THE COAST OF LABRADOR 7 



that at verse fifteen one polite gentleman and a 

 highly delighted boy comprised the house. A more 

 embellished account explained that they were the 

 only two passengers who had not been asked to " do 

 something." This, however, is apocryphal. The 

 amount of the collection on the behalf of the widows 

 and orphans of deceased mariners is not chronicled. 



A change took place in the temperature as we 

 approached the coast of Labrador, requisitioning 

 extra wraps and overcoats. When the sun went 

 down, a breath of Arctic cold whistled through the 

 shrouds, which made our teeth chatter. Far off on 

 the horizon, where an hour before the sun had sunk, 

 a light still lingered. It was the field ice that for 

 miles glistened along the coast. This was the 

 explanation of the sudden change. We were in 

 the ice region. Then a blinding mist wiped out 

 all objects half a mile ahead, a common experience 

 in that region. It is said to be due to the contact of 

 the Gulf Stream with the sea in that latitude ; the 

 the hot and cold currents coming together cause the 

 mist. The foghorn rumbled out its melancholy 

 note at definite intervals. Another steamer answered 

 in the distance, and our boat immediately stopped. 

 This is the rule of the road, and an important 

 provision. Meanwhile, the Marconi had been flash- 

 ing its current out into the night and made its circle 

 with our near neighbour, a German "passenger boat. 

 This modern application of telegraphy has been 



