410 CAPE BRETON . Marguerite and Cheticamp , justifies the pursuits of men who follow fishing, or employ themselves in car¬ rying freights coastwise in their schooners and shal¬ lops. These vessels are built more for the purpose of sailing fast than for carrying large cargoes ; they are slightly constructed, little iron being used for the fastenings, nor do they consider one-fourth part of the cordage necessary that is required in vessels of the same size rigged in England . They have only three sails, frequently but one cable, and nothing in the shape of spare rope or sails, in case of accidents ; notwithstanding which, they are often out in heavy gales, in which they make, according to the sailors' phrase, " good weather of it;" and they are scarcely ever shipwrecked. The fisheries have long formed the chief source from which the inhabitants have obtained the means of subsistence, as well as the most valuable branch o£ commercial importance. The Acadians are those chiefly employed; they fish in their shallops and boats. Herrings and mackerel, a portion of which they pickle, constitute a great share of their catch ; but the quan¬ tity so cured is uncertain, a great part being taken away by the traders, and much carried to Halifax , a small portion of which is only considered to be en¬ tered at the custom-house at . This trade could be carried on to any extent, if the merchants could meet the Americans and French on equal terms at foreign markets. The position of is equal to that of Newfoundland for the cod, and particularly for the herring and mackerel fish-