Resumo de The Lure Of The Labrador Wild

It is difficult to classify The Lure of the Labrador Wild; it is part
history, part biography, part travel adventure, and for the author,
essentially a tribute to his friend, Leonidas Hubbard. To enjoy
the book, the reader must be prepared to set aside political
correctness and be willing to accept the attitudes of the era in which
it was written.

Dillon Wallace tells the story of his journey into Labrador with his
friend Leonidas Hubbard Jr. Both men are Americans - in fact,
they purchased most of their equipment for the trip in New York ? and
Wallace is very much a man of his time in his assurance that ?white?
men are superior and ?Indians? more or less uncivilized. He
condemns many of the residents of Labrador as lazy and dirty, and
chafes at the inefficiency of the boatmen and traders he encounters
once he leaves the United States.

When Hubbard, Wallace, and Cree guide George Elson left Indian Harbour,
Labrador on 15 July 1903, the intent was to explore a part of
north-east Labrador which had not yet been properly mapped.
Hubbard wanted to reach the George River country where he hoped to
observe the Nascaupee caribou hunt in late August or early September.

Summer begins late and winter closes in early in Labrador, so the trio
had little time in which to achieve their objective. Although
they could hope to hunt and fish on the way for food, it was imperative
that they not lose too much time doing so, so they had to carry as much
food as they could handle. The need to carry food had also to be
balanced with the inevitability of having to portage around rapids,
which meant carrying the canoe, food, weapons, and other supplies,
sometimes for miles. Above all else, they must not get lost!

In fact, they got lost very quickly. The directions Hubbard
obtained from locals were incomplete. Food ran out, winter closed
in, and the three were soon feeble and ill.

Wallace?s tale becomes more interesting as he relates their desperate
attempts to continue on, then to turn back for safety. At times,
the reader feels as disoriented as the travellers because there are few
reliable points of reference in the countryside. Excerpts from
Hubbard?s diary provide the reader with insights to his character
which, in some way, Wallace seems to consider more important than the
adventure itself.

When George successfully reaches help and leads a rescue party back
into the wild, the Wallace who emerges from the bush to tell the story
is a different man from the one who set out only weeks before.
This Wallace appreciates the strength and compassion of the people he
meets on the return journey and praises the hospitality of the traders
who help him get home.

It is hard to decide whether to be offended or amused by Wallace and
Hubbard?s condescending attitude toward Canadians. However, by
the end of the story, one cannot help but mourn the passing of Hubbard
and the boyish enthusiasm for adventure which led him to risk his life
in the uncharted regions of Labrador.

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