84 THE LOG OF THE 



I Position Bras d'Or Lak_es 

 Thursday, September i6th < Weather Clear to cloudy 



I Wind Light easterly 



JUST after breakfast we passed under the railroad bridge and 

 steamed out across the larger lake. I went to sleep having been 

 up all last night. When I awoke we were almost at the Canal. How- 

 ever I saw enough of the narrows to remind me of its beauties. It 

 being noon time we had to wait until after lunch to get through the 

 locks but as we were the only boat there was little delay once the 

 men were back. 



During the afternoon we steamed out towards Canso. What few 

 puffs there were came from the SE but we did not even bother to get 

 the sails up until four o'clock. Mac and I put the beef barrel and an 

 empty water keg below so now one side of our deck is entirely clear. 



We had the same old trouble rounding Canso Head and almost 

 ran onto the breaking patch off the light. If the tide is against you it 

 will set you on the shore at a surprising rate. There were still five or 

 six sword-fishermen out cruising around. They certainly had a per- 

 fect day for it. We did not see any of them make a catch. 



By supper time the breeze amounted to something and we moved 

 along pretty well with everything set and the wind aft of the beam. 

 At eight White Head was abeam. As the barometer had been fall- 

 ing we were looking for a breeze and sure enough it came. All night 

 long we ran the buoys off the coast making excellent time. The 

 watches averaged about 32 miles each. 



Sometime in the early morning the stay-sail got on the wrong side 

 of the foresail and began to chafe on the peak blocks. Bob woke me 

 up saying there was a small rip. Before I could get on deck it split 

 from top to bottom. If Bob had only known enough to let go the 

 peak halyard the sail would have been saved but not knowing what 

 to do he just stood there watching it rip. 



