Under the Great Bear

here else. Thus the news that they were not only a long way from the place he wished to reach, but steadily increasing their distance from it, so surprised him

d on the west coast, wher

y dollars to turn around and car

ige you, for I've got to get home in a hurry if I want to find any home to get to. You see, it's thi

rrupted Cabot. "I thought you lived in Newfo

rench were granted fishing privileges from Cape Bay along the whole west coast to Cape Bauld, and from there down the east coast as far as Cape St. John. By

send warships to enforce their demands, and these compel us to sell bait to French fishermen at such price as they choose to offer. Why, I have seen men forced to sell bait to the French at thirty cents a barrel, when Canadian and Ame

warships for protection," said Cabot. "T

they always take the part of the French, and do ev

ainst their own people! That is one of the strangest things I ever

as born in it, and have lived here all my life, I d

that led to the American Revolution, and I should think you Newfoundlanders would rebel, an

. If we should rebel, we would have to fight both England and France. We should have to do it without help, too, for the United States, which is th

grate to the State

sister; but I don't know how I could make a living for them in the States, or even for myself. You see, everything we have in the w

g here?" asked Cabot, ig

bsters; but it looks as though even that

wrong to c

s a person can commit, worse even than smuggling, and the chie

imed Cabot. "Why is canning l

hey turned their attention to catching and canning them. They thought, of course, that in this they would not be molested, since the French right was only to take and dry fish, which, in this country, means only codfish. They were so successful at the new business that after a while the French also began to establish lo

d it," said Cabot, who

right to all the business of the west coast, and finally it was agreed to submit the whole question to arbitration. It has never yet been arbitrated, though that was some years ago

of those then in exi

own countrymen would be compelled to aid the French in its destruction. On that, father went to law, but it was not until the season was ended that the British captain was found to have had no authority for his action. So father sued him for damages, and obtained judgment for five thousand dollars. He never got the money, though, and by the time the next season came roun

uestion settle

nning the factory at odd times, when there was no warship at hand to prevent. This season promises to be one of the best for lobsters ever known, and we had so nearly exhausted our supply of cans that I went to St. Johns for more. While there I got private information that the suit had gone against us, and that the commander of the warship 'Comattus,' then in port, had received orders to destroy our factory during his annual cruise along the French shore. The 'C

's rowing didn't go fo

er reason, too. If the French get word that a decision has been rendered against us, and that the factory is to be des

but I wish you would tell me the next best way of getting there. You see, having lost everything in the way of an outfit it is necessary for me to procure a ne

the longer it is unknown the longer the 'Comattus'

ship doesn't get after

still in that harbour, I might set you ashore there. From St. Pierre you can get a steamer for St. J

f that is the best plan you can think of I will accept it, and s

gate "Isla," that had more than once made trouble for the Baldwins, lay in the little harbour, black and menacing. Hoping not to be recognized, White gave her as wide a berth