but the former being a skilful and sagacious seaman, we proceeded
with confidence, and after passing a group of fishing
boats, the occupiers of many of which we had known at Eastport,
we were at length safely anchored in the basin named
" American Harbour," where we found several vessels taking
in cured fish.
But few days had elapsed, when, one morning, we saw a
vessel making towards our anchorage, with the gallant flag of
England waving in the breeze, and as she was moored within a
cable-length of the Ripley, I soon paid my respects to her commander,
Captain BAYFIELD of the Royal Navy. The politeness
of British Naval officers is proverbial, and from the truly
frank and cordial reception of this gentleman and his brave
" companions in arms," I feel more than ever assured of the
truth of this opinion. On board the " Gulnare," there was also
an amiable and talented surgeon, who was a proficient in botany.
We afterwards met with the vessel in several other harbours.
Of the country of Labrador you will find many detached
sketches in this volume, so that for the present it is enough
for me to say that having passed the summer there, we sailed
on our return for the United States, touched at Newfoundland,
explored some of its woods and rivers, and landed at Pictou
in Nova Scotia, where we left the Ripley, which proceeded
to Eastport with our collections. While at Pictou, we
called upon Professor MACCULLOCH of the University, who
received us in the most cordial manner, shewed us his superb
collections of Northern Birds, and had the goodness to present
me with specimens of skins, eggs, and nests. He did more still,
for he travelled forty miles with us, to introduce us to some persons
of high station in the Province, who gave us letters for
sailing schooner, the " Ripley," under the command of Mr
HENRY W. EMMERY, and, through the medium of my
government letters, was enabled to visit, in the United States'
Revenue Cutters, portions of the Bay of Fundy, and several of
the thinly inhabited islands at its entrance. At length the
day of our departure for Labrador arrived. The wharf was
crowded with all our friends and acquaintance, and as the " starspangled
banner" swiftly glided to the mast-head of our buoyant
bark, we were surprised and gratified by a salute from the fort
that towers high over the bay. As we passed the Revenue
Cutter at anchor, her brave commander paid us the same honour;
after which he came on board, and piloted us through a very
difficult outlet.
The next day, favoured by a good breeze, we proceeded at
a rapid rate and passing through the interesting Gut of Cansso,
launched into the broad waters of the Gulf of St Lawrence, and
made sail for the Magdeleine Islands. There wTe spent a few
days, and made several valuable observations. Proceeding from
thence, we came in view of the famous " Gannet Rock," where
countless numbers of Solan Geese sat on their eggs. A heavy
gale coming on, away we sped with reefed sails, towards the
coast of Labrador, which next morning came in view. The
wind had by this time fallen to a moderate breeze, the sky was
clear, and every eye was directed towards the land. As we approached
it we perceived what we supposed to be hundreds of
snow-white sails sporting over the waters, and which we conjectured
to be the barks of fishermen ; but on Hearing them, we
found them to be masses of drifting snow and ice, which filled
every nook and cove of the rugged shores. Our captain had
never been on the coast before, and our pilot proved useless;