446 MUR hay's journal — CAPE GRAHAM. May 1830. 



lie himself a most skilful manager, I do not think he could 

 have gone so far along an unprotected shore, through ' races'* 

 of tide, and yet have returned in safety.'' 



The following are extracts from his Journal. 



" ' Near Cape Graham we saw a large party of Indians, 

 with several canoes, one of which, paddled by two men and 

 a woman, came alongside of our boat, and they sold us some 

 fine fish, for the large price of two metal buttons and a small 

 string of beads. Finding no place at which I could land, on 

 account of the rocks and heavy swell, we steered for the shore 

 about fifteen miles to the northward. Approaching a flat- 

 topped bluff, covered with grass, I saw a large guanaco, and 

 just afterwards a whole herd feeding, for which he seemed 

 to be doing the duty of a sentinel. The shore was inviting, 

 and earthy soil seemed abundant ; but too many rocks showed 

 their sharp points at the water's edge to allow of our landing. 

 At last we found a small patch of shingle between two reefs 

 of rocks, and there we succeeded in beaching the boat, 

 through a heavy surf. I ascended a steep woody height to 

 obtain a view of the neighbourhood, and found that for 

 some miles the country was level, and apparently covered by 

 thick grass. Traces of, and paths made by, guanacoes, were 

 very numerous in every direction. Next day we pulled to 

 the eastward against a tumbling sea, caused by a weather tide, 

 and at sunset tried to land ; but were disappointed, by finding 

 that the shore was so fronted every where by rocks, that we 

 could not approach. We therefore hastened towards a long 

 reef of outlying rocks, which might afford some shelter, as 

 a breakwater, during the night, but found such overfalls 

 near them, that we were again obliged to continue our route 

 alongshore in the dark. At last I heard the noise of a large 

 waterfall, between the breakings of high surf on the rocks, 

 and fancied a cove could be made out, towards which we 

 cautiously advanced, sounding with the lead and a long pole, 

 and succeeded in obtaining a place of temporary security. 



" ' In passing along the shore on the following day, many 

 herds of guanacoes were seen feeding. At night we again had 



