Narrative of the surveying voyages of his majesty's ships Adventure and Beagle (vol.1): between the years 1826 and 1836 : describing their examination of the southern shores of South America, and the Beagles's circumnavigation of the globe

May 1827. maria's visit and conduct. 89 seating herself at table, asked for tea and bread, and made a hearty meal. I took the precaution of having all the knives, and articles that I thought likely to be stolen, removed from the table ; but neither then, nor at any time, did I detect Maria in trying to steal, although her companions never lost an opportunity of pilfering. After breakfast the Indians were landed, and as many of the officers as could be spared went on shore, and passed the whole day Avith the tribe, during which a very active trade was carried on. There were about one hundred and twenty Indians collected together, with horses and dogs. It is probable that, with the exception of five or six individuals left to take care of the encampment, and such as were absent on hunting excur- -sions, the whole of the tribe was mustered on the beach, each family in a separate knot, with all their riches displayed to tlie best advantage for sale. I accompanied Maria to the shore. On landing, she con- ducted me to the place where her family were seated round their property. They consisted of Manuel, her husband, and three children, the eldest being known by the appellation of Capitan Chico, or " little chief."" A skin being spread out for me to sit on, the family and the greater part of the tribe col- lected around. Maria then presented me with several mantles and skins, for which I gave in return a sword, remnants of red baize, knives, scissors, looking-glasses, and beads : of the latter I afterwards distributed bunches to all the children, a present which caused evident satisfaction to the mothers, many of whom also obtained a share. The receivers were selected by Maria, who directed me to the youngest children first, then to the elder ones, and lastly to the girls and women. It was curious and amusing, to witness the order with which this scene was conducted, and the remarkable patience of the chil- dren, who, with the greatest anxiety to possess their trinkets, neither opened their lips, nor held out a hand, until she pointed to them in succession. Having told Maria that I had more things to dispose of for guanaco meat she dismissed the tribe from around me, and, VOL. I.