Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1886-09-11
IN TERRA DEL FUEGO,

limited almost entirely to the north and
south poles, WHITTIER costly expeditions
are constantly being despae;hed: while
in South America alone there are the In
teriors Of Guiana, Brazil, Patagonia, and
TERRA dd Fuego, besides smaller patches
Of only half explored land, ell calling for
more attention than they have hitherto
received.
The whole Of Brazil has indeed been
explored In superficial sort Of way:
that Il 70 say, there are certain narrow
lines OF explored land, chiefly along
rivers which intersect the country; but
only two people from all the civilized
world have ever penetrated beyond the
coast Of Tern del Fuego, though the
coast itself has been well surveyed, and
whalerS boats frequently land there for
water. -FE tgrt1 tTJ
One Of these two pioneers Is Gillian
lady who was ship-wrecked on the coast;
and saved alive by the CHEZ Of Fuegan
tribe which murdered al her compan-
ions. She was seen alive and happy by
the other pioneer. seaman, by name
Thomas Thorold, VINO spest nearly six
monthsin the interior a this strange
country, and came safe home to England
again. II Is bis story TINT propose to
tell.
Less than six years ago "a English sail
ing ship, homeward bound from valpa-
raiso, founded OH the west coast Of TERRA
del Fuego during the cruel, wintry month
OF july. The crew got into three boats
and pulled to the shore, which was not
far distant After rounding q hsadland,
they fornd themselves IN comparatively
smooth wutes, surrounded by bare,
bleak hills, bfneahh which there was a
broad, sandy peach, which would afford
them easy landing.
But On thisbeSeh and about the foot Of
the hill they saw what above all things
they dreaded-the signs Of the doom
they felt nnist sooner CT later be thor
the stunted folns q Niegan natives,
standing and lying abosx their rude huts
and canoes.
AS soon as the Puagans espied tAem,
they crowded into their ounces and rowed
out toward them, while their shouts
broughs muititude Of natives to the
beach where they clustered IKE flock
of vultures lowering over their prey.
The Huegans are sznali race, with
dark copper-onborcd skin. The men are
mostly clad in cd vests and trousers that
they have acquired from some ship
wrecked crew, Or from the steamers
passing through the straits Of Magellan;
others wear des or gszafapo skins. The
women ara dressed more simply In a
single garment resembling ponoho,
made If some skis: a simple square, with
hole ia the middle for tire head.
Their boats have none Of the graceful
gliding of the Worth American canoes,
but are simply n,aife q pieces Il bark or
wood ciumstfy led together with fbres,
and ARE awkwaxdsy pewed With oars
founed Of poles with fiat pieces of wood
tied On 10 the end. Tine only nansfac-
ture in which tiseae men the lowest type
of humanity-at al expa, Is that Of
barbed spear-heads, which they make
with considerable Skill Of an almost
transparent sort of flint very similar to
some Of the arvow-heads used by the
wild Bugres Of Brazil. These, dipped in
poison ard fixed on 10 long wooden
shafts, become dangerous weapons for
poor weary sailors 10 face who have
nothing to defend Themselves with but
oars and stretcisrs.
Before the three doomed boats
were, within hah mile of the
shore, they we're surrounded by seven or
eight oanoes-sranlmed with these gibber-
ing abcxigines, before whoan the sailors
were perfectly helpless, FOR from con-
siderable .Aistance the snezSing spears
GANG ialshng toward them. The mis-
cradle men tried in vain 10 parry them.
One byone they dropped into the bottom
of the boat and died In agony, as the
fiery venomy from the spear heads
coursed through their veins.
Suddenly, when there were only two
or three left untouched in each OF the
boats, one of the Fuegaes, who seemed
to be chief among them. gave shout
that Made all The others stand motion.
less, with spears poised m their hands;
and he spoke TO them In their loud,
cracked language Ger minute or more;
it seemed years 10 cim helptass men wait,
ing 10 be killed.
Atsthe helm Of one of the boats sal
mate, Thomas Thoso&d. . tall. strong
man OF sbowt so, toward whom thechiet
pointed several times as be was speaking
Soon he stopped shouting and gesticu
latin@ andpagain tt1cpeaxs came whixz
ing from the strong, savage arms. n
But a>ehange had taken place; The
weapons were aimed at al the sailors ex
ceps Thomas Thorold. He sat there un.
touched, expecting every moment X
receive his death wound, and re
celviag 1t not Oaly he saw hi
comf2hions dropping one by one, meet
ing their deaths bravely, a. Englishmel
are went TO DO, but with features tor
tured into that rigid glare which indi
Gates the height OF suppressed terror ant
extneGne suspense.
When at last the mate was the onl,
living enc left, 10 his horror they sur
rounded him, bound his hands and fee
and lifted him into enc OF their canoes
Then they turned towards shore, towinl
the three boats behind them.