Patagonia Bookshelf

Morning fitting up sleeping room. At noon Captain Gardiner set out to see the cause of the smoke that the Indian had pointed out. I employed myself in burning the grass from the immediate neighbourhood of the houses, as the whole country for many miles to windward of us was in flames: by this means its approach to the Mission property was prevented. Captain Gardiner returned about 8 p.m., believing the Patagonians were not near us, the smoke having originated most probably in a fire that we? [sic] or the Indian family had made some days before, but which had been smothering till a high wind favoured its approach to dry grass. (Vide Mar. 19)