THE RAZOR-BILLED AUK. 
131 
beacon, which being in form like a huge mounted cannon placed on the 
elevated crest of a great rock, produced a most striking effect. We knew 
that the harbour was within the stupendous wall of rock before us, but our 
pilot, either from fear or want of knowledge, refused to guide us to it. and 
our captain, leaving the vessel in charge of the mate, was obliged to go off in 
a boat, to see if he could find a passage. He was absent more than an hour. 
The Ripley stood off and on, the yards were manned on the look-out, the 
sea was- smooth and its waters as clear as crystal, but the swell rose to a 
prodigious height as it passed sluggishly over the great rocks that seemed to 
line the shallows over which we floated. We were under no apprehension 
of personal danger, however, for we had several boats and a very efficient 
crew; and besides, the shores were within cannon shot ; but the idea of losing 
our gallant bark and all our materials on so dismal a coast haunted my mind, 
and at times those of my companions. From the tops our sailors called out 
“ Quite shallow here, sir.” Up went the helm, and round swung the 
Ripley like a duck taken by surprise. Then suddenly near another shoal 
we passed, and were careful to keep a sharp look-out until our commander 
came up. 
Springing upon the deck, and turning his quid rapidly from side to side, 
he called out, “ All hands square the yards,” and whispered to me, “ All’s 
safe, my good sir.” The schooner advanced towards the huge barrier, 
merrily as a fair maiden to meet her beloved ; now she doubles a sharp cape, 
forces her way through a narrow pass ; and lo ! before you opens the noble 
harbour of Whapati Guan. All around was calm and solemn ; the waters 
were smooth as glass, the sails fell against the masts, but the impetus which 
the vessel had received urged her along. The lead was heaved at every 
yard, and in a few minutes the anchor was dropped. 
Reader, I wish you had been there, that you might yourself describe the 
wild scene that presented itself to our admiring gaze. We were separated 
from the rolling swell of the Gulf of St. Lawrence by an immense wall of 
rock. Far away toward the east and north, rugged mounds innumerable 
rose one above another. Multitudes of frightened Cormorants croaked 
loudly as they passed us in the air, and at a distance flew divers Guillemots 
and Auks. The mossy beds around us shone with a brilliant verdure, the 
Lark piped its sweet notes on high, and thousands of young codfish leaped 
along the surface of the deep cove as if with joy. Such a harbour I had 
never seen before ; such another, it is probable, I may never see again ; the 
noblest fleet that ever ploughed the ocean might anchor in it in safety. To 
augment our pleasures, our captain some days after piloted the Gulnare into 
it. But, you will say, “ Where are the Auks, we have lost sight of them 
