

»'■ 



402 



A [/DC/BOAT 



extravagantly elongated deal table ranged along the cen- 

 tre; one of the party had slung his hammock at one end, 

 and in its vicinity slept the cook and a lad who acted as 

 armorer. The cabin was small ; but being fitted in the 

 usual manner with side berths, was used for a dormitory. 

 It contained a small table and a stove, the latter of dimin- 

 utive size, but smoky enough to discomfit a host. We 

 had adopted in a great measure the clothing worn by the 

 American fishermen on that coast, namely, thick blue 

 cloth trousers, a comfortable waistcoat, and a pea-jacket 

 of blanket. Our boots were large, round-toed, strong, 

 and well studded with large nails to prevent sliding on 

 the rocks. Worsted comforters, thick mittens, and round 

 broad- brimmed hats, completed our dress, which was more 

 picturesque than fashionable. As soon as we had an 

 opportunity, the boots were exchanged for Esquimaux 

 mounted moccasins of Seal-skin, impermeable to water, 

 light, easy, and fastening at top about the middle of the 

 thigh to straps, which when buckled over the hips secured 

 them well. To complete our equipment, we had several 

 good boats, one of which was extremely light and adapted 

 for shallow water. 



No sooner had we reached the coast and got into har- 

 bor, than we agreed to follow certain regulations in- 

 tended for the general benefit. Every morning the cook 

 was called before three o'clock. At half-past three, 

 breakfast was on the table, and everybody equipped. The 

 guns, ammunition, botanical boxes, and baskets for eggs 

 or minerals were all in readiness. Our breakfast con- 

 sisted of coffee, bread, and various other materials. At 

 four, all except the cook, and one seaman, went off in 

 different directions, not forgetting to carry with them a 

 store of cooked provisions. Some betook themselves to 

 the islands, others to the deep bays ; the latter on land- 

 ing wandered over the country till noon, when laying 

 themselves down on the rich moss, or sitting on the gran- 



