376 



WALK TO CAPE GLOUCESTER. 



Jan. 1830. 



could be more convenient than this for such purposes as wood- 

 ing and watering ; and we took advantage of it to the utmost by 

 filling the ship's hold. The water casks were filled in our boat, 

 in perfectly smooth water, and the wood was cut close to the 

 water side. 



" 6th. A party of twelve, consisting of the Purser, Mr. W. 

 Wilson, Mr. Megget, eight seamen and myself, set out from 

 the ship, intending to walk to Cape Gloucester. We landed in a 

 valley at the N. W. corner of the harbour and began our march, 

 two men carrying the tent, and the others our instruments and 

 provisions: we had arms also, in case of meeting Indians. Diffi- 

 cult travelling, with such a cargo, very soon obliged us to stop 

 and rest, but by continual changes with the heaviest loads, and 

 great exertion on the part of those who carried them, we got 

 over two-thirds of our journey in the course of the day, and at 

 night pitched our tent, and defied the rain which poured inces- 

 santly until seven the following morning : when every height 

 was covered with snow, as if it had been the middle of winter. 



" 7th. As soon as we had breakfasted we moved on again, 

 and at noon reached the foot of a mountain which forms the 

 Oape. Leaving the others to pitch our tent and cook some vic- 

 tuals, Mr. Wilson, Mr, Megget, and two seamen, ascended the 

 mountain with me. A very severe task we had, but at last 

 gained the highest pinnacle, where there was just room to 

 place the theodolite and kneel by it, at the risk of a puff of 

 wind canting us over either side. A stone moved from its place, 

 would have reached the water as soon from one side as from 

 the other. It was not a very clear day, but sufficiently so to 

 enable me to gain the desired angles and bearings. From 

 this summit I had a clear view of that dangerous place Breaker 

 Bay, and was more confirmed in the idea I had formed of it, 

 and rejoiced that I did not stand farther in with the Beagle. 

 Having thus succeeded, and buried two memorials, one cased 

 in tin and the other in a bottle, we filled our pockets with 

 pieces of the rock and returned ; rather too quickly, for the 

 steepness of the hill assisted us more than we wished. During 

 our absence some Fuegians had appeared, who were quiet and 



