March 1830. return to Christmas sound. 



423 



" 29th. This morning, with better weather, we sailed very 

 early in hopes to get round Black Point; the wind being 

 moderate promised well, but, with the sun, it rose again. 

 However, we tried hard for about six hours, during four of 

 which I hardly hoped to succeed, for it blew strong, and the 

 tide race was dangerous : but before evening we gained the 

 sheltered part of Trefusis Bay. The men were on their oars 

 from five in the morning till four in the afternoon, and, except- 

 ing two rests of a quarter of an hour each, pulling hard all the 

 time. We landed in a sheltered spot, about half a mile within 

 the entrance of a passage which leads from Trefusis Bay to 

 Christmas Sound. Our fatigue and thorough drenching, by 

 sea and rain, was then little cared for, having gained our point, 

 and being only a day's pull from the Beagle. 



" I had seen along this passage from Christmas Sound, as 

 well as from Leading Hil], and rejoiced to get into it, for the 

 outer coast is a wild one for a boat at any period of the year 

 — and this was the month of March ; about the worst time. 



" 30th. A fine clear morning. We started with the sun, and 

 pulled so fast along in the smooth water, that by the evening 

 we reached our little vessel, and found that all was well on 

 board ; that there had been no more visits from the Fuegians, 

 nor any troubles. The new boat was finished on the 23d, only 

 twenty days having been occupied by Mr. May and three men 

 in building her. Appearance was very much in her favour, 

 notwithstanding the disadvantages under which she was built. 

 Lieutenant Kempe had finished all the ship's work with his 

 usual promptness : new topmast rigging had been fitted, and 

 every thing prepared for sea. I was two days over the time 

 for which we carried provisions, but by my coxswain's care of 

 them^ and by using limpets and other shell-fish, we still had a 

 sufficiency. 



" Having seen as much as seemed necessary of the coast 

 between Christmas Sound and Nassau Bay (I mean necessary 

 in proportion to our limited time and provisions), the Ilde- 

 fonsos and Diego Ramirez Isles were to be our next objects. 



" 31st. A strong wind, with much rain, prevented our mov- 



