In 50 degrees South lat.

we saw the chalky mountains of Patagonia.

Today we passed the Falkland Islands, which stretched from 51 to 52 degrees South lat.
We did not see them, however, as we kept as near the land as possible, in order not to miss the Straits of Magellan.

For some days the captain had been studying an English book, which, in his opinion, clearly proved that the passage through the Straits of Magellan was far less dangerous and far shorter than that round Cape Horn.

I asked him how it happened that other sailors knew nothing of this valuable book, and why all vessels bound for the western coast of America went round Cape Horn?
He could give me no other answer than that the book was very dear, and that that was the reason no one bought it.