298 TRAVELS IN THE EIGHTIES. 



in a corner of the chart, stating their claims to dis- 

 tinction. No explanation is necessary when names 

 such as Mounts Granite, Eodney, or Superb were 

 chosen. The latter rises gracefully to a height of 

 8,000 ft. opposite to Bear Bay, and was especially 

 beautiful when its peaks on a calm day were doubled 

 by reflection in the glassy sea at its base. 



Coasting along the eastern shore in returning, we 

 stopped awhile at the Indian village in Orford Bay, 

 facing Alpha Bluff; there were only four diminutive 

 little huts, and these were quite deserted. At this 

 spot two deep valleys converge, forming an area com- 

 paratively flat, but of small extent, where the two 

 rivers combine. Above the mouth soars a tremendous 

 cliff, while the beach affords one of the few landing 

 places in the inlet ; thence the scenery continues in 

 unmixed grandeur to beyond Point Clipper, profound 

 ravines and gulches winding upwards from the water 

 into the rocky wooded walls to a height of 6,000 ft. 



Occasionally as we proceeded a salmon or other fish 

 broke the surface, while seals appeared tolerably 

 numerous by the number of black heads which were 

 visible, gazing at us with apparent curiosity from afar. 

 Eesting motionless upon a long floating log eight 

 seals were seen, which remained quiescent, without 

 being aware of any danger, till we paddled noiselessly 

 to within fifty yards of them, and fired at the largest. 

 The aim was too high, and in an instant, with one vast 

 united splash, the animals had disappeared, nor was 

 any sign of them ever seen again. 



