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

114 CORDIAL MEETING. Jan. 1828. and formed the encampment. Among them, mounted on hei* white horse, was Maria, wlio, duly escorted, paraded on the beach to challenge our recognition. In the centre of the encampment, a large flag suspended from a pole was a signal to us, and showed the position of her toldo. The next morning being fine, we landed near the encamp- ment, and were most cordially received. Maria was parti- cularly attentive, and embraced me closely, while her compa- nions chaunted in chorus a song- of delight at our arrival. When we reached her toldo, a mat was spread out for me to sit on. Maria and her family placed themselves in front of me, while the rest sat round. Almost the first question was an inquiry for my son Philip, whom they called Felipe,* and two or three skins were given to me for him. They then asked for our pilot on the former voyage, and were much disap- pointed to find he had left the ship. After a short conversation I returned the two bags (which I had so unwillingly carried away at our last visit), having filled them with flour and sugar, and then proceeded to deliver our presents. As each article was delivered into her hands, she repeated, in Spanish, " I'll pay for this ;" but upon a bit for her horse being pre- sented, a general burst of admiration followed, and it was handed round the tents, whilst each individual, as it passed on, looked, I thought, anxious to be its possessor. Maria then began to consider what adequate requital she could possibly make me. The result was, a present of two mantles, one new, of guanaco skin, and the other well worn, of zorillo skin, besides two or three skins of the puma. She then produced a piece of paper, carefully wrapped up in canvas, containing a letter, or memorandum, left by Mr. Low, master of the Uxbridge sealer, addressed to any shipmaster passing- through the Strait, apprising him " of the friendly disposition of the Indians, and impressing him with the necessity of treat- ing them Avell, and not deceiving them ; for they had good memories, and would seriously resent it."" The advice, no doubt, was good ; but I think the fear of * He was a oreat favouiite witli thein.