CHAPTER VII.
Weighing anchor at Buenos Aires--An outburst of emotion at the mouth of the Plate--Submerged by a great wave--A stormy entrance to the strait--Captain Samblich's happy gift of a bag of carpet-tacks--Off Cape Froward--Chased by Indians from Fortescue Bay--A miss-shot for "Black Pedro"-- Taking in supplies of wood and water at Three Island Cove--Animal life.
On January 26, 1896, the _Spray_, being refitted and well provisioned in every way, sailed from Buenos Aires.

There was little wind at the start; the surface of the great river was like a silver disk, and I was glad of a tow from a harbor tug to clear the port entrance.

But a gale came up soon after, and caused an ugly sea, and instead of being all silver, as before, the river was now all mud.

The Plate is a treacherous place for storms.

One sailing there should always be on the alert for squalls.