THE NEWFOUNDLAND FISHERIES. 119 



the crew, for the presence of that fish is regarded 

 as an omen of excellent augury by the sailors. 

 They were the forerunners of a favourable wind, 

 and came bounding over the waters as if to salute 

 the Montcalm, plunging under her keel and cross- 

 ing her path backwards and forwards with ceaseless 

 evolutions. Behind us, in our track, came the 

 terrible shark, ready to swallow up whatever chance 

 might throw within his reach. 



On the fifth morning after we started, the man on 

 the watch called out " Land !" and we were at New- 

 foundland. Captain Wilson hoisted the star-spangled 

 banner and saluted with a broadside, which was duly 

 replied to by Fort St. John. We then disembarked 

 and paid a visit to the governor. There is no need 

 to recount the details of our piscatorial difficulty 

 (which, thanks to the good intentions of both 

 parties, was soon arranged), but to return at once — • 

 not to my sheep — but to my fish. 



I had come to Newfoundland to see the place, 

 and to give an account of the cod-fishery, and as we 

 had four clear days at St. John's, I took advantage 

 of them to explore the fishery and take notes. 



My first expedition was to a French vessel called 

 the Sainte Marie, which was stationed about a league 

 from St. John^s, at a place which (as I was in- 

 formed) is one of the best on the coasts of New- 

 foundland. It was a ship of a hundred tons, manned 

 by twelve men, all first-rate seamen and experienced 



