of the Strait, 



23 



the vessel was driven back towards the shore I)y the current ; 

 but, by the help of our boats, we kept her at a proper distance 

 until D P.M., when a little wind springing up from the SE. 

 she soon got clear of the land. The wind afterwards kept 

 changing from SE. to S. which forced us to resume our usual 

 but painful employment of tacking; at night-fall, which had 

 but an indifferent aspect, we discovered a patch of sea-weed, 

 which always indicates a rocky bottom and shallow, or, at least, 

 unequal depths of water, a good way out from the shore of 

 Tierra del Fuego. 



These circumstances proved how dangerous it was to con- 

 tinue under-sail during the night ; we therefore resolved to 

 steer for the Bay of Varcarcel, which we had before examined^ 

 In this project, however, we were disappointed ; for it fell calm, 

 and the vessel was carried by the current near to a ledge of 

 rocks, so that we were obliged immediately to drop anchor in 

 15 fathoms. The bottom of the Strait is here so steep in some 

 places, that, having dragged the anchor a little over, it came 

 into 83 fathoms directly ; but, getting out another, we kept the 

 vessel steady. 



Next morning we weighed for the above bay, (Varcarcel,) 

 with very httle wind from the SW. and, consequently, against 

 us: at length, however, we got to the bay, and anchored in it 

 in 40 fathoms, employing the remainder of the day in mooring 

 the frigate, which we were never able to do to our satisfaction, 

 notwithstanding the shelter it affords, on account of its narrow- 

 ness and the great depth of water. 



The natives followed us hither, having travelled along the 

 shore eleven leagues, from the place where we first saw them. 

 It appeared to us, that their only motive for following us, was 

 their desire of increasing their wealth with the presents they 

 frequently received from us ; which, however trifling in our 

 opinion, were to them of great value. That curiosity had no 

 part in procuring to us their company, we were perfectly con- 

 vinced, from repeated observations ; for that passion which 

 seems inherent in rational and in many brute creatures, did not 

 appear to us ever to have entered the hearts of these men. 



All the evening and night of the 2'2d, were employed in as- 

 tronomical observations, to determine the position of Cape St. 

 Isidro, which forms the east point of the Bay of Varcarcel ; as 

 also to ascertain the difference at that place between the mao^- 

 uetic and the true meridians. 



On the morning of the £3d, with the wind at N. and NE., 

 we set sail from this bay or harbour, but had scarcely reached 

 the middle of the channel when it fell quite calm. In the even- 

 ing there was a little w^ind from SW. to W., with which we 



2 



