French River 
Mrs. McDonald prepared supper, of which 
we partook with the family, consisting of Mr. 
and Mrs. McDonald and their little boy, and 
Mr. McDonald asked a Gaelic blessing over 
the meal. 
In the morning we saw the real life of this 
remote fishing-station. By the time we had 
eaten breakfast, the dories were already coming 
back with the result of the day's catch. 
Hours before we were awake the fishermen 
had pulled out to sea, and there in the darkness 
had drawn in the cods, the skates, and the dog- 
fish. We watched the boats come in, bobbing 
over the water and all making for the same 
point, — the shore where we stood. When a 
boat neared the strand, it was headed at right 
angles to the breakers and driven hard ashore. 
As it grated on the pebbles the men jumped 
overboard; one of them threw one of the enor- 
mous oars under the bow for a roller, and all 
hands laying hold upon either side of the boat 
with shouting and laughter drew it, load and 
all, up on the pebbly beach beyond high tide. 
The heavy boats were laid side by side so 
close together as almost to touch. It was quite 
exciting and very picturesque, for the men were 
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