The wind had subsided a little, but a strong current was setting through the straits, and short, sharp seas, such as are experienced in the Bay of Fundy, indicated the ship's position as clearly as if a good observation had been got.

Snow and ice nearly covered the ship, and the men continued to suffer from the cold.

There was a feeling of encouragement now that the ship would round the Cape without any further trouble.

But before noon a violent snow storm set in, and the bold, bleak hills of Patagonia disappeared from sight.

The wind, too, veered ahead again and increased, and the ship had to be headed for the coast of Terra del Fuego, on the other tack.
Early on the following morning the look-out's attention was attracted by large spots of white light--now opening, now shutting--high up in the heavens ahead.