Narrative of the surveying voyages of his majesty's ships Adventure and Beagle (vol.2): between the years 1826 and 1836 : describing their examination of the southern shores of South America, and the Beagles's circumnavigation of the globe

1833. WESTWARD EXPLORATION. 215 a westward excursion, accompanied by Messrs. Darwin and Hamond, in the other two boats : my intention being to com- plete the exploration of Whale-boat Sound, and the north-west arm of the Beagle Channel ; then revisit Woollya, either leave or remove Matthews, as might appear advisable, and repair to our ship in Goree Road. With a fair and fresh wind my boat and Mr. Hamond's passed the Murray Narrow, and sailed far along the channel towards the west, favoured, unusually, by an easterly breeze. Just as we had landed, and set up our tent for the night, some canoes were seen approaching ; so rather than be obliged to watch their movements all night, we at once embarked our tent and half-cooked supper, and pulled along the shore some miles further, knowing that they would not willingly follow us in the dark. About midnight we landed and slept undisturbed. Next day we made little progress, the wind having changed, and landed, earlier than usual, on the north side of the channel, at Shingle Point. Some natives soon appeared, and though few in number, were in- clined to give trouble. It was evident they did not know the effect of fire-arms ; for if a musket were pointed at them, and threatening gestures used, they only made faces at us, and mocked whatever we did. Finding them more and more inso- lent and troublesome, I preferred leaving them to risking a struggle, in which it might become necessary to fire, at the hazard of destroying life. Twelve armed men, therefore, gave way to six unarmed, naked savages, and went on to ano- ther cove, where these annoying, because ignorant natives could not see us. On the 29th we reached Devil Island, and found the large wigwam still standing, which in 1830 my boat's crew called the ' Parliament House.' Never, in any part of Tierra del Fueo-o, have I noticed the remains of a wigwam which seemed to have been burned or pulled down ; probably there is some feeling on the subject, and in consequence the natives allow them to decay naturally, but never wilfully destroy them. We enjoyed a grand view of the lofty mountain, now called Darwin, with its immense glaciers extending far and wide. Whether