the master of a merchant ship, lately 

 arrived, I was surprised and concerned to learn, that the Adven- 

 ture had not reached Valparaiso before the time of his sailing 

 thence (20th of June).^ 



Refitting the Beagle, repairing and building boats, occu- 

 pied most of the officers, and all the crew, while Mr. Stokes and 

 I were engaged in the work of the survey, during our stay in 

 the Port of San Carlos. Our ship required caulking, which, 

 in so rainy a climate, was difficult to accomplish. So continually 

 wet was the weather, that had we not dried our sails, and un- 

 bent them, during three fine days which we had(r) on our 

 arrival, they would not have been dry during our stay." 



* The Adventure arrived on the 21st. — P. P. K. 



(r) Por milagro (miraculously) ; as the inhabitants told me. — R. F. 



