r that ship which they still hope may come
along the Beagle Channel.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Note 1. These shell-heaps, or "kitchen middens," are a feature of
Fuegian scenery. They are usually found wherever there is a patch of
shore level enough to land upon; but the beach opposite a bed of kelp is
the place where the largest are met with. In such situations the
skeletons of old wigwams are also encountered, as the Fuegians, on
deserting them, always leave them standing, probably from some
superstitious feeling.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN.

BY THE "KITCHEN MIDDEN."

The programme determined on is carried out to the letter. But as the
days pass, and no ship appears, their impatience becomes despondency--
almost despair. Yet this is for the best, as it strengthens a
resolution already in their thoughts, but not finally decided upon.
This is to build a boat. Nor, in this case, is necessity--mother of
invention--the sole impelling influence. Other circumstances aid in
suggesting the scheme, because they favour its execution. There is
timber in plenty on the spot, needing only to be hewn into shape and put
together. The oars, mast, and sail are already on hand; but, above all,
Chips is a ship's carpenter, capable of turning out any sort of craft,
from a dinghy to the biggest of long-boats.

All these advantages taken into account, the task is set about without
further hesitation, and hopefully. A great drawback, however, is their
not being provided with proper tools. They have only a common wood-axe,
a hand-saw, hammer, auger, and their sailor-knives; nor would they be so
well off but for having had them on shore during their brief sojourn in
the cove. Other tools left in the gig are doubtless in her still.

Doing their best with those on hand, the axe is first brought into play,
the negro being the one to wield it. In early life he has cut down many
a tree on the banks of the Mississippi, hundreds bigger than any to be
found in the Fuegian forests. So with a confident air he attacks the
tree which Seagriff points out to be felled first, saying, "Dis nigger
fetch it down quick as de shake ob a nanny-goat's tail, see if him
don't."

And he proceeds to confirm his boast by a vigorous assault upon the
tree, a beech, one of those that have been barked. This circumstance,
too, is in their favour, and saves them time, for the barked trees
having been long dead,