14 BOWDOIN BOYS IN LABRADOR 



from what I have seen of native Labradoreans. While the journey 

 they undertake is one in which the skill of Indians or half-breeds, 

 familiar with Labrador wildernesses would be of great value and 

 would add to the comfort of our party, it is very doubtful if any 

 living person has ever been to the falls or knows any more about 

 the last, and probably the hardest part of the trip, than Cary. 

 And, further, the travel is so difficult that about all a man can carry 

 is supplies for himself; and the Indians cannot stand the pace that 

 our men intend to strike ; nor, if it should come to the last extremity, 

 and a forlorn hope was needed to make a last desperate push for 

 discovery or relief, could the Indian guides, so far as we have any 

 knowledge of them, be relied on. That the boldest measures 

 are often the surest, will probably again be demonstrated by our 

 Grand River party. 



We tried the exploring boats very thoroughly at Chateau Bay, 

 three of us getting caught about six miles from the vessel in quite 

 a blow, and the well-laden boat proved herself very seaworthy. 

 When loaded, she still draws but little water, and is good in every 

 way for the trip. 



This letter was begun in the fine breeze off Newfoundland, but 

 could not be mailed till the port of entry and post-office of Labrador, 

 Battle Harbor, was reached. A week was consumed in getting from 

 our first anchorage in Labrador to this harbor, as the captain was un- 

 accustomed to icebergs, and properly decided to take no risks with 

 them in the strong shifting currents and thick weather of the eastern 

 end of the straits. The wind was ahead for several days, and the 

 heavy squalls coming off the land in quick succession made us fear 

 the wind would drop and leave us banging around in the fog that 

 usually accompanies a calm spell, so we kept close to harbors and 

 dodged in on the first provocation. 



The season is three weeks late this year ; the first mail boat has 

 not yet arrived, though last year at this time she was on her second 

 trip. The last report from the North — down the coast they call 

 it — that went to Newfoundland and St. Johns was "that it was 

 impassable ice this side Hamilton Inlet." A vessel — a steam seal- 

 ing bark — though, that was here yesterday and has gone to Sidney, 

 C. B. I., reports now that the coast is clear to Hopedale. Beyond 

 we know nothing about it. 



On Henley and Castle Islands, at the mouth of Chateau Bay, are 

 basaltic table-lands about half a mile across, perfectly flat on top 

 and about two hundred feet high. We walked around one, went 



