DIRECTIONS FOK TonUSTS. 261 



points oil the way, ami the coast scenery is magnificent, the hills 

 having a strong leseniTilance to the Conlilleia peaks. The load 

 first winds through a pretty, well-cnltivated little ^-alley, over 

 Waterford Bridge, passing near Blackhead (i'our miles I'lom St. 

 Jolm's) from which Cape Spear can be reached — the most eastern 

 point of Xorth Anieiica, the summit, crowned by its lighthouse, 

 being 264 feet above the seadevel. Petty Harbour, already re- 

 ferred to (population 9;')3) is next passed and Bay of Bulls (20 

 miles from St. Johii'.s) is reachetl. The name is supposed to be 

 a corruption of the French Baie de Bois (Bay of the woods). The 

 poi^ulation is aboiit 700, nearly all fishermen. Bay of Bidls is a 

 harbour of I'efuge vrheie vessels find shelter when the ice or 

 stormy winds render it impossible to double Cape Spear and 

 reach the Capital. It was the scene of several skirmishes in the 

 olden days when English and French fought for supremacy in 

 the island. The last of these was in 1796 wdien a French 

 squadron appeared off the harbour of St. John's ; Init finding 

 that a hot reception was prepared for them, they passed on with- 

 out challenging a shot. They avenged themselves, however, by 

 burning the defenceless settlement of Bay of Bulls, and after this 

 small exploit disapj)eared. This was the last attempt made by 

 the French to get a hold on Newfoundland. At an earlier date 

 (1696) the French were more successful. Brouillan, (;rovernor of 

 Placentia, with a squadron attacked Ferryland. On his Avay he 

 met a solitary Englisli man-of-war which he chased into Bay of 

 Bulls. Captain Cleasby, its Commander, determined to defend 

 his vessel to the last. The gallant captain placed all his guns on 

 the broad-side next the enemy and fought furiously till his vessel 

 took fire, when he escaped to the shore. The French followed 

 him, and he and his men had to suii'ender. Ferryland was de- 

 stroyed by Brouillan. The fiimous French Commander D'lber- 

 ville joined him and St. John's, then defended l)y a feeljle 

 garrison, was captured and burned. 



The next settlement on this route, two miles further, is "Witless 

 Bay (population 866). Then in succession come the small vil- 

 lages of Mobile, Toad's Cove, La Manche, Brigus, Cape Broyle 



