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

Dec. 1829. party ix distress. 369 if they were in want of provisions, so as we did not hear from theni I trusted that they had found wild fowl enough, and were not in distress. " 27th. Rather a more moderate morning with clearer wea- ther. We looked out anxiously for the whale-boat, as, in such weather, she might get back to the ship without much diffi- culty. Before noon Mr. Wilson and the coxswain were seen on shore making signals to the ship ; and a boat was sent immediately to bring them on board. They were very weak and tired, having walked across the island during the preceding afternoon and night, and having had no food for the last two days. The master and the other four men were said to be in a cove at the back of the island, and to have been without pro- visions since the 24th, not having been able to find either shell- fish or wild fowl. " At the time Mr. Wilson arrived on board, I was absent tak- ing angles and bearings, but was soon infonned of his return, and at noon left the ship with a week's provisions for the master's party and my own boat's crew. I had not lost sight of the Beagle when I met the former returning. Having given them some food, and two fresh hands to help them in pulling to the ship (it being then quite moderate and fine) I continued my course to the place they iiad left, in order to do what the bad weather had prevented the master from doing. Being favoured with a fine afternoon I succeeded in obtaining the necessary angles and bearings, and returned to our vessel the following mornmg. 28th. At my return I found the master and his party nearly recovered. They had tried every day to return to the ship, but had been repeatedly forced back, at the risk of being driven out to sea. The gusts of wind from off' the high land were so powerful as almost to upset the boat, although she had not even a mast up. Continual rain had wetted their ammu- nition and tinder, and they were then without fire or victuals upon which Mr. Wilson and the coxswain set out, on Satur- day afternoon, to acquaint us with their situation. " When they came down to the sea-side the Fuegians took VOL. I. 2 b