62 BOWDOIN BOYS IN LABRADOR. 



when the wind came around to the west, as it is certain to do at 

 that season of the year, compelling us to " tack ship " and stand 

 right out against the stormy Gulf of St. Lawrence. These 

 southwesterly winds had been our dread, for they blow so 

 strongly and in September make the Gulf so rough that getting 

 to windward against them is impossible. Hence our satisfaction 

 can be imagined as we sped along the Labrador coast that day, 

 the wind becoming a trifle easterly, so as to allow us to " start 

 our sheets " and at the same time steadily increase our offing, 

 getting such a weatherly position for Canso that the moment 

 the expected change of direction began we promptly " tacked 

 ship " and at the worst had a leading wind across. 



For three days we hobnobbed with the little " Minnie Mac " 

 across the Gulf. The first thing we did in the morning was to 

 hunt her up with the glasses from aloft, if not in sight from the 

 deck, and the last thing in order at night were speculations as 

 to where we should next see her. The difference in the build 

 of the two vessels, the one being shoal and centerboard, the 

 other deep and heavily laden, made the race a zigzag. When 

 the wind favored a little and the sheets could be " eased " then 

 the shoal model would push ahead, but when the wind came 

 more nearly ahead, aud we had to plunge squarely into a head 

 sea, then the deeper draught and heavier lading told to advan- 

 tage. 



During this time we were not idle on board. The Grand 

 River men were beginning to feel vigorous again, and their notes 

 and data had to be worked up. The collections, too, though 

 largely packed away securely for the rough voyage, yet gave 

 plenty of occupation to those not otherwise employed, while 

 the few really industriously inclined used their superfluous 

 energy in seeing to it that the lazy were given no opportunity 

 to enjoy their idleness. 



The morning of the fourth day the coasts of Cape Breton 

 were in sight, but the wind came straight out of the Gut of 

 Canso in half a gale, and then our rival, owing to her greater 

 weight, forged ahead, and it seemed that we were to be beaten. 

 However, much to our amusement, when we got a few miles off 



