to the Strait of Magellan. 



37 



large rock above water, surrounded by shoals and sunk rocks, 

 indicated by the sea-weed on the surface. On the north coast 

 of the strait, N. eight miles from Cape Upright, is Cape Provi- 

 dence, before noticed ; a remarkable head-land, consisting of 

 two eminences, and having on each side a spacious open bay. 

 To the west of Cape Upright the coast forms a deep bay to the 

 south, having in the east part a number of islands and rocks 

 under water : on the shore were seen some deserted hut& of the 

 natives. In the bottom of the bay is an inlet, pointing SSE. 

 This is the Bay of Islands of Captain Wallis. Adjoining is 

 another open bay, bounded on the west by the low flat point of 

 Echenique, bearing WNW, ten miles from Cape Upright. The 

 wind and current were now strong from the NVV. and our people 

 fatigued ; we therefore put into a creek on the east side of a 

 point in the middle of the bay, where we passed the night on- 

 board. In making for that place, we observed soms Indians, 

 who called to us; and scarcely had we secured our boats by the 

 shore, when a canoe, with eight men on-board, came up to us. 

 As they approached, they showed some symptoms of fear, and 

 made signs to one of our officers to land, which he did, and 

 then one of the natives did the same. This man seemed to be 

 a chief, for he wore a lofty white sugar-loaf cap, made of a 

 duck's-skin and feathers, by which he was distinguished from 

 his companions. He was a stout young man, well made, but 

 short ; and, when he came up to our officer, he pronounced, with 

 a voice and tone in which terror and courage were intermixed, 

 a long discourse, of which we were unable to make out a word. 

 Having received from us a few trifles, which he understood to 

 be marks of our good-will, he called to the other natives, who 

 all landed ; and, having also received presents, they staid by us 

 till night-fall. Their language we could perceive to resemble 

 that of other natives of the eastern parts of the strait; and, al- 

 though better shaped, they were of similar features and stature : 

 their dress was also the same. They were delighted with our 

 presents of beads, ribbons, and looking-glasses, which seemed 

 to affect them as a child in Europe is pleased with a new play- 

 thing. 



The wind continually increased, and the rain poured down 

 with such force, that our provisions, as wejl as ourselves, were 

 drenched, in spite of our tilts and awnings: nor was there a 

 spot on which we could land for shelter from the tempest. On 

 the following morning, the Indians returned, with a present of 

 ducks, which we remarked to be all wounded in the head, — a 

 proof of the dexterity with which the natives managed their 

 bow and arrows in hunting. They gave us also three arrows, 

 and strings of shells for necklaces and bracelets ; and all with- 



