accuracyboatman

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Title:TheHeirtoGrand-PréDateoffirstpublication:1907Author:JohnFredericHerbinDatefirstposted:January9,2013Datelastupdated:January9,2013FadedPageebook#20130104Thisebookwasproducedby:DavidT.
Jones,woodie4,MardiDesjardins&theonlineDistributedProofreadersCanadateamathttp://www.
pgdpcanada.
netTheHeirtoGrand-PréBYJohnFredericHerbinAuthorof"TheHistoryofGrand-Pré,""TheMarshlands.
"Wolfville,N.
S.
TORONTOWILLIAMBRIGGS1907EnteredaccordingtoActoftheParliamentofCanada,intheyearonethousandninehundredandseven,byJOHNFREDERICHERBIN,attheDepartmentofAgriculture.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTERI.
PAGEWhattheTideBrought5CHAPTERII.
Dulse15CHAPTERIII.
ThePreciousStocking27CHAPTERIV.
BluffCastle36CHAPTERV.
TheHeirtoGrand-Pré46CHAPTERVI.
Salmon56CHAPTERVII.
Marie62CHAPTERVIII.
"Blow-me-down"71CHAPTERIX.
TheAlternative81CHAPTERX.
Amethyst89CHAPTERXI.
TheAdoption97CHAPTERXII.
TheBlueVein105CHAPTERXIII.
Len113CHAPTERXIV.
CrossPurposes121CHAPTERXV.
Evangeline'sReturn130CHAPTERXVI.
TheReturnofGabriel136CHAPTERXVII.
TheWaterCurse147CHAPTERXVIII.
Conclusion154THEHEIRTOGRANDPRCHAPTERI.
WHATTHETIDEBROUGHT.
"Themovelesshelmneedsnorulinghand,BecausethereisnowindawaketofillThesailthatidlesinthesun.
""Well,Len,howisshemakingnow""Fallingalittle,sir.
""Nosignofwindyet""Notawhiff.
""Howlongbeforewewillhavetoanchor""Aboutanhourmoreebb,sir"Onthisreport,thebarehead,whichhadbeenslightlyraisedwhiletheinterrogationwastakingplace,fellbackintothehollowithadmadeforitselfonanoldsailwhichwasbothcouchandpillow.
Awell-wornsportingcoatlaybetweentheroughclothandthegolden-brownhairandthesummer-seasonedskinofaman'sface,freshandfullofthehealthofyouth.
Thefigureoftheyoungmansettledintoamorecomfortableposition,andalightcloudofsmokerosefromhispipeintothemovelessair.
Helayontheroofofthecabinintheshadowofthemainsail,nowhangingoutofusefromthemast.
Theskywashazyandcloudless,andthewholesheetofwaterwaswhiteasburnishedsilver.
Afaroffthehorizonwasdarkinplaceswiththemirageofhillsormarsh,showingasteamerwithitssmokeinastraightlineupwardfromitsstack.
Themanmindednotthebrightskyorthereflectingsea,andfromthoughtfulblueeyesglancedfromtimetotimeattheshorenotbeyondhalfamiledistant,frequentlyturningapairofpowerfulbinocularsuponthevari-coloredbluffsandcliffsastheswifttideboretheboatalong.
ThewarmairofJunemadenoimpressionuponthealertfulifmoodyeyes.
"Whatpointisthatjustinsightbeyondthebluebluff""PierreIsland,sir.
"Thisreplybroughttheyoungmantohisfeet,andhegazedattheislandthatcamequicklyoutfrombehindtheheadlandtillitwasfullyexposedtoview.
PierreIsland,asnowseen,slopedrathersteeplyfromtheshoresideupward,whilethedirectfrontandthewholeouterportioninviewwasprecipitousandirregular,risingoutofhugemassesofbrokenrockandboulders.
Thesummitwaswoodedlikethecliffsoneitherhandalongtheshorefollowedbytheboat.
FrankWinslow,geologistandstudent,wasnotofthecommontype.
Hiseasymannerandalmostlistlessmovementofbodycamenotfromvacationnegligence.
Naturehadgivenhismanhoodafineframe,whichhisownvigoroustemperamenthaddevelopedwithtoilandtraining.
Hisfacegaveevidenceofmaturity.
Thecalmandattimesthoughtfulcastofcountenance,duetotheseriousandstudiousmindthatruledit,deceivedoneastotheageoftheman.
Astudentbyselectionandopportunity,alifespentamongbooksandthemenofbooksmadehisspeechdeliberateandhisfacegrave.
Astrongmouthwasonlypartiallyconcealedbyaclose-cutgolden-brownbeardandasoftmoustachethathadseldombeensacrificedtotherazor.
Atraremomentsaninexpressiblykindsmiledisclosedtheotherman,theinnersoulofFrankWinslow.
WeareintroducedtohimthusonboardtheyachtMarie,ownedandcommandedbyLenLawson.
TheyachtandherownerwereengagedbyWinslowforthepurposeofexaminingthetrapbluffsoftheshoresofMinasBasininNovaScotia,andtostudythefamoustidesoftheregionandoftheBayofFundy.
TheboatwasmovingrapidlywiththeoutgoingtidetowardstheislandwhichbothWinslowandLenwerenowlookingupon.
Thewholesheetofwaterwaswithoutarippleasfarastheeyecouldsee,yettheboatpassedtheshorerapidly,morequicklythanamanmightrunwhoattemptedtokeepabreastoftheMarie.
Therewasnoshowofhurry.
Theywerefarenoughfromshoretomaketheirpassageseemslow,andobjectsaheadofthemappearedbutashortdistanceawayinthedeceptivebrilliancyoftheseaandair,whilethesmallneedofeffortonboardtokeepthecourseandthesailsrightmadethetripdullandslow.
Thustheydrifted,completelyatthemercyofthetideanditsshiftingcurrents.
Soundsfromunseensources,voicesofmenandthecrashofloadingvessels,cametotheirearswithstrangeclearnessandloudness.
"Shallwebeabletogetbeyondtheislandbeforeweanchor"askedWinslow,surveyingtheenlargingheadofthebrown-coloredbluffinthedistance.
"Yes,sir,"answeredLen,withhishandontheuselesstiller,andgazingaheadwiththoughtfulface.
"Thewaterisfallingfast,andthetideismakinginshorealittle.
Wemustmakeinbehindtheislandforanchoragetillthewindcomes,ortillthetiderises.
""WhyisitcalledPierreIsland,Len""PierreGotroownsitandlivesthere.
Hisfather'snamewasPierre,andsowashisgrandfather's,"continuedLen,stillexaminingtheland,andoftenglancingatthepassingcliffs.
Hewasreadingthesignsandnotingthechangesofairandland.
HehadspentthemostofhisyearsontheshoreofMinasoronitswaters,andhadbecomeaskilfulsailorandpilot,asallmustwhothusearntheirbread.
Swiftcurrents,tidalchanges,numerousriversandhiddenrocks,andthesuddensquallsofthatgreatinlandseamakegoodseameniftheyarespared.
LenLawsonwasofthistype,andWinslowtacitlyacknowledgedhissuperiorityasa"skipper,"althoughhehadhadagreatdealofexperienceinyachting.
Lookingathim,Winslowcaughtasuddenchangeofexpression,alightingoftheeyes,ashediscoveredsomefamiliarobjectontheshoreoftheisland.
Directinghisglassagaintotheland,Winslowsawonthelongslopeofbrightredbeachtwoox-teamsmovingdowntowardsthesea.
Theleadingonewasguidedbyastalwartoldmanwithgreybeard,anddeepvoice,whichcouldbeplainlyheardacrossthewater.
Inthecartdrawnbythesecondpairweretwowomen,onepastmiddleage,theotheryoung.
"Lookthroughthis,Len,"saidWinslow,holdingoutthepowerfulglassmadeforthepurposeofexamininginaccessibleveinsofmineralandgeologicalformations.
Lenplacedtheglasstohiseye,andtheexclamationhemadetoldhowmuchofasurprisetheglancegavehim.
"IsthatPierre,theowneroftheisland""Yes,sir.
""Whoarethewomen""Theservantandhisdaughter.
""Whatisthedaughter'sname,andisshetheolderortheyoungerwoman"askedWinslow,makingamentalsurmiseastothecauseoftheinterestevincedbytheyoungmasteroftheMarieinthepeopleontheshore.
"Theyoungwomanwithbareheadisthedaughter,"repliedLen,evasively.
"Youdidnotmentionhername,didyou"persistedWinslow.
"Marie,"saidLen,attemptingtohidehisevidentconfusionbydirectingtheglasstoanotherquarter,thusturninghisfacefromthecooleyesofWinslow.
"Aprettyname,Len;youdidwellinchoosingitforyourboat.
"Lensoonturnedhisgazeagaintotheisland,andcaughtsightofthelastofthekindlysmileintheeyesstilllookinghimthrough.
Hewaslothtolettheglassesleavehisface,andhelookedlongandsteadilyatthegroup.
Theywerenearenoughnowtoenablethemtohearthedeep,richvoiceofPierreandthelowertonesoftheoccupantsofthefollowingteam.
Theoxenmovedslowlydowntheshoreinthesoftredclayandsand,thewheelsthumpingovertheblackprojectingrocksattimes,sendingtheechoedsoundalongtheshore.
Thelaughterofthegirlcamepleasantlytotheirearsastheswayingcartforcedtheolderwomantoseizethesidenearhermorefirmlywhileonewheelortheotherwentoverarock.
TheMariehadnowdriftedwellintowardstheisland,whileatthesametimethetidehadfallenaway,thuslesseningthespacebetweentheboatandtheshore.
Lenstillkepttheglasstohiseyes,andhiseyesontheshoretillasuddenblowuponthebottomoftheyacht,andaloudscrapingalonghersidestartledhimintogivinghisattentiontomatterselsewhere.
"Onlyarock,Len,"saidWinslow,coollysurveyingtheshoreagainwiththeglasswhichLenhadhastilyrestoredtohim.
Yetnotasignofdangerhadbeenmanifest.
Alittletotheirleftthecurrentsweptbetweentheislandandthemainland,aboutamileaway,whilethelinetheboatwasfollowingwoulddirectthemabouthalfamilefromtheoutsideoftheisland.
Theyhadnowapproachedsoneartheshoreastobewithineasyspeakingdistanceoftheislandfolk,whohadreachedtheedgeofthewaterandstoodwatchingtheyacht.
"Sheeroff,boy!
sheeroff!
ifyoudon'twanttoground,"calledoutPierre.
Atthesoundofhisvoicethecattlewalkedfearlesslyintothewater.
Lensoundedwithanoar,andfoundthatthesandwasjustunderhiskeel.
Springingtothebowoftheboat,heagainreachedforbottom,andputtingallhisweightontheoar,turnedtheboat'sheadawayfromtheshore.
Winslowwasinamomentfollowinghisexampleatthestern,andtheirunitedstrengthgaveaslightoutwardmotiontotheheavyboat.
Anotherslightscrapingsoundtoldthemhowneartheyweretobeingaground,andtheyexertedalltheirforcetoescapethedangerthatthreatenedthemateverymoment.
"It'sallagainstus,sir,thereisabreezecoming,"criedLen,flushedwithhisexertions.
"Itwilldriveuson,ifwedon'tstrikebeforeitcomes.
"Thenextmomenttheboatstruckagain,andcametoastandstill.
Lenletdownthesail,whichfellwitharattle,andtriedtoforcetheboatoffintodeepwater.
Inhisattemptshisoarslippedofftherockonwhichtheyhadlodged,andhefellwithasplashintothewater.
Astherockwasbeneathhimhewasonlywaistdeepinthewater,andwithnolittledifficulty,becauseoftheforceofthetide,hegotbackintotheboatagain.
ThespeedofthecurrentwasmoreapparentasitrushedbythesideoftheMarie,nowfirmlyheld,andlistingslowlytowardstheshoreasthetidefell.
Pierremeanwhilewasurginghisoxenslowlytowardsthehelplessyoungmen.
Thewaterwasuptothehubs,andtheanimalsseemedtoenjoythecoolcurrentglidingpastthemuptotheirbellies.
"Well,Len,youareasgoodasanchoredforthistide,andsomeoftheflood,"saidtheoldmanfromthecart.
"Youarelistedright,andyoucanruntogoodharborto-nightifyouarenotstovein.
"Theyoungmanmadenoreply,butstoodlookingdownthesideoftheinjuredboat,forhefoundthatshewasleaking,andwaitedforachancetoexamineherside.
Itwasnotlongbeforehewasabletostepdowntotherock,whichnowstoodoutofthewater,andshowedthepositionheldbytheboat,andtheextentofthedamageshehadreceived.
"Sheleaksprettybad,sir,"hesaidtoWinslow,"Idon'tthinkwecanleavehereforacoupleofdays.
""Allright,"saidWinslow,quietly;"Icanspendthetimehere,abouttheislandandunderthecliffs.
"Pierrenowstoodneartherock,andwithLenwasexaminingthedamagedsideofthecraft.
"Youcan'tgetherrightinlessthantwodays,Len,asyouwillhavetogetheroutofthisassoonasyoucan.
""Iwillstayheretillyouareready,Len,"saidWinslow,"ifMr.
Gotrowillpermitmetogooverhisisland.
""Theshoreisfreetoall,"answeredtheoldman.
"CanyouputmeupAnysmallroomwillserveforthefewhoursIwillspendinit,"askedWinslow.
"Weneverkeeppeople,sir,"saidPierre,kindly.
"AtthehouseonthemainlandthereareseveralAmericansstaying,andtheycankeepyouthere.
""Youwillhavetocrossbythestonefordinaboutanhour,oryoucancrossoverinaboatathalfflood,"explainedLen.
"IthinkIwillexaminetherearoftheislandfirst,wheretheformationissobroken,"saidWinslow.
"Whatdotheveinscontain""Youwillfindmineralsofdifferentkindsthere.
Manypeoplecomehereandcarryawayagreatdealofstoneofdifferentcolors,whichtheyseemtoconsidervaluable.
Isendseveralboxesofitawayeveryspring,afterthefrostcomesoutofthecliffandletsdownthespecimens.
Therockisdangerousandoverhangsverymuch,andislooseandbroken.
Thebestveinsareabove,whereitisnoteasytogettothem.
Thosebelowhavebeenbrokenoutandarenotsogood.
""Icanseethebeautifulcoloringoftheveinsfromhere,throughmyglass.
Havethecliffsneverbeenclimbed""Notoften.
Iwouldadviseyounottoattemptit,sir,"saidtheoldman,seriously.
"Ithankyou,Mr.
Gotro,"returnedWinslow,"IdonotthinkIshallbetemptedtoclimb.
Iammoreinterestedinstudyingtheformationthaninsecuringspecimens,ifIcanfindanythatarefairlygoodbelow.
""Ourvisitorscarryawayabouteverythingthatisworthtaking,"saidPierre,withasmile.
"Icanwellbelieveit,"laughedWinslow,ashesteppedtotheshoreandwalkedtowardstheisland.
Acoolbreezewasnowcomingupoutofthewest,andthepleasantsoundoftheripplingwateronthebeach,andthesunshinefloodedthebroadspacebetweenthecliffsandtheisland,lightinguptheredsandstonewallsandthecoloredfacesofthewoodedhills,fallingupontherightandleftintothesoftbluehazeofthedistance.
Thelaughteroftheyoungwoman,orthesoundoftheboatbeingsettorights,werebornetotheearsofWinslowashetookhiswayupward.
Thebloodcoursedfreelyinhisveins,andashelookedabouthimhefoundhiseyespleased,andinhisbreastacontentmentandluxuriouscalmseemedtofindplace.
Hefeltthejoyousnessofhisfreshandstrongmanhood,andheturnedtothenatureabouthimthereflectionofthebrightlightofhiswarmeyesandglowingface.
CHAPTERII.
DULSE.
"Thegarnetdulseandglisteningcurlsofweed.
"Thetideisnowalmostatitslowestpoint.
OveramileofshiningflatbeachlaybetweentheseaandPierreIslandrisingintothebrightairlikeanimmensetowerorcastle.
Onthesidenearestthemainshoreasteepslopegaveaccesstotheislandbymeansofawindingroadthroughthewoodstothesummit.
Here,amidtreesandclearedstripsofgardenandfield,roseastonehouse,darkagainstthebluesky.
Ontheouterorseasidejaggedandprecipitouscliffs,hereandthereindentedbyinletswherethehightidemadesmallbays,composedtheseafrontoftheisland,impassabletomanoranimal.
Ontheinnumerablesmallshelvesandledges,showingwhitepatchesfromthepresenceofseagullsandtheiryoung,clumpsofgreenbrushandsmalltreeswerethinlyscatteredoverthefaceoftherock.
Betweenthecliffsandtheroadthesidesoftheislandgraduallyincreasedinslopeandbecamemoreandmorewoodedwiththethick,gnarled,andstuntedgrowthpeculiartotheislandsofthissaltlake,theBasinofMinas.
Theox-teamshadpassedonwiththetide,andtheislandfolkwerebusyalongtheseaweed-coveredfringeofdarkbeachthatmarkedthejunctionofseaandland.
Theyacht,perchedonabroad,flatrockonlyafewfeethigh,layhelplessonitsside.
Thebusyfigureoftheyoungsailoroftenappearedashepassedinandoutoftheboatwithimplementsofhiscraft.
Ontherockalongsideasmallfireburnedandthesmelloftarpervadedtheair.
PierreGotroandhisdaughter,andtheirservant,oldSuzanne,movedquicklyamongtheseaweed,andwithsmallforkswerebusyloadingthecartswithdulse.
Thetideswererunninglowforafewdaysandthedulse-bedswerefullyexposed.
Light-heartedMarielaughedandjestedwithSuzanne,andoftendirectedherwordstoherfather.
"Suzanne,doyouthinkthatLenisdryyetPoorfellow,hedidgetsowet.
"Shesmiledassheaskedthequestion.
"Hewilltellyouhimselfto-nightwhenhecomestoBluffCastle,"saidtheolderwoman,inreply.
"Ihopehewon'tcome,Suzanne;heissostrangenow,sincewehavegrownup.
""Youarestrange,too,perhaps.
Hesaysyouhavebecomeproudsinceyouhavebeengoingawaytoschool,"saidSuzanne.
"Iamnotproud,"criedMarie,quickly;"buthefrightensmesometimes.
Heischanged,"shecontinued,inacalmlypositivetone.
"Whydidthestrangerwishtostaywithus,Suzanne"Marieasked,aftersomeminutesofsilence.
"Isupposetobenearthecliffs,"repliedSuzanne.
"TheywillhaveallPierreIslandcarriedawaysometimeifpèredoesnotaskthemtostoppullingdownthecliff.
"Herlow,musicallaughterrippledfromherlipsandfilledhereyeswithbrown,warmlight.
OftenamerrierpealreachedouttowhereLenwasatworkandmadehimlooktowardsthegroup.
"ItisawonderthatLenisnotherehelpingpère,"shesaid,asshesawhimstandingbesidehisboat.
"Marie!
Marie!
"Pierrewouldsometimessay,withoutlookingupfromhiswork.
Thisgentleadmonishmentrestrainedbutlittletheoverflowofhealthygood-nature.
Suzanneoftenlaughedatthegaywordsofheryoungmistress.
Thecartswerenowfullofthewetdulse,tremblinglikejellyastheoxenmovedoverthebeach.
Mariehadseatedherselfonthefrontofthecart,herfeetrestingonthepoletowhichtheanimalswereyoked.
Herfatherwasleadinghispair,andnowcarefullyavoidedtherocksandsoftplaces,whileSuzannewalkedbehind,notcaringtotrustherselftosoprecariousaseataswasleftforher.
Theyfiledslowlyupwarduponthelongstretchofsand.
Mariewasnowsilent.
HerlargebrownAcadianeyesbecamethoughtful.
Suzannehadenoughtodotowalkaftertheslowteam,whilePierre,thoughfarbeyondmiddlelife,walkedeasilyattheheadofhisteam.
Theoldman,hardyandactive,bronzedbyalifeoflaborontheopenshoreoruponhisisland,madeavenerablefigureinthedignityandmanlinessofhisbearing.
Hisdresswasrough,andwetfromthelaborhehadbeenengagedinonthebeach,buthiscommandingfigureandkindlyfeatures,softenedbytime,andripenedbythegreatgriefthathadlefthimuncompanionedthroughthelateryearsofhislife,gavePierreabearinganddignityoffaceabovetheordinarytypeoftheworkingman.
PierreGotrowasthelastofhisnamewhohadinhabitedoncethemarshcountryonthesouthoftheBasinofMinas.
Hisancestorshadbeenremovedatthetimeofthegreatdeportation,in1755,bytheharshordersofGovernorLawrence.
HewasthehighesttypeoftheAcadianinformandfeature,patriarchalinripeoldage,andcalmlypeacefulamidtheconditionsofaliferemovedfromthebustlingworld,andfaithfultothedutiesofhisisolatedexistence.
Thesadnessofhisraceheinheritedastheonlylegacybequeathedbyanunfortunatepeople.
ThismelancholyveinmaybedetectedinthenatureoftheAcadiansofto-dayafterahundredandfiftyyearsoftransmission.
Thisgreatinheritanceofgriefthegenerationsmustyetbeartomarktheirlivesandtoinfluencetheirlivingforanothercentury.
Mariehadsuddenlybecomesilent.
Herlargebrowneyessuggestedtheswayofactivethought,dominatedbysomestrongemotiontingedwithmelancholy.
Inthelimpiddepthofherlookcouldbereadtheplayofimagination.
Hereyesmadeherapartofeverythinginthewarmloveofherheart;andeverythingbecameapartofher.
Theblueoftheskygaveofitsgloriouscolortoherbeing.
