134 WILD SCENES AND WILD HUNTERS. 
rosy cheeks, but appears muffled in a grey mantle of cold 
mist, which shows you that there is no prospect of a fine day. 
The object of the expedition, which was to procure seme Owls 
that had been observed there by day, was entirely frustrated. 
At early dawn, the party rose stiffened and dispirited, and 
glad were they to betake themselves to their boats, apd return 
to their floating home. 
Before we left Labrador, several of my young friends began 
to feel the want of suitable clothing. The sailor’s ever-tailor- 
ing system was, believe me, fairly put to the test. Patches 
of various colors ornamented knees and elbows; our boots 
were worn out; our greasy garments and battered hats were 
in harmony with our tanned and weather-beaten faces; and, 
had you met with us, you might have taken us for a squad 
of wretched vagrants; but we were joyous in the expectation 
of a speedy return, and exulted at the thoughts of our success. 
As the chill blast that precedes the winter’s tempest thick- 
ened the fogs on the hills and ruffled the dark waters, each 
successive day saw us more anxious to leave the dreary wild- 
erness of grim rocks and desolate moss-clad valleys. Un- 
favorable winds prevented us for awhile from spreading our 
white sails; but at last one fair morning smiled on the wintry 
world, the Ripley was towed from the harbor, her tackle 
trimmed, and as we bounded over the billows, we turned our 
eyes towards the wilds of Labrahor, and heartily bade them 
farewell forever ! 
He had previously visited the Florida Coast, alone, in 
1831 and 1832, and during this expedition penetrated the 
interior by the St. John’s River. All this region, but par- 
ticularly the “ Keys,” is like its Boreal contrast, Labrador, 
of peculiar interest to the Ornithologist, as the resort of my- 
riads of water-fowl and tropical birds of extraordinary splen- 
dor. He says :— 
While in this part of the peninsula, I followed my usual 
avocations, although with little success, it being then winter. 
