THROUGH THE PETITE RIGOLET 



There is a narrow passage between the is- 

 lands close to the old man's house, and this, 

 at low tide, the Sea Star negotiated under full 

 sail. So intent was the captain on escaping 

 the rocks in this intricate passage that he did 

 not salute the Samaritan. Indeed, we hardly 

 looked at him, for it was an exciting moment 

 for all on board. Ernest cried, " Keep her up ! " 

 and William at the same time, "Keep her 

 off!" but the captain heeded them not, and, 

 from his long experience, was able to give the 

 proper turns to the helm at the right moments, 

 and the Sea Star glided through without a 

 graze. The clear water showed our narrow 

 escape from the rocks that beset us. It was 

 a serious offense to sail by thus without pay- 

 ing any respects to the old man, who stood 

 like a statue among his Eskimo dogs with his 

 back against a rock. He was a picturesque 

 figure with his white bushy beard. The cap- 

 tain chuckled at his success in making the 

 difficult passage, and at the confusion of the 

 two sailors. He would stop and make his peace 

 with the Samaritan on his return. 



When Audubon sailed from La Bale de Por- 

 tage at five o'clock on the morning of July 26, 

 173 



