320 THE LABEADOK PENINSULA. CHAP. xix. 



inent to the view, for they are nothing more than dreary 

 rocks on which stunted trees grow, although limestone is 

 found on the shore of one of theinj and forms a reef in the 

 inskle of the harbour. On the beach opposite the Islands 

 we saw two shipwrecked schooners, which had lain there 

 for several years, although, one of them had been partly 

 burned for the sake of the iron. 



Seven Islands, and more particularly the beautiful bay 

 of the same name, has for centuries been a favourite 

 hunting ground of the Montagnais. In the spring and 

 fall of the year it swarms with wild fowl, who congregate 

 here in vast numbers previously to taking their flight to 

 the south shore. 



It is also celebrated for its fisheries, especially of 

 herring and mackerel. In 1660 the Montagnais of 

 Seven Islands requested the Jesuits at Tadousac to send 

 a robe noire to teach them, according to the account of 

 the Eecollet Pere Hierosme Lallemant, who, writing hi 

 that year, states that the reason why the Montagnais of 

 Seven Islands would not come to Tadousac at the mouth 

 of the Saugeuay was because they feared the Iroquois, 

 with whom they were at war. 



This fact alone shows how widespread was the dread 

 which that warlike nation had infused into the tribes far 

 to the east, north, and west of their own country, on the 

 borders of Lake Ontario and the Upper St. Lawrence, at 

 least 700 miles from Seven Islands. 



We reached the Missionary Station near the head of the 

 bay after a five hours' walk, which we thoroughly enjoyed. 

 Encamped round about a neat little wooden chapel were 

 about 150 Indians ; among them were a dozen Nasquapees, 



