404 A VOYAGE TO Book IX. 



muft hov;ever be Imputed to the rigour of thf climate, 

 and the badnefs of the foii, more than to any negleft 

 cf the proprietors, who ieldom are wanting in induf- 

 try, when they have a probability of fuitable advan- 

 tages. The inhaliitants relate, that it was formerly 

 peopled by a race of lavage Indians, who fince Jiave 

 retired to the continent; nor do they often vifit the 

 ifland, and even when they do, they ñay but a very 

 fmall time, returning to the continent from whence 

 they came. This was indeed their cuftom before ever 

 the narr.es of French or Englilh were known in the 

 ifland, retiring from the feverity of the froils at the 

 approach of winter. Thefe Indians generally live 

 by filhing and hunting; and both this ifland, the 

 Ifle Royale, and the adjacent parts of Canada, abound 

 in biiilards and wild getfe. There are alfo found, 

 though m no great numbers, the quadrupeds of this 

 country, as foxes, bears, beavers, and others: but 

 the continual fearch after them for the fake of their 

 fkins has much lefliened their numbers. 



Undir all the feverity of the climate, they are 

 not without fome horned cattle; but thefe arc pre- 

 ferved with no kfs care and difficulty than at Lou- 

 iibourg. The inhabitants have alfo their little kitchen 

 gardens for fum.mer herbs: but all the other fpecies 

 of provifion?, as flour, fait, meat, &c. they are fup- 

 plied with from Bofton, Pcnnfylvania, and other co- 

 lonies to the Ibuthward. With regard to the goods of 

 other kinds, they are brought from England. 



Having oblcrved in chapter feven that the greateft 

 part of the French iliipj employed in the cod-trade do 

 not take in their lading at Louifljourg, ic will be ne- 

 ceflTary to explain the nature of this trade; and in or- 

 der to a m®re clear underftanding of this traffick it is to 

 be obfervcd, that the ihips both of that nation and 

 thofe of Engknd, have two methods of carrying it 

 on ; one is to go to the fifliing villages, and there buy 

 a cargo in barter for goods, or to load with cod on 



their 



