CHAPTER XIX
HOME
We need not give the log of the sloop's passage through the waterways of the Magellanic Archipelago. It was marked by no adventure of importance. The weather remained fine throughout, and in these channels of six or seven miles across the sea is never very rough.
The course was deserted, and this was rather a matter for congratulation, as the natives of the islands are not always in a hospitable humour. Once or twice dining the night fires were noticed well inland, but nobody appeared on the beach.
On the nth of February the sloop, which had been favoured with a fair wind all the time, entered the Straits of Magellan down Smyth Channel, between the west coast of Queen Adelaide Island and the heights of King William Land. To the right rose the peak of St. Anne. To the left, at the bottom of Beaufort Bay, were the ends of some of the glaciers that Briant had seen from Hanover Island.
All went well on board. The sea air just suited Donagan, who now felt quite equal to landing again if necessary, and resuming the Crusoe life.
During the 12th of February the sloop arrived in sight of Tamar Island, where the haven or creek held at the time no occupant. Without stopping, Evans doubled Tamar Cape and headed south-east into the Straits.
On one side the long Land of Desolation developed its fiat and arid shores, showing no trace of the rich vegetation of Charman Island. On the other was the indented Crocker Peninsula along which Evans intended to
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