Thelongstretchofbluffandcliffandwoodedcrest,andthemagnificentsweepofthetide,thoughnowfallentoitslowestebb,andthedimbluelineofBlomidon,andtherich,saltyair,enteredintohernatureasanessence,andfilledherwithanexaltationofmelancholygladness,ofhappyintensityoffeelingthatalmostledtotears.
Soisthatintimatecomminglingofspiritandnatureintheexquisitemomentsofpurephysicalexistence.
Thecartshadnowreachedthefootofthebluff,uponthecleanpebbles,freeofsand,heatedbythesun,andonthesethewetdulsewasthrownandspreadtodry.
Inthecourseofafewhoursthetwolargeloadswouldbereducedbytheprocessofdryingtolessthanhalftheoriginalbulk.
Theteamsnowreturnedtothebedsforanotherloadbeforethetidecoveredtheshoreagain.
Theyhadgonebutashortdistancedowntheredsandwhentherecameasuddeninterruptiontothequietoftheafternoonandthecalmoftheproceedings.
Aslight,warmbreezewascomingoutofthewest,andborneupagainstitfromsomepartoftheislandcamethedullroaroffallingstone.
ThiswasheardbyPierreandSuzanne,andtheoldmanstoppedtheoxeninwonderattheunusualsound,butthecryofahumanvoicethatfolloweduponthenoisewasheardonlybytheyoungearsofMarie.
"Père,père!
"shecriedtoherfather,"didyouhearthevoice""No,child.
Whatdidyouhear""Iheardaman'svoiceatthebluffsbackoftheisland,wherethesoundofthefallingstonecamefrom.
"Theyalllistenedforamoment,Marie'sfacepalewithuncertaintyandfear.
"There,thereitisagain!
"thegirlcried,andwithoutanotherwordsherantowardsthebluffs.
Pierreturnedtheheadoftheteamstowardstheislandagain,andgivingsomedirectionstoSuzanne,tookthedirectionnowfollowedbyhisdaughterwithfleetfeet.
AshehurriedalonghethoughtofLen,andstoppingforamoment,heputhishandstohismouthandsenthisvoiceringingoutoverthebeachtotheboat.
Lenstoodupandsawtheoldmanbeckoninghim.
HealsoobservedthefigureofMariemakingherwayamongthesmallerboulders,andinanothermomentherflyingfeetcarriedheroutofsight.
HenotedthatforsomereasontheteamswerereturningandPierrewasnowmovingrapidlytowardsthepointwherehisdaughterhaddisappeared.
Hecriedoutthathecouldnotleavetheboat,forthetidewascoming.
Mariewasmeanwhileapproachingtheplacewhereshehaddetectedafaintcloudofdustamongthehugefragmentsofrockwhichmusthavefallenfromthefaceoftheislandandrolledoutontherockybeachwhichformedthispartoftheshore,centuriesbefore,perhaps.
Againsheheardtheman'svoice,butloudernow,asthesoundswerebroughttoherearsfromamongthepiled-upmassesofstone.
Thevoiceelectrifiedherintoincreasedactivity.
Therewashopeinthesoundtoher,wherepreviouslythesilencehadfilledherwithavagueterrorofsomethingawfulthatwouldsuddenlyconfronthervision.
Theslightsoundofherlightfeetdartingoverthesand,orthebedsoftrapeven,echoedbacktoherearswithawarningtone.
Onlyoncedidshehearthevoiceagain.
Itwasyetsomedistanceahead,butitlentwingstoherfeet.
Pantingandpaleinspiteofherexertions,andwithwide,scaredeyes,andteethsetindeterminationtogoon,thoughinexpectationofsomethingshockingtohersensesateveryturnofherpathandaroundeveryprojectingpointofthecliff,shenowapproachedaninletorsmallravinecutintothecliffaboutfiftyyards,whosebottomslopeddownfromeachside.
Aftereveryrainabrook,fedbythewaterscaughtontheisland,wouldrundownthecliffandfinditswaytotheseabymeansofthiscove,lesseninggraduallytillitfelldropbydrop.
Attheheadofthiscovewasalargeveinofredmineralknownasacadialite,whichformedpartoftheclifftoagreatheight,followingtheirregularsurfaceoftherock.
Thisveinwasinthebedofthebrook,atthistimewithnowaterrunning.
Throughcenturiesthecovehadbeengraduallydeepened,thesoftermineralyieldingtotheactionoftheelementsmoreeasilythanotherpartsoftherock.
Theactionoffrosthadloosenedtheadjacentstone,andinmanyplacesitwasbrokenandreadytofall.
Theflowofthewaterhadworndownthebottomofthecove,leavingadepressionofsomedepth.
Mariewasdrawntothiscovebecausesheknewofthelargevein,andalsobecauseshewasawareofthedangerouscharacteroftheplace,madesobytheloosenessoftheformation.
Shesawfromthemouthoftheinletalargemassofstonethathadrecentlyfallen,piledupneartheheadofthecove.
Sheexamineditquicklyfromherpositionattheopeningofthecove,andseeingnothingofWinslowshewasabouttopassonfartheraroundtheisland,whenherquickeyecaughtthefadedcolorsofthecoatwhichtheyoungmanhadwornwhenhelefttheboat.
Itlayneartheheapofstone,andafewpiecesofrockhadrolleduponit.
AtthisdiscoveryMariecriedoutwithterroratthefirstthoughtthatcametoher,thatthevoiceshehadheardwasofthestrangernowburiedunderthestone,andeitherunconsciousordead.
Halffaintingfromtheeffectofthisthoughtuponher,shehadtoforceherselftoreturnbythewayshecame,tomeetherfatherandtohurryhimontotherescue.
Herweakenedstrengthdidnotpermithertomovequickly,butshemetherfatherbutashortdistanceaway,andaftertellingPierrewhatshehadseenshefelltothesandutterlyhelpless.
"Hurry,père,thegentlemanmaybesavedyet!
"shesaid,faintly.
"IwilltakeyoubacktoSuzannefirst,"repliedtheoldman.
"Oh,no,père,Iwillbestrongersoon.
Therunningtiredme.
"Asshespokesherosetoherfeet,thoughpaleandtrembling.
Pierrethenhurriedaway,andinafewmomentsMarieturnedtowardthecoveagain.
Justasshecameinsightofherfather,Lenarrivedwitharopeinhishand,andthetwomensettoworkatoncetothrowasidethestonefromthepilewhichhadfallen.
Marielookedonandheardthecrashofrockafterrockasitwascastfromthedesperatehandsofthemen,andthesoundsechoedoutofthecoveandfilledherheartwithominousfearanddreadofsomethingabouttoberevealed.
Yetshecouldnottakehereyesfromthemassofrock.
Shewatchedwithfeverishinterestherfatherlifthugestones,orhelpLeninremovingthosetoolargeforthestrengthofonealone.
Inthiswaytheintensestrainuponhernervescontinued.
Onceshewentoutofsightofthem,butthesoundsweremoreterribletohearwhenoutofsightofthecauseofthemthanbefore.
Soshewasforcedtoreturnagain.
ItwasaterriblesightforMarie,withherquickimaginationandtenderheart.
Tearswouldoftenforcethemselvestohereyes,andherterrorheightenedmoreandmore.
Suddenlytheworkwasinterruptedbyagroanthatfilledthecove.
Themenlookedaboutthemwithquestioningeyes,andMarie,springingtowardsthem,lookedintentlyupthecliffforthecauseofthesound.
Againthesoundreachedtheirears,andthemaidenshriekedwildlyasshecaughtthemotionofahandandarmabovearockyshelfsomedistanceabovetheplacewherethemenstood.
Pointingtotheplace,shecried,"There,thereheis,père!
"Asifinreplytoherwords,Winslowrosetoasittingposition,whichbroughthimintosightofallofthembelow.
Helookeddownupontheminadazedway,hisfacepaleandbleeding,andhisclothesdustyandtorn.
Hegaveevidenceinhisappearanceofhavingpassedthroughaterribleexperience.
"Ah,Len,isthatyou!
Iamgladtoseeyou.
Andyoualso,goodfriend.
Whatareyougoingtodoforme"saidWinslowfaintly,butsmilinginspiteofhiscondition.
"Areyoumuchhurt,sir"askedPierre.
"Alittlebruised;andfromthelooksofthingshereIamlikelytostayforawhile—atleast,unlesstherestoftherockgoesdown.
"Hebeganfeelinghisleftarmashespoke,whichhungdownhelplessathisside.
"Nobonesbroken,Ithink,"saidWinslow,"butprettypainful.
Myshoulderisstiff,andIcan'tliftmyarm.
Ididnotfollowyouradvice,Mr.
Gotro,sohereIam,payingthepenaltyofrashness.
Isawthisveinofacadialite,anditseemedsofineabovetheshelfthatIcouldnotresistthetemptationofcominguptogetapieceofit.
Thewayupwasnotdifficultatall,butIdidnotrealizehowloosethestoneishere.
IngettingoutapieceoftheveinIstartedsomelooserockjustaboveme,whichfellandnearlybrokemyarm,knockedmedown,and,worseofall,itstartedtherockbelowbywhichIcameup,andleftitdifficultformetoreturn.
"Itlooksdifficult,"saidPierre,"butIthinkwecangetyoudown.
Thereisnochancefromabove,"hecontinued,examiningthecliffintently.
"Canyoumovealongthecliffalittle"Winslowattemptedtorise,butfellbackagain,puttinghishandtohisheadashedidso.
"Nouse,"hesaid.
"IshallhavetostaywhereIamforawhile.
Somethingtodrinkwouldbeinorderjustnow,Len;canyoupassmeupsomething"Theyoungmanaddressedlookedmorehelplessthanever,beingunabletoappreciatethehumorofWinslowinthetryinganddangeroussituationinwhichhewasplaced.
Thesoundoffallingparticlesofstonewarnedthemenbelowatthismoment,andmovingquicklybackfromthebaseofthecliff,theyescapedamassofrockthatfellnearthepilealreadydown.
"Don'tstandtoonear,friends,"saidWinslow,whenthedustclearedaway.
"Itwouldbesuicideforyoutoattempttocomeuphere.
Idon'tseejustnowhowIcangetdown,withonlyonearmtoaidme.
Ifeelbetter,however,andifIcanreachwhatlookslikeasmallstreamofwateryonder,atasteofitwillreviveme.
"Hethenroseslowlyandcarefullytohisknees,andrestingonehandontherock,madehiswayinchbyinchtothedrippingwater,thelastofthebrookthatfounditscourseoutofthecliffaboveandlostitselfintheloosematerialoftheshelf.
Aftermuchdifficultyhereachedit,andstoopingdown,caughtupthepreciousdropsinhishandandraisedthemtohislips.
"Thankheavenforthat!
"hemurmured,lookingdownagainattheanxiousfacesbelow.
CHAPTERIII.
THEPRECIOUSSTOCKING.
"Thickveinedwithamethystandzeolite.
"Mariehadnowjoinedherfatherneartheheadofthecove,andwasaninterestedthoughsilentspectatoroftheeventsthatweretranspiring.
Theintensityofherfeelingwasshowninhereyes.
SheforgotherselfentirelyintheoverpoweringemotioncausedbythedangerWinslowwasin,andbyhisinabilitytodoanythingtoaidhisescapefromtheledgewithouttheassistanceofherfather.
AtthesametimeshefearedthatevenPierrecouldnotrescuehim.
Herfearfortheyoungmanwasgreaterthanherconfidenceinherfather'sskilltoaidhim,thesituationofWinslowseemedsoterriblyfraughtwithdanger.
"Passupyourrope,now,Len,"saidWinslow,ashesawtheyoungmanmakingasuitablecoilforthrowing,andmeasuringthedistancetotheshelfwithhiseye.
"Tryathrowfromthathighrockthere,skipper.
"Lendidashewasdirected,buttheropedidnotreachhalfthenecessaryheight.
"Haveyouaballofstouttwine"askedWinslow,hismindalertandstrongernow.
"Ifso,throwituptome,andIwillletdowntheendforyourrope.
"Allpocketswereemptied,butonlyafewyardsoftwineofvaryingsizeandqualitywerefound,Marie'sshoelacesnotaddingnearlyenoughtoservethepurpose.
Suddenlytheyoungwomanmadeanexclamationofjoy,andturningtoherfather,cameclosetohimandsaidintheirnativetongue:"J'ameleraimonbas,père.
""Merci,mademoiselle,"saidWinslow,ingoodFrenchaccent.
Thesewordsonlyaddedgreaterspeedtoherfeetasshewithdrewfromsightbehindalargerock,andinafewminutesappearedagainwithagoodlyballofyarn.
Herappearanceatoncedisclosedthesecrettherockwouldotherwisehavekept.
Therewasnotenoughofherskirttocoverherroughbootsusedforthebeachandtheshell-covereddulse-beds,sobeneathitwasseenonewhiteankleandpartofalimb,whichwasreasonenoughfortheheightenedcolorofthemaiden'scheeks.
Itmustbeunderstoodthatastockingcanonlybeunravelledbybeginningattheendknittedlast,namely,atthetoe.
"Now,Len,doyourbest.
Throwitasneartomeasyoucan.
"Theordealwastoomuchforhisaccuracyofaim,andhethrewtheballsothatitlodgedoutofWinslow'sreach,somedistancetooneside.
AtthisunluckythrowMariehastenedtothelargerockagain,andreturnedatoncewiththelegofastockingwhichhadalreadybeenpartlysacrificed.
Shegaveoneendofittoherfathertohold,andwithdeftfingersbegantowindupanotherballofthestronghomespunyarn.
Thiswasreadyinafewminutes,andPierretooktheball,andstandingatsomedistanceawayfromthecliff,threwitupwardtowithineasyreachofWinslow,whosoonhadholdofit.
Tyingasmallstonetotheendoftheyarn,WinslowletitdownthesideoftheledgetoPierre,holdingtheballcarefully.
Whentheendcametotheoldman'shand,andhehaddrawnoutenoughofittoserve,Winslowthenheldtheupperendofthelengthwithhismouth,and,stillretainingtheball,unrolleditandletdownaloopofthestring,tillPierrehadthreelengthstowhichtoattachtherope.
"NowletmeseewhatIcandowiththeropewhenIgetituphere,"saidWinslow.
Pierrenowspoke.
"Iseebutoneplacewhereyoucanfastentherope.
Thatisalittlebeyondwhereyougotthewater.
ItlookslikeacornerofstonewhichthisloopIhavemadewillslipover.
"Winslowcouldseetheplace,andmovedforwardtoit.
"Yousee,sir,thattherockoftheshelfisbareandfirmthere,sothatwhenyouslipofftherockyouareonnowtocomedowntheropeyouarenotlikelytobringdownalotofstoneontopofyouorus,andperhapsbreakyourholdupontherope.
""True,"answeredWinslow,"Iwilltrythepoint.
"WithhandandmouthWinslowsucceededingettingtheloopofthelife-linetohishand,andtryingitovertherockfoundthatitwouldnothold.
"Itwillnothold,"saidWinslow,inadisappointedtone.
"Isthereacrackintherocknearinwhichyoucouldputasticktoholdtheloop"askedPierre.
"Yes,thereis,"hereplied.
"Apieceofwoodaninchthickwouldhold.
""Letdowntheyarn,then,andthisdriftwoodwillgiveuswhatwewant.
"Selectingatoughpieceofwood,Pierreattachedthecordtoit,andWinslowwithmuchlabordrewituptotheshelf.
"Justthething,"hesaid,slippingtheloopoverthestakeashedroveitintothecrackinposition.
Itcausedhimmanyatwingeofpain,andMarie'squickearsheardanoccasionalgroan,andhisfacehadbecomepaleagain.
Shecalledherfather'sattentiontothis.
"Youcannotfeelsureofbeingabletocomedowntheropewithonehand,"saidPierre,"thoughyouhavecourageanddetermination.
Youhavenotstrengthenough.
Wecannotgotoyoutohelpyouanymore.
Itwouldonlyaddtoyourdanger.
Theropeisnotlongenoughtoloweryoudown.
Restawhile,andwhenyouarefullypreparedtotrytherope,thetidewillbeinthecoveandafallwillbelessserious,ifsuchanaccidentshouldoccur.
"Andthen,turningtoLen,Pierrewenton:"Itistimeyouwerelookingafteryourboat.
""Iseethewaterisalreadynearingthecove,"saidWinslow,nowrestingaseasilyashecould,andshowinginhisvoiceandfacethathisstrengthwasmuchreduced.
AsLenwentawayPierresaidtoMarie,"Imustleaveyouhereforashorttime.
Willyoubeafraidtostay""No,père,butdonotbegonelong.
"Marie,withallherpitydisclosedinhereyes,wasalonewithWinslow.
Hershynesswasforgotteninthefearthatpossessedherforhissafety.
Shegazedathimsteadilyashelayagainstthecliffwithhiseyesclosedandthemarksofhisaccidentstilluponhim.
Theyremainedinthissituationforsometime,Marie'salarmbecominggreaterwithvagueuncertaintyanddoubtastheminutespassedwithoutanysignofherfather'sapproach.
Thetidehadnowcomewellintothecoveandwasrisingrapidly,movingsteadilytowardsherwhereshesat.
Shecouldnowdetectthesoundofrollingpebblesontheedgeofthetide.
Thecovewasfilledwithaloudnoiseasofsomenew,invisiblelifestirringandhurryingaboutfromonesidetotheotherandwhisperingincoherently.
Acoolbreezehadfollowedthetideandwasblowingintotheplaceingusts,andasshewatchedWinslowshecouldseeitmovehishair,orliftthelongtiethathungfromhisthroat.
HeopenedhiseyesasthesoundofPierre'svoicemadeMariestarttoherfeet.
Thenoiseofacartbumpingovertherocksfilledthecovewithloudechoes,andthevoicethatguidedthemrecalledWinslowtoaffairsabouthim.
Marierantoherfatherasheappearedinsightandspoketohim,inheranxietyexpressingherselfintheAcadiantongue.
PierrecameuptowardstheheadofthecoveandspokeencouraginglytoWinslow.
"Wewillsoonhaveyoudownnow.
Thetideiswellup,andwhenitisdeepenoughtosaveyoufromfallingupontherocksincaseanythingshouldhappentotheropeoryourstrengthshouldgiveout,youwillbesavedanymorebruises.
"PierrefearedthatWinslowcouldnotgetdowntheropewithonehand,inhispresentweakstate.
WinslowhadindeedbecomesoreducedinenergyastobeunabletoactwithoutthedirectionofPierre.
Meanwhile,theoxenwerebackedclosetowheretheropereachedtheground,andstoodpatientlyinthewater,nowrisingquicklytowardstheirbodies.
Thecartwasonthelowergroundoftheslopingbeachofthecove.
Pierrestoodreadyinthecart,reservinghisstrengthforthefinaltrial,andpermittingWinslowtorestwithoutfatiguinghimwithuselessconversation.
"Getyourselfready,"commandedPierre,puttingforceintohiswordswhichroseabovetheincreasedsoundsoftheplace.
Winslowslowlyrose,obedienttothedirectingwilloftheoldman.
"Liedownontherockneartherope.
"Thewordswereobeyed.
"Taketheropeunderyou,andholditwithyourhand.
"Painfullyhefollowedtheinstruction.
"Moveyourbodytillyourlegshangovertheshelf.
"AfewminutespassedawaywhileWinslowslowlydrewhimselfback,afewfragmentsofstoneclatteringdownashereachedthepositionindicatedbyPierre.
Herehehung,hisstrongerhandholdingtherope.
"Moveyourlegstillthelineiswoundaboutthem.
"Ashecompliedthelinewasgivenacirclingmotiontillithadwoundabouthislegsandwasheldbetweenthem.
"Keepyourlegsstiffandholdon!
"criedoutPierre,inafirmandearnesttoneofvoice.
TheordercameloudandsharptothedullsenseofWinslow,andheputallhisstrengthintoplayinadesperateeffort,hisbrainactingbytheinherentdesiretolive,andthemanresponding,thoughdully.
"Slipofftheshelf,slowly,slowly.
"InamomentWinslowwasinmidair,clingingwithonehandtotheropeheldstiffbyPierreandkeptawayfromthebluffwall.
HewasablebymeansoftheropewoundroundWinslow'slegstocontrolthespeedofhisdescent,andrelievetheweightandmuscularstrainupontheonearmhewasabletouse.
Pierrekepthimfromfallingdownupontherockssoquicklyastoinjureorperhapskillhim.
HeletWinslowslipdownslowly,nottoburnhishandsorloosenhishold.
Hecouldnotthususehisstrengthmanyminutes,andtheoldmantimedhisfallcarefully,asnotasecondcouldbelosttoensurehissafety.
Hisplacewasyetdangerous,becauseofitsheight,thoughhewasclearofthedangerousrock.
SeeingasuddenmotionofWinslow'shead,likethatofamanwhotriestokeephimselfawakeandyetnods,Pierrefeltthathewasrelaxinghisholdoftherope.
"Holdon,holdon,sir,"criedPierre,reservinghislastcommandfortheimportanttimehesawhadcome.
Immediatelytheheadroseslowly,andasthedownwardmotionwascheckedaltogether,hesawWinslow'sarmgrowmorerigidandhisfingersclaspthemselvesmorecloselyabouttherope.
AgainPierrelessenedthestrainontherope,andthealmostlimpbodybegantodescendagainslowly,thehelplessarmswingingalittle.
Inchbyinchhelowered,eachfractionoftimelesseningthedangerandbringinghimnearerthearmsoftheoldman.
Suddenly,withoutwarning,Winslow'sheadfellbackandhishandrelaxed,andslippingoutofthecontroloftheropehefellintothewaternearPierre,whowasnowuptohisarmpitsinthetide.
