DESOLATE BAY FUEGIANS. 



bay in which were many islands, large and small ; and westward 

 was a more connected mass of large islands reaching, apparently, 

 to the foot of that grand chain of snowy mountains, which runs 

 eastward from the Barbara Channel, and over the midst of 

 which Sarmiento proudly towers. I resolved to trace the con- 

 fines of the bay, from the west, towards the north and east, 

 thinking it probable that the thieves would hasten to some 

 secure cove, at a distance, rather than remain upon an outlying 

 island, whence their retreat might be cut off. In the evening 

 we met a canoe containing two Fuegians, a man and a woman, 

 who made us understand, by signs, that several canoes were 

 gone to the northward. This raised our hopes, and we pushed 

 on. The woman, just mentioned, was the best looking I have 

 seen among the Fuegians, and really well-featured : her voice 

 was pleasing, and her manner neither so suspicious nor timid 

 as that of the rest. Though young she was uncommonly fat, and 

 did j ustice to a diet of limpets and muscles. Both she and 

 her husband were perfectly naked. Having searched the coves 

 for some distance farther, night came on, and we landed in a 

 sheltered spot. 



" The next day (6th), we found some rather doubtful traces 

 of the thieves. Tov/ards night it blew a strong gale, with hail- 

 squalls and rain. 



" On the 7th, at a place more than thirty miles E.N.E. 

 of Cape Desolation, we fell in with a native family, and on 

 searching their two canoes found our boat's lead line. This 

 was a prize indeed ; and we immediately took the man who 

 had it into our boat, making him comprehend that he must 

 show us where the people were, from whom he got it. He 

 understood our meaning well enough, and following his guidance 

 we reached a cove that afternoon, in which were two canoes full 

 of women and children ; but only one old man, and a lad of 

 seventeen or eighteen. As usual with the Fuegians, upon 

 perceiving us they all ran away into the bushes, carrying 

 off as much of their property as possible — returning again 

 naked, and huddling together in a corner. After a minute 

 search, some of the boat's gear was found, part of her sail, and 



