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

June 1835. cacique — stores — remove. 457 of Captain Seymour, and their immediate removal was decided upon. Though the Indians as yet had been inoffensive, Mr. Rouse had heard as he came of a large body who were approach- ing from the interior, and whose intentions he suspected to be hostile. The ti'ibe then about Molguilla was that of an Indian cacique, in alliance with the Chihans, and therefore inclined to be civil, while the plunder was not very tempting, and while all the party were well armed and on the alert. A few days after the ship was wrecked, this cacique gave a fine young heifer to Captain Seymour, who thanked him for his present, and expressed regret that any thing he could offer in return must be very trifling ; when he was startled by a violent exclamation from the chieftain, who indignantly refused to accept any thing from men in distress. He would not take the paring of a nail from them, (biting liis thumb-nail angrily as he spoke). By Mr. Rouse's exertions and assistance, as interpreter and adviser, several yoke of oxen were procured, as well as many horses, mules, and donkeys ; but even with such unhoped-for help, the removal of the heavy stores which had been saved was a tedious and difficult undertaking. Once established, however, at Leiibu, they felt comparatively secure : tents were made out of sails ; a palisade was fixed and a ditch dug : but the guns, spars, anchors, cables, and large boats, were left on the beach, as they were too heavy for removal overland ; and to transport them by sea, from such an exposed coast, was out of the question. Leaving their good ship a wreck upon the shore, in the hands of those who would soon destroy her, to get at the copper and iron, was to all a melancholy sensation. But the feelings of her captain at that moment — how little those who obeyed orders had to feel, compared with him who gave them On the 8th of June the wreck was abandoned : and the whole party were encamped at Leiibu. Time passed away but no tidings of assistance arrived. Sickness began its insidious attacks : for cold wet weather had succeeded to a duration of fine dry days unusual at that time of year. Some of their