2<>6 LIFE OP AUDUBON. 



meet everywhere, but surely I did not expect to meet a natu- 

 ralist on the Labrador station. The first lieutenant is a student 

 of ornithology, and is making collections. I showed a letter 

 from the Duke of Sussex to the captain, and after a pleasant 

 hour, and a promise from him to do anything in his power to 

 aid us, I returned to our vessel. 



" June 24. It was our intention to leave this harbour to-day 

 for one fifty miles east, but the wind is ahead, and I have drawn 

 all day. Shattuch and I took a walk over tlie dreary hills 

 towards evening, and we found several flowers in bloom, among 

 ■which was a small species of the Kulnua Glauca. We visited 

 the camp of the Mountaineer Indians about half a mile from us, 

 and found them skinning seals, and preparing their flesh for use. 

 We saw a robe the size of a good blanket made of seal 'skin, 

 and tanned so soft and beautiful with the hair on, that it was 

 as pleasant to the touch as a fine kid glove. They refused to 

 sell it. The chief of this party is well informed, talks French 

 so as to be understood, is a fine-looking fellow, about forty 'years 

 old, and has a good-looking wife and baby. His brother also is 

 married, and has several sons between fourteen and twenty. 

 The whole group consists of about twenty persons. They came 

 and saluted us soon after we landed, and to my astonishment 

 offered us a glass of rum. The women were all seated outside 

 of their tents, unpacking bundles of clothing and provisions. 

 We entered one tent, and seated ourselves before a blazing fire, 

 the smoke of which escaped through the top of the apartment. 

 To the many questions I put to the chief and his brother, the 

 following is the substance of his answers. 



" The country from this place to the nearest settlement of 

 the Hudson Bay Company is as barren and rocky as this about 

 us. Very large lakes of water abound two hundred miles 

 inland from the sea : these lakes contain carp, trout, white fish, 

 and many mussels unfit to eat; the latter are described as 

 black outside and purple within, and are no doubt ' unios.' Not 

 a bush is to be met with ; and the Indians who now and then 

 cross that region carry their tent-poles with them, and also 

 their canoes, and burn moss for fuel. So tedious is the travel- 

 ling said to be, that not more than ten miles a day can be 

 accomplished, and when the journey is made in two months, it 



