THE WHITE WORLD 



put in to the harbor of Cape Charles for repairs, and then 

 continue the journey northward. 



Slowly we steamed into the not very inviting harbor of 

 Cape Charles on that bleak coast. High, barren hills rose 

 all around us, destitute of vegetation, except that here and 

 there kindly mosses covered their nakedness. 



It did not take us long to form the acquaintance of the 

 entire population of Cape Charles, because this population 

 consists of only a half dozen families, augmented some- 

 what in the fishing season by a few fishermen from New- 

 foundland. Very simple, very monotonous and very dull 

 is the life of a Labrador fisherman; he fishes, he sleeps and 

 he eats, and that tells about the whole story. 



We were a sort of godsend to the inhabitants, for they 

 had never seen so large a ship before, and we were as 

 popular as a circus in a rural community. The men 

 brought their wives and children to have a look at the 

 wonders of the boat, and to see the live sheep on board, 

 natural curiosities which had never before been seen in 

 that place, and which were much admired. 



One old fellow was very much struck with the water 

 cooler; he regarded it as the most remarkable piece of 

 mechanism that he had ever seen, and never tired of stand- 

 ing by it, in open-mouthed admiration, to witness the 

 extraordinary spectacle of water being drawn from it. The 

 favorite Labrador drink is made from a mixture of spruce 

 beer and rum. Spruce beer is a very popular drink in 

 Labrador, and every well regulated family keeps a supply 

 on hand; rum is also popular, but rarer. 



After spending a few days at Cape Charles it was ascer- 

 tained that the proper repairs could not be made there, 

 and as it was deemed unsafe to proceed northward in the 

 crippled condition of the ship, it was decided to return to 

 St. John's in order that the vessel might be properly 

 tinkered. Our second arrival at that city by the sea 

 created no little excitement, especially after the news of 

 the collision with an iceberg had circulated through the 

 town; and the prophets joyfully gathered about us, and 

 reminded us of their warnings. The realization of a dire 

 prophecy is the greatest happiness that can come to the 

 heart of a prophet. 



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