276 LIFE OF AUDUBON 



the Little Macatine this morning at five o'clock, with a stiff 

 south-west breeze, and by ten dropped anchor where we now are. 

 As we doubled the cape of the island called Great Macatine, 

 we had the pleasure of meeting the oflScers of the Gulnare, in 

 two boats, engaged in surveying the coast. We made an 

 excursion into the island, but found nothing of interest. 



" In the evening we visited the officers of the Gulnare, en- 

 camped in tents on shore, living in great comfort ; the tea- 

 things were yet on the iron bedstead which served as a table, 

 the trunks formed their seats, and the clothes-bags their cushions 

 and pillows. Their tent was made of tarred cloth, which ad- 

 mitted neither wind nor rain. It was a comfortable camp, and 

 we were pleased to find ourselves on the coast of Labrador in 

 company with intelligent officers of the royal navy of England, 

 gentlemen of education and refined manners ; it was indeed a 

 treat, a precious one. We talked of the wild country around 

 us, and of the enormous destruction of everything which is 

 going on here, except of the rocks; of the aborigines, who are 

 melting away before the encroachments of a stronger race, as 

 the wild animals are disappearing before them. Some one 

 said, it is rum which is destroying the poor Indians. I replied, 

 I think not, they are disappearing here from insufficiency of 

 food and physical comforts, and the loss of all hope, as he loses 

 sight of all that was abundant before the white man came, 

 intruded on his land, and Jiis herds of wild animals, and deprived 

 him of the furs with which he clothed himself. Nature herself 

 is perishing. Labrador must shortly be depopulated, not only 

 of her aboriginal men, but of every thing and animal which has 

 life, and attracts the cupidity of men. When her fish, and 

 game, and birds are gone, she will be left alone like an old 

 worn-out field." 



