Page:A Voyage of Discovery and Research in the Southern and Antarctic Regions Vol 2.djvu/276

242 store. The service, was, however, of too dangerous a nature for those unacquainted with it to enter upon without due caution; for many are the narratives of hair-breadth escapes, of severe injury, and of death, that are related by those who have been much engaged in hunting the wild cattle of the Falkland Islands; I therefore considered it better to wait the hourly expected arrival of Her Majesty's ketch, Arrow, commanded by Lieutenant Robinson, who had been several years employed in the survey of the numerous harbours and inlets with which the islands abound, that from her people, who were accustomed to the sport, our hunters might receive the necessary instructions and assistance until they should be able to do without them; and more especially on account of the dogs, which had been trained for the purpose, and were essential to the safety of the hunters, being on board the Arrow, always accompanying the vessel to provide fresh provision for her crew whilst engaged in their arduous duties.

In the mean time, however, shooting parties were sent out every day, and procured a great number of rabbits, and various kinds of birds. Of these the teal, snipe, and upland goose were the most delicious, and afforded a wholesome and useful variety in the diet of the crews.

The astronomical and meteorological observatory was placed near the fort, built by Bougainville in 1764, for the protection of his settlement, at an