The other ceremony was also a dance, the celebrated snow-shoe dance, which took place when all was ready for the departure northwards; and in this Head was especially interested, because he was himself an expert on "shoes." Two or three spears, elaborately decorated with feathers or other trophies of the chase, were stuck upright in the snow, and to one of them a pair of snow-shoes was hung; and, after prayers and incantations by the old chief, ten mighty men of the tribe, each carrying his weapons, formed themselves in a ring round the spears. Waddling, sliding, dancing, or jumping, these passed round and round the consecrated shoes till all were satisfied that the Great Spirit's aid had been enlisted, and that the ghosts of the animals or birds that they might kill would never return to vex the slayers. [Illustration: THE SNOW-SHOE DANCE OF THE RED INDIANS A religious ceremony at the opening of the winter hunting season.] CHAPTER VII AMONG THE FUEGIAN INDIANS Tierra Del Fuego--"The Land of Fire," as Maghelhaens christened it, from the number of beacons exhibited along its coast--is the home of a family of Indians properly known as Pesherahs. Whence they came no one can tell us, though some think them to be of Chilean origin; but they are--and have been, during the last four centuries--among the most degraded savages that the earth holds. This is, no doubt, partly owing to the barrenness of the archipelago and the almost animal simplicity of their lives which is a consequence of it; for though their brain development is certainly not extraordinary, it is probably as high as that of many savages who have yielded with comparative readiness to European influence. All sorts of efforts at civilising the Fuegians have been made by philanthropists, scientists, and missionaries, but it is to be feared that they have met with little success. Not the least practical of these was an experiment made by the late Admiral Fitzroy, inventor of the nautical barometer that bears his name, and better known to readers in general as Darwin's friend and at one time commanding officer. From 1826 to 1830 this clever young sailor was in command of H.M.S. _Beagle_, which, with H.M.S. _Adventure_, was sent on a surveying expedition to the southern seas. During the early part of this cruise, while an exploring party was ashore in what is now called Beagle Channel, a number of Fuegians took advantage of the absence of the sailors to spring into their boat and row off with it.