A SUMMER SAIL TO THE LABRADOR COAST 189 



or inlet. It may be several hundred feet in depth, and is worked by 

 half a score of men under the direction of a ' skipper', or ' boss', 

 who scans the bottom of the sea by means of a fish-glass, which is 

 merely a tube, having a glass bottom, thrust beneath the wave. 



Next after the settlers, or ' livyeres', themselves, perhaps the 

 two most noteworthy features of Labrador are the dog and the 

 Eskimo. 



The dog may be said to be the only domesticated animal of 

 the coast. Settlers have tried pigs, but the dogs find them an 

 irresistible morsel, hence they invariably get short shrift. Sheep 

 fare equally badly. The wily goat has, however, in some instances 



ON THE LABRADOR COAST. 



been known to receive his assailants on his horns repeatedly until 

 at length he has been let severely alone, and even allowed in time 

 to join the pack and participate in their summer rambles along 

 the beach in search of some stray fish cast up by the waves. 



The pure breed of Eskimo dog is a strong and handsome animal. 

 His pointed ears and curling bushy tail give him an air of great 

 intelligence and distinction. Yet it is said that the dog obtained 

 by cross-breeding with the Newfoundland and other powerful 

 varieties will outlast him when, as often happens, tremendous 

 winter journeys have to be undertaken on short and irregular 

 rations. The commetique of the Eskimo dog has often been de- 

 scribed, but few persons are aware what a comfortable vehicle this 



