LABRADOR JOURNAL 371 



There teas'd, he wields about his pond'rous Frame, 

 And gives the Sportsman time to take his Aim. 

 But shou'd your untaught Cur attack before, 

 Both Dog and I\Iaster soon will be no more. 



To barren ground, the Fox-traps now we shift, 

 Where they can stand secure, and free from Drift; 

 Bait well your Trap; observe too how it lies; 

 And soon, a Fox, or wolf, will be your prize: 

 For Wolves, in plenty, on such ground appear, 

 Compell'd by Hunger, there to seek for Deer. 

 Oft have I seen this Animal display. 

 Much artful skill, in hunting down his prey. 

 The Herd descri'd, he slily creeps up near; 

 Then, rushing forward, singles out his Deer. 

 Greedy of Blood, and with keen Hunger press'd, 

 This he pursues, regardless of the rest. 

 With well strung Sinews, both maintain the Strife; 

 The one for Food — the other runs for Life. 

 If light the Snow, the Doer evades the Chase; 

 If drifted hard, the Wolf supports his pace. 

 Then, bold with fear, he turns upon his Foe, 

 And oft'times deals him a most fatal blow. 

 But oft'ner falls a \'ictim in the fray. 

 And to his ruthless Jaws becomes a prey. 



We'll shift the Scene, and to the Woods repair, 

 And see what various Works are doing there. 

 In yonder Birchen grove, there lives a Crew, 

 Employ'd in mending Casks, and making new. 

 This wood of Spruce, which rises to the sky, 

 The fish'rj^'s future Sliipping will supply. 

 Some fell the Trees, and some saw out the Stock, 

 Whilst others form the Vessel in tlic Dock. 

 In these Employments, Winter's jiassed away; 

 No change is found, till near the api)roach of May. 

 Returning small Birds then the Country (ill, 

 And Cock-grouse chatter on each barren Hill. 

 The Ice parts from the Shore, and now tlic Ducks 

 Their Northward course beat back in ninii'rous flocks. 

 Deer in small licrdd the same route bend tlicir way, 



