THE BERSIMIS RIVEB. 203 



four or five of which were 13 lbs., the rest between 10 

 and 11 pounds. 



" The mornmg fishing of Thursday was not very good. 



T killed three fine fish, but by this time the flies and 



musquitoes had swelled us up to such a degree that we 

 were absolutely compelled to give in, and go down to the 

 ship to get well, as we cou.ld neither see nor hear, and we 

 were all in a fever, particularly as we did not drink cold 

 water. We went down to the vessel and Mr. Comeau 

 reported such wonders of the Bersimis River, that we 

 determined to try it, particularly as we were obliged, in 

 self-defence, to get to sea. We accordingly sailed next 

 morning, crossing over for supplies to Matane, where we 

 were windbound for two or three days, killing, however, 

 quantities of codfish. We left for the Bersimis after this 

 rest, and crossed the gulf, anchoring at night in Sheldrake 

 Eiver, and starting again in the morning, encountered a 

 very heavy blow from S.E., which we were compelled to run 

 before, when, passing the Bersimis, we ran for shelter to 

 the south shore and anchored at night under Barnaby 

 Island near Eimouski. I consider from what has since 

 occurred that we were in great danger during all that day. 

 The sea was very heavy indeed — very; and the vessel behaved 

 well ; however, at Eimouski we were becalmed for a few 

 days, but at last having got a slant of wind we crossed 

 over and ran into Bersimis Eiver, a fine and beautiful 

 stream. We hired three canoes, manned by Indians, and 



