rf the Strait. IS 



Vlded with spears aiid bows, arms well known in the province 

 of Buenos Ay res. 



That he might concihate our goodwill, Francisco showed the 

 greatest desire to gratify our curiosity. Having observed that 

 we were surprised at the appearance of his companion, who had 

 circular marks painted about his eyes, red in the upper part 

 and black in the lower, he directed iiim to remove it, which he 

 immediately did, wiping it off with the corner of his skin-cloak. 



They both conducted themselves with great frankness and 

 cordiauty, showing that they entertained no apprehensions of 

 injury from us. They smoked tobacco, thev sat down to the 

 table, making dexterous use of the knife and fork, and spoon ; 

 but they positively refused to drink any wine or brandy: and 

 Francisco having been prevailed on to taste a little of the 

 brandy, immediately rejected ii, and warned his companion not 

 to touch it, giving us to know,, at the same time, that he was 

 not ignorant of the hurtful effects of these liquors. 



We provided beds for them, where they slept ; and, in the 

 morning, carried them on shore, seemingly much pleased with 

 their excursion. On their landing, they signified to the boat's 

 crew that they wished them to wait until they should bring a 

 present of lama's flesh and skins ; but having been ordered to re- 

 turn to the frigate without delay, they were obliged to decline 

 the obliging proposal. 



We continued m this anchorage till the 22d in the morning, 

 having at times very fresh gales from the SW. quarter ; at 

 other times, it was quite calm: but this day the wind being brisk 

 from N. and NW., we set sail for Cape de las Virgenes, keep- 

 ing our launch a little way before us, to make signals of the depth 

 of water. At three p.m. we got to the mouth of the strait ; and 

 at five P.M. finding the tide to be against us, we came to an- 

 chor in 28 fathoms coral bottom, being about one mile from the 

 north shore, and two leagues within the strait. 



At eight P.M., finding the tide to be on the turn, and the 

 weather quite calm, we weighed anchor, in order to get into a 

 befer situation ; and, being towed by the launch and another 

 boat with the help of the tide, now^ favourable, we continued 

 making way till eleven p.m., when we again came to anchor in 

 15 fathoms mud and sand. 



W^e perceived no change in the currents until about 3^ a.m. 

 of the 23d, when we lay with our head to iNVV. by W., and at 

 five A.M. their force was directed towards 8E. 



The Patagonians, who had remained all the preceding day on 

 the shore opposite to the vessel, but had retned at sunset to 

 some hollow broken grounds back from the sea, returned to tiie 

 beach at break of day in greater numbers than before, all on 



