I^he Eggers of Labrador. 319 



they have regained their filthy shallop, they strip the 

 birds by a single jerk of tlieir feathery apparel, while the 

 flesh is yet warm, and throw them on some coals, where 

 in a short time they are broiled : the rum is produced 

 when the guillemots are fit for eating, and after stuffing 

 themselves with this oily fare, and enjoying the pleas- 

 ures of beastly intoxication, over they tumble on the 

 deck of their crazed craft, where they pass the short 

 hours of night in turbid slumber. The sun now rises 

 above the snow-clad summit of the eastern mount ; 

 * sweet is the breath of morn,' even in this desolate land. 

 The gay bunting erects his white crest, and gives utter- 

 ance to the joy he feels in the presence of his brooding 

 mate ; the willow grouse on the rock crows his challenge 

 aloud ; each floweret, chilled by the night air, expands 

 its pure petals ; the gentle breeze shakes from the blades 

 of grass the heavy dewdrops. On the Guillemot Isle the 

 birds have again settled, and now renew their loves. 

 Startled by the light of day, one of the eggers springs on 

 his feet, and rouses his companions, who stare around 

 them for awhile, endeavoring to recollect their senses. 

 Mark them, as with clumsy fingers they clear their 

 drowsy eyes ; slowly they rise on their feet. See how 

 the lubbers stretch out their arms and yawn ; you shrink 

 back, for verily ' that throat might frighten a shark.' But 

 the master, soon recollecting that so many eggs are 

 worth a dollar or a crown, casts his eye towards the rock, 

 marks the day in his memoiy, and gives orders to depart. 

 The light breeze enables them to reach another harbor, 

 a few miles distant ; one which, like the last, lies con 

 cealed from the ocean by some other rocky isle. Ar- 

 rived there, they react the scene of yesterday, crushing 

 every egg they can find. For a week each night is pass- 

 ed in drunkenness and brawls, until, having reached the 

 last breeding place on the coast, they return, touch at 



