' Almost as curious is the present name of that portion of the
Newfoundland coast nearest us at this minute. It is called
'Ferryland,' which is a corruption of 'Verulam,' the name applied by
its original owner, Lord Baltimore, in memory of his home estate in
England. In fact, this region abounds in queerly twisted names, most
of which were originally French. Bai d'espair, for instance, has
become Bay Despair. Blanc Sablon and Isle du Bois up on the Labrador
coast have been Anglicised as Nancy Belong and Boys' Island. Cape
Race, which is almost within sight, was the Capo Razzo of its
Portuguese discoverer. Cape Spear was Cappo Sperenza, and Pointe
l'Amour is now Lammer's Point."
While taking part in conversations of this kind both Cabot and Mrs.
Phinney, who were the only passengers now left on the ship, kept a
sharp lookout for icebergs, which, as they had learned, were apt to be
met in those waters at that season. Finally, during the afternoon of
the last day they expected to spend on shipboard, a distant white speck
dead ahead, which was at first taken for a sail, proved to be an
iceberg, and from that moment it was watched with the liveliest
curiosity. Before their rapid approach it developed lofty pinnacles,
and proved of the most dazzling whiteness, save at the water line,
where it was banded with vivid blue. It was exquisitely chiselled and
carved into dainty forms by the gleaming rivulets that ran down its
steep sides and fell into the sea as miniature cascades.
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