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

CHAPTER XXII. Mr. Murray returns — Go to New Year Sound— See Dieso Ramirez Islands from Henderson Island — Weddell's Indian Cove — Syrapie- someter — Return to Christmas Sound — Beagle sails — Passes the Ilde- fonso and Diego Ramirez Islands — Anchors in Nassau Bay — Orange Ba)' — Yapoos — Mr. Murray discovers the Beagle Channel — Numerous Natives— rGuanacoes — Compasses affected — Cape Horn — Specimens' Chanticleer — Mistake about St. Francis Bay — Diego Ramirez Islands Climate — San Joachim Cove — Barnevelt Isles — Evouts Isle — Lennox Harbour. "14th. This morning the master returned, havuig succeeded in tracing the coast far enough to join our former work, although the weather had been very unfavourable. He met with many Fuegians, most of whom were armed with slings, spears, and cutting weapons made with pieces of iron hoop fastened on a stick. They were very troublesome, especially at night, and obliged him to keep them at a distance. Their respect for a musket was not so great as might have been expected, and unless they saw it tolerably close, and pointed directly at them, they cared not. The boat''s crew bought some fish from them, for buttons and other trifles. From forty to fifty men, besides women and children , were seen in one place alone ; and many were met elsewhere. " Mr. Murray penetrated nearly to the base of the snow- covered mountains, which extend to the eastward in an unbro- ken chain, and ascertained that there are passages leading from Christmas Sound to the large bay where the whale-boat was stolen ; and that they run near the foot of the mountains. He also saw a channel leading farther to the eastward than eye-sight could reach, whose average width seemed to be about a mile. He left the two children in charge of an old woman whom they met near the, westernmost part which his party reached, who appeared to know them well, and to be very much pleased at having them placed in her care. "15th. Raining and blowing : — as usual, I might say. When VOL. I. 2 E