A LABRADOR. SQUATTER. 291 



Baptiste Michaux ' had resided in that part of the world for 

 upwards of ten years ; he had run away from the fishing-smack 

 that had brought him from his fair native land, and expected 

 to become rich some day by the sale of his furs, skins, and 

 eider-ducks' down, seal-skins, and other articles which he 

 collected yearly, and sold to the traders who regularly visited 

 his dreary abode. He was of moderate stature, firmly framed, 

 and as active as a wild cat' He told me that, excepting the loss of 

 his rum, he had never experienced any other cause of sorrow, 

 and that he felt as ' happy as a lord.' Before parting with this 

 fortunate mortal, I inquired how his dogs managed to find 

 sufficient food. 'Why, sir, during spring and summer they 

 ramble along the shores, where they meet with abundance of 

 dead fish, and in winter they eat the flesh of the seals which 

 I kill late in the autumn, when these animals return from the 

 north. As to myself, everything eatable is good, and when 

 hard pushed, I assure you I can relish the fare of my dogs just 

 as much as they do themselves.' Proceeding along the rugged 

 indentations of the bay with my companions, I reached the 

 settlement of another person, who, like the first, had come to 

 Labrador with the view of making his fortune. We found him 

 after many difSculties ; but as our boats turned a long point 

 jutting out into the bay we were pleased to see several small 

 schooners at anchor and one lying near a sort of wharf. Several 

 neat-looking houses enlivened the view, and on landing we were 

 kindly greeted with a polite welcome from a man who proved 

 to be the owner of the establishment. For the rude simplicity 

 of him of the rum-cask we found here the manners and dress 

 of a man of the world. A handsome fur cap covered his dark 

 brow, his clothes were similar to our own, and his demeanour 

 was that of a gentleman. On my giving him my name he 

 shook me heartily by the hand, and on introducing each of my 

 companions to him he addressed me as follows : ' My dear sir, 

 I have been expecting you these three weeks, having read in 

 the facers your intention to visit Labrador, and some fishermen 

 told me of your arrival at Little Natasquan. Gentlemen, walk 

 in.' Having followed him to his neat and comfortable mansion, 

 he introduced me to his wife and children. Of the latter there 

 were six, all robust and rosy. The lady, although a native of 



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