INTO THE TERRA-NOVA COUNTRY 23 



fine white shells. All their three Cannowes, their flesh, skins, 

 yolkes of Egges, Targets, Bowes and Arrowes, and much 

 fine Okar, and divers other things they tooke and brought 

 away and shared it amongst those that tooke it, and they 

 brought to me the best Cannowe. . . ." 



Captain Whitbourne tells us that in 1622 the distribution 

 of the Beothicks was over the north-west parts of the island, 

 and on the east side as far south as Trinity Bay. Two 

 hundred years later when Cormack wrote, the Indians had 

 retired altogether from White Bay, Green Bay, and the east 

 coast, but were still in the north and central parts. 



Whitbourne states that in his time the ships did not fish 

 in Trinity Bay, partly on account of the rocky ledges, but 

 chiefly because "the savage people of that Countrey doe there 

 inhabit : many of them secretly every year, come into Trinity 

 Bay and Harbour, in the night-time, purposely to steal Sailes, 

 Lines, Hatchets, Hooks, Knives and suchlike." 



On page 2 Whitbourne says: "The naturall Inhabitants 

 of the Countrey, as they are but few in number : so are they 

 something rude and savage people : having neither knowledge 

 of God, nor living under any kinde of civill government. In 

 their habits customes and manners they resemble the Indians 

 of the Continent, from whence (I suppose) they come : they 

 live altogether in the North and West part of the Country, 

 which is seldome frequented by the English : but the French 

 and Biscaines (who resort thither yearly for the Whale fishing, 

 and also for the cod fish) report them to be an ingenious and 

 tractable people (being well used) they are ready to assist 

 them with great labour and patience, in the killing, cutting 

 and boyling of Whales and making the traine oyle, without 

 expectation of other reward, than a little bread, or some such 

 small hire." 



