AS FAR AS HARRINGTON 



their own living. This they obtain from the 

 fish refuse and at the expense of the birds 

 nesting along the shore. At all times they 

 are kicked and cuffed and are never kindly 

 spoken to or affectionately treated. That they 

 respond favorably to kind treatment the ex- 

 ceptions just given show, and these exceptions 

 prove the rule that dog-nature is essentially 

 a lovable one and faithful to mankind. 



The dog question is certainly a difficult 

 one, however. The animals are at present 

 essential during the long winter season. With- 

 out them transportation over long distances 

 would be impossible; they are the only beasts 

 of burden on the Labrador coast, but they 

 impose many burdens on the inhabitants 

 besides the question of their food and their 

 dangerous nature. The Labradorian is unable 

 to grow even the few vegetables the climate 

 allows unless he fences in his garden from the 

 dogs with a strong and high fence. Poultry, 

 pigs, goats, or cows, all of which might other- 

 wise be kept, cannot survive unless, as at 

 Natashquan, the dogs are imprisoned in stout 

 stockades or kept chained. Some day it is to 

 be hoped that the reindeer, which Dr. Gren- 



149 



