THE ST. LAWRENCE ISLANDb. V23 



spread during their whole voyage, when the wind 

 permitted, and they plied against the N.E. mon- 

 soon, thinking they were under the lee of their 

 island ; this may account for their at last com- 

 ing to Aur. They kept their reckoning by the 

 moon, making a knot in a cord, destined for the 

 purpose, at every new moon. As the sea produced 

 abundance offish, and they were perfectly acquaint- 

 ed with the art of fishing, they suffered less hunger 

 than thirst, for though they did not neglect 

 during every rain to collect a small stock, they 

 were often totally destitute of fresh water. Kadu, 

 who was the best diver, frequently went down to 

 the bottom of the sea, where it is well known that 

 the water is not so salt, with a cocoa-nut, with only 

 a small opening; but even, if this satisfied the want 

 of the moment, it probably contributed to weaken 

 them. When they perceived the island of Aur, 

 the sight of land did not rejoice them, because 

 every feeling had died within them. Their sails 

 had long been destroyed, their canoe the sport of 

 the winds and the waves, and they patiently ex- 

 pected death, when the inhabitants of Aur sent 

 several canoes to their assistance, and carried 

 them senseless on shore. A Tamon was pre- 

 sent at the moment ; the iron utensils which the 

 unfortunate men still possessed dazzled their de- 

 liverers, and they were on the point of striking the 

 fatal blow^ to divide their spoil, when Tigedien, 

 the Tamon of the island of Aur, fortunately came 

 in time to save their lives. When Kadu afterwards 



