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

APPENDIX. ISS went down the river at an amazing rate ; and, just before night, they put ashore upon a stony beach. They hauled the canoe up, and all disappeared in a moment, and I was left quite alone : it rained violently, and was very dark. I thought it was as well to Ue down upon the beach, half- side in water, as to get into a swamp under a dropping tree. In this dismal situation I fell asleep, and awaked three or four hours after in such agonies with the cramp, that I thought I must die upon the spot. I attempted several times to raise myself upon my legs, but could not. At last, I made shift to get upon my knees, and, looking towards the wood, I saw a great fire at some distance from me. I was a long time crawling to it ; and when I reached it, I threw myself almost into it, in hopes of finding some relief from the pain I suffered. This in- trusion gave great offence to the Indians, who immediately got up, kicking and beating me till they drove me to some distance from it however, I contrived, a httle after, to place myself so as to receive some warmth from it ; by which I got rid of the cramp. In the morn- ing, we left this place, and were soon after out of the river. Being now at sea again, the Indians intended putting ashore at the first convenient place to look for sheU-fish, their stock of provisions having been quite exhausted for some time. At low water we landed upon a spot that seemed to promise well ; and here we found plenty of limpets. Though at this time starving, I did not attempt to eat one, lest I should lose a moment in gathering them ; not knowing how soon the Indians might be going again. I had almost filled my hat, when I saw them returning to the canoe. I made what haste I coidd to her ; for I believe they would have made no conscience of leaving me behind. I sat down to my oar again, placing my hat close to me, every now and then eating a Hmpet. The IndiEins were employed the same way, when one of them seeing me throw the shells overboard, spoke to the rest in a violent passion ; and, getting up, fell upon me, and seizing me by an old ragged hand- kerchief I had about my neck, almost throttled me ; whilst another took me by the legs, and was going to throw me overboard, if the old woman had not prevented them. I was aU this time entirely ignorant by what means I had given offence, till I obser\'ed that the Indians, after eating the limpets, carefully put the shells in a heap at the bottom of the canoe. I then concluded there was some super- stition about throwing these shells into the sea, my ignorance of