Seizingtheunconsciousformoftheyoungman,heborehimtothecarthigheruptheslopingbeach,andspeakingtothewell-trainedoxen,directedthemoutofthewatertothedryshore.
PierrefoundMarieinaswoon,andplacingherinthecartbesidethelifelessformofWinslow,heurgedhisoxenquicklyforwardalongthedeviouswayamongtheboulders,andsooncametotheroadleadingupwardtohishomeonthesummitoftheisland.
At"BluffCastle,"asPierre'sstonehousewascalled,Suzanneanxiouslywaited,whileoutontherisingtidetheMarie,undersail,wasmakingforsafeharbor.
WhenWinslowcametohimself,abovetheconsciousnessofpain,hefeltuponhisfacethesofttouchofawoman'shair.
ThesunthatdaywentdownandleftMinasBasininthecool,clearairofasummernight.
Blomidonlaydarkagainstthewesternheavens,pointingontheonesidetotheopenwatersoftheBayofFundy,whosebosomisamightytidewithforcesneveratrest;andontheotherhandtothemarshesoftheGrand-Préshore,fullofthefateofapeople.
CHAPTERIV.
BLUFFCASTLE.
"Wherearethehandstoguidethewaitingplow,Toswaythelumberingoxenwithastroke,Nowwaitingatthebarsforbandandyoke—Anexilecurstaswithabrandedbrow.
ThekindlywallsthatcannotshieldhimnowAreblackinembersthathaveceasedtosmoke,Wrapttenderlywithmarsh-fogsasacloak.
Thewillowsshadenogableswheretheybow.
ThewanderingexilefromdeadAcadieSeesthroughthemistofsorrowneverdoneThatmercyhasnohandheldouttosave.
Yetne'eragainthemeadowsoftheseaMayhapshallknowthisheart-sore,wearyson,Deniedthekindnessofanaliengrave.
"Winslow'srecoverywasrapid,underthecareandskillofSuzanne.
Hisleftshouldergavehimconsiderabletrouble,andhewascompelledtokeephisarminaslingforseveraldays;yetitwasnotlongafterhismishapwhenhehadstrengthenoughtowanderovertheislandandingratiatehimselfwiththefolkofPierreIsland.
AdeepfriendshipsoondrewWinslowandPierretogether,andtheyoungmanspentmuchofhistimeinthecompanyoftheolder.
Hefeltthatheowedhimadebtofgratitudethatcouldneverbepaid,whilePierretreatedthematterlightlyasregardshisownconnectionwiththerescue.
Hedealtwiththeescapeofhisyoungfriendaswithaneventthattouchedasympatheticandvitalchordinhisownheart.
Pierreopenedhishearttohimasafatherwouldwhohadrecoveredalostson.
Adeepfriendshipdevelopedanddrewthemtogetherinabondoffellowshipandmutualconfidence.
Winslowwasnowdomiciledat"BluffCastle,"wherehissimpleandmodesttastes,hisgood-natureandhisquiettact,pleasedtheoldAcadianandthewomenofhishousehold.
Pierrecarriedwithhimintohisdailylifetheruralsimplicityofthepeasant,andacertaindignityandkindnesswhichneverlefthim.
Hiswasacalmandquietoldage,farremovedfromtheworld,andfreefromitsweaknessesandsordidinfluencesanditscommonfailings.
ThephilosophersofoldhadthenatureofthisoldAcadian,wiseintheexperiencespeculiartotheirenvironments,andtruetothosehighprinciplesoflivingwhichonlymenlearnwhocontemplatewithcorrectjudgmenttheeventsoftheirexistenceandaimatthehighestpointforthepurposeoftheirlife.
Temperedwithalonglifeoflabor,rearedandtrainedwithinthesightandinfluenceofthemightychangesofelementalnature,andinconstantcommunicationwithitsforces,andatlastmadewiseattheshrineofsorrow,PierreseemedtoWinslowtheembodimentofthehighestqualitiesofripeandnobleoldage.
PierrefoundhimselfdrawntoWinslowashewouldhavebeentohisownsonhadnotanaccidentcuthimoffinhisyoungmanhood.
Becauseofthisgreatestlossanditsresultingsorrow,thewholetendencyandpurposeofhislifehadbeenchanged,andinhisonlydaughter,Marie,hehadplacedthewholeofhisaffectionandhopeandpurposeoflife.
Yetthemaidenhadbecomeagreatfeartohimintheelementofuncertaintywhichnecessarilyaffectedhisviewofherfutureyears.
Thefatherrealizedhisageandtheyouthofthedaughter,andthedifficultiesthatmightatanytimesurroundherifhewereremovedbydeath.
Heyetmournedhiswife,andfeltthathislifewasbrokenbythelossofhisson,buthefacedthefuturecalmlyandwithoutfear,saveforthethoughtofhisdaughter.
Inheryoungwomanhoodshemadetheonlyconcernofhislife,andtherewasasyetnopromiseforthefuture.
Yetinherwashisonlylife.
ToherwoulddescendallthetitleandhistoryoftheGotros,forthefirsttimesincethegreatbanishmentoftheAcadiansin1755withoutamalerepresentative.
Thenamewasvirtuallyextinctandthehousebrokenwhenhepassedaway.
"ThisstonehouseoftheGotrosisknownamongtheAcadiansas'PierreLogis,'andhasbeenthehomeofthePierres,astheGotrosofthedirectlineareknown,eversinceyourancestorremovedourpeoplefromGrand-Pré,"saidtheoldman,pointingtohishouse.
"Tellme,goodfriend,"saidWinslow,"howthiscametobechosenbytheGotrosasaplaceofresidence,andhowtheyescapedthepersecutionthatfollowedyourpeopleevenaftertheyweredrivenfromtheirlandsandseparated.
""Itisalongstory,fullofcrueltyandsuffering,"answeredtheoldman,sadly.
"WemustgobackalmosttothefirstsettlementofGrand-Pré.
Ournamebecameverynumerous,andthengraduallythroughcenturiesdiedout.
Iamthelastofourline,—thelastofthenamePierreGotro.
"Theoldmanremainedforsomemomentsinthought,andashadeofsadnessrestingonhisfacedarkenedthedepthsofhiseyes.
Hismindseemedtobedwellinguponthethingsofthepast,andhisthoughtsshapedthemselvesatlastinwordscalmandunimpassioned,asonewhodealswithreveredthings.
Thestrengthofhisheartandmind,thechasteningexperiencesofhislife,thephilosophicalcastofhisreasonandunderstanding,gavedignitytohisutterances,andimpressedWinslowwiththenobilityofthissonoftoil.
Hebeganthestoryofhispeopleandhisfamily.
"ThefirstGotrocametoGrand-PréfromPortRoyal,nowcalledAnnapolis,afterthatplacehadbeensettledforeightyyears.
Itsentoffitspeoplelikeahiveinsummerwhen,overcrowded,theyoungbeesarecompelledtoseekanewhome.
ThegreatmeadowsofGrand-Préwerewaitingunpeopled,andinafewyearsbecamethelargestoftheAcadiancentres.
Thewholesectiononthesouthyonder,calledMinas,"pointingwithhisarmacrossthewatertothebluehillsinthesouth,thirtymilesdistant,"sawfourgenerationsofoursons,whohadbecomeaprosperousandcontentedpeople.
"TheGotrosinparticularwerefavorabletoEnglishrule,astheyhadrichandlargepossessionsoflandandwereanxioustoavoidtroublewiththepeopleofothernationality.
Yet,withalltheotherAcadianpeoplewhohadtakentheoathofallegiancetotheEnglishcrown,theyrefusedtothelasttotakeuparmsagainsttheirownkindredandnationality,astheywereexpectedtodobytheprovincialgovernorswhoproposedthemeasure.
Thisrefusalontheirpartservedasapretextforremovingthemin1755fromtheprovince.
"Youknowhowallthepeoplewerecalledtotheirchurch,deceivedbytheorderwhichdeclaredthatitwasthecommandoftheking,andthattheyweretohearthewishesoftheEnglishkinginregardtothemselves.
Expectingasettlementofalltheirdifficulties,theywerethusentrappedandforciblyremovedfromtheirhomes,andallthehouses,barnsandmillsofGrand-Prédestroyedbyfire.
""ThehistoryofPierreGotrodoesnotrelatetothoseofourracewhowereremoved.
ThefirstPierreGotrowhomadethisislandhishomewasknownas'PecheGotro,'becauseofhisfondnessforfishing,andhisskillinthatcalling.
Hewasbutayoungmanatthetime,notbeingmarried,andwasbutoneofthenumerousnameinMinas.
Pierreownedafishingboat,andhadbeenawayfishingduringthesummer.
Whilethesalmonranhelivednearthisisland.
Havinginjuredhisboat,hewasbelatedinhisreturntoGrandPré.
BeforetheboatwasreadytosailhesawtheNewEnglandshipssailintotheBasin,andfromtheislandhesawthematanchororsailingaboutonthewatersatthesouthofthebasin.
Othershipscameafter,andhelearnedfromIndiansandescapingAcadianswhatwashappeningatGrandPré.
"PierreIslandatthattimemadeasaferetreat.
Itwasalmostinaccessiblesavebyanarrowanddangerouspathwhichanimalshaddiscoveredandkeptopenbyconstantuse.
Theslopeoftheislandwhichhastheroadleadingupherewasnotconnectedwiththebeach,forthelowestpointofitatthattimewasnearlyfiftyfeethigh,andwasbuiltupasitisnowaftermanyyearsoflaborwhenitwasfinallysafeforanAcadiantoreturntoNovaScotia.
"HerePierremadehishome.
Inthecovewhereyouwerehurthekepthisboat,thechannelthitherbeingthroughalonganddangerousspaceofboulders.
"ItisstrangethattheAcadianseverattemptedtoreturntoacountrywheretheyhadreceivedsuchcrueltreatment.
Itwouldhaveseemedmorepleasingtothemtogoamongtheirownpeopleinotherplaces,wheretheywouldnothavebeensubjectedtosuchsevereandunjusttreatment,aftertheyhadbeenseparatedandbrokenasapeople.
Yettheyreturned.
AndthusitwasthatPierrecametotakepossessionofthisisland.
HesawtheshipssailoutoftheBasin.
HesawtheglareofmanyfiresthattoldofthefateofthehomesoftheAcadians,hisownpeople.
Hefelthimselfasmuchanoutcastasifhehadbeenonashipdestinedforastrangecountryandanunfriendlypeople.
"WiththebuildingofthestonehousePierrebeganthelongandlonelylifewhichopensthehistoryofPierreIsland.
Monthsofterribledoubtastothefateofhisownkindred,andtheprivationwhichbesethimturnedtheyoungmanintoanoldmanbeforehistime.
Wintersetinandcuthimofffromhishome,orwhathadbeenhishome.
Hissupplyofsaltedfish,withotherprovisionshehadprovidentlygathered,sustainedhim.
Butforeightyearshenevertastedbread.
InsixyearstheNewEnglandsettlershadhomesontheAcadianlands.
Eachyearbroughtmorepeople.
TheexiledAcadiansthemselvesfoundtheirwaybacktotheirowncountry,butnottotheplaceswhichhadbeentheirhomes.
Manyofthemwhohadescapedthedangersofthesea,andthediseasethatbrokeoutontheships,diedonthelongmarchbacktoAcadia.
Theytoiledonthroughathousandmilesofwilderness.
Governmentpersecutionfinallyceased,butformanyyearstheywerehatedbymanyofthenewsettlers,andweregladtoescapefromthemintothewoodsandtomakehomesagaininthewilderness.
OntheirfinelandstheEnglishsettlerscouldnotatfirstsupportthemselves,andhadtogetaidfromthegovernment.
TheAcadians,inspiteofthemanydisadvantagesoftheirnewlifeandthechangedconditionsoftheirexistence,throvewithouthelp,andinthecourseofafewyearshadnumerouscolonies.
Inthiswaythepeoplehavelearnedtodowithlittle,andlearnedthevalueofhardlabor,whileintheirinmostsoulswasplantedthemelancholyofahuntedandoppressedrace.
"Pierreinhislonelylifelearnedwisdomandacquiredgreatskillinthechaseandonthewater.
Itwasmanylongyearsbeforehelearnedofhisownfamilyandrelatives,andofthecruelfateofthenumerousGotros.
Intwentyyearsbutfewremained.
Theirlargepossessions,whichhadincludedalmostallofthepresentvillageofGrand-Pré,andalargeandrichfamily,werereducedtoafewheart-brokenandhopelessoldmenandwomen.
"AtfortyyearsofagePierremarriedoneofhisownpeoplewhohadreturnedtohercountryafteryearsofwanderingandprivation.
ShewasanAcadianwomanwhomhehadknownatGrand-Pré.
Fortwentyyearshehadlivedaloneonthisisland,andhadclearedenoughlandtoraisethenecessariesofdailylife,andbymeansofhisfishingheaddedtohissmallwealth.
Hehadbuiltthestonehouse,andhadraisedupwithstoneandeartharoadfromthebeachtotheslopebywhichwecomeuptoBluffCastle.
"FourgenerationsofPierresendwithme,"saidtheoldman,sadly.
"WhenIamplacedwiththosewhosegravesareinsightofthelandlosttothemwhiletheylived,andwheretheirancestorsliewithoutastoneormarktoshowthewayfarer,whenIliedownwiththemthePierreswillbenomore.
"ThatisthestoryofBluffCastle.
EachPierreinturnwenttohisownpeopleandchoseawife,andmarryingherbroughtherhere.
HerethewivesofthePierresdiedandwereburied.
Thedaughtershavenevermarriedtillmysisterbrokethelawestablishedinthefamilyafterthedeportation.
ThatlawrequiredthatnofemaleshouldmarryifthePierreGotroshouldcontinueandthenamebeperpetuated.
"Wehadcometolookuponthisasanoldfamilytradition,withoutmeaning,andbelongingtoanearlierandsuperstitioustime.
Theyhadplacedmuchimportanceontheperpetuationofthename,anddeemeditnottoogreatasacrificeifthefemalesofthefamilyremainedunmarried.
Ididnotthinkitjustifiabletomakethewholelifeofmysisterboundtotheobservanceofit.
Indeed,herownspiritrebelledagainsttheacceptanceofthatoldfamilylawaftershehadbeenawaytoschoolandhadbecomeimbuedwiththeideasofalatergeneration.
"Well,"continuedPierre,"mysistermarried.
Shediedofaterriblediseaseinamonth,andherhusbandfollowednotlongafter.
ThencamethefateofthePierres.
Myonlysonwasdrowned.
AsifthedreadfulbrokenvowoftheGotroswerenotyetexpiated,mywifesickenedandpassedaway,notsoon,butafteralingeringillnessofyears,forcinguponmyunbelievingheartthetruthofthelegendofourfamily,andthebeliefthattheendofthePierreswasindeedtocomewithmyself.
Ihaverejectedthebeliefallmylifesincethelastlossthatcametomethroughthedeathofmywife.
Irejectitto-dayasIseemyselfthelastofthePierreGotrosofthedirectline.
IlookaboutmeatPierreLogis,andattheplaceofourlaborfornearlyahundredandfiftyyears.
Ourpridewasplacedinaname.
Ourpridewilldieasournamewillgoout.
Theeffectofsoselfishanobjectandsopersonaladesireismanifestinourfamilynow.
Theoncedespisedandunconsideredfemaleelementofthenametakesupthefamilyline,anduponawomandependsthecontinuanceoftheGotroblood,forthenameissoontobelost.
"Theoldmanpaused,gazingtowardstheplacewherelaytheGotros,thedarkstonesstandinginmutetestimonyoftheprideofafamily,andthenoblemaninhisgreatgriefandfirmsubmissiontothefatalresultofthatprideblottedoutinthejudgmentbookallthatwasscoredagainsttheGotros.
Hewasthenoblestofthemall,thisGotro,thelastofthePierres.
CHAPTERV.
THEHEIRTOGRAND-PR.
"Alongmyfather'sdykesIroamagain,Amongthewillowsbytheriverside,ThesemilesofgreenIknowfromhilltotide,Andeverycreekandriver'sruddystain.
Neglectedlongandshunned,ourdeadhavelain,Herewhereapeople'sdearesthopehaddied.
"FrankWinslowwasmoreandmoredrawntoPierreashecontinuedthehistoryoftheGotrosandhisconnectionwiththem.
Helookedathimnowashestoodthoughtfullygazingabouthimuponthescenewhichwouldchangeitscharacterwhenhedied,andwhichhadbeenunchangedforoveracentury.
Hemusthavefeltthattohimwereentrustedthetraditionsofafamilyandaname.
Hiswasthedutytobefulfilledintheaccomplishmentofapurposethathadcometohimthroughfourgenerations.
Inhimwasthedeathofthisaim,andtheendofthenameassociatedwiththatpurpose.
Innotcomplyingwiththeconditionsofthetrustimposeduponhim,washereallytoblameforthefinalfailureofthatgreatambitiouspurposetransmittedthroughsomanyofhisancestorsandconditionedwithsomanydifficultiesWinslowfeltthatastrangefatalityhadfollowedupontheactionsofPierre,andacruelpunishmenthadcomeonhimfortheviolationoftheGotrotraditions.
Hiscasehadbeenamostremarkableone.
Ashethoughtoftheyearsofsorrowtheoldmanhadhadtoendure,andhadbornesofaithfullyandwithoutmurmur,hesawinPierreacompleteexpiationforanyblamethatmightstandagainsthim.
Thespellwasbroken.
ThepunishmentforthebrokenfamilylawwasfullymetedoutinPierre'slife.
Heyetsufferedforhisact,buthehadsacrificedhimselftorelieveothers.
Ifhedidwrong,ormadeamistake,heborethepenaltyofitinhimselfthatnobodyelsemightsuffer.
WhileWinslowmusedthus,andfeltthesorrowthatmustbemovingtheheartofhisagedfriend,hecouldnotgivevoicetohissympathy,forherealizedthatsuchagriefwasbeyondhisrangeofexpressionincondolence.
Wordswouldhavebeenoutofplace.
Hecouldbutwait.
Hefelthisfeelingspledgedtosupporttheoldmaninhisdeepgrief.
Whiletheyweresilent,eachguidedbyhispeculiaremotions,Pierre'sbeautifuldaughterappearedatthedoorofthestonehouse.
Seeingthetwomen,sheapproachedquickly,andbeforeherfatherwasawareofherpresenceshehadplacedherhanduponhisarmandlaughinglycalledhimfromhisreverie.
"Père!
"Pierreturnedtoher,andwithasmileplacedhishanduponhershoulder,sayingtoWinslowashedidso:"TothisgirlhavethegenerationsofthePierrescome.
Whatremainsoftheirproudambitionsandlifelongdesiresdieswithme.
Inhermaybeginthebetterlife,freefromthosesterntraditions,thatmaymakethebloodoftheGotrospureagain,eventhoughthenamebeneverrevivedagaininus.
""Youhavebeenkeptapartfromyourownpeopleeven,bythepurposeyourancestorsimposed.
Ithasisolatedyou,"saidWinslow.
HedidnotsaywhatwasinhismindconcerningMarie.
Hedidnotexpressthedesireheexperiencedtotakeuponhimselftheguardianshipofthismaiden,shouldoccasionrequireit.
Hedeterminedthatshewouldnotbeentirelyaloneorwithoutprotectionifthecareofthefatherweretakenfromher.
Henotedtheloveoftheoldmanforthisgirl.
Herealizedtheanxietyofthefather,whohadbeenalmostamotheraswell,forthelovelychargewhichhadbeenlefttohiscare.
ThisfixedWinslow'sresolvetotaketheoldman'splacewheneveritshouldbenecessary.
Hedidnotfeelthathecoulddisclosethefeelingsthatmovedhimonthesubject,althoughheknewthatPierrereciprocatedthefriendshipWinslowhadforhim.
HedesiredtotellPierrethatheneedhavenofear.
Yethecouldnotdoso,certainlynotbeforetheyoungwoman.
Thesituationwasdelicate,andonlytimecouldshowhowtheystoodtoeachother.
Pierre,thoughanoldman,lookedsostrongandhalethatheknewinallprobabilityhewouldaddtwodecadestohislife,andbythattimehisdaughterwouldbeofsufficientagetobenolongeracauseofanxiety.
Winslowlookeduponhisself-imposedtaskasamatterofcourse.
Hewasayoungman,buttheworkofhislifehadmaturedhimearly,andthepeculiarcharacterofhisexperienceshadthrownhimincontactwitholdermenratherthanwiththethingsofyouth.
HelookeduponMarieasachild.
Shedidnotimpresshiminanyotherway.
Andasachildhedealtwithher,andgavehersuchaplaceinhismindasmadehimnowresolvetobecome,asitwere,afathertohershouldshebeleftintheworldwithoutaprotector.
Hefoundanotherconditioninhislifefromthatmoment.
Hewasnolongeraloneandwithbuthimselftoconsiderhenceforth.
HedeemeditasacredtrustplaceduponhimbythefriendshipthathadsprungupbetweenthelastPierreandhimself.
TheoldmanagainturnedtoWinslow,andholdinghisdaughter'shand,said:"Tothisgirl,afterIamgone,belongsGrand-Pré.
LongagothePierreslearnedofthedeathofallwhohadlandthere,andbythemarriageofthesecondPierreheunitedinhisfamilyalltitleandclaimtoGrand-Pré.
Fromthisyoumaybelievesprungthedesiretomaintainandperpetuatetheownershipthattheyvainlyhopedmighteventuallybeenjoyedinthepossessionoflandthathadbeentakenfromthem.
Thisdesireandhopeledtoacarethattheinterestsshouldnotbelostordivided,andhencearosethetraditionsofthePierreGotros,andthepenaltyofanyinfringementofthefamilylaw.
Thattherecouldbebutonemaleheirwasanimperativecondition.
Thefateofthefamilywascastupononeson.
