212 BALL IN NEWFOUNDLAND. 



which we had undergone, and the privations which we had suffered ; and, 

 as the Ripley steered her course into a snug harbour that suddenly 

 opened to our view, the number of vessels that were anchored there, and a 

 pretty village that presented itself, increased our delight. 



Although the sun was fast approaching the western horizon when our 

 anchor was dropped, no sooner were the sails furled than we all went 

 ashore. There appeared a kind of curious bustle among the people, as if 

 they were anxious to know who we were, for our appearance, and that of 

 our warlike looking schooner, shewed that we were not fishermen. As 

 we bore our usual arms and hunting accoutrements, which were half 

 Indian and half civilized, the individuals we met on the shore manifested 

 considerable suspicion, which our captain observingj instantly made a 

 signal, when the star-spangled banner glided to the mast-head, and 

 saluted the flags of France and Britain in kindly greeting. We were 

 welcomed and supplied with abundance of fresh provisions. Glad at once 

 more standing on something like soil, we passed through the village, and 

 walked round it, but as night was falling, were quickly obhged to return 

 to our floating home, where, after a hearty supper, we serenaded with 

 repeated glees the peaceful inhabitants of the village. 



At early dawn I was on deck, admiring the scene of industry that 

 presented itself. The harbour was already covered with fishing-boats, 

 employed in procuring mackerel, some of which we appropriated to our- 

 selves. Signs of cultivation were observed on the slopes of the hills, the 

 trees seemed of goodly size, a river made its way between two ranges of 

 steep rocks, and here and there a group of Mickmack Indians were 

 searching along the shores for lobsters, crabs, and eels, all of which we 

 found abundant and delicious. A canoe laden with rein-deer meat came 

 alongside, paddled by a pair of athletic Indians, who exchanged their 

 cargo for some of our stores. You would have been amused to see the 

 manner in which these men, and their families on shore, cooked the lob- 

 sters : they threw them alive into a great wood-fire ; and, as soon as they 

 were broiled, devoured them while yet so hot that any of us could not 

 have touched them. When properly cooled, I tasted these roasted lob- 

 sters, and found them infinitely better flavoured than boiled ones. The 

 country was represented as abounding in game. The temperature was 

 higher, by twenty degrees, than that of Labrador, and yet I was told 

 that the ice of the bay seldom broke up before the middle of May, and 



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