Dec. 18S9. XAViER island-— jesuit sound. 



329 



up it during the next two days. At two miles above the junc- 

 tion, the tide ceased to be felt; and a rapid current met them, 

 which increased in strength until they were unable to stem it ; 

 and as they were prevented from tracking the boats, by trees 

 growing on the banks, they could ascend no farther. 



This place was not more than eleven miles from the sea; 

 although, from the tortuous course of the stream, they had 

 gone double that distance, and were about two miles from the 

 foot of a mountain, whence the river descends. The mountain 

 was very high, and the vallies, or ravines, were filled with glaciers. 

 From Byron's description, it seems probable that Lieutenant 

 Skyring was near the carrying place ; but as further delay 

 could answer no good end, he very prudently returned, looking 

 carefully about, as he proceeded, for some signs of a landing- 

 place, but without success. He re-crossed the bar, reached 

 the Adelaide without accident, and the next day went on in her 

 to Xavier Island. On the way they passed Dead-tree Island ; 

 where, observing seal on the rocks, a boat was sent ashore, and 

 her crew succeeded in killing a few sea-elephants, twenty feet 

 long. 



Favoured with fine weather, they were enabled to land on 

 the north side of Xavier Island, to improve the former survey ; 

 and in the evening anchored in Xavier Bay, where they 

 remained four days ; during which, Jesuit Sound was explored, 

 and found to terminate in two narrow inlets. Being a leewardly 

 opening, it is unfit for any vessel to enter. 



The name Jesuit Sound, and those of the two inlets at the 

 bottom, Benito and Julian, are memorials of the missionaries, 

 who, in the expedition of 1778, entered and explored it.* 

 (Agueros, p. 232.) 



The Adelaide anchored the next night in Ygnacio Bay, at 

 the south end of Xavier Island, which Lieutenant Skyring 



* Mr. Kirke, who examined them, says, " There are two opening's 

 opposite Xavier Island, on the main land : the northernmost runs through 

 high land, and is terminated by a low sandy beach, with a river in the 

 middle, running from a large glacier; the southern inlet is ended by 

 high mountainous land." 



