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

April 1830. concourse of natives. 315 Hence, there evidently is something of a superstitious nature connected with the word ; but our frequent attempts to find out its precise meaning, were unsuccessful. On repeating this expression to a group of natives, one of them immediately coughed up a piece of blubber, which he had been eating, and gave it to another, who swallowed it with much ceremony, and with a peculiar guttural noise ; then, looking up, and pointing with his finger to the skies, solemnly pronovmced the talismanic ' Pecheray.' This word is also used in pointing to the sun. On the 10th April, I went to Charles Islands, and surveyed them. There is very good anchorage for a small vessel, in eigh- teen fathoms, at the north end of the passage which separates them ; and at the bottom, or elbow, under the eastern island, in thirteen or fourteen fathoms. The next day, a fresh arrival in two canoes increased the number of Indians to eighty; rather a formidable body for a small vessel to encounter. They con- ducted themselves, on the whole, very peaceably, but seemed determined that our curiosity should not be gratified by find- ing out the contents of the ' tabooed' wigwam. It was always guarded by the ' Pecheray,' who seemed ready and determined to dispute all access to it, by means of a heavy club. One of the midshipmen, however, with a little coaxing, persuaded the man to let him put his head in ; but those who were inside, having received their lesson, threw ashes in his face, and nearly bHnded him. After this, seeing they were determined on the point, I desired that no further attempt should be made to ascertain what was really going on inside the wigwam. We sailed the next day (11th), not without some apprehension that the Adelaide might meet this large concourse of Indians before they separated ; as Port Gallant was a place rarely passed by vessels without stopping, and the natives being all housed behind a point of land, could not be seen until too late. We were abreast of Cape Froward at noon ; in the evening we anchored in French Bay, and next day (13th) reached Port Famine. As I purposed remaining until the Adelaide should arrive, the tents were set up, the boats landed for repair, and the transit instrument was set up, in the hope that a comet