200 CANADIAN NIGHTS 



of watery miles to their polar birthplace, or do 

 they remain scattered about along the shores of 

 Newfoundland and the neighbouring continent ? 

 It is a problem in natural history similar to the eel 

 puzzle at home, for we are still in ignorance as to 

 what becomes of the millions of full-grown eels 

 that descend our rivers with each autumn flood, 

 but which are never seen reascending the stream. 



We remained some days in the interesting city 

 of St. John's, much enjoying the kind hospitality 

 of our friends, but waiting somewhat anxiously for 

 an opportunity to get a lift down the coast to the 

 neighbourhood of our proposed hunting-grounds. 

 The regular fortnightly steamer did not call in 

 anywhere near our destination, and day after day 

 passed without any coasting vessel sailing in that 

 direction. From this dilemma we were relieved 

 by the kindness of a judge who was about to start 

 on his circuit in one of the harbour tugs, and who 

 very good-naturedly undertook to put us ashore 

 at the mouth of the river we wished to ascend. 

 This offer was most thankfully accepted, and 

 shortly after, my friend and I, with three Micmac 

 Indians from Bay of Despair, two birch-bark 

 canoes, one month's provisions and a very limited 

 supply of baggage, steamed out of the picturesque 



