THE EACE EXTINCT. 87 



ance of the white man and sealed their doom. For 

 three hundred years they struggled on, but gradually 

 becoming weaker and weaker. For a comparatively 

 short time the same old story repeated itself, and 

 friendly relations existed between them and the in- 

 vaders ; but soon quarrels arose, and deeds of violence 

 resulted in savage vengeance. The first rude trap- 

 pers, hunters and fishermen as they spread into the 

 northern parts of the island were beyond the control 

 of law and justice, and little disposed to exercise con- 

 ciliation and kindness towards the untutored savages, 

 whose presence interfered with their pursuits. The 

 poor Beothiks were treated with cruel brutality, and 

 for long years were regarded as vermin to be hunted 

 down and destroyed without limit, except as to oppor- 

 tunity. This led the Indians to fierce, savage retalia- 

 tion which ensured their ultimate destruction. 



THE RACE EXTINCT. 



At length the spirit of humanity roused from its 

 deep slumber, and from 1760 to 1823 attempts were 

 made to conciliate the Indians and save their 

 wretched remnant from annihilation; but these ef- 

 forts proved to have begun too late. Sad experience 

 led them to distrust and hate the white man, and 

 they could not respond to approaches of kindness.' 



