noon
The wind had subsided a little , but a strong current was setting through the straits , and short , sharp seas , such as are experienced in the Bay of Fundy , indicated the ship 's position as clearly as if a good observation had been got . Snow and ice nearly covered the ship , and the men continued to suffer from the cold . There was a feeling of encouragement now that the ship would round the Cape without any further trouble . But before noon a violent snow storm set in , and the bold , bleak hills of Patagonia disappeared from sight . The wind , too , veered ahead again and increased , and the ship had to be headed for the coast of Terra del Fuego , on the other tack . Early on the following morning the look-out 's attention was attracted by large spots of white light -- now opening , now shutting -- high up in the heavens ahead . It was Tite 's watch on deck , and the look-out pointed him to the curious phenomena , which had not before attracted his attention .