Ifthereshouldbeadaughtersheshouldnotmarry.
Therehasbeenbutoneson,andnodaughtermarriedtillmysisterbroketheestablishedlaw.
"ThatIamheirtoGrand-Prégivesmenoconcern.
Whatwasonceourlandisnevertoreturntous.
Wehavewaitedforacentury.
ThepersonswhonowclaimitandwhodwelluponitrecognizenoclaimmadebyanyAcadianforthelandofhisfathers.
Thegovernmenthasatnotimeconsideredtherightorwrongofreturningittotheheirsoftheoriginalowners.
Ithasallpassedoutofourhands,andIseenohope,nopossibilityofchance,remoteorotherwise,ofthelandoftheGotros,thehomeofthePierres,theGrand-Préofourdesireandambition,everbeingputbackintoourhandsagain.
Wecanbutpointtothatbeautifulcountryandsaythatitwasonceours.
Notatraceofouroccupationremains,anditisnevertoseeusmore.
AtmytimeoflifeIcannotfeelregretatthis.
WhatImayhaveoncethoughtofitdoesnotconcernmenow.
MydaughterisheirtoallmyclaimsuponGrand-Pré.
Butthepenaltiesshallneverfalltoher.
Ifeelthatthepurposeofourfamilydieswithme.
Indeeditisnowdead.
Marieentersuponanewleaseoflifenotembarrassedbythetraditionsofafamily,andnotrestrainedbytheconditionsplaceduponthePierres.
Ithascostourfamilymuchtofreeher,ifthereisanymeaninginwhathasbeenexperienced.
Butthatisdone.
"IthasalwaysseemedstrangetomethatthehopeoftheGotroslivedsolong.
Itmusthavegrownoutofthegreatloveourpeoplehavealwayshadfortheirhomes.
Itmusthavebeenthislovethatbroughtthembackafterthedeportation.
ItcertainlyboundseveralgenerationsofthemtoahopelesspurposeofonedaybeingabletoreturntoGrand-Pré.
Grand-Prévillage,youmustunderstand,was,incomparisonwiththecountryusuallycalledGrand-Pré,butasmallpart.
Lessthantwentyfamilieswereincludedinthevillage,yetitwasarichvillage,thechoicestofallMinas.
Itgaveitsnametoalmostthewholesection.
Ithadthechurch,inwhichthepeoplewerekeptprisoners.
Nearitontheeastistheburyingground,to-daywithoutamarktotellwhereourpeoplesleep.
"YourwritersandhistoriansforyearshavebeenjustifyingtheactofthatpeoplewhoremovedtheAcadians.
Simplestatementofthecasewasnotdeemedsufficient,andallkindsofreasonshavebeenstatedtogivefoundationforthedeportation.
PerhapsyoudonotknowthatfactshavecometolightwithinafewyearswhichprovebeyondadoubtthatthegovernoroftheprovinceofNovaScotia,Lawrence,wasthechiefinstrumentinbringingabouttheremovaloftheAcadians.
ThecountryunderhisadministrationhadalargeFrenchpopulation.
LawrencehatedtheAcadians,andbyharshtreatment,arbitrarymanner,andirritatingrestrictionsputupontheirmovementshedrovethemtotheextremeoffearandunhappiness.
Hecompelledthemtolookuponhimasanenemy,andtoexpectanyviolenceathishands.
Hehaddeterminedtogetridofthem,anddrovethemtodesperationtodosomethingthatwouldgiveareasonforremovingthem.
HekeptuptheagitationagainsttheminNewEnglandbyfalsestatementsastotheirbehaviourandattitudetowardstheEnglish.
Atthelast,inspiteofhisefforts,hehadtomakeaccusationsthatwerewithoutfoundationtogiveashowofreasonforremovingthem.
Yetallthiseffortagainstthepeople,andthedeportationitself,werecontrarytotheexpressedwishesofthegovernmentofEngland,andorderscame,buttoolate,tostayanyattemptatremovingtheAcadianpeopleoutofthecountry.
Asmaybeexpected,therecordsofLawrence'sadministrationstandagainstthepeople.
Thegeniusthatcoulddeveloptheschemeofremovingapeoplefromtheirhomes,andleavethemtothemercyofsuchcruelcircumstancesandunfavorableconditions,couldwellbeexpectedtomaketherecordofhistermofofficeseemtostandagainstthispeople.
AccordingtothereportsanddocumentsofhisadministrationtheAcadiansarecondemned,thatis,intherecordsthathavebeenpreserved.
Butstrangetosay,manyrecordsofcertainimportantperiodshavebeenaltogetherlostordestroyed.
Thissilenceofhistoryisconstruedagainstourpeople.
"Manyofyourpeoplewhovisithere,andcometotheisland,"continuedPierre,"sendmebooksandhistoriesthatareprintedfromtimetotimedealingwiththequestionofthedeportation.
""Yes,"saidWinslow,"Ihavejustreadabookbyone,awell-knownCanadianwriter,whomostunfairlyandslightinglydealswithyourpeople,andignoresutterlythelatestacceptedstatementsofhistory.
""OurfamiliesbearwitnesstothehatredoftheNewEnglandpeopletotheunfortunateandhomelessracewhentheywerethrownhelplessamongthem.
Manytalesofcrueltyaretoldofthosedays.
""Itisasadstory,"saidWinslow.
"Myownkinsman,Iamsorrytosay,whenhewrotehisjournal,wasfilledwithapprehensionthatyourGrand-Prépeoplewerelikelytorise,unarmedastheywere,againsthissoldiers,andhedealtwiththeminawayonlyexcusedbythesterndemandsofdisciplineandasoldier'sduty.
Hehadtorestrainhismenfromactsofbrutalityandoppressiontheyweretooapttopractise.
ItistooevidentthattohavebeenanAcadianwastobeliabletoalmostanyoutrageatthehandsoftherudesoldiery.
Buttheotherwiseworthycolonelwassomewhatvain,andmadehistoryforhimself.
Hemadethestatementinhisjournal,andpermitsthebelief,thatalltheAcadianswerecapturedandremoved.
Amonghisprivatepapersarestatementstothecontrary,however,andheregrettedhisconnectionwiththedeportationtohisdyingday.
Hewasunderorders.
Hefulfilledhismostunpleasantduty,butonemayreadhisprotestuponeverypageofhisjournal.
Hispridewasthatofasoldierinthestrictperformanceofhisduty.
""TherewasnodesireonthepartofGovernorLawrence,"continuedWinslow,warmly,"tohavethepeopletreatedkindly.
TheywereofnofurtheruseinNovaScotia.
Indeed,theywereonlandthathedesiredtogetfromthemforotherpeople,andtheyhadlargestocksofcattlethatwouldbecomeconfiscatewhentheywereremoved.
Theirreturntotheirhomeswascontrarytohisdesireandagainstthesuccessofhisscheme.
Heendeavoredineverywaytopreventthis.
HemadelittleattempttoarrangethattheyshouldfindhomesinNewEngland,and,indeed,hefoundthattheywouldnotbepermittedtolandinmanyplaces.
Yetheworkedouthisdevilishplantogetridofthematanycost,andhethrewthemuponthecharityoftheotherprovinces.
Ifmanydiedonthewaytoourcountry,packedastheywerelikeanimalsintheholdsofthesmallvessels,andwithouthelporhopewhentheywerelandedatvariouspointsdownourcoast,andifdiseasethinnedtheirranksandhungerandfatiguekilled,thesewereagentshewasgladtohavetheaidoftolessenthepossibilityofanygreatnumbereverreturningtothelandsthattheyhadbeentakenfrom.
Hewasamostbrutalman,withstrengthofpurposetoaccomplishanythingandtobendotherstohisdesires.
"Winslowceasedspeakingwiththeflushofmanlyscornandindignationuponhisfaceandthewarmthofsincereenthusiasmglancingfromhiseyes.
Fatheranddaughterlookeduponhiminsilence.
Mariefeltthecontagionofhisfeeling,whilehispresenceandtheforceofhiswordsmovedstrongly,absorbinghereverythoughtandfeeling.
"Salmon!
Salmon!
"camealoudandexcitedvoicefromtheshorebelow.
Pierrewasrousedtoactionbythewords.
HeexplainedtoWinslowthatthefirstsalmonhadcomeuptheBasin,andthattherewerefishintheweir.
CHAPTERVI.
SALMON.
"Silversalmon,mysteryoftheseas.
""Salmon!
Salmon!
"AgainthecrywasborneuptoBluffCastlefromtheshore.
InafewminutesPierreandWinslow,followedshortlyafterbyMarieandSuzanne,hurrieddowntheroad.
Thetidewasout,andastheycameinsightoftheweirtheysawLenLawsonmovingaboutintheshallowwaterofthechannelbetweentheislandandthemainland.
Thefirstrunofsalmonoftheseasonhadcome,whichhadbeenexpectedforseveraldays.
AgainLencalledout,"Salmon!
Salmon!
"ashesawthemenapproachdownthebeach.
Hehadinhishandsalong,slightpoleabouttwelvefeetlong,andashemovedabouthestruckthewaterwithitandappearedtobemuchexcited.
"Comeon,Mr.
Winslow,"hecriedout,"hereissportforyou.
Therearefiftyofthematleast.
"Hestruckthewateragain,andWinslowcouldseetheripplesmadebyanumberoffishinrapidmotionthroughthewater.
Lowtidehadleftbutanarrowandshallowchannel,acrosswhichhadbeenplacedaweir,composedofbrush.
Thebottomofthechannelwassolidrock,andtokeeptheweirinposition,andtopreventtherapidtidescarryingitout,heavybeamshadbeenlaiddownandpinnedtotherockbedwithironbolts.
Tothesebeamswereattachedthepostssupportingtheweir.
Theplacehadbeenwellchosen.
Thewateratcertaintimesofthetidewasbutafewinchesdeepattheshallowestpoint.
Fromthispointeachwaythewaterdeepenedgradually.
Aboutfiftyyardsfromthisshallowpoint,inthedirectionthetidetakeswhenrunningout,theweirwasplaced.
Inthiswaytheshallowwaterpreventedthefishescapingbackintothesea,andtheweirshutthemofffromthewaterontheotherside.
Inthispond,sotospeak,theywerekepttillthetideroseagain.
Yettherewasabroadstretchofwaterforthemtomoveabouttoescapetheeffortsofthebeaterstostrikethem.
Atothertimesthetidedidnotfalllowenoughtoenablethesalmontobecaught.
Asithappened,thetidenowranlow,andthefishhadcomein,andtherewasconsiderableexcitementapparentintheeffortsmadetosecurethevaluablefish.
Thewaterwasperfectlyclear,andtheschoolofsalmoncouldbeseendartingabouteasilyinthedeepertide.
Often,whenseparated,theyleapedintotheair,orbrokethebrightsurfaceofthewaterintotinyrippleswhichshowedtherapidmovementsoftheirsilverybodies.
Whenintheshallowerplacestheirfinscouldbeseenastheycurvedbackintodeeperwater.
ApartyofAmericantouristsfromthehotelonthemainlandwasnowapproaching,towitnessthecaptureofthesalmon.
Winslowinafewmomentsfoundhimselfinthewater,wherehewassoonjoinedbyothers.
Eachtookupapositionandwasprovidedwithapole.
Theworknowbeganinearnest.
Thementhrashedhereandthere,andasthesalmondartedabouttheyattemptedtostrikethewaterabovethemsoastostunthemtilltheycouldbetakentotheshore.
Oftenintheexcitementsomebodywouldfallintothewater,orwouldbewellsplashedbysomebodyelse,andthusforsomeminutesthescenewasalivelyaswellasanoisyone.
Eachsalmonstunnedbyablowwascarriedtoshore,andallwerecapturedbutone,verylargeandswift,whichhadeludedtheeffortsofthebeaters.
Suddenlyitdartedintotheshadowofoneofthebeamssupportingtheweirpoles.
Seeingthis,Pierre,whohadtakennopartinthekillingofthesalmon,calledtheothermenawayfromthefish,andapproachingfromtheothersideofthelog,slippedhishandoverit.
Hetouchedthesideofthefishwithhisfingers,andatoncethesalmoninclinedtowardshishand,andinanothermomentPierreslippedhisfingersintoitsgillsandlifteditfromthewater.
TheexclamationsofsurprisethatthisfeatelicitedwereinterruptedbyloudlaughterfromLenLawson,whowashavingsomeamusementattheexpenseofoneofthestrangers.
Thisgentlemanhadremovedhisglasses,andbeingnear-sighted,hadattackedalargefishwhichhesupposedwasasalmon.
Lendrewitfromthewater,andheldituptoviewasPierrewascarryingtoshorethesalmonhehadcaught.
Itprovedtobealargeandextremelyuglyfish,withheadoutofallproportiontoitsbody,andknownasasculpin,afishwithoutanyapparentuseinnature.
AsheapproachedtoexamineitmorecloselyLenthrewittowardshim,andinsteppingbacktoavoidithefellwithasplashintothewater.
"Anothersalmon,"criedLen,ashethrewit.
"Mayyouenjoyitwhenitisserved.
"WhenthestrangerrosetohisfeetagainLenfearedthathehadgonetoofarwiththejoke,andsaid,"Iamverysorry,sir;Ididnotmeantomakeyouwet.
""It'sallright,youngman,"returnedtheother;"IamnotmuchwetterthanIwaspreviously,thankstothiskindoffun.
However,myfondnessforwaterwillneverequalwhatyoursmaybesomeday.
"Len'ssmilevanished,andanuglylookcameintohiseyes,andhemutteredsomethingunderhisbreath.
Helookedstealthilyabouthim,andmovedawayfromthepeople.
Winslowsawthewholeaffair,andwonderedwhatthemeaningofthesuddenchangeinLen'smannermeant,ashedidnotunderstandthewordsofthestranger.
Thesalmonwerenowdividedup,orsoldonthespotatahighprice,andinafewmoreminutesthetideturnedandfilledupquicklythespacebetweentheshores.
PierreandWinslowwalkeduptheroadtogether,andtheoldmanexplainedtohisfriendthemeaningofthewordsthathadsoaffectedLen.
Thestorywasinsubstanceasfollows:AnoldAcadianwomanandhergrandson,whosefatherandmotherhaddiedwhileattemptingtoreachtheirowncountryagainafterhavingbeenleftontheshoreofVirginia,hadreachedthispartoftheprovinceaftermonthsofdifficultyandhardship.
ShewaspassingthroughasettlementofEnglishpeople.
Thewholecareandhopeofherlifewereinhergrandchild.
Shehadoftengiventohimandstarvedherselfforhissake.
Shehadcarriedhimmilesandmilestosavehimfromsuffering.
Onthisdayshehadwalkedalongdistanceintheheatofthesummer,andheldhiminherarmswhileheslept.
Heawoke,andfeelingverythirsty,askedseveraltimesforadrink.
Justthenamanapproachedwithabucketofwaterwhichhehadtakenfromawellorspring.
Seeinghim,thechildagaincriedoutforadrink.
Onthisthewomanarosefromthestoneonwhichshehadrestedforamoment,andaskedthemanforasiptogiveherchild.
Themanrefusedherrequest,andpushingheraside,passedon,leavingthechildintears.
Theman'scrueltyandthetearsofthechildarousedher,andcryingoutafterthemanashelefther,shesaid:"Manofhate!
ManofSatan!
youshallthirst.
Andyoursonsfromtheirmanhoodshallthirsttillyournameshalldie.
Yourbreedshallbecursedwithwhatyoudenymychild.
""Fromthatday,"saidPierre,inconcludinghisnarrative,"thesonsofthemanhavebeenafflictedwithanawful,unquenchablethirst.
Theyareknownasthewater-cursed,andtheyaredyingout.
ItisbelievedbythepeopleherethatLenwillnotescapethewatercurse,andithasisolatedthemfromtheirownrace.
Thereareseveralwhoareafflicted,butLenhasnotcomeofageyet.
Iknowwhattheeffectuponthemhasbeen,anditisindeedacurse.
"UnfortunatelyforLen,hehasgrownintoaviolentattachmentforMarie.
NoAcadianwouldmarryavictimofthewatercurse.
""IhaveobservedevidenceofhisloveforMarie,"hereplied.
"Theyhaveknowneachotherfromchildhood,"theoldmancontinued.
"Yourdaughterisyoung,sir,anddoubtlessyouintendtocontinuehereducation"saidWinslow.
"Mariegoestoschoolinwinter,asthatseasonisseverehere.
IwishtogiveherasmuchschoolingasIcan.
IhavelittletoleaveherwhenIamgone.
"MarieinherradiantandbeautifulmaidenhoodwaswaitingforherfatheratthedoorofBluffCastle.
CHAPTERVII.
MARIE.
"Evangeline,sad-eyedwithlongingpain.
"ToMarieGotrothelastfewweekshadbeenfilledwitheventswhichwouldinfluenceherwholeexistence.
Everytendencyofherlife,everyinherentimpulseofhernature,everyimpressionmadeuponherheartbythecharacterofhergrowthandtraining,hadbeenaffectedbysomethingwhichgavenewdirectiontohersoul,andtingedherwholepersonality.
Anunknownforcehaddevelopedinherlife.
Herexistencegavehernewlightsandshadowsandfeelingsasifshehadenteredsuddenlyintoanewworld.
Hithertonothoughthadevercometoherastoherfuture.
Heryoungwomanhoodwasyetpervadedwiththeglowandwiththehappyeaseofanunrestrainedchildhood.
Shehadlivedundertheinfluenceofconditionswhichhadmadenoespecialdemanduponher,andshehadfollowedthedirectionofotherwillsthanherown,andknewnoforcewithinherselfwhichruledherbutforthemoment.
Shelovedherfather,andlivedinthelifehehadmadeforher,uninfluencedbythesecretcareandsolicitudeheoftenfoundtroublinghissoulforherfuture.
Shehadnotyetfullycomeoutofchildhoodtoindulgeindreamsoffreshyouth,ortofeelthemelancholypiningsofamorematureintellectandamorehighlydevelopedphysicalbeing.
Oflateaslightmelancholyhadcomeuponherattimes,theinheritanceofallherrace,andthenaturaltendencyofanaturesuchashers.
Yettherewasnothingdefinedinherfeelings.
Anexquisiteemotionduringsuchperiods,withoutanyplayofintellect,gaveheravagueandyetpowerfulfeelingbeyondexpressioninwords,andpotentinitsinfluenceuponher.
Unknowntoherself,theseforcesofheryoungsoulwereatthesanctionofherheartandeyesreadytofixthemselvesuponsomeobjectwhichallhernaturecouldnotresist,andwhichhenceforthwouldmakethepurposewhichwaslackingandwhichwouldmouldherwholelife.
Thispurposewasnowoutlinedinhersoul.
Thestronglightofdesirehadcometoher,andgaveadifferentvaluetolife,andmadeahopewhichthrilledwithexpectation,andcreatedafutureasifanewexistencehadsuddenlybeenrealized.
Inanobjectoutsideherselfwerecentredalltheforcesofherbeing.
Sherealizedherselfnolongerastheindividualityofafewdaysprevious.
Shereachedouttosomethingbeyondher,andatthesametimeoutofherreach,withallthepassionherheartwascapableof,suddenlystrengthenedintothefullmaturityofwomanhoodandconsciousofthewholeandsingledesireofherlife.
UnfortunatelyforMarie,shewasnotmadehappybythesuddenbirthoflove.
Hernature'srapiddevelopmentshewasnotpreparedfor.
Shefoundherselfwithfeelingsthatwerenewtoher.
Thepainwasasunfamiliarasthelovethatcausedit.
Shewas,however,allyouth,readytobemoulded,easyofinfluence,immatureinexperiences,andinthepeculiarstrengthofherlifecapableofmuchsufferingandofmuchhappiness.
Thechangeofherlifecamequickly.
Therewasnodoubtofitsreality,therewasnohesitationinmeetingitorresistanceonherparttotheinfluencethatruledher.
Shelovedwithallthestrengthofherbeing.
Withherlove,Mariecametotherealizationofagreathelplessness.
Greaterthanallthedreamsandhopesarethedoubtsofyounglove.
Inherself-abasementshemadeahouseofgriefforherself.
Insilenceandinsecretshedweltwithhernewlife.
NeitherherfathernoroldSuzanneknewofthechangeinherlife.
ThepresenceofWinslowatBluffCastleplacednorestraintuponthemembersofthehousehold,forhisquietandnaturalmannerandunconventionalmodeoflifesoonmadehimintimatewithSuzanneaswellaswithPierre.
Marielaughedlessthanwasherwont.
PierreandWinslowwerethrownmoreandmoreintoeachother'ssocietyasthedayspassedandastheyoungmanfoundhisstrengthagain.
TheoldAcadianwomanwasmoreoccupiedwiththedutiesofthehouse.
Mariewanderedalonemuchofthetime,sometimesonthebeachabouttheisland,orwatchedfromthesummitthepassingoftheshipscomingandgoingwiththetide.
ThechangeinMariedidnotarouseattention.
SheseldomaddressedWinslow,andatthosetimeswithamodestyandcolorofcheekwhichleftonhismindtheimpressionthatMariewasextremelyshyandwithoutexperience.
Yetattimeshesawinhereyesadepthofexpressionandwarmthofcolorwhichlefthimuncertainastowhatmeaningtheyconveyed.
PierreandWinslowintheirconversationtalkedoftheAcadiansoften.
OneeveningtheirconversationturnedtoLongfellow,whohadneverseenNovaScotia,andyetinhispoem,"Evangeline,"hasdescribedGrand-Présoaccurately.
WinslowquotedsomelinesandwassuddenlyattractedbythepensivefaceofMarie,who,lostinthought,wasfollowingthewords,herlargebrowneyesfixeduponhim.
"Satbysomenamelessgrave"SatbysomenamelessgraveAndthoughtthatperhapsinitsbosomhewasalreadyatrest,Andshelongedtoslumberbesidehim.
""Itisabeautifulpoem,"continuedWinslow,"andasadstory.
WhattheorydoyouholdinregardtotheoriginofthestoryIhaveknownthatitisacommonbeliefthatitcametoLongfellowthroughHawthorne,whogotitfromapriest.
Longfellowaskedthenovelistfortheprivilegeofusingthestoryforapoem,ashedidnotcaretomakeanythingofit.
ThepriestgotthestoryfromarelativeofthehistorianHaliburton,whoknewmanyofthereturnedAcadians.
""ThestoryofayoungAcadianwoman,"saidPierre,"whowassentawayononeshipandherhusbandonanother,andoftheirhavingwanderedoverthecountryinsearchofeachotherforyears,wastoldamongourpeopleintheearlypartofthiscentury.
Itwasonlyoneofthemanysadtalestheymadecurrent,andmanyhomesto-daypreservetraditionsofthesufferingsoftheirforefathersinthoseawfuldays.
""Thentherewasakerneloffactaboutwhichtheincidentsofthepoem,'Evangeline,'wereformed.
""Thename'Evangeline'waschosenbyLongfellowinpreferenceto'Celestine'and'Gabrielle.
'""Theprivilegeofthepoetforthepurposeofthepoem,"smiledWinslow.
"Itmightjustaswellhavebeen'Marie,'"lookingattheyoungwomanashespoke.
"Thatwasindeedhername,"Pierreadded.
"MarieLandryandJacqueHebert.
ThestoryhasbeentoldtomanygenerationsofAcadians.
"Marieblushedviolently,anddroppedhereyes,whichuntilthenhadbeenfixeduponhimandPierreinturn,obliviousofherselftilladdressed.
"YourdaughtermuchresemblesthatfamouspictureofEvangelinebyanEnglishpainter,ThomasFaed.
Indeed,Ibelievethatthepicture,whileverybeautifulinthesuggestionofstrengthofcharacterandofahightypeoflovingwomanhood,isbuttheidealizationofyourAcadianwomen.
"Pierredidnotreplytothis,butlookedathisdaughterintentlyforsometime.
Heprobablysawinhersomeresemblancetohisdeadwife.
InthesilencethatfollowedWinslowstilllookedattheyoungwoman,studyingherfaceandmuchstruckwiththewonderfulbeautyofit.
Histhoughtsdriftedonundertheinfluenceofheryoung,freshloveliness,andheexperiencedanundefinedandpleasantsenseofsomethingswayinghimforthemoment.
So,whileWinslowwasrecoveringtheuseofhisshoulderandarm,theoldmanwashisfrequentcompanion,andtheywerebeingdrawnintocloserrelationship.
ItwasasifthehouseofPierrehadfoundason.
Butinfindingthesontheyounglifeofthedaughterwaslost,andinitsplacewasthenewlifeofthewoman,withherdaysmadeupofthefeelingsandimpulses,thedoubtsanddesiresoftheheart.
AnotherfactinthechangedconditionsofherlifewashersuddenaversiontoLenLawson.
PrevioustothecomingofWinslowshehadsimplyfeltamusedorannoyedathim,accordingtoherhumororhisbehaviour.
TheyoungfellowhadseenwithwhatfavorhisemployerhadbeenreceivedbytheinhabitantsofBluffCastle.
Thisfactdrovehimtoactsofattention,moreorlesseager,whichMariedidnotlike.
Hepersistedofteninappearingbeforeherwhenshepreferredtobealone.
Whatshehadformerlyreceivedwithindifferenceorslightvexationshenowsawwithfear,andshefeltaconsciousnessofherselfwhichwasnewtoher,sothatsheshunnedLeninawaythatarousedinhimfitsofangerandupbraidings.
WhenWinslowwasnotoutinLen'sboatexaminingtheshoresandstudyingthetidesandtheirchanges,Lenwasoftenattheislandtoaccompanyhimonsomeexcursionortoreceivehisinstructions.
WinslowknewofLen'sattachmentforMarie,andoftenhadopportunitytoobservethemboth.
Henotedparticularlytheeffecthispresencehaduponher,andtofreeherfromhisrudeattentionsheoftensentLenoffuponlongtrips,ortookhimawayfordayswhenhisstrengthfinallypermittedhimtoundergotheexertion.
OftenhiserrandsdidnotseemtoLentohaveanyotherpurposethantoridMarieofhim.
Asthisfeelinggrew,hismannerchangedtowardshisemployer.
Therewassooninhismindanothercauseforthischange.
HebegantobelievethatWinslow'sfancyforMariehadalteredhertreatmentofhimself.
Atlast,hebegantouseWinslow'snameinthemannerofanaccusationagainsttheyoungwoman,andthebittertoneheindulgedinoftenbroughtaflashofangertohereyes.
Inthiswayhebecamemoreandmoreoffensivetoher,andintheendheragitationovercameherangerwhenshethoughtthatbysomechanceWinslowshouldlearnthathewasthecause,onthepartofbothLenandherself,ofthepresentdifficulty.
"Whywillyounotsailwithme,Marie"Lenwouldsometimesaskher.
"YouareintheemployofMr.
Winslownow,"shewouldperhapsreply.
"IfyouthinkIshoulddoso,Iwilltellhimyouwanttogosailing.
Hewillnotrefuseit.
""No,no!
Don'taskhim,"Mariewouldexclaim;"itisnotnecessary.
""Thenyouwillgo""Perhaps,sometime,"Mariewouldsay,gladofachancetoescape.
AfterafewsuchscenesLen'sangerwouldbreakforth,andshewouldabruptlyleavehim,whilehewouldcryafterherthatshewasafraidofWinslow.
Itwasreallythecaseafterawhile.
MariefearedbothLenandWinslow.
InthiswayMariewasdriventotheextremityofdislikingLenandavoidinghimasmuchasshecouldpossiblydoso.
AllthismadeitmoredifficultforhertoassumeaneasyandnaturalmannerinthepresenceofWinslow.
Therestraintitputuponhermadeitimpossibleforhertoreceivehimintoherdailylifeasshemightotherwisehavedone.
Italsoaffectedherpositionwithregardtohim,andlefthimwithoutatrueestimateofhercharacter,attractiveasshewasinfeatureandinthecharmofherfreshyouth.
HewastoacertainextentinfluencedbythehaloofromancesurroundingherasthedaughterofhisvenerablefriendPierre.
Hewas,moreover,boundtoherbythebondofdutyvoluntarilyaccepted,whichhewasanxioustoperform.
Asyetnowomanhadenteredhislife.
Hisstudieshadbeenhispassionbothfromchoiceandfavorableopportunity.
InthiswaytheyoungloveofMariebeganforherself-appointedguardianandthefriendofherfather.
CHAPTERVIII.
"BLOW-ME-DOWN.
""Darkwasthycomingandwithfireanddearth;Internalshudderingsandvoicelessthroes;WhenfromtheburningdepthsthyformaroseTolieallblackandshapelessontheearth.
"FrankWinslowwasnowinthemidstofhiswork,fullyrecoveredfromtheeffectofhisaccident,andintheenthusiasmofhisinvestigations,withtheardorandstrengthofhisyoungmanhood,hekepthimselfactivelyengaged.
SometimeswithPierreandLen,andoftenwithPierrealone,hemadeexcursionstoregionsofimportantgeologicalformationsonthenumerousislandsthatstuddedthewatersoftheBasinofMinas.
HeoftenkeptLenafloatforseveraldays,muchtothevexationofthatyoungman.
TheywereagainoutonthefloodtideapproachingBlomidon,Len,asusual,atthetillerandWinslowbusywithhisglass.
ThewindwasfreshandtheMariemovedquicklyintotheshadowofthatfamousmountainofvolcanicbirth,theterminationoftherangeofhillsthatmakethebackboneofNovaScotia.
Theendofthemountainroseinfront,lyingalongtheBasinforseveralmiles,andpresentingaruggedandprecipitousfaceoverthegreaterpartofitsextent.
Hereandtherethecrownofforestextendeddownthefaceofthecliffslikeacape,whileinotherplacesthesoilwasredandstoodoutinsharpcontrasttotheblackordarkerportionsofthetrapformations.
Occasionallywereopenspacesoffarmlandwhereabarnorhousecouldbeseenperchedseeminglyontheveryedgeofthebluff.
Alongthewholefaceoftheshorelinethemountainstoodoutincovesandbayscurvingbackwardforseveralmiles.
TotheextremerighttherockterminatedinasharppointcalledCapeSplit,pointingseawardintothewatersoftheBayofFundy.
OntherightcouldbeseenthelowerlandsoftheAnnapolisValley,restinginquietbeautyonthesouthofthemountain.
Ontheextremesouth,blueinthedistance,rosetheoutlineoftheSouthMountain,makingtheotherwallofthevalley.
ThewholescenelayunderthegloriousskyofanAcadiansummer,averitable—"Tempe,valeofthegods,deep-couchedamidwoodlandandwoodland,Alldaydrowsedwiththesun,charm-drunkenwithmoonlightatmidnight,Walledfromtheworldforeverunderavaporofdreams,—Hidbytheshadowsofdreamsnotfoundbythecuriousfootstep,Sacredandsecretforever,Tempe,valeofthegods.
"—C.
G.
D.
Roberts.
"Well,Len,"saidWinslow,"youseemtoknoweverythingaboutthisgrandoldBasin:whatisthemeaningofBlomidon""Blow-me-down,sir,"answeredLen,laconically.
Theboatwasunderlightsail,asthewindwasfresh,andtheearlytidewasdrivingthemalongrapidly.
Frequentgustsofwindseemedtosweepdownuponthemfromthemountain,literallyfallinguponthesails.
OneofthesegustsstrucktheboatjustasLenansweredWinslow'squestion.
Theeffectwasstartlingandstrangeasthesquallwhirledaboutthemwithoutasignofitscoming.
"Iunderstandyourmeaning,Len,"saidWinslow,aftertheboathadrecoveredandthewindhadpassed.
Lenmadenoreply,butkeptonthealert,sheetinhandandtillerfree.
Blomidoncastadarkshadowto-daywhichthelittleboatwasnowdartingthroughunderthegreatbluffs.
Theysoonsailedintosmootherwaterandglidedalongsteadilyneartheshore.
Theircourselayjustoutsidethetide"rips,"whichroaredandfoamedwhereeddyandtidepassedeachother.
Thetidewasrisingrapidlyandinafewhourswouldbesixtyfeetdeeper,allthewaterpouringintotheBasinbetweenBlomidonandtheoppositeshoresofPartridgeIsland,fivemilesdistant.
Lenpointedoutthelonglineofbeachformedofgravelandstonethrownupbeyondthehighesttidesbytheactionofthesurf.
Behindthis"sea-wall,"manyyardsinextent,weretheexcavationsmadebythetreasurehuntersafterCaptainKidd'shiddenmoney.
Passingsouthward,theycutacrossfrompointtopointthemagnificentcurveof"BigEddy,"afterhavingexaminedforsometimeAmethystCove,sofamousforthequalityandquantityofitsamethystveins.
TheirdestinationwasIndianSprings,whereitwaspossibletoobservethejunctionofredsandstoneandtheoverlyingtrapwhichhadbeenforcedupandpouredovertheearthduringagreatinternaldisturbance.
LeavingLentolookaftertheboat,Winslowspentthegreaterpartofthedayalone.
Hehadproceededalongtheshoreforseveralmiles,fullyabsorbedbyhisinvestigations,whenhesawbytheheightofthetidethatitwastimeforhimtoreturntotheboat.
Theformationoftheredsandstoneyetdrewhimonwardtillhesaw,abouthalfamileaheadofhim,thatthefaceofthebluffwasalmostperpendiculartothebeach,andthatthewavesofthetidewerewashingagainstthefaceoftherock,thuscuttingofffartherpassage.
Ashestoodexaminingtheelevatedrockyshoreonwhichhenowstood,heheardavoicebelowhim,andturninghesawayoungwomanwhohadjustrisenintoviewfrombehindalargeboulder.
Seeinghim,shespokehurriedlyandwithseriousface.
"Oh,sir,areyouacquaintedwiththesetidesIfso,dopraytellushowlongitmaybebeforewecanpassthatpointwhichthetidereachesyonder""Hightidewillnotbeforanhour,"saidWinslow,lookingathiswatchasheapproachedher.
"Itwillbeanotherhour,perhaps,beforethetidewillrecedetoenableyoutopassthepoint.
""Oh,whatshallwedo"saidanothervoice,proceedingfromthesamerock.
Ashecamenearerhesawanotheryoungwoman,withalookofutterdespair,seateduponastone,herheadrestingonbothhands.
"Oh,Grace,whatshallwedoMotherwillbesofrightenedatourabsence,andyouknowsheisnotyetstrongafterherillness.
Oh,sir,canyouhelpustoreturntoourfriendsWeshouldhavelefthereanhourago.
IfwecannotgetbackbeforetwohoursIdonotknowhowmuchmymothermaybeaffected.
""Calmyourself,Lizzie,"saidherfriend,encouragingly;"perhapsthisgentlemanmayhelpus,"turningtoWinslowasshespoke.
"Icametothisshoreinasail-boatwhichis,Ifear,toofarawaytobebroughthereinanhour.
IfIhadbeenafewminutesearlierImighthavehelpedyoupastthepoint,evenifithadbeennecessarytocarryyou.
""Myfriend,MissForest,isnotagoodmountainclimber,orwemighttrytoreachthetopofthebluffandreturnthatway.
""Ithink,Miss—"hesitatedWinslow.
"Gaston,"shesaid,smiling,inreply.
"Ithink,MissGaston,"ashespokepassingtoheracardhehappenedtohave,"ifyouarewillingtopermitmetoassistyou,thatwemayfindawayupthemountain.
""Lizzie,ifyouwillacceptMr.
Winslow'skindoffertohelpuswemayreturnatonce.
Icancarrythecameraandgetonverywellwithouthelp,asyouknow.
""Anything,Grace,ifwemayescapefromhere.
Thesoundofthewaveswilldrivemetodoanything.
Ihavebecomesonervousthinkingofmother.
""Itisverykindofyou,Mr.
Winslow,"saidMissGaston,"andprayexcusethenecessityoftakingyourtimeinthisway.
Itmaycauseyoumuchinconvenience.
""Notatall,"smiledWinslow,inreply;"Iammyownmaster,andmyboatmanisengagedfortheseason.
""Doletushasten,then,Mr.
Winslow,Ibegofyou.
Itisvery,verykindofyouindeed.
"WinslowatoncemoveduptherockybaseofBlomidon,choosingawaythroughthebouldersandovertheroughbrokenstonethatwaseasiestfortheladies.
Ashecamenearthesteepfaceofthecapeheselectedaplacewhichseemedtopromiselessdifficultythanelsewherefortheirascent.
Thecoursetookthemupthebedofabrookinthesandstonewornirregularlysmooth,andfreefromstoneandearth.
Atthisdryseasontheamountofwaterrunningwassmall.
Itwasverysteepinmanyplaces,butthesharp,finematerialoftherockoverwhichtheytrodgavethemagoodfooting.
WinslowpaidallattentiontoMissForest,whowasmoretimidandlessagileandfirmoffootthanMissGaston.
Oftenthewaywassosteepastobemostdifficultforhimtoascend,butwhenhegothimselfupitwasmoreeasytoassistthemafterward.
Toaidhimheusedalong,toughstickwhichhefoundontheway,andbytakingtheendsinhishandshemadegooduseoftheloopbypassingitaroundthewaistoftheyoungwomen.
"Areyousureyoucanholdout,ladies"askedWinslow,whentheyhadrisenaboutahundredfeetinthisway,andwereresting,stillinthebedofthebrook.
"Wemust!
Wemust!
"criedMissForest,clingingtoherfriendasshelookeddownthesteepwaytheyhadcome.
"Itcanbenoworsethangoingup.
Indeed,Idonotbelievewecangetback.
Doyouthinkso,Grace"Herfriendsmiledandsaid,"Wearedoingwell,arewenot,Mr.
Winslow""Youcertainlyare.
Fiftyfeetmorewilltakeusoutofthisbrookbedtoaroadlesssteep,thoughperhapslesseasytoclimb.
"Havingrestedforashorttime,theyagainbegantheascent,butafewmoreyardsbroughtthemtothemostdifficultplacetosurmounttheyhadmetwith.
"Now,ladies,Ihavehelpedyouupsofar,"saidWinslow,afterhehadexaminedthewallbeforeandabovethem;"youmustnowhelpme.
"Hespokecheerfully.
"Thisplaceistoohighformetogoupwithoutalittlehelp.
Justaboveisthelastofthebrookbedforus.
""Howmaywehelpyou"saidMissGaston,surveyingtheredandapparentlyimpassablewalltheywereyettoclimb.
HerfacetoldWinslowthatshefeltthedifficultyoftheirposition.
Herfriendsatdownwithoutaword,thepictureofdespair.
Winslowlostnotime.
Takingfromhispocketalargeknife,hecarefullyselectedaplacemeasuringfromMissGaston'shead,andinafewminuteshadcutanotchinthelooserocklargeenoughtoreceivepartofafoot.
Hethencutanotherashighfromthebaseasshecouldreachwithherfoottoliftherweightfromtheground.
Betweenthetwonowcuthemadeanother.
"Now,ladiesyoumustholdmeagainsttherockwhenIstepuponthelowestnotch.
"Placinghisfootinpositionheroseup,andwhileheldtherebyboththeyoungwomenhecutafourthnotchabovethehighestone.
MissForestsawwhathewishedtodoandbecamemorehopefulagain.
"Lessthanthreeminuteswillfindusallabove.
Now,ladies,yourassistanceagain.
"Placingoneoneachsideofhim,hestoodclosetotherockandraisedhimselfcarefullyandslowlywithhisfootinthefirststep.
Theladiesheldhimagainstthefaceoftherockwhileheaidedhimselfasmuchashecouldbyplacinghishandsinthestepabovehishead.
Whenhereachedthesecondstephecouldnotdependuponanythingabovetosupporthim.
Nowtakingtheknifefrombetweenhisteethwherehehelditopen,hereachedupandmadeanothersmallcut,intowhichhepressedhisfingers.
Heheldforamomenttogivetheladiesanopportunitytorest,forhefeltthetremblingoftheirhandsagainsthim.
Inafewmoresecondshehadthenotchdeeper,andwithhisfootinthethirdhole,hewasabletodrawhimselfuptotheshelfabove,whichwaslargeandflat.
"Now,ladies,ifyourskirtswillnotpermityoutobesureintakingthesteps,youhadbettershortenthem.
Youwillnotbeabletouseyourhands.
""MissGaston,ifyouwillhelpyourfrienduponestep,Iwillbeabletousethisstick.
Shewillletitpassoverhershouldersunderherarms.
Byallmeanskeepclosetotherock.
Ihavecutaplaceheretobracemyfeet.
"Verypale,andwithsetlipsandeyesfilledwithfear,MissForestwentupasshewasdirected.
Shewasslight,andWinslowwasablealmosttoliftheruptheascent,herownexertionsmerelykeepingherfrombeingbruisedagainsttherock.
Shewasupinamomentathisside.
"Youarewithoutanyonetohelpyou,MissGaston,butyourstrengthwasnecessarytoaidyourfriend.
"Placeyourfootinthefirststepandrestyourtwohandsinthesecond.
WhenIsay'ready,'leapupfromthegroundasfarasyoucan.
Tryitafewtimeseasilytillyouaresureofyourfooting.
"Shedidso,andafterafewtrialscouldrestforabriefspaceoftimeononefootsupportedbyherhands.
"Now,ready!
"criedWinslow,andassherosehelettheloopofthestickfalloverhershouldersfarenoughdownforittorestunderherarmsasherhandsslippedoffthestep.
Holdingfirmlytothestick,andbalancedononefoot,shesteadiedherselfforamoment,andliftingtheotherfootsheplaceditinthesecondstep.
Withhisassistanceshewasabletorisetothisfoot,andwithanotherstepupwardwasdrawntoasafeplaceontheledgebyherhands,whichWinslowseizedwithhisown.
Hegavethemtimetoletdowntheirskirts,notbeforehiseyesofnecessityhadsightofshapelyanklesandlimbs,andsuspicionoftornhosiery.
CHAPTERIX.
THEALTERNATIVE.
"Grimwardersoftheeverlastingcrags,Towhosebleakavenuestheeaglesteers;Holdinganendlessconclaveofthepeers,WhereoftenTimelaysdownhisbladeandlags;YeareofotherdayswhenroamingstagsLeapedfromnohumanvoicewithtremblingfears;Erecametheredmenandthepioneers;OrGlooscappliedhispaddletotheflags.
"WhileWinslowandhisrecentacquaintanceswererestingonthebroadshelfwhichtheyhadreachedwithsomuchdifficulty,andwerelookingoutoverthewatersthatlaybelowthemnearlytwohundredfeet,aboatappearedsailingclosetoshore.
"Myboatmanhasarrived,ladies.
Shallwereturnandtaketheboat,orcontinueupthemountain""Wecouldnevergetdownagain,"saidMissForest,goingasneartheedgeasshedared,andlookingdownwithashudder.
"IamsureIdonotknowhowweevercameup.
""Itisalwayseasiertogoupasteepplacethantogodown,"saidWinslow,recallinghisownexperienceofafewweeksprevious.
"Ialsothinkwehadbettertrytheascent,"addedMissGaston.
"Thewayhasbeensodifficult,Idonotwishtoconjectureastotherestoftheascent.
YetIthinkwehavegoneovertheworstofit,"rejoinedWinslow,lookingupthefaceofthemountain,whichfromwherehestoodcouldbeseenrisingintothewoodsofthesummit.
Ontherightastripofhardwoodrandownthefaceofthecliffandshutofftheirviewtothenorth-east,butontheirlefthandtheroughformationextendedforseveralhundredyards,patchesofgreenshrubberyandwoodsalternatingwithroughstonebrokenoffthecliffandslopingdownward.
Everythingseemedtobeclingingtothesteepfaceofthemountain,andwasapparentlyatanymomentlikelytoloseitsholdandgoslidingandtumblingdownintothesea.
Thewindoftenstartedarockorslideofsanddownward,andthenoiseofinvisiblemovementoftencametotheirears.
Yetthebirdswereallaboutthem.
Eagleandhawkwereinterruptedintheirwarfareonthesmallerbirdlife,andtheseagullsfloatedthroughtheairwithgracefulmotion.
"Letusgo,Grace,"saidMissForest,atlastbecomingimpatient.
BythistimeWinslowhadsucceededinattractingtheattentionofLen,thoughhecouldnotmakehimunderstandintheroarofthewaves,butbymotioninginthedirectionheintendedtotakehekepthimgoingontotheterminationofthemountain.
Theladieswereclimbingupandwereabletogetalongverywellwithoutassistance.
Theircourselayupalong,looseslideofrockandearthnoteasytotraverseattimesbecauseofitstendencytoslipfrombeneaththeirfeetandendangerthelimbsofthepersonwhohappenedtobejustbelow.
Largerockswereeasilysetrollingdownward,andtheirwaywasmarkedbyacontinuousrollingofstonesandearth.
Takingadiagonaldirectionupthefaceofthemountain,theyapproachedthelonglineoftreesandbrushwhichseemedtoextendfromthebrowofthebluffofBlomidondownwardtowheretheywere.
Theynowstoodwithinashortdistanceofthewoodtheywereaimingfor,buttoWinslow'sdismayhefoundthatthemoresolidformationonwhichtheystoodandthewoodsbeyondwereseparatedbyalongslide,steepandtreacherous,offineredsand.
Thisslidewasaslevelasaroof.
Theparticlesofsandmovingsofreelyovereachotherhadmadetheslideextremelysteep,andthewholeslopepresentednovisiblebreakinthesmoothnessofitssurface.
Winslowfoundthatwhenhetriedtogoacrossitwasnecessarytostepveryquickly,ashisfeetsankinthesoftmaterial,andthewholesurfaceseemedtomovedownwardinabody,bearinghimalongwithit.
Hisstrengthkepthimfromslidingdownquickerthanhecouldwalk,andhewasabletomakehiswayacross,wherehefoundanotherdifficulty.
Therisefromtheslidewashigh,themarginofthewoodmakingasteepbankheldtogetherbythecountlessrootsofthetreesthatborderedit.
Itwashigherthanhisshoulders,andcouldonlybeclimbedbytheaidofthebarerootsandoverhangingbranches.
Tostandinoneplacewasimpossible,anditwouldexhaustthestrongestmaninashortwhiletoattempttowalkuptheslide.
"Yourassistance,Mr.
Winslow,"saidavoicenearhim,andturningaroundhefoundthatMissGastonhadfollowedhim,butwithoutstrengthenoughtoenablehertokeepinlinewithhim,shehadbeencarrieddownsomedistancebythemovingsand.
Hewasathersideinaninstant,andtogethertheyslowlycameuptheslopeuntilhewasabletograspaprojectingroot,andwithmuchdifficultyhesucceededinhelpingherupthebank.
Asamuscularfeatitwasthemostseverehehadattemptedthatday.
Theyhadtornsomuchofthesanddownintheirpassageacrossthatnowthewholefaceoftheslidewasamove,theparticlesfillingupallthetracesoftheirexertions.
ReturningquicklyforMissForest,heledherupthebanksomedistance,andasshewasslightoffigurehewasable,byhalfdraggingandhalfliftingher,togethersafeacross.
Andtheyagainstoodtogether,gladtorestforatime.
"Admirablydone,Mr.
Winslow,"saidMissGaston,laughing.
"Yousurelyhaverepentedofthisundertakingmanytimessinceweleftthebeach.
""Ihaveregrettedwhatithascausedyou,rather.
Youwillhavepainfulremindersinbruisedbodyandstiffenedandstrainedlimbsforsomeweeks.
Thistripwillbeonetoberemembered.
""Andmuchtornclothing,"addedMissForest,whosespiritshadrevivedsomewhat,surveyingthedisorderofhergarments,atthesametimeexchangingglanceswithMissGastonwhosemeaningseemedtobemutuallyunderstood,formerrylaughterfollowed.
"Areyousufficientlyrested,Mr.
Winslow"askedMissGaston,smiling.
"Quiteso,thankyou,"repliedWinslow,atoncemakinghiswayupthemountainthroughthethickgrowthoftreesandunderbrush.
Fromthispointtheywereabletomaketheirwaywithcomparativeeaseandcomforttothetopofthebluffandalongthesummit.
"Atlast,atlast!
"criedMissForest,astheyclamberedupthelastpartofthesteepbluff,andfoundthemselvesonthelevelground,overwhichtheycouldnowproceedtotheirdestination.
TheydidnotpausetoenjoythemagnificentviewpresentedfromthetopofCapeBlomidon,buthurrieddownward,thedelightoftheirescapelendingrenewedstrengthtotheirlimbs.
Theroaroftheseacametotheirearsfromtheshorehundredsoffeetbelowthem,andthesunwasnowabouttodipintothecrimsonandgoldlightsofthewest.
MissForesthadrecoveredhernaturalvivacityofmannerandspeech.
"Ourmeetingwasafortunateoneforus,Mr.
Winslow.
Butforyouwewouldstillbeprisonersinthatdreadfulplace,andperhapswouldnothavebeenabletogetawayfromittillafterdark.
Youcertainlysavedmypeaceofmind,andmymotherwillthankyouforthusrestoringherdaughtertoherarms.
""Ishallbegladtotellherwhatagoodmountainclimberherdaughteris,"smiledWinslow.
"Youbothdidwell,andgaveagoodexhibitionofAmericanpluck.
IfImistakenot,youareAmericansAlmostallthetouristswhocomehereareAmericans.
""Yes,weareNewYorkers,"shereplied.
"Myhomealsoforseveralyears,"saidWinslow.
"Mysummersareusuallyspentaway.
""Itmayseemstrangetoyouthatweshouldhavebeencaughtinsuchatrap,butwehadbeentoldtoreturninanhour,andwedidnotthinkitpossiblethatthetidecouldrisesorapidlyasitdid.
Wearecollectingmineralspecimens,—notassomeofyougentlemenfish,youknow,withsilverhooks,butwefindourownspecimens,andinourenthusiasmamongtheagatesandamethystswedidnotnotehowfarwewereawayfromthepointuntiltoolate.
""Andourlovelyspecimens!
"criedMissGaston.
"Wehaveleftthemonthebeach;Ididnotbringacrystalofanykind.
""Grace,youmayhavetogoafterthemaloneto-morrow.
Motherobjectedtolettingmegoawayfromherto-day.
AfterthisexperienceIdonotthinkIshalldesiretoattemptanotherforsometime.
""Ishallreturnto-morrowbywayoftheshoreandmaybeabletofindyourcollection,"saidWinslow.
"Myworkwillkeepmeheretwoorthreedayslonger,andmyintentionistogooverthebeachthoroughlyonfoot.
""Wehavealreadyputourselvesunderobligationtoyoubeyondourpowertorepay,"saidMissGaston.
TheynowwereinsightofthelittlewharfatWhiteWaters,andtheredroadleadingdownbesideittothebeachwhichhadbeenfollowedbytheyoungladies.
Onthepiertheysawamanandwomanwalkingtoandfro,oftenstoppingtolooktowardsthepointaroundwhichtheyoungladieswereexpectedtocome.
"Mypoor,dearoldmother!
"criedMissForest,inaburstofexcitement,asshecaughtsightofthetwofigures.
Theyallsetupacry,andwiththeirhandkerchiefswavingsoonattractedtheattentionoftheirfriends.
Itwasnotmanyminutesbeforemotheranddaughterwereineachother'sarms,asiftheyoungerwomanhadescapedfromsomegreatdanger.
"Mydearchild,howanxiousIhavebeenforyou,andforyou,too,Grace.
""Youmustthankourescort,Mr.
Winslow,mother,forhewasafriendindeed,andcamealongattherightmoment.
""Ihopeyouwilljoinusatthehotelthisevening,Mr.
Winslow,"saidMrs.
Foresttohimastheyproceededupthepier.
MissGastonwasaccompaniedbythegentleman,whomWinslowobservedwithinterest.
Ofquietandeasymanner,Mr.
Sternlyleftadoubtinthemindoftheyounggeologistastowhatplacetoassignhiminrelationtothepartywhomchancehadsosuddenlythrowninhisway.
Itwasaneventfuldayinthelifeoftwoofthepartyatleast.
Thesunwentdown,andunderthecliffsofBlomidonnightsoonfell,whileoutacrosstheBasinglidedthelightsofships,andfaracrossthewatersofthenowquicklyfallingtidegleamedthebrightbeaconofHortonBluff,tellingthepilotswheretheCornwallis,theAvonandtheGaspereauriverslie,andtotheeyefamiliarwithallthelovelinessofthesouthshorethatbrightgleamtoldwherestretchedtheverdantdykelandoftheGrand-Pré.
CHAPTERX.
AMETHYST.
"Beneathacliffwrenchedfromtheinnerearth,Allseamedandblackenedinanancientwar,Isawrichcrystalsmarkingmanyascar,Healedwhentheworldwasrecentfromitsbirth.
"ThesmallpartyofAmericansconsistedofMrs.
Forest,heronlydaughter,MissGaston,aschoolmateofMissForest,andMr.
Sternly,ayoungartistandfriendofMissGaston.
Winslowwasgladoftheopportunitythathadthrownhimintothesocietyofthesepersons.
DuringtheeveninghebecameawareofthepositioninwhichMr.
SternlystoodinrelationtoMissGaston,whichonlyheightenedhisinterestinthatyounglady.
HerbehaviourduringtheirarduousclimbupthefaceofBlomidonhadimpressedhimgreatlyinherfavor,andthegoodopinionheentertainedofherwasaugmentedduringtheeveninghespentatthehotel.
Theeffectsoftheirroughclimbwereremoved,andthechangedconditionsoftheirexistenceashefoundthemintheprivateparlorofthehotel,ascomparedwiththeadversecircumstancesoftheirfirstacquaintance,leftastrongimpressionuponhisfeelings.
Theirfewhoursofcompanionshiponthemountainhadacceleratedtheirgoodfeeling,andtherealreadyexistedaverygoodunderstandingbetweentheseveralpersonswhohadthusbeensostrangelythrowntogether.
MissGaston,whileapparentlyyounginyears,hadlivedthroughaperiodoflifeandexperiencesandchangeswhichhadstampedherfacewithaquietandalmostreservedyetstrongmaturity.
Apersonalitywellinhand,asweetdisposition,andadisinterestednaturewereoftendisclosedbyherwordorsmile.
AtthebreakfasttablethenextmorningWinslowlearnedthatMissGastonandMr.
Sternlyweretoaccompanyhiminsearchofthespecimenstheyhadleftontheshore.
"IfyouarestillinterestedinmineralspecimensIcanrecommendthepartoftheBasinwhereIhavebeenstoppingforafewweeks.
""Isthevarietygood"askedMissGaston.
"Excellent,"repliedWinslow,"andwellworthyourconsideration.
Theveinsareverynumerous,andthecombinationsaremanyandinteresting,andmoreorlessvaluable.
Astothebeautyoftheplacesthere,Ithinktheyareworthythebrushofanyartist.
""Byallmeans,girls,letusgo,"saidMrs.
Forest.
"Wehavespentenoughtimehere,andwemayseeGrand-Prélater.
""ItwasourpurposetogotoEvangeline'shomefromhere,"addedherdaughtertoWinslow;"butyouraccountofPierreIsland,anditsvenerableownerandhisbeautifuldaughter,hasmadeusdecidetogothereatonce.
""Iamsureitwillnotdisappointyou.
Youmaydiscovertheveinofveryrichandraremineralsaidtobetheresomewhere.
Itsdiscoverymeansanimmensefortunetosomebody,"hesaid,smiling.
"Wemustgoatonce,Grace.
WewillformajointstockcompanyforthetearingdownofPierreIsland.
Wewillgivethesegentlemenimportantpositionsonthemanagingstaff.
"EverybodywasingoodspiritswhenWinslowtookhisleaveoftheForests.
MissGastonandherfriend,Mr.
Sternly,accompaniedWinslowonhisreturn,forthepurposeofrecoveringthespecimensthathadbeenleftthedaybefore.
Lenwastofollowwiththeboatwhenitfloated,asthetidewasnowbuthalfoutandahalf-mileofbeachlaybetweenthebluffandthesea.
InthemorninglightWinslowhadlookedwithinterestonthescenewhichlaybeforehim.
HetriedtorecallthetimewhenhisfamousancestorhadsailedintotheBasin,and,landingatGrand-Pré,tookpossessionofthechurchandthepriest'shouseforhimselfandhissoldiers.
HepicturedtohimselftheprosperousandcontentedpeopleinhabitingtheregionfromtheupperwatersoftheAvon,whichhecouldsee,allalongthesouthshoreandupalltheotherlargestreamsasfarasPereau,butafewmilesdistant.
Herewerefarmsandorchards,populousvillagesandmanyscatteredhomes.
ThenhesawitasitwaswhenColonelWinslowdeparted,destroyedandlaidwaste;churches,houses,millsandbarnsallburned,peopleremoved,andsixyearsofsilenceanddesolationhauntedbythespectreofthingsastheyhadbeen,aspectrecalledupbytheruinsofwhathadbeenhappyhomes,bytheuncared-forfields,thebrokendykesandmarshescoveredagainbythesea,theorchardsoffruitungathered,thebonesofcattlethathadstarvedtodeath.
ThenhenotedthecomingoftheNewEnglandpeopletotakeupthevacatedlands,andhowdependenttheywereupontheverypeopletheyreplacedtorestorethedykes.
AlsothereturningAcadians,withgaunt-eyedandsufferingfacesdisclosingthefeartheyyetfeltbecauseoftheterriblefatethathadbefallenthemandseemedtofollowthemwherevertheywent.
Thishesaw,and,aboveall,herecognizedthemercilesshandthathadstruckthemwithsuchdeadlyhate,followingthemintheirutterhelplessnessandmisery,whenallhopeseemeddeadandnodooropenforthem.
Thushehadmusedasherealizedthatnotoneofthepeoplecouldbefoundinallthecountrythatlaybeforehimandthathadbeenalltheirs.
MissGastonshowednosignoffatigueinthemorning.
Undertheredbluffsinthecoolairofthedaytheymadetheirway,andsoonpassedoutofsightofthewharfaroundthesteeppointwherethetidehadcutthemoffthedaybefore.
"WehaveheardagreatdealhereaboutKidd'sdiamondfromtheBlomidonfolk,Mr.
Winslow.
HowdoyouaccountforthelightsometimesseenonthefaceofthecliffbypersonsonvesselsItisalwaysatthesamepointaboveAmethystCove.
""Ipresumethecauseofitisalargeclusterofquartzwhichattimescatchesthelightofthesunandreflectsit.
IunderstandithasbeenabeliefformanyyearsthatCaptainKidd,ourfamousbuccaneer,broughtmuchofhistreasurehere,andhidingitinacaveonBlomidonshore,walledtheentrancetotheplace.
""Andthediamondissupposedtoindicatethelocationofthetreasure"askedMissGaston.
"Yes.
And,moreover,certainindividuals,itistold,haveseenadullglowatnightwherethebrightnessissometimesobservableinthedaytime.
Ifyouareinterestedinsuchtalesandlegendstherearemanytobelearned.
""Itisacountrywitharomantichistory,anditisverybeautiful,"shesaid.
"WehopetoremainforatimeamongthedescendantsoftheGrand-PréAcadianswhoreturnedtothecountryaftertheywereexpelled.
OurtriptoPierreIslandwillintroduceustothepeople,andopenupthesubjectinapleasantway.
ThenavisittoGrand-Préandafewweekswiththepeoplethemselvesonourwaybackwillcompleteourstudyof'Evangeline.
'""Thisplaceseemsfamiliar,"saidWinslow,astheynowcametohugebouldersandalargestretchofbrokenstone.
"Yes,thereisthedrybrook-way,andthatyonderisthestonerockyouwerestandingnearwhenIfirstsawyouyesterday.
""Andhereareourspecimens,"exclaimedMissGaston,withdelight.
"Amethystandagate,andaverygoodpieceofopal,"saidWinslow,examiningthecollection.
"Andwhatisthered-coloredpiece"sheasked.
"Acadialite,avarietyofwhatisknownaschabazite.
TheredkindispeculiartoAcadia,andthestoneissocalledbecauseofthis.
"MissGastongatheredupherpreciouscollection,andherfriend,whohadbeenmakingasketchoftheplace,joinedthemasWinslowpreparedtotakehisleaveofthem.
"Ifbyanychanceweshouldnotseeyouattheotherside,IshallexpecttoseeyouinNewYorkwhenyoureturnthere.
""Thankyou,butdonotfailtocometoPierreIsland.
Itiswellworththeeffortandwillrepayyou.
""IammuchinterestedinyourEvangeline.
WehavehadasteelengravingofFaed'spicturewhichissowellknown,butIhaveneverseenanAcadianintheflesh.
Thepeopleandtheirstoryfascinateme.
"Theynowseparated,andWinslowwentonalone,leavinghisfriendstoreturntoWhiteWaters.
Winslowrecalled,ashestrodealongovertherockybeach,herwords,"yourEvangeline,"andhethoughtofthebrown-eyedmaiden,awkwardlyshy,andalwaysnoticeablyembarrassedinhispresence.
Hisathleticframeandlight,firmsteppausednot,andhisactivemindkepthimgoodcompany.
Oftenagullpassedhimineasyflightonthewaytoitsfishingground,oraneagle,startledfromitsplaceonaloftyledge,floatedawayintosomebetterconcealmentfarinadvance.
Nosignofhumanlifemethiseyealongthewholestretchofshore.
OutontheBasinthelongtrailofasteamer'ssmokehungblackinthesummermorningair.
WinslowatlastreachedAmethystCove,wherefromthebeachnearthetideheexaminedthecliffcarefullywithhisglass.
HewascurioustodiscoverthesecretofKidd'sdiamond.
Scatteredveinsofquartzraninvariouspartsoftheperpendicularbluff,hereandthereshowingthepurplecolorpeculiartotheamethystofCapeBlomidon.
NowhereinreachofhisglasscouldhediscernanythinglikewhathethoughtwasworthyofthefametraditionhadgivenKidd'sdiamond.
Hechangedhispositionseveraltimes,till,atlast,fromahighrock,hescannedthecliffforthelasttime.
Suddenly,highuponthefaceofthecliff,hediscoveredsomethingthatheldhisattention.
There,inaslightdepressioninthesolidrock,appearedalargeclusterofbrightcrystalsofquartz,butslightlytintedwithblue.
Hecouldseethatthepointswereofextraordinarysizeandextremelybrightofsurface.
Here,then,mustbetheexplanationofthemysteriouslightthathadbeenapuzzleforsolong.
Onlyatcertainfavorabletimeswoulditbepossibleforthesun'sraystostrikethecrystals,andthenonlyatcertainpointsontheBasincouldthereflectionbecaught,becauseoftheprojectingsidesofthecavity.
Themoonwhenfullmightproducethesameeffect,butmuchsoftened.
OnlywithapowerfulglasssuchasheusedcouldtheplacehavebeendetectedandthesecretofAmethystCovebeendisclosed.
Havingsatisfiedhimselfastotheexplanationofthemysteriouslight,heproceededonhisway.
Theboatwasnotyetinsight,andashepassedaroundapointofthebluffhisearswereshockedbyaloudreport.
Thesoundhadscarcelydiedawaywhentwomenappearedfrombehindalargerockwhichhadprotectedthemfromtheblast,andcametowardshimwherethesmokeofthepowderwasyetrisingintheair.
Winslowjoinedthemenastheyreachedtheplacewheretherockhadbeenthrowndown.
Hefoundalargeveinofred-coloredagateexposed,andthemenweresoonatworkpryingpiecesofitout.
Nearbyheobservedanumberofamethystspecimensthattheyhadalreadysecured,someofitbeautifullycoloredandwithlargecrystals.
Theysoonforcedoffalargepieceofthevein,anddisclosedalargepocketoffinelytintedcrystalsofthetrueamethystcolorinagreatmassofbrilliantpoints.
Securingfromthemenagood-sizedcrystalasamementoofhisvisittoAmethystCoveandthefamousBlomidon,hepassedonandwassoonoutofthereachofthesoundofanyhumanlabor,andstrodeoninthefullenjoymentoftheever-changingcharacterofthegeologicalformationsthatwereobservable.
CHAPTERXI.
THEADOPTION.
"AndthenIfoundthatArtwasbutasong,Apulseoflifethatbeatsawaytheyears;ForwhileItouchedthestringsthattremblingdiedAvoicecameintomineandmadeitstrong;Andthroughthecurtainofemotion-tearsIsawthatLovewasrulingatmyside.
"WinslowspentseveralmoredaysonBlomidonthanhehadpreviouslythoughtwouldbesufficienttoconcludehisinvestigations.
Thedifferingtrapformations,thecompositionoftheveindeposits,andthevariedcharacterofthecrystallinestructuresgavehimalargefieldforstudy.
Here,also,thetidesinalltheirforceandwonderfulcharacterwereeasierofinvestigationthanelsewhere.
Campingontheshoreatvariouspointsofthemountain,orspendinganightnowandthenontheboat,hehadfoundinhisboatman,LenLawson,aninterestingstudyaswell,andhadattemptedatvarioustimestogetfromhimtheconfirmationofthestrangestoryconnectedwithhisfamily.
LenprovedhimselfonseveraloccasionsaskilfulseamanandthoroughlyacquaintedwiththechangingconditionsoftheBasinanditsmoreuncertainneighbor,theBayofFundy.
ButastohispersonalityWinslowfoundhimeverydaylessapproachable,andhecouldnotbutbeconsciousofthefactthattherewassomethingofadangerousnatureinhiscompanion.
Winslowdidnotimpressanybodywithwhomhecameincontactwiththeideathathefearedanything.
Hisopen-handedmannerandunconsciouscalmnessinthefaceofdangerkeptLenincheck.
Hehadampleopportunitytolearnthatbeneaththecalmexterior,whichalwaysseemedunchangedinWinslow,wasagreatreserveofforceandstrength,andwhichheneverattemptedtotriflewith.
Theonenevertookadvantageofhispositiontoworkanythingunmanlyupontheothersimplybecausehewasinhisemploy.
NorwouldLenhavesubmittedtoimpositionofanykind.
Onewasperhapsascourageousastheother,butwiththecourageofWinslowwasthestrengthofmoralintelligence,theunobtrusiveprideofayoungmanhoodandakindheart.
Familiarwithmanyofthecuriouslegendsconnectedwitheverypartofthosenorthernshores,Lenwasathisbestmomentsreadyenoughtotalkaboutthem.
Itwasapartofhisbusinesstoamusethosewhomheconveyedinhisboat.
Hisshrewdintelligencetaughthimtheadvantageofthis,andhismindwasonewhicheasilyandnaturallystoreditselfwithtaleandlegend.
Yethecarefullyavoidedanyreferencetohisfamilyortoanythingwhichwouldleaduptothatsubject.
Unintentionally,WinslowsometimesaskedaquestionwhichinLen'smindsuggestedaconnectionwiththehauntingandproscribedsubject.
Atoncehismannerwouldchange,andforhoursastrangesetexpressionofhisfaceandeyesneverlefthim,whilehismannerwasatoncesuspiciousandrepellent.
Atothertimesitlefthiminthepowerofsomestrongemotion,whichalternatedbetweendefianceanddespair.
AtsuchtimesWinslowwouldsethimatworkdemandingallhisactivity,eitherinworkingoutaveinofmineralorinsailingoutontherapidwatersofthechannelbetweenthebayandtheBasin.
OncethiscostWinslowsixhoursintheboatwithoutawindandatthemercyofthetide,thewindhavingdiedoutbeforetheycouldgetbacktotheircamp.
ItwasalmostaweekbeforetheMariecastanchorintheshadowofPierreIslandandWinslowfoundhimselfmakinghiswaytotheroadleadingtoBluffCastle.
OnreachingtheleveltopoftheislandhewasbothpleasedandastonishedtoseecomingoutofthegrovenearthehouseMissGastonandtheblushingMarie.
"Wehavebeenenjoyingtheview,andwesawyourboatcomein,"saidMissGaston,afterthefirstgreetings.
"IobserveyouhavefoundourEvangeline,"smiledWinslow.
"Oh,yes,wearefastfriends,"repliedMissGaston.
"Ihaveneededaguidetodisclosetomethesecretsoftheseshores,andacompanionaswell,asMrs.
ForestdoesnotwishherdaughtertobelongawayfromhersinceouradventureonBlomidon.
InMarieIhavefoundbothguideandcompanion,aswellasafriend.
""Haveyoufoundtheplaceinterestingatall"heasked.
"Verymuchso,andwehavefoundverybeautifulspecimenstoaddtoourcollection.
"AstheycamenearthehouseMarieescapedintoit,leavingherfriends.
AmomentafterSuzanneappearedwithabundleoflettersandpapersandatelegram.
"Howdoyoudo,SuzanneMymail,Isuppose.
Ah!
atelegram.
HowismyfriendPierre"hesaid,lookingintohersmilingfaceasheopenedthedespatch.
MissGastonslippedintothehouseashewaslookingoverhismail,andinafewminutesappearedagain.
"Iamintimetocrossbytheford.
Myfriendsareexpectingyouassoonasyouareabletocomeovertoourhotel.
"Winslowwalkedbyhersidetothebeach.
"MayIask,howlonghasthisintimacyexistedbetweenyouandMarie"heasked.
"Wehavebeenherefourdays.
Onourarrivalweintroducedourselvesattheisland,andfoundthatyournamewastheopensesame.
IwasmuchpleasedwithMarie,andinterestedinthefatheraswell.
Ithinkthedaughterisabeautifulgirl,asgoodofheartaslovelyofface.
""Iwouldliketohelpthefamily,"saidWinslow,"fortheirhistory,whilestrangeandfascinating,isalsoasadone;andasyoumayknow,Pierreisthelastofhisline.
""Yes,IhavelearnedagreatdealaboutthepeoplefromMarieandSuzanne.
Thechildmayneedaprotectorsomeday,forherfather'shealthisfailing,andheisanoldman,thoughheseemsgoodformanyyearsyet.
""Ifearnot,"saidWinslow,inreply;"hehasagreatgriefeverbearinghimdown.
Marieisallhehasleftintheworld.
Andwhileheseldomspeaksofhissorrow,Iknowheisbendingunderit.
IamgladyouhavebeendrawntothefamilyasIhave.
IowemylifetoPierre,"hecontinued,"andIfeel,intheconfidencetheoldmanhasreposedinme,underobligationtothem,andmorethanthat,Ifeelitadutythatbindsmetothem.
"Shelookedattheyoungmanandwasstruckbythewordshehadspokeninsuchastraightforwardandmanlyway.
Shedidnotreplyforatime,herthoughtsbeingtakenupwithwhathehadsaid.
"IhopeImaysharewithyouininterestandresponsibilityinMarie,whohasapparentlyboundusbothtoher,"shesaid,atlast.
"Iwouldnotintrudemyselfintotheirlivesoraffectyourconnectionwiththembyit,butIhavefoundinMarieasweetcreaturewhohasspokentomeofherselfandlaidbareheryoungheartastoamother.
Shemayneedthecomfortandloveofawomaninherlife,aswellastheprotectionofaman.
""Iammuchpleasedtoknowthatyouhaveassumedaplaceinherlife,"saidtheyoungman,warmly,turninguponherafacethattoldherofthehonestyofhiswordsandthoughts.
Hespokeopenly,asiftheyhadknowneachotherforamuchlongertime.
Hecontinued:"Ifmyjudgmentisnotatfault,andIamsureMarie'sfriendshipconfirmsmyopinion,therecouldnothavebeenabetterchoicemadebyher.
""Thankyou,"shesaid,blushingattheunreservedexpressionofhisapproval,whileshelaughedtohidetheembarrassmenthiswordscaused.
Healsoburstoutlaughing,andsaid,"Pardonme,MissGaston,butIdonotfeelasifIhadnotknownyouforalongtime.
Theclimbwehadtogetherandyourpurposeinregardtomyfriendsherehavemademefeelwelltowardsyou,andareaccountableformyplainstatementofourposition.
Wehavethesethingsincommon,andfromthemspringsamutualinterest.
"Sotheycametoanunderstanding,andyeteachformederroneousideasoftheother,whoseresultwouldbefeltseriouslybybothforyearsoftheirlife.
"Ourfriendsareonthebeach,Iobserve,waitingformeattheford.
Idonotthinktheyknowthatyouhavereturned,"shesaid.
Theirappearancewasthesignalforthewavingofhandkerchiefsandtheexchangeofmerrygreetings.
"Wehavebeenexpectingyou,Mr.
Winslow,"saidMrs.
Forest,afteranexchangeofcourtesies.
"IwaslongeronBlomidonthanIexpectedtobe.
Ididnotthinktofindyouheresosoon.
""Wehadalltheselovelyplacesinanticipation,youknow,andwehadexhaustedBlomidonandcompletedourgeologicalinvestigations,"continuedherdaughter,withasmile.
"Thisfieldpresentedagreaterrangeforourwork,andpermitsmothertohaveasharpereyeuponme.
Shehasnotgottenoverherfearofthetide.
Yetwehavefoundallthezeolites,andthecombinationsofthem,—stilbite,acadialite,flybitesandskylights,andIdon'tknowhowmanytights.
"Theirmerrylaughterechoedalongthecliffsafterthisspeech.
"Iseeyouhavebeenmakingacarefulstudyofthesubject,andhavenotlostmuchtime,"saidWinslow,laughing.
"Mydear,thereisanotherbiteyouhaveforgottentomention.
Ifoundagoodspecimenthismorning,youknow,"saidMrs.
Forest.
"Whenmayweseeyou"shesaidtoWinslow,asheraisedhiscap,abouttoleavethem.
"Weareeasilyfound.
""WeinhabitantsofPierreIslandtimeourgoingandcomingbythetide.
"Hereturnedtotheisland.
EventsweremakinghistoryinthelifeofMarie,thechild-woman,thewoman-child.
WhenWinslowreachedBluffCastlehewassurprisedtomeetLen,whostrodepasthimwithoutaword,hisfacepalewithrage,andasavagelookinhiseyes.
Enteringthehouse,hefoundMarieintearsandSuzanneabsent.
Seeinghim,shewithdrewintoanotherroom,leavinghimtoconjectureastothecauseofheremotion.
HesuspectedthatLenhadfoundheraloneandhadcontinuedtoforcehisunpleasantandjealoushumoruponherafterhisprotractedabsence.
Hehadlostnotime,astheoccasionshowed.
Leavingthehouse,hewentquicklyafterLenandcalledtohim.
Thisdidnotstophimorevencausehimtoturnhisheadtoseewhospokehisname.
AgainWinslowcalledafterhiminsuchatoneofvoiceastoldLenhehadbetterheed,sohestoppedintheroadandwaitedforhimtocomenearenoughtospeakwithhim.
"IhavereceivedatelegramwhichwillcompelmetoleaveheresoonerthanIexpectedto.
Astherestofmyworkwillbedonewithoutaboat,IwillpayyouforthewholetimeIengagedyoufor.
Isthatsatisfactory""Yes,sir,"hesaid,thesullenlookonhisfacerelaxingashefoundthattherewastobenoreferencetohimselforMarie,whichhehadexpected.
"Whenareyougoingaway"heasked,scarcelyconcealinghisinterestandsatisfactioninwhathadoccurred.
"Quitesoon,Ithink.
Ilikedyourboat,Len,andIhopetoneedheragainsomeothertime.
"Sayingthis,heturnedtothehouseandwentoverhismailagain,beforepreparingtomeethisAmericanfriends.
CHAPTERXII.
THEBLUEVEIN.
"ThewakeneddistancehearsthefallingrockThatgivestodaythytreasure,astogreetFromtheyoungworldthoucanstnolongerhide.
"PierrewelcomedWinslowheartilyandwitheveryevidenceofpleasure.
Theoldmanhadnotreturnedhometillhehadbeendriveninbythetide,andWinslowcametotheisland,afterspendingafewhourswithhisfriends,athightide.
Itshouldbeunderstood,fromthebaseofthecliffneartheroadboatscouldberowedtothemainland,andononeoftheseWinslowhadreturned.
Atlowtideitwaspossibletocrossbythefordoflargestonesplacedforthatpurposeinthechannel,whichneverlostallitswater.
Aftertheturnofthecomingtideitwasnotsafetoattempttocrossagainstthestrongcurrentthatwouldberunningin.
Fromhalftidetofulltide,andforashorttimeafter,thecurrentcouldbestemmedwithaboat.
Forthisreasonthepassagetoandfromtheislandwaslimitedtotheseperiods,andatothertimestheislandwasvirtuallyshutofffromthemainland.
Afterthegreetingsofthemenwereover,WinslowinformedPierrewhathehadseenonhisfirstcomingtothehousewhenhemetLen.
HesupposedthatMariewouldnotspeakofittoherfather.
Theoldmansaidnothingashecontinued:"Ihavepaidhimoffto-day,asIshallhavetoleaveforNewYorkinaweekorso.
Myuncledesiresmyreturnaboutthattime.
IamsorryIshallnotbeabletostaywithyouaslongasIhadpurposed.
""IwouldlikeyoutoexamineaveinofbluemineralIhavefoundlately,inthebluffatthebackoftheisland.
Ihavebeenclearingawaytoit,andthetidedrovemeinbeforeIhadfinishedit.
""Wemaylookatitto-morrow,ifyouwish.
HowdidyouhappentodiscoveritIhaveneverseenanythingbutblueagateveinsabouttheisland.
""Ihadbeenthinkingaboutavaluablemineralwhichyoutoldmeabout,andIrememberedwhatmyfatherusedtotellmeaboutacavewhichwasunderthebackoftheisland,andwhichhadabluevein.
Thecave,hetoldme,wasknowntotheIndiansinearliesttime,andtheyyethavetraditionoftheexistenceofitsomewhere.
Likeallthetraditionsofthosedaysthereismuchofthesupernaturalwovenintothisstory.
ThecavewasmadebytheMicmacsduringmanyyearsbycuttingawaytherocktoremovefragmentsofthevein.
Thestonesuppliedthemwiththeirmostpreciousandbeautifulornament.
Inthecourseoftimethestonesbecamevaluabletothewhitepeople,andtheywereobtainedfromtheIndians.
ThestorygoesthatGlooscap,theMicmacgod,createdthestonefortheIndianalone,andputacurseuponitforthewhitemen,whomhedidnotlike,ashesawthattheyweretobecometheenemiesofhispeople.
Strangetosay,thestonehasbroughtacursetothewhitepeople.
YetthestoneswereboughtoftheIndiansuntiltheywereallgonefromthem,andtheyhadtobreakthemoutoftherockagainandshapeandpolishthemastheMicmacknewhow.
The'DevilStones,'orthe'Devil'sEye,'astheyusedtocallthemineral,becamescarce.
Awhitemanfoundoutwheretheveinwas,asecretwhichtheIndianshadguardedsocarefully.
Theywouldnotpermitanybodynotoftheirownracetoremovethestone,becausetheyconsidereditagiftoftheirowngreatspirit,Glooscap.
Onenightthewhitemanputachargeofpowderintherocktoremovethevein,andwhenhereturnedtogetthestoneafterthedischargethecavefellinwithmanythousandsoftonsofthecliff,andburiedboththemanandthebluevein.
Fromthatdayallknowledgeoftheveinwaslost.
Ihadneverseenthestones,forinmydaytheIndianshadlostthemall.
Myfathersaidthenoiseofthefallingstonecouldbeheardformiles,andshooktheislandasifanearthquakehadoccurredatthesametime.
Inthemorningthegreatmassofrockwasfoundpiledupandrolleddownonthebeach.
Untilnowtheveinhasneverbeenseen,ifwhatIhavefoundistheblueveinofthoseearlytimes.
""Youdonotknowanyothernameforthestone,Ithinkyousaid"askedWinslow,whenPierrehadendedhisaccountofthebluevein.
"Ihaveseenthestonecalledopalwornbysomanyofyourpeopleoflate.
FromthedescriptionoftheDevilStonegivenbymyfather,andwhatIhaveheardofthesupposedunluckynatureoftheopal,Ithinkthestonesmustbeoneandthesame.
""Myfriend,ifyouhavefoundanopalveinonyourislandyouarearichman,forthestoneisvaluableandingreatdemandjustnow.
Thepeoplehaveoutgrownthesuperstitionastoitsunluckycharacter,andthereisalargedemandforitthisseason.
""Itwillbeoflittleusetome,"saidPierre;"butIhavenotasmuchtoleaveMarieasIwouldwish.
Imustsendheraway,"theoldmancontinued,thoughtfully,"forLenisbecomingtootroublesome,anditisaffectingmydaughtermorethanitusedto.
""MissGastonhastakenadeepinterestinher,"saidWinslow,leadinguptothesubjectcarefullywhichhehadhadinmindforsometime.
"Shehasspokentomeabouther.
Icannotkeepherhereduringthelong,coldwintersontheisland,andtheyoungwoman,whomMariehaslearnedtolove,hasofferedtofindheragoodschoolinNewYork,andtocareforherthere.
""IhaveeveryconfidenceinMissGaston,"saidWinslow,"andIesteemherverymuch.
""Itseemsstrange,"Pierrebrokein,"thatweshouldhavefoundtwofriendsatthesametimeinourremotehomehere.
Wewereunknowntoeachotherafewweeksago.
""Mycomingtoyourisland,sir,isthemostimportanteventofmylaterlife,"saidWinslow,warmly.
ItwasthreedaysbeforePierreandWinslowfounditconvenienttogotoinspectthebluevein.
AftertheturnofthetidetheystartedtogetheroverthesamecoursewhichWinslowhadtakenwhenhemetwiththeaccident.
Theywentpastthecoveandfoundthemselvesinthemidstofthelargestrocksthatstrewedtheshore.
TheyhadtopicktheirwaycarefullytillPierreledhisfriendtowardsamoreopenspacesurroundedbyimmensebouldersandinfrontofahugemassoffallenrockwhichextendedsomedistanceupthesideoftheblufffromwhichithadseparated.
"Somebodyhasbeenheresincethelasthightide,"exclaimedPierre,examiningsomefaintmarksleftinthesand,"andfoot-printsseemtobegoinginthedirectionofthebluevein.
"Hiswordsprovedtrue.
Thetracksmadealinetotheplacewheretheopeningintherocksledtothebaseofthecliff,asPierreexplained.
"Thepersonwentpasttheentrance,butIdonotknowwhetherhewentinornot,astherockshowsnotrackthere.
"Winslownowlookedaboutthemastheystoodbeforeasmallopeningbetweentherocks.
"ThisopeningIhaveseenforsometime,"saidPierre.
"Thesandhasbeenwashingofftherocktillitledmetobelievethattherewasanopeninglargeenoughtoenter.
Iremovedthesand,andclearedawaythestone,andwasabletogoinsomedistancetowardsthecliff.
Iwentfarenoughtobeindarkness.
Letusenter.
"Pierretookthelead,andlightingalanternwhichhehadleftinthepassage,heproceededforsomedistance.
"AtthisplaceIclearedawayagreatdealofstoneandbrokeuparockwhichobstructedthepassage.
Asyoucansee,Ihadmuchworktoopentheway.
Wearealmosttothevein.
"Theirpassagewasnowslightlyupwardandbroader,andthehugestonesovertheirheadswereincloseandfirmcontact,andsupportedtheimmenseweightofrockwhichresteduponthem.
Itwasnotnecessarytopointoutthelocationofthebluevein.
Astheycamenearenoughforthelighttheycarriedtoreachthewalloftheislandthecoloroftheveinstoodoutagainstthedullhueoftheadjoiningrock.
Winslowwentneartheveinandheldthelanternclosetoit.
Themineralwasinthesolidrock,andshowedevidenceofhavingbeenrecentlyworked,forthebreakswerefresh.
Allabouttherockwerescarsandscratchesbelongingtoanearlierperiod,andmadebyhumanagency,evidentlywithcrudetoolsandlonglabor.
Theveinitself,madedampbythemoistureoftheair,showedeverywherebeautifulcolorsandshadesoftinting,whichchangedandglowedliketheeyeofananimalinthedark.
Blueandred,withadominantcastofgreen,throughthewholelengthofthenarrowseam,gaveitswonderfulbeautytotheireyes,andtold,toWinslowatleast,thegreatwealththatlaythereundeveloped.
Winslowmadeanexclamationofsurpriseanddelight.
"Yourfortuneismade,sir.
ThisisthemostbeautifulopalIhaveeverseenintherough.
Ithinkitwillproveasfineasanythingthatcanbefoundintheworld.
""Whatisthis"saidPierre.
"Aknife;butnotmine.
""Itmusthavebeenleftbythemanwhosetrackswesawoutside.
""Thenourblueveinisnolongeroursecret.
Ifthismanmakesaclaimatoncehewillownthemine,andmyshareinitwillbebutone-quarter.
""Wehadbetterreturnatonce;andifyouwishtodoso,sendinyourclaimatoncetothegovernmentatHalifax.
"TheywentbacktoBluffHouse,andatlowtideMissGastonandMissForestcametotheisland.
Addressingtheoldman,MissForestsaid:"Oh,Mr.
Gotro,wherecanwegetsomeofthebeautifulopalssuchasMr.
Winslow'sboatmanhadthismorning""ThenitisLenwhohasfoundthebluevein,"criedWinslow.
"Whendidyouseehim""Earlythismorning.
Hefoundoutfromsomebodythatthestonehadconsiderablevalue,andheisonhiswaytoHalifax,aftertelegraphingaheadtothegovernment.
Hehadwithhimseveralpieces.
Hesaidthatnobodyelseknewwheretheplaceis.
""Thatyoungmanistheownerofavaluablemine,andisfromthisdayarichman.
Myfriend,Mr.
Gotro,istherightfulowner,ashehasknownofthemineforseveraldaysandfirstfoundit,yetheistoolatenowtogetpossessionofit.
""Myshareofitwillbesufficient,"saidPierre,calmly.
Thevenerableoldman,inhislifeofseclusionandlabor,hadneverknownthelustofwealth.
Butforhisdaughterhewouldnothavemadeanefforttosecurehisjustshareinthebluevein.
CHAPTERXIII.
LEN.
"DearLove,IamgrownmadwithgazinglongIntothyeyes,moveless,andeversweet;Uponthylipsthatneversmileandgreet;Thatrulemysoulandmakemypassionstrong.
"LenLawsonhadsuddenlybecomearichman.
Bythatstrangechancewhichseemstofavorsomemen,andbyhisownpromptactioninseizingtheopportunity,theboatman,whosewholewealthconsistedpreviouslyofatwenty-footkeelsail-boat,hadnowbecometheownerofanopalmine.
WiththereadymoneywithwhichWinslowhadpaidhimoffhewasabletosecuretherighttoworkthemineandmakethefoundationofhisfortune.
Thestoneprovedtobeexceptionallygood,andthoughinasmallveinitwaseasilyworkedandneedednoexpensivemachinerytoremoveit.
TwoNewYorkhousesboughtallthestonehecouldget,andLenwassooninpossessionofalargebankaccount.
Allthisoccurredinaveryfewdays,foronthefirstshipmentofstonehehadmoremoneythanhehadeverdreamedofinhismostsanguinemomentsofhopeandanticipation.
Withtheacquisitionofwealththesullenmanneroftheboatmanchangedtothearrogantandinsolentattitudeofthemanofrichesandpower.
Yettherichesdidnotbringhimhappinessorcomfort,andthepowerhedidnotknowhowtouse.
InhishopelesspassionforMariehebecameattimessoviolentastolosethefriendshipofPierre,andtoseverhisconnectionaltogetherwithBluffCastleanditsinmates.
Afterthenoveltyofthefeelingthathewasarichmanhadwornoff,hismindturnedbacktothetwosubjectswhichtookallhisattention,andwhichwereneverforgotten,theawfulexpectationofthewatercurse,andhislovefortheAcadian'sdaughter.
TheentranceofMarieintothelifeofLenLawsonhadincreasedtheeffectthefearofthecursehaduponhim.
Whilehehadlivedforhimselfalone,beforehefullyrealizedwhathisaffectionforthebeautifulgirlmeanttohim,hewasnotsohauntedbythethingaswhenhecametoyearsofthoughtandmanhood.
Helookeduponitnowasanobstacletothegreatestdesireofhislife,andhebelievedthatbutforithewouldbeinamuchstrongerpositioninregardtoMarie.
Itdweltwithhimeverydayofhislife.
Sincethechangesofthelastfewweekshebroodeduponittotheexclusionofeverythingelse;whilewiththeintensityofhisfeelingshisjealoushatredandvindictiveangerwereincreasedaswell.
Hisveryindependenceinducedthelaterdevelopmentofhismixedemotions.
Hehadknownofthestrangecursesetuponhisname,andfromboyhoodhadbecomefamiliarwithit.
Hehadseentheeffectofituponhisfather.
Hehadbeenledtobelieveitmightalsobehisfatetocomeunderitsbanewhenhehadreachedmaturity.
Familiarityhadlessenedthehorrorofitwhileitaffectedhimonly.
Butnowthatitwasaffectingothers,andinawaythatmostseriouslyconcernedthefutureofhislife,helookeduponitinadifferentway.
Hesawinitmorethanacurseonhislife.
Heknewittobethedeathofhisgreatesthope,andequaltodeathitself.
ThislaterfeelingcamewhenhehadbeenadmittedtoamoreintimaterelationshipwiththeGotros,andhadcometolookuponMarieasthepassionofhislife.
Hehadknownherfromchildhood,andafterhismanhoodhadcometohimhehadbeguntoappreciatethedifficultyofthepositionheheldasawould-belover.
Yetthemorethisdifficultybecameapparent,themoreardoritgavehispassion.
WhatthelastdevelopmentshaddoneforhimaswellasforMariewehavealreadyseen.
Byhisowneffortstobetterhiscausehecuthimselfoffaltogetherfromprivilegeswhichhehadpreviouslyenjoyed.
InMarieherselfimportantandsuddenchangeshadtakenplace.
Shehadbecomeanotherbeing.
Theindifferenceofthelight-heartedgirlgaveplacetothemorehighlysensitivenatureofthewoman.
ThearrivalofWinslowatPierreIsland,andtheeffectofhispersonalityuponthelifeoftheyoungwoman,hadatastrokeseveredallpossibleintimacybetweenLenandher,andforalltime.
Theywerenolongerchildrenandcouldnotdowiththethingsofchildhood.
InMariehaddevelopedthesecretbutstrongloveofherheart;andwithitasensitivenesswhichmadeheravoidsuchthingsashadbeenlightlyregardedbythegirl.
Inthemanhadsprungintolifepropensitiesforevil,andharshnessofmannerandspeech,which,withalackofrefinementandeducation,puttheyoungmaninaveryunfavorablelight.
Heerredinplacingsomuchvalueuponforceandtheadvantageofacertainpowerwhichwealthgavehim.
Atlastloveintheonehadbroughtwithitelevationofthoughtandsensitivenessofheart;intheotherpassionhadsunktothedepthsofhalf-despairandhalfhatred,andrequiredbutlittletoturnthewholecurrentofhisenergytoloveorhatred.
ThetendencyofhislifeandthepeculiarcircumstancesofhisyouthhadbeenmuchagainstLen.
Hewasworkingagainstgreatodds.
NeedwewonderatthedefeatthatmustsurelycometohimThoughonlyinhistwentiethyear,theunfortunateconditionsofhislifehadprematurelydevelopedhim.
EvenPierrewasunpreparedfortheresultofthesuddenchangesthathadoccurredintheyoungmanduringthelastfewweeks.
TowardsWinslow,Len'shatredbecamefixedandunyielding.
HisavoidanceofhisformeremployerbecamesomarkedthatWinslowmadenoattempttobreakinuponhishumor.
Pierrealwaystreatedhimasaboy,anddidnotchangehiscalmmannerorfatherlywaywithhim.
OnthestrengthoftheirformerfriendshipandintimacyLensometimesconversedwithPierre,whowaseverpatientwithhim,ashewaswitheverythingandeverybody.
Asmaybesupposed,Lenwasoutspoken,andthesubjectwasalmostalwaysMarie.
Theymetafewdaysafterthediscoveryofthebluevein,andLensoonturnedtheconversationuponhisdaughter.
"WhyshouldMarie,becausethoseAmericansarehere,neverspeaktomenow""Nevermindthegirl,Len;youarearichmannow,andthatwillgiveyouabetterchancetolookaboutforsomeonewhowillpleaseyouasmuchasMarie.
Youknowsheisbutachildinmyeyes,andImustnotloseherforalongtimeyet.
""IfIamrich,whydoesshestillshunme"hepersisted.
"Youmustletawomanhaveherway,Len,"Pierresaid.
"WhathasWinslowsaidofmeWhydidhiscomingtoyourhouseshutmeoutaltogether"hecontinued,hisragegrowing.
"Heisaworthyyoungman,Len.
Donotbelieveanythingthatisdishonoringtohim.
Hedoesnomanharm.
""Pierre!
Pierre!
hedoesnotloveMarie,ifshedoeslovehim,"hecried,brutally.
"Howmuchdoyougainbythat,Len"saidtheoldman,turninguponhimhiskindeyes,yetwithoutasignofanger.
"YoumustnotthinktogetnearertoMariebyspeakinginthiswayaboutthepersonsshethinksareherfriends.
""Pierre,"saidLen,"doesMariethinkthatthewatercursewillcometome""Youknowwhateverybodythinksaboutit,Len.
AndyouknowwhatweAcadiansthinkofit.
""But,Pierre,whymustthatcursedstorystandagainstme"heexclaimed,inarageagaininamoment.
"Ihaveneverbelievedthelietheytellaboutit,nordoIthinkIshallhavethewatercurse.
""Ihopenot,Len,Ihopenot.
Youhaveonlyayear,andifyouescapeitwiththemoneyyouhave,makeyourlifeagoodone.
Restrainyourtemper,andavoidsuchsuspicionsasyouseemtoholdofworthypeople.
"Intheirtalkstheynevergotbeyondthispoint.
TheyoungmanknewthepatienceofPierre,andoftenaddressedhiminthisway.
Itwasprobablyarelieffromthepressureofpassionanddisappointment,whichwouldhavemanifesteditselfinsomeotherway.
Yethisideasneverchanged,andPierresawthathewasmoreandmoreconvincedoncertainpointstouchingWinslow,andmoreunreasonableashischanceofsuccesslessened.
AnoccasionthrewWinslowandLentogethernotlongaftertheabovemeeting.
LenwaswaitingforthetidetofallenoughforhimtocrossthefordasWinslowcamedownforthesamepurpose.
Lenremainedsilentandsullen,whileWinslow,asusual,withhiscalmindifferencewouldhavelethimremainashefoundhim,hadnotthetemptationtoaddresshimovercomehisbetterjudgment.
Whilehespoketohimingoodpart,hewasnotexpectingthathiswordswouldbesobadlyreceived.
"Goodday,Mr.
Lawson.
Ihavenothadachancetocongratulateyouuponyourgoodluckinfindinganopalmine.
HaveyouquitegivenovertheMarie""Isupposeyouwouldwantitforitsname,"repliedLen,quickly.
"Oh,foritsname,"saidWinslow,perceivingwhathehadsaid,andtheeffectofhiswordsuponLen;"asforthat,it'saverygoodname.
No,notforthatreason.
Doyouwanttosellit""No,nottillnextweek.
"ItwasknownthatWinslowwastoleavebythattime.
"Oh,youwon'tgivemeachancetobidforit"Lenmadenoreplyforamoment,andmistooktheeasyandindifferentmannerofWinslow.
Steppingnowonthefordingstones,hewentasfarasthemiddle,whenhisangergotthebetterofhim,andturningabout,hesaid:"Ifyougotmyboatyouwouldchangeitsname.
That'swhyIwouldnotsellher.
"Winslowdidnotreplyorlookathim,ashewasgazingouttosea.
Len,nowcarriedawaybybothhatredandanger,blurtedout:"GracewouldnottaketheplaceofMarie.
"Winslowwasafterhimlikeaflash.
Lensawthathemustprotecthimselffromthebodyleapingtowardshimoverthefordstones,andbracedhimselffortheshock.
Itwasuseless.
Withoutaword,Winslow,ashereachedLen,benthisbodyquickly,andinatricethatyoungmanwaslandedonhisbackwithagreatsplashinthewater.
Nowordwasspoken.
Winslowproceededonhiswayovertherocks,andpasseduptheroadwithoutoncelookingback.
CHAPTERXIV.
CROSSPURPOSES.
AffairshadmovedalongveryrapidlyduringthelastfewdaysonPierreIsland.
Ithadbecomethefield,andMariethefocalpoint,ofinterestinthelivesofGraceGastonandFrankWinslow.
Thiscommoninterestbroughtthemtogetherintheinterchangeofthoughtastoherfutureandinunionofpurposeforherbenefit.
Shehadbecometheirprotégé,andtheybothgavehertheircareandprotection.
AtBluffCastle,oroutunderthetreesatthepointoftheislandthatgavethebestviewofthecountry,theyoftenconferredwithPierreconcerningthequestionofMarie'sfuture.
Theseself-imposeddutiesandthearrangingofalltheirplanswereproductiveofpleasantmomentsforthemall.
ItthrewWinslowmuchintothesocietyofMissGaston,whichhevaluedmoreandmoreasthedayspassedwhichwouldseparatehimaltogetherfromhisfriends.
Hisadmirationforherdidnotlessenashefoundeachdayoftheirfulleracquaintancesomenewqualityofherpersonality.
Perfectlyateaseunderalmostallcircumstances,shedidnotobtrudeherselfuponhim,sothathecouldonlyjudgeofheraschanceopenedtohisviewsomenewphaseofhercharacter.
TheoldAcadianhimselfwasmuchgratifiedwiththeinteresthisfriendsevincedinhisdaughterandhimself,anditbroughtanewhopeandsolacetohissaddenedlife.
MariehadbecomealmosttheconstantcompanionofMissGastonduringthefewweeksshehadspentawayfromBlomidon.
Shewasneverwithoutheronherwalksabouttheshoresoftheislandormainland.
OftenWinslowaccompaniedthem,butneverdidhefindMissGastonalone.
Hesometimeswonderedatthis,butasMariewentamongthemasaquietspirit,withoutintrusion,everwelcomedbythemall,norestraintwaseverputupontheirconversationbyherpresence.
Moreover,heasamanwasoutspoken,andwhileevercalmanddeliberateinhismanner,impartedafearlessanddecidedtonetoeachactofhislife.
Whathehadtodohedidatonce,andwasnoteasilyturnedaside.
Hebecamealoverinhisownpeculiarway,andashestrengthenedasaloverhedidnotweakenasaman.
Itwasnotinhisnaturetodoso.
Astrengthandfinenessofsoullaybeneathitall,butheunwittinglydeceivedhimselfandhedeceivedothers.
RecognizingtheforceofcharacterinMissGaston,hewasdrawntoherbyeveryresponsivesensibilityofhisbeing.
Hesawheroften.
Hehadeveryopportunitytorealizewhatshewasinherselfandinherrelationswithothers.
Onlyonesentimentshedidnotsharewithhim.
Herwomanlynaturetreasureditasitsown,andinthisonethingtheirfriendshiphadbeenoftooshortdurationforhimtodiscoveritfromherownlips,andtherewasnootherwaybywhichitmightbeknown,unlesschancehadrevealedit.
Thischancedidnotoccur,atleastforsomedaysaftertheirstay,andthentoolatefortheavoidanceofthatturninthestateofaffairswhichleftforMissGastontheonlyunhappinessofhervisittoNovaScotia.
Itmightbesaidthatitwasoneoftheregretsofherlifetime.
ShehadfoundinWinslowamanofthatqualitywhichuniteshimtoawomanofhighnatureinlastingaffection.
Suchexperiencesarerareinpracticallife,buttheyhaveaforceandqualitywhichisonlynexttoloveinthehighestsensebetweenmanandwoman.
Withoutafather,shehadcometoAcadiawiththeForests,andhadbeenaccompaniedbyMr.
Sternlyduringapartoftheirtrip.
Thisyoungman,oneoftherisingartistsoftheday,wasyetintheearlystagesofhisadvancement,andwhilesuccesswascertain,heneededyetsomeyearsofstudyandlabortogivehimtheprominencewhichhistalentspromised.
Notasyetengaged,heandMissGastonwereacceptedlovers.
Shelivedinhisultimatesuccess,andhadacceptedhimasthechoiceofherheartwithoutbindinghimorherselftoanyfuturerelationshiptillhehadgiventotheworldthehighesttypeofsuccess,andcrownedhislaborswiththepurestandloftiestidealofartisticdevelopment.
Shehadenteredwithhimintothisgreathope.
Shehadstimulatedhimwiththeinfluenceofherambitionforhimandthestrengthofherloveaswell.
Betweenthemexistedthepurestformofthatlovewhichcrownsandglorifiesallearthlylabor.
Itwasnotathemeforthecommentofothers.
"Ourprotégéhasbeenthemeansofmakingusbetteracquainted,Mr.
Winslow,"saidMissGaston,duringoneoftheirwalks,aftertheyhadbeenarrangingsomeplans,asusual,forMarieandPierre.
"Mrs.
Forestandherdaughterarepleasedthatweweresofortunate.
""Ithasbeenfortunateforme,rather,inthatIhavefoundsuchgoodfriends.
ImuchregretthatImustleaveheresosoon.
""Wealsoregretit.
ThepeoplestayingatthehotelarehopingtoarrangeforanexcursiontoGrand-Pré,andMrs.
Foresttoldmeshehopeditwouldcomeoffbeforeyouwentaway.
"Mariewaswiththem,andtheywanderedtowardstheBlueVein,enjoyingtothefullestextentthelovelydayandthesoftbreezefromtheoutgoingtide.
Theyhadturnedamongthehugemassesofrockattherearoftheisland.
Marie,silentaswasherwontwhileinthepresenceofWinslow,movedalongwiththem,orstoppedtoexaminesomeobjectthatcaughtherattentionastheywalked.
Shehaddroppedbehindthemnow,andMissGaston,turningtohim,said:"NowthatitisallarrangedforMarietomakeherhomewithus,Iamsurethatyouwilldoyourdutybyherandcometoseeheroften.
Itwillbeaguaranteethatyoushallnotneglectyourotherfriends,fortheForestsareoftenwithus.
""ImustgotoMarie'shometoseeyou,"saidWinslow,turninguponherwithastrangelookinhiseyes,andadeeperandlowertoneinhisvoice.
"MissGaston,asIleaveheresosoonIesteemthisopportunityagreatprivilege.
"Shestartedasifshehadreceivedablow,andinaninstantsherealizedthemeaningofthesituation.
Apainfullightbrokeinuponher.
Shefearedtolethimgoonandshehesitatedbeforesheshouldfullyunderstandhim.
Buttherewasnomistakinghisvoiceandthelookonhisface.
Thestrongman'ssoulwasonhislips,andtheinfluenceofhisstrengthwasonherheartandmovedherbeyondthepossibilityofadoubt.
"Oh,Mr.
Winslow,"shecried,inavoicefullofpain,"IfearIhavebeenterriblymistaken.
AndIfearIhaveunwittinglydeceivedyou.
""Thendonotletusmisunderstandeachotheranylonger,MissGaston.
ImusttellyouthatIhopedmuchfromthisfriendship,sosuddenly—andIthoughtsohappily—cometous.
Donot,Ibegofyou,mistakemyinterestinMarie,andmyaffectionforherfather.
""Forgiveme,Mr.
Winslow,"shesaid,withtearsinhereyes,"thisisasadnessforme.
Iwassurely,surelyblind.
"Winslowlookedatherlongwithpaleface,andsawthattosaymorewastoaddstillgreaterpaintohergrief.
Herealizedhisposition,andwitheffortkepthimselfinhand.
"PardonmeifIreturn,"hesaid,hurriedly,asheheardMarie'sstepsapproachingthemagain.
Heturnedaway,andcaughtforaninstantthefulllookofMarie'seyesashehurriedpasther.
Inanotherinstanthewasoutofsight,andthetwowomenmet.
MariesawthetearsandagitationofMissGaston,andasshecamenearherfriendshewasclaspedinamomentabouttheneck,andfoundherowntearsfalling,calledforthbythesilentgriefoftheolderwoman.
"Oh,Marie,"shesaid,atlast,"Ihavebeeninjuringyou,andIhaveinjuredMr.
Winslow.
ButnotforamomentdidIthinkofallthisthathasoccurred.
""Youcouldnotinjuremeorhim,Grace,"answeredMarie,stillheldbyherfriend.
"Marie,Ishallneverforgivemyselftillyoubothhaveforgivenme.
""Iforgiveyounow,andMr.
Winslowforgivesyou,too,"saidMarie,smilinginhertears.
Itwassometimebeforetheyreturnedfromthebeach.
Theywerebothsilent,andholdingeachother'shand,andbythesuddenstrokeofchanceboundstillmorecloselytogether,theonebysympathyandlove,theotherbytheaddedqualityofaheartfilledwiththedeepdesireofdoingreparationforagreatinjury.
MissGastonlookeduponhercomingtoPierreIslandasagreatmisfortune,andherstayingthereafterthedevelopmentofthefirsteventsandtheconditionofthingswhichsheshouldhavebeencognizantof,thegreatestblunderofherlife.
FromwhatWinslowhadsaidofthePierresshehadatonceinferredthatMarieheldfirstplaceinhisaffections.
Shebelievedhimcapableofanydisinterestedactionfortheadvantageofanother,yetshelookeduponhisrelationwiththeAcadianfamilyashavingadeepermeaningthanthatwhichwasnowdisclosed.
Inthisshehadbeendeceived,andithadledtosuchconsequencesastobindhertotheendofrestoringtheoriginalconditionofaffairsasfarasinherpowerlay.
Howmuchshewoulddotoseeherfriendsastheywerebeforeshecameintotheirlives.
Withtheinstinctofawoman,andwiththatinsightpeculiartoherself,shehadfoundinMariesuchqualitiesashadpleasedher,andhadsatisfiedherastoWinslow'schoice.
IndoingforMarieshefeltthatshewasaidingWinslowaswell,andfromthisdoubleserviceshehadderivedagreatdealofsatisfactionandpleasure.
TheintensefeelingofregretandsorrowwouldoftenquiteovercomeherasshewalkedbacktowardsthefordwithMarie,andthetearsoftencametohereyesasshereflectedonthepossibleconsequencesofherintervention.
Shefearedthatitmightbeevenmoreseriousthanthestrongnatureofherfriendpromised.
Withthesefeelings,andwithanoccasionaloverpoweringemotionwhichaffectedMarieaswell,theynowcameinsightoftheford,andtheappearanceoftheForestsontheotherside,andtheirsignalsofwelcomecausedhertoputastrongrestraintuponherfeelings.
Theyweresoonabletoconverseacrossthechannelwhichrippledoutsoftlyandlaidbarethehigherstonesoftheford.
MissForestwasinthegreatestgoodhumor.
Shesaidatonce,whenherfriendcamewithinspeakingdistance:"Itisallarranged,Grace.
Wegointhemorning.
""ToGrand-Pré""Yes.
""Marie,"shecontinued,"youandyourfatherandSuzannemustcomewithus.
Wehavearrangedforeverything,andyoumustcome.
"MissGastonleftMariewithafewkindwords,andasthetidehadfallen,shesteppedovertherocksofthefordandjoinedherfriends.
MariepassedupthesteeproadtoBluffHousestilloppressedwiththegriefthathadcalledforthhersympathywithMissGaston.
FromthesummitWinslowhimself,seatedalone,lookeddownuponthescenepresentedtohisview,andgavehimselfupforthetimetotheemotionswhichhisexperienceoftheafternoonlefthim.
Herecalledthewholeincident,andforthefirsttimehefoundthatthechildwomanhadinsomemysteriouswaybeenthecauseofallhispresentunhappiness.
HerecalledwhatMissGastonhadsaidinregardtoMarieandhimself,andhewonderedhowitwaspossibleforhertosupposehimoccupyingthepositionshehadassumedforhiminthelifeoftheAcadianmaiden.
HesawMissGastongoingupthebeachtowardