114 SABLE ISLAND—(CONTINUED).—MACDONALD. 
dent was again removed 4 miles further east and used as a house 
of refuge. Here it enjoyed a short respite when again the sea 
threatened its foundation. This marks the 11 mile point mentioned 
in Mr. Howe's report. 
Now all this seems so much like romance that were it not for 
the authenticity given it by parliamentary reports and the records 
of the Island, I should hesitate in giving currency to these state- 
ments. 
But I think I hear you say,—What of that house—is it still 
moving ? 
No, it is now at rest, ithas found a grave, for the fourth time 
it was moved, this time 2 miles further east. Gradually the 
gales removed the hummocks that sheltered it. Then, left to the 
rake of the winds, sand laden eddies twirled about it till slowly 
mound arose closing it from sight, the house, and the surface 
became levelled out above it. 
Another short rest and again it may open up to view, and be 
bared to its foundation, or be thrown down with the embank- 
ment and floated away by the current. 
Between the years 1850 and 1881 this western portion of the 
island appeared to enjoy a period of comparative repose. This 
may be accounted for by the fact that so much material had been 
thrown down ashoal was fermed to the west on which the seas 
would probably break before reaching the sand bluffs and thus 
lose their abrading force. In the same manner the main body 
of the island is defended by three parallel bars which act as 
barrier reef, and protect or at least retard the work of devastation 
which would otherwise proceed with great activity. On the 
removal of this shoal to the westward, by the currents, the seas 
began again to manifest their force. 
The winter of 1881 was remarkably stormy, gale succeeding 
gale in quick succession. In addition to this gradual work of 
erosion great areas were removed bodily. During one gale 70 feet 
by 4 mile departed, a month later 30 feet of the whole width of 
the island disappeared in a few hours. 
The winter of 1882 was even worse than the preceding one, 
and was noted for the destruction wrought among the buildings, 
