402 



HOPES DISAPPOINTED. 



Feb. 1830. 



sage opening to the sea,* and a wigwam just deserted. Here was 

 cause for hope ; and seeing, beyond the passage, some large 

 islands lying to seaward of that which we had been coasting, it 

 appeared probable that our boat had been taken there for seal- 

 fishing. Our prisoners had given us to understand plainly 

 enough that such was the object of those who had stolen her, 

 and outlying islands were the most likely to be visited, as on 

 them most seal are found. 



Next day (19th) I passed over to Gilbert Island, and in 

 a cove found such recent marks of natives, that I felt sure of 

 coming up with the chase in the course of the day. When the 

 Fuegians stop anywhere, they generally bark a few trees, to 

 repair their canoes or cover their wigwams ; but those whose 

 traces we were following, had made long journeys without 

 stopping ; and, where they did stay, barked no trees, which 

 was one reason for supposing them to be the party in our boat» 

 In the course of the day we pulled nearly round the islands, 

 looking into every cove. 



" On the 20th, we discovered three small canoes with their 

 owners in a cove. J All the men ran away, except two. As we 

 saw that there were no more persons than the canoes required, 

 we did not try to catch them, knowing that this could not be 

 the party we were in search of. We had now examined every 

 nook and corner about these islands, and I began to give up 

 all hope of finding our boat in this direction. Having no clue 

 to guide me farther, and much time having been lost, I re- 

 luctantly decided to return to the Beagle. Our only re- 

 maining hope, that the master might have met with the boat, 

 was but very feeble. 



" (21st.) All this day we were pulling to the westward, to 

 regain the Beagle. At night-fall I met Mr. Murray, with the 

 cutter, in the cove where I had appointed a rendezvous. He had 

 not found any signs of the boat upon the opposite shore, and 

 therefore returned ; but he saw the people who had escaped 

 from us when we surprised the whole family. They fled as 

 soon as his boat was seen. Leaving, therefore, three men to 

 * Adventure Passage. t Gilbert Islands. t Doris Cove. 



