BIRD ROCK 163 
we returned to the Sea Gem we found the captain 
impatient at our tardiness. We explained that of 
course we did not suppose that he would care to 
start in so dense a fog, but he laughed at us. “ Fog!” 
What had fog to do with sailing when the wind was 
favorable ? Later he gave us an exhibition of sea- 
mauship in a fog which deeply engraved the name 
of Captain Taker on our memories. 
However, the wind still held from the right quar- 
ter not only for the run to the Rock, but for a 
landing on its one bit of beach, and we quickly 
hoisted sail for this last stage of a long journey. 
For two hours we watched the Rock grow slowly 
larger, then its outlines more rapidly assumed indi- 
viduality, the lighthouse and other buildings on its 
summit took definite form, its rocky ledges were 
seen to be lined with rows of white Gannets, and 
Bird Rock became for us a reality. The storm of 
circling birds which Audubon described is not to 
be seen to-day, but enough are left to quickly ex- 
haust our stock of adjectives. 
A British flag was displayed from the tall staff 
near the lighthouse. If it had been marked with 
stars and bars it would have looked less like a sig- 
nal set as a greeting from the island’s keeper to his 
unknown guests. 
A figure on the rock now vigorously motioned us 
toward its only landing place, and heaving to the 
schooner we dropped a dory overboard and sent 
Captain Taker ashore as our emissary to treat with 
the representative of the Canadian Government, and 
explain to him that through the courtesy of his 
chief, the Hon. J. U. Gregory, we were empowered 
