A SUMMER SAIL TO THE LABRADOR COAST 195 



are hunted by a few roving bands of Montagnais Indian trappers 

 and hunters. The caribou make periodical migrations to the coast 

 to escape the flies and to lick the salt from the seaweed scattered 

 along the strand. The Eskimo of the northern coast follow the 

 herds far into the highlands of the interior, penetrating with their 

 sledges in the early spring through the windings of the deeper valleys. 

 To the ordinary traveller the means of communication with 

 Labrador are by steamer from Newfoundland, making fortnightly 

 trips from St. John's along the coast as far north as Nain, and touch- 

 ing at many intermediate points along the route. There are three 

 or four good salmon streams thus rendered available. 



KAYAKS DRAWN UP ON THE BEACH. 



After passing the Strait of Belleisle, the Labrador coast looms 

 high and rugged. It is walled in with steep cliffs over which cascades 

 fall at intervals, and through whose gaps turbulent rivers seek the 

 sea. It is thus easily understood that here the rivers are but ill 

 adapted to salmon, whose passage up stream is soon arrested by 

 the impassable cataracts. From Cape Charles northwards the 

 range of elevated land falls back, and a belt of islands from nine 

 to fourteen miles in breadth borders the lower lying coast-line. 

 Schools of salmon usually strike the coast near the mouth of the 

 Strait of Belleisle during the last week of June. These fish, 

 slowly pushing their way along, do not make their appearance at 

 Hamilton Inlet, upwards of a hundred miles northward, until nearly 



