Pagina 66 van 416

A look of startled uncertainty swept over the simple,

weather-beaten faces in front of him.

"You know that I am not exaggerating," he continued, "when I say

that we are face to face with the gravest problem that has ever

confronted us. It has pleased God in His infinite Providence so

to direct the finny tribes that the denizens of the deep have

altered the location of their usual fishing-grounds.

"Day after day you men have gone forth with nets and lines like

the fishers of old; day after day, also like some of the fishers

of old, you have returned empty-handed. The salting-bins are not

filled, the drying-frames are bare, the shipments to St. John's

have practically ceased.

"I do not need to tell you that this spells destitution. This

island depends on its fish, and, since cod and hake and pollock

have left us, we must cast about for other means of support.