Fishermen s parrels, 321 



Each buoyant bark displays the flag of its- nation. No 

 weapon do they bring, nor anything that can be used as 

 such, save their oars and fists. Cleanly clad in Sunday 

 attire, they arrive at the desired spot, and at once pre- 

 pare to ascend the rock. The eggers, now numbering a 

 dozen, all armed with guns and bludgeons, bid defiance 

 to the fishermen. A few angry words pass between the 

 parties. One of the eggers, still under the influence of 

 drink, pulls his trigger, and an unfortunate sailor is seen 

 to reel in agony. Three loud cheers fill the air. All at 

 once rush on the malefactors : a horrid fight ensues, the 

 result of which is that every egger is left on the rock 

 beaten and bruised. Too frequently the fishermen man 

 their boats, row to the shallops, and break every ^gg in 

 the hold. The eggers of Labrador not only rob the 

 birds in this cruel manner, but also the fishermen, when- 

 ever they can find an opportunity ; and the quarrels they 

 excite are numberless. While we were on the coast none 

 of our party ever ventured on any of the islands, which 

 these wretches call their own, without being well pro- 

 vided with means of defence. On one occasion when I 

 was present we found two eggers at their work of destruc- 

 tion. I spoke to them respecting my visit, and offered 

 them premiums for rare birds and some of their eggs ; 

 but although they made fair promises, not one of the gang 

 ever came near the Ripley. These people gather all the 

 eider-down they can find, yet, so inconsiderate are they, 

 that they kill every bird that comes in their way. The 

 puffins and some other birds they massacre in vast num- 

 bers for the sake of their feathers. The eggs of gulls, 

 guillemots, and ducks are searched for with care also. 

 So constant and persevering are their depredations, that 

 these species, which, according to the accounts of the 

 few settlers I saw in the country, were exceedingly abun- 

 dant twenty years ago, have abandoned their ancient 

 14* 



