1830. INDIAN FEAST— PINE- — ENTEK THE STKAIT. 311 



slaughtered and skinned. Large holes were dug, and Hie skins 

 put into them, to form substitutes for vessels, into which 

 barrels of wine were poured, and the Indians commenced their 

 feast of horses' flesh and turbid wine, which threw them rapidly 

 into a state of excitement and intoxication, that lasted some 

 hours after the wine was all drunk. 



In this neighbourhood, the Araucanian pine (Armicaria 

 imhricatd) is found, but very few of the trees grow near the 

 sea. One beautiful specimen which I saw in a garden was, at 

 least, forty feet in height, with branches sweeping the ground. 

 The cones of these trees, called pinones, are brought to the 

 town from the mountains where they grow, and are roasted, to 

 be sold in the streets. 



On the 31st of March, the land about Cape Lucia was seen, 

 and at noon it bore E. b. N., distant twelve miles, when the 

 wind ceased, and a heavy swell setting us towards the land, 

 made our situation an anxious one. A breeze, however, sprung 

 up, and by carrying a press of sail, we succeeded in gaining 

 an ofling before dark. The night was very squally, but next 

 morning (1st April) the weather was better, so we stood in, 

 and made the Evangelists, which were seen from the mast- 

 head, at a distance of twenty-two miles. Between these islands 

 and Cape Pillar we found a most turbulent sea ; yet no sooner 

 had we entered the Strait, than the water became perfectly 

 smooth, I intended anchoring in the Harbour of Mercy ; but 

 the night proved fine, and the wind was so favourable, that 

 we proceeded by the chart, using a patent log, and passing 

 within two miles of the headlands. Sail was reduced as 

 much as possible, to give us space sufficient to run on during 

 the night, steering E. f S. by compass. Towards midnight 

 the weather became cloudy, and occasionally the land was 

 concealed from our view. 



Abreast of Cape Tamar, and as far as Cape Providence, 

 some sharp squalls raised a sea, rather heavy, considering we 

 were in the Strait ; but afterwards the water became smooth 

 again. Off the latter cape, the patent log indicated a distance 

 run equal to that shown by the cliart, which proved that we had 



