286 NEWFOUNDLAND 



for the first time^ and leaves a present there, in the Httle 

 black cave near the top, will obtain his desire — whatever 

 it may be. In this dark retreat dwells the spirit of the 

 mountain, who takes no heed of rich or poor, and receives 

 with favour the gift, however trifling, provided it is given 

 with reverence. As the visitors to Sylvester, red or white, 

 number about half a dozen, the fortunate people in New- 

 foundland are reduced to a negligible quantity. However, 

 the superstition is firmly imprinted in the Indian mind, and 

 they would resent as an affront the attitude of any one who 

 doubted the efficacy of the spirit's power." 



The distance to the mountain from our camp was about 

 seven miles, and as it was a bright warm day with a fresh 

 breeze from the west, the Indians made light of their heavy 

 packs, and stepped along as fast as I cared to walk. Three 

 miles to the north we skirted the lake of Keskitpegawi, 

 where we passed two fine herds of caribou resting on the 

 lake edge, and, continuing our journey, were about to take 

 dinner on the bridge of land that separates this lake from 

 Tamnapegawi, when I saw a big stag standing up on a 

 knoll close to the last-named sheet of water. Leaving 

 John Hinx to light a fire and prepare dinner, Steve and 

 I made a wide circuit of half a mile and then dropped down 

 a gentle slope covered with small spruce to within 300 yards 

 of the herd. Here I had a good look at the stag's head, 

 which, though not large, seemed well furnished with points. 

 After a long survey I decided to let him go, so sent Steve 

 to move the deer, whilst I ensconced myself in an angle of 

 the lake along which I felt certain the stag must pass. 



1 Subsequent visits and presents are said to be of no use. 



^ As far as I could ascertain, Mount Sylvester is the only place in Newfoundland 

 about which the Micmacs have any superstitions. 



