24 A DUMFRIES SETTLER AT TRACADT. 



sea, which stretches ten or twelve miles inland forming 

 at high water a beautiful salt lake or loch, but at low 

 water a wide flat of mud, through which the tiny stream 

 winds its slimy way to the sea. We were unfortunate 

 enough to arrive at the ferry when the water was low, 

 and it was impossible to cross. But the tide was 

 rising, the weather not unpleasant, though a little cold ; 

 and we wiled away the time pleasantly enough till the 

 tide rose, by kindling a fire in the adjoining wood, heap 

 ing it up with fallen timber, and making ourselves com 

 fortable around the roaring logs. 



Crossing the ferry, we entered the woods again ; and 

 after twelve miles of good hardwood land, all awaiting 

 the axe of the settler, and ready to reward his labour, 

 we passed through what is called a Carriboo plain, three 

 miles in width, and finally arrived, in the dark, at Little 

 Tracadi. Here we were hospitably received, and com 

 fortably entertained by Mr Young, a Scotchman from 

 Dumfries innkeeper, storekeeper, ferryman, and farmer 

 on a large scale for the country. He was an old settler, 

 and apparently an energetic and prosperous, though, 

 where his French neighbours were concerned, a some 

 what prejudiced man. 



Oct. 17. Since we rounded the north-east angle of 

 the province at Caraquet, and left the Bay de Chaleur, 

 the land has gradually declined to within a few feet of 

 the level of the sea. It is occasionally undulated, but 

 often stretched out in flats from which the water escapes 

 with difficulty. On such a flat rests the Carriboo plain 

 which we crossed last evening. Such plains are wide, 

 generally dry, and open barrens, with only rare trees 

 but sometimes wet, and covered sparingly with stunted 

 pines or alders. They are named Carriboo plains, 

 because this animal frequents such places in winter, and 

 used to or may still be found on them when the season 

 of snow returns. There is much fine land around Little 



