Santa Cruz - Expedition up the River - Indians - Immense
Streams of Basaltic Lava - Fragments not transported by the
River - Excavations of the Valley - Condor, Habits of -
Cordillera - Erratic Boulders of great size - Indian Relics -
Return to the Ship - Falkland Islands - Wild Horses, Cattle,
Rabbits - Wolf-like Fox - Fire made of Bones - Manner of
Hunting Wild Cattle - Geology - Streams of Stones - Scenes
of Violence - Penguins - Geese - Eggs of Doris - Compound
Animals.
APRIL 13, 1834. - The Beagle anchored within the mouth of the
Santa Cruz. This river is situated about sixty miles south of
Port St. Julian. During the last voyage Captain Stokes proceeded
thirty miles up it, but then, from the want of provisions, was
obliged to return. Excepting what was discovered at that time,
scarcely anything was known about this large river. Captain Fitz
Roy now determined to follow its course as far as time would
allow. On the 18th three whale-boats started, carrying three
weeks' provisions; and the party consisted of twenty-five
souls - a force which would have been sufficient to have
defied a host of Indians. With a strong flood-tide and a fine
day we made a good run, soon drank some of the fresh water,
and were at night nearly above the tidal influence.
The river here assumed a size and appearance which, even at
the highest point we ultimately reached, was scarcely
diminished. It was generally from three to four hundred yards
broad, and in the middle about seventeen feet deep.
