The National tribune., 1901-06-13

steamer never comes nearer than a quar-
ter to a half-mile from the land. The
sea was unusually calm, and as we rose
and fell while passing through the lines
of the breakers it seemed to me-a lands
woman-incredible that in rough weather
so few accidents had occurred.
When we reached the beach, which is
firm with hidden wrecks, we found the
genial Governor and Superintendent of
the Island, Mr.. Robert j. BoutiIier, wait
ing TO welcome us. He insisted upon my
going directly to his house, at the main
station, and resting, while Il span of
horses We're harnessed into the buggy for
his daughter-with whom l was previous
ly acquainted-and myself to drive over
the Island. | thought before we started
that l had become thoroughly acquainted
with every feature, but found out my
mistake before we had gone far.
The Island is 23 miles in length and
one mile wide at the farthest part, taper
ing to nothing at the sand-bar at either
end. At the commencement of the 18th
century it was 30 miles in length and from
four to five wide, but the constant wash
ing away of the sand, principally from
the western end, has reduced it to the
present size. Should it in the future wear
away as rapidly as it has in the past, it
will not be long before the Island will be
a thing of the past.
The ruins of a house of refuge, built
upon the west end, is now buried fathOms
deep l. miles out on the northwest sand
bar and the lighthouse at the western end
has already been removed eastward twice
the first time a quarter of a mile, and
the second time a mile. Only year ago
the Commissioners were sent down to Sa-
bic Island in order 10 see if the western
mast lighthouse was safe. They decided
that for the present it was.
This Island is a reach of glacial sand,
and is the only of a line of hanks
viz, Grand Bank, Gurero, Sable, La
Havre, Browns, and Georges, that is
above water.
Along the northern and southern shores
are sand-hills, or dunes, some of which
are nearly 100 feet in hight; between
these dunes is valley which extends
nearly the entire length of the Island.
The southern dune has been washed
away near the western end and n salt
water pond has been formed, which is
nearly 10 miles in length and a quarter
of a mile in width.
Owing to the shifting of the sand the
entrance to this lake is often closed, and
vessel has been known to be land
locked. Fresh-water ponds lie all along the
central valley, and it is q singular fact
that by digging anywhere upon the Island
90 yards from salt water fresh water is
reached.
A coarse grass, whose roots are some
times 20 feet in length, and the wild pea
vine cover the Island. The plant life is
similar to that of the mainland, the seeds
being carried by the birds.
There are no trees upon the Island, but
low bushes. Wild Strawberries grow in
abundance, also blueberries heathberries,
and cranberries, of which some years
there is such an abundant crop that 800
barrels are harvested. They are sent to
Halifax for sale. Vegetables of every
kind are raised here. Wild birds are found
the year round, and seals, of which there
are two kinds, the harbor and the horse
head, are so numerous that the beach is
often covered with them for half-mile.
Cattle, swine and horses were left upon
the Island by the early vOyagers, as was
their wont, but the cattle were gradually
eXterminated by the people who came to
for n supply of beef for Winter use, or by
shipwrecked people, who used them for
food. The swine met with a similar fate,
on account of their cannbalistic propen-
sites.
The ponies that roam in herds all over
the Island are the only connecting link
between the early days and the present
time. Formerly they numbered from 800
to 800; but now, through death and ex-
portatiOn, there are only from 200 to $50
upon the Island. Many of these wild
ponies are sent to Halifax in the Fall on
the Government steamer, to be sold on
the marine and fishery" wharf at the
public auction.