The climate of the southern section of Labrador is by no means severe; the thermometer, even in the coldest months of the year, seldom falling lower than 30 deg. below zero.  Along the shores of Esquimaux Bay, a few spots have been found favourable for agriculture, and potatoes and other culinary vegetables have been raised in abundance.  Grain, especially oats and barley, would doubtless also thrive; it so happens, however, that the inhabitants are under the necessity of devoting their attention to other pursuits during the season of husbandry; so that the few that attempt “gardening,” derive small benefit from it.  They sow their seed before starting for the coast, and leave nature to do the rest.

I shall close my description of Labrador by narrating a rather tragical event that occurred a few years ago.  An old fisherman, formerly a sailor, and his only son by an Esquimaux squaw, lived together in the greatest amity and concord.  The son, after the death of his mother, attended to domestic affairs, and also assisted his father at out-door’s work.  As the fishing season approached, however, it was considered expedient to hire a female, so that they might give their undivided attention to the fishing.  The girl had not remained long with them, when her charms began to make an impression on Jack’s still sensitive heart; the son also became enamoured; both paid their addresses, and, as a matter of course, the young man was preferred.

The demon of jealousy now took possession of the father’s breast; and his conduct became so violent and cruel, that his son determined on parting company with him and carrying off the girl.  Seizing the only boat that belonged to his father, he slipped away under cover of night with his companion, and put ashore on the first island they found.  A violent storm arose in the course of the night, and either dashed the boat to pieces on the rocks, or carried her out to sea; and thus the unfortunate lovers were left to their fate.  This event happened late in autumn.  The winter passed without any word being heard of the lovers; in the ensuing spring their bodies were found clasped in each other’s arms, and the young man’s gun close by with fifteen notches cut in the stock, supposed to mark the number of days they suffered ere relieved by death.

CHAPTER XII.

VOYAGE TO ENGLAND—­ARRIVAL AT PLYMOUTH—­REFLECTIONS—­ARRIVE AT THE PLACE OF MY NATIVITY—­CHANGES—­DEPOPULATION—­LONDON—­THE THAMES—­LIVERPOOL—­EMBARK FOR NEW YORK—­ARRIVAL—­THE AMERICANS—­ENGLISH AND AMERICAN TOURISTS—­ENGLAND AND AMERICA—­NEW YORK.

1842.—­I embarked for England on the 18th of August, on board a small schooner of sixty tons, deeply laden with fish and oil.  It is scarcely necessary to observe, that the accommodations the craft afforded were of the meanest kind; but the inconveniences weighed lightly in the scales, when compared with the anticipated delight of visiting one’s native land.  We had a very fine passage; a steady fair breeze carried us across the broad Atlantic in a fortnight.  The green hills of Cornwall came in view on the 1st of September, and I had the satisfaction of treading the soil of England early on the 3d.