PORPOISE-SHOOTING 



By CHARLES C. WARD. 



CANOE ahoy-oy-oy !'* 

 •' Ahoy-oy-oy !" 

 11 Where are you bound ?" 



•• Indian Beach, Grand Menan." 



" You can't fetch it, in this wind and sea ; better come aboard the 

 schooner." 



The hail came from an outward bound pilot-boat, running down 

 the Bay of Fundy, close-reefed, in a strong breeze, and was addressed 

 to the writer and his Indian friend Sebatis, who were crossing the bay 

 in a canoe bound to Indian Beach, Grand Menan, on a porpoise- 

 shooting expedition. 



" Sebatis, the men in the schooner want to take us aboard ; they 

 say that there is too much wind and sea to fetch Indian Beach with 

 the canoe." 



" No danger ; canoe best ; we fetch 'im Indian Beach all safe — 

 s'pose we go on pilot-boat, sartin very sea-sick." 



On hearing Sebatis's remark, a hearty laugh and a cheer came 

 from the crew of the pilot-boat ; thanking them for their kind inten- 

 tions, we bore away for our destination. 



To one unaccustomed to the sea-worthy qualities of a birch canoe 

 properly handled, the situation would have seemed a perilous one, 

 for the sea was running high, and the breeze stiffening. 



" Look out, Sebatis !" I exclaimed, involuntarily, as I was drenched 

 by the spray from a sea breaking almost aboard of us. 



" All light ! no danger 'tall : only little wet." 



" I'm afraid we'll be swamped, Sebatis." 



