in for the straits, and anchored, about midnight, about twelve miles from the first narrows.
Very little is known of the immense tract of country called Patagonia, or of the great island of Terra del Fuego, as the Europeans name it, the coast of which forms the opposite side of the straits. Ships rarely send boats on shore there except for water and wood, when the crews are invariably armed against the treacherous attacks of the natives, who are described as a race of such high stature as to procure them, among sailors, the name of the Patagonian giants. They are commonly of as much as six feet five inches in height, and have no other clothing but skins, which they wear with the hair outward. Contrary to usage, however, Captain Brownell, the master of the schooner, determined to send ashore his mate, Mr. Bourne, and a small party of sailors, with instructions to procure fresh provisions if they were to be had. Knowing, from the reports of the whalers and others, something of the savage and inhospitable character of the natives, the mate was little inclined for the duty; but the captain made light of his objections and Bourne determined to comply.
Taking their guns, a bag of biscuit, and some tobacco, four of them accordingly started for the shore. As they approached the beach, a crowd of dark-looking savages, fully justifying the common report of their stature, came to the water's edge to gaze at the strangers. The men did not like the appearance of the giants, and lay on their oars a considerable time. A recollection of the many stories current about the Patagonians, did not fortify their confidence, or make them anxious for
