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

1835. CUKIOSITV— THEFT — SINGING. 613 While we were engaged with the instruments on shore, a crowd of natives were eagerly displaying their merchandise along side or on board the ship. From the dawn of day, until they were admitted at breakfast time, canoes had been approaching from every direction. Their occupants had heard of the dollars, and every canoe within reach had been loaded. This sort of com- petition could not last ; so I thought it better to give them as much opportunity to dispose of their wares as our small deck allowed ; and desired Lieut. Wickham to let the market be held, till trade grew dull. Some wanted to build us a house many asked to be allowed to wash our clothes. There appeai-ed to be no want of will to work, if dollars were to be gained. On shore it was difficult to make the required observations, among a crowd of curious observers of ourselves and our instru- ments; for though they readily drew back as far as we wished, it was quite impossible to keep them from running about and shaking the ground. While employed with the dipping needle under a tent, I thought myself fortified : but they besieged the small opening so closely, in their eagerness to see the sight, that the heat caused by a vertical sun was soon increased to that of an oven, from their thus blocking up the only air-hole. At my return to the ship in the evening, I found that the fair had not lasted above an hour after breakfast. All the natives had behaved well excepting two ; one of whom absconded with the top of a brass stanchion. The other tried to carry off an axe ; but was detected, and pointed out to the more respec- table of his countrymen, who said he should be tried, and that his sentence would probably be a fine of ten hogs.* This evening some of our party were much pleased by hear- ing the pretty plaintive songs of the children, as they sat in groups upon the shore. Their voices accord in the most per- fect manner ; and, although the tunes are rather monotonous, • The man who tried to steal the axe wa fined ci;,^ht hogs and a large piece of cloth. Five of the pigs went to tlie queen, and three were sent on board the Beafrle. The cloth was given to the man wlio c;iiight the thief. VOL. II. 2 L