During the three centuries directly following John Cabot's discovery of Newfoundland, that un fortunate island was. The sport of careless kings, self ish adventurers, and diligent pirates. While Eng land, France, Spain, and Portugal were busy with courts and kings, and with spectacular battles, their fishermen and adventurers toiled together and fought together about the misty headlands of that far island. Fish, not glory, was their quest! Full cargoes, sweetly cured, was their desire and let fame go hang!