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

500 SALT SPRING THICK WOOD. Oct. expected to arrive in a few days, with a vessel laden with ani- mals, and supplies for the settlement. We stood across, during the night, to the four islands near Point Woodford; and at day- light next morning (17th) resumed our usual occupations, while sailing along the east side of Albemarle Island. At noon we steered for Albany Islet, to embark Mr. Darwin and Mr. Bynoe ; and after our party were on board, we returned to- wards the shore of Albemarle Island, and there passed the night under sail, in order to start early from a particular posi- tion. Our landsmen had enjoyed their stay and profited by it, though the heat was oppressive, and the sky nearly cloudless by night and by day : how different was this from the weather we had had on board ! The higher grounds of James Island are extensive, and would be adapted to cultivation if the wood, which now grows thickly, were cleared. There is a fine salt spring, or lake, in an old crater ; the salt is excellent, in colour and quality : and the men employed by Mr. Lawson were using it daily for curing their fish and terrapin. When at some height upon the island, among the thick wood, it is extremely difficult to find the way: men have been lost thereabouts, and it is said that some of the bodies never were found. The day we re-embarked Mr. Darwin there was a man missing, belonging to an American whale ship, and his shipmates were seeking for him. The master of this whaler was very obliging to our party, supplying them with water, and offering his hearty assistance in any way which lay in his power. The earnest wishes to be of use, and the attentions of North Americans to us on all occasions, have been often and gratefully remarked by many on board the Beagle. 18th. Continued our examination of Albemarle Island- When off the northern volcano, the black streams of lava, which have flowed in every direction down the sides of the mountain, looked like immense streams of ink. Thence we steered for Abingdon Island to meet Mr. Chaffers. I thought the cur- rent less strong, and setting more to the west, than when I was here on a former day. On the 19th we were close to Abingdon Island, where there