EPISODES 



405 



canes as most easily supply materials for forming a lodg- 

 ing for the night. On the coast of Labrador there are no 

 such things; granite and green moss are spread around, 

 silence like that of the grave envelops all, and when 

 night has closed the dreary scene from your sight, the 

 Wolves, attracted by the scent of the remains of your 

 scanty repast, gather around you. Cowards as they are 

 they dare not venture on a charge; but their bowlings 

 effectually banish sleep. You must almost roast your 

 feet to keep them warm, while your head and shoulders 

 are chilled by the blast. When morning conies, she 

 smiles not on you with rosy cheeks, but appears muflled 

 in a gray mantle of cold mist, which shows you that there 

 is no prospect of a fine day. The object of the expedi- 

 tion, which was to procure some Owls that had been 

 observed there by day, was entirely frustrated. At early 

 dawn the party rose stiffened and dispirited, and glad 

 were they to betake themselves to their boats, and return 

 to their floating home. 



Before we left Labrador, several of my young friends 

 began to feel the want of suitable clothing. The sailor's 

 ever-tailoring system, was, believe me, fairly put to the 

 test. Patches of various colors ornamented knees and 

 elbows; our boots were worn out; our greasy garments 

 and battered hats were in harmony with our tanned and 

 weather-beaten faces; and, had you met with us, you 

 might have taken us for a squad of wretched vagrants; 

 but we were joyous in the expectation of a speedy re- 

 turn, and exulted at the thoughts of our success. 



As the chill blast that precedes the winter's tempest 

 thickened the fogs on the hills and ruffled the dark waters, 

 each successive day saw us more anxious to leave the 

 dreary wilderness of grim rocks and desolate moss-clad 

 valleys. Unfavorable winds prevented us for a while 

 from spreading our white sails; but at last one fair morn- 

 ing smiled on the wintry world, the "Ripley" was towed 



