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

130 SARMIENTO — ROLDAN — POND. April 1828. the Magdalen Channel ; but, upon leavmg San Nicolas Bay (1st April), the weather was so favourable for our proceeding to the westward, that I changed my mind and steered round Cape Froward in order to get to Port Gallant, whence, with a westerly wind, we might more easily survey the coast in return- ing. An easterly breeze carried us near Cape Holland, into Wood''s Bay, where we anchored, and obtained a bearing of Mount Sarmiento, which, being clear of clouds, was a con- spicuous, and even splendid object ; for the sun's setting rays, shining upon the projecting snowy ridges on its western side, gave it the appearance of a mass of streaky gold. It had been in sight the whole day, as well as the preceding evening, when its bearings were taken from the islet in San Nicolas Bay. The next day was so calm that we only reached an anchorage in Bradley Cove, on the west side of Bell Bay, of which a plan was made ; an extensive set of bearings was also taken on the west point of the bay, evidently that called by Sarmiento Tinquichisgua.* The conspicuous mountain at the back of the bay, on its south-eastern side, is particularly noticed by him, and, according to his opinion, is the " Campana de Roldan" of Magalhaens.-f- Between Bradley Cove and Point Tinqui- chisgua are two coves, over which a high double- peaked moun- tain forms a conspicuous object upon rounding Cape Froward ; and they were named in compliment to Mr. Pond, the late Astronomer Royal. While at Point Tinquichisgua we were discovered by some natives to the westward, who immediately got into their canoes, and paddled towards us ; but, as we had no arms in the boat, I did not think it prudent to await their arrival and therefore, after taking the requisite angles, embarked and returned to the Adelaide, examining the inlets under Mount Pond on our way. Nothing more was seen of the Indians until the following morning, when, as we sailed out of the bay, they made their appearance, but we did not communicate * Sarmiento, p. 213. t Este monte es el que Uaman las Relaciones antiguas la Campana de Roldan . — Sarm iento.