Chap. IX.]
FALKLAND ISLANDS.
253
1842
of laughter. Truly, thought I, the horse is brother to the ass; yet so effectual was the defence, that the dog, whose eye was on the heifer, could no where break into the phalanx. A shot was then fired over their heads, they started and sprung forwards: quick as thought 'Yorke' had the heifer by the throat; its cries and our shouts scared the troop, who started off in file for the mountains. Every man's rifle was at his shoulder, to resist firing a shot was impossible: one ball whistled through the air, and a horse drew up, stumbled forward and fell: the spirit of emulation was roused, four more shots followed, and each brought its mark to the ground. I saw the gallant grey mare bound high into the air; one true aim had pierced her heart; she rolled over dead and struck her colt to the ground as she fell."
Having now secured a plentiful supply of fresh beef, and the means of obtaining as much as we should require, our huntsmen, after a little practice, becoming equally expert and successful, the Arrow's people were recalled, as, from her having been in commission now nearly five years, they were naturally anxious to return home as soon as possible after their duties were fulfilled.
Lieutenant Robinson having orders to touch at Rio de Janeiro, I availed myself of so excellent an opportunity of transmitting an account of the proceedings of the expedition up to the present date, and of my future intentions, to the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, and to Commodore Purvis, the senior officer of that part of the South American Station; and at the same time made known to the Commodore our want of a new