SILVER FOXES AND SEACOWS 233

other part of the eastern coast of America, to the southward of Hudson's Bay, than in the Gulf of St. Lawrence

Governor Patterson did what he could to regulate the fishing of seacows—an important business in those early days. The New England fishing vessels gave him a great deal of trouble and particularly a certain Mr. Gridley of the Magdalen Islands. To the Secretary of State, Patterson sent his complaints and descriptions of the fishing.

Their attachment to their calves is wonderful. If a calf is taken the mother will stay by it till she is killed. There have been many instances of their receiving several wounds and still, on hearing the calf, they return, endeavouring all in their power to get hold of it. If the calf be killed and the dam gets it after- wards, she will keep it under her fin or flapper till it decays to pieces. The fishermen are well acquainted with this fondness of the female and turn it to their destruction. The fishermen are seldom without a calf on board their vessels, and on causing it to make a noise, the females, whether mothers or not, come directly on hearing them.

North Point! It seems a long way from Tignish, and a sandy road is certainly not conducive to speed.

”What on earth is that?" said Jean, pointing.

Well she might ask. From a distance it looked like something entirely foreign in a familiar land. On the flat country it stood up straight and tall, towering above everything around it.

“No idea. ”

Then, suddenly, I thought of that tree at Brudenell which had so deceived us.

“Probably trees,” I hazarded.