414 AUDUBON 



ter they eat the flesh of the Seals which I kill late in 

 autumn, when these animals return from the north. As 

 to myself, everything eatable is good, and when hard 

 pushed, I relish the fare of my dogs, I assure you, 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 difficulties; 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 wel- 

 come 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 demeanor 

 was that of a gentleman. On my giving my name to 

 him, he shook me heartily by the hand, and on introduc- 

 ing each of my companions to him, he extended the like 

 courtesy to them also. Then, to my astonishment, he 

 addressed me as follows: "My dear sir, I have been 

 expecting you these three weeks, having read in the papers 

 your intention to visit Labrador; and some fishermen told 

 me of your arrival at Little Natasquam. Gentlemen, 

 walk in." 



Having followed him to his neat and comfortable man- 

 sion, he introduced us to his wife and children. Of the 

 latter there were six, all robust and rosy. The lady, 

 although a native of the country, was of French extrac- 

 tion, handsome, and sufficiently accomplished to make 

 an excellent companion to a gentleman. A smart girl 

 brought us a luncheon, consisting of bread, cheese, and 

 good port wine, to which, having rowed fourteen or fif- 



