140 THE LABRADOR PENINSULA. CHAP. ix. 



vegetation appears to cease, except in strips, about two- 

 thirds up the mountain sides. 



'I should like to know for what purpose these mos- 

 quitoes were created,' said one, as we sat at the edge of 

 the lake waiting for the canoes to be brought across the 

 portage. 



' Do you know what the voyageurs on the St. Maurice 

 say about the mosquitoes ? ' asked another. 



' No ; what ideas have they on the subject ? ' 



' They believe that a certain saint was banished from 

 heaven for disobedience to the commands of one of the 

 higher angels, and condemned to dwell alone for a long 

 period in one of the uninhabited parts of the earth. She 

 found the time hang heavy on her hands, until at length 

 she prayed that even a few flies might be sent to amuse 

 her. 



'The mosquito, the black fly, and the brulot were 

 forthwith created, and during the remaining period of 

 her punishment they gave her more employment than she 

 wanted in resisting their attacks. 



'The saint was restored to heaven, but the flies re- 

 mained behind to keep us in constant remembrance of the 

 folly of seeking for amusement to distract attention from 

 sorrows which we have brought on ourselves by indiscre- 

 tion or sin.' 



At this moment Michel and Louis came with a load 

 to where we were sitting, in the doubtful enjoyment of 

 a ' smudge ' to keep off the tormenting flies. 



' What sort of a Ka-pi-ta-gan is that tremendous 

 mountain ahead of us ? ' I asked. 



Michel raised his hand a little, then a little higher, 



