The opening of Chapter I
Explanation--Natives of Tierra del Fuego, or Fuegians--Passages across the Equator (Atlantic)--Letters--Small-pox--Hospital --Boat--Memory--Fuegians in London--At Walthamstow--At St. James’s--Beagle recommissioned--Correspondence with Mr. Wilson --Fuegians re-embark.
As the following narrative of the Beagle’s second voyage to South America is a sequel to the “Surveying Voyages of the Adventure and the Beagle,” which are related in the preceding volume, it may be advisable that this chapter should contain a sketch of some few incidents intimately connected with the origin and plan of the second Expedition.
Captain King has already mentioned that the two ships under his orders sailed from Rio de Janeiro, on their homeward passage, early in August 1830.
During the time which elapsed before we reached England, I had time to see much of my Fuegian companions; and daily became more interested about them as I attained a further acquaintance with their abilities and natural inclinations. Far, very far indeed, were three of the number from deserving to be called savages--even at this early period of their residence among civilized people--though the other, named York Minster, was certainly a displeasing specimen of uncivilized human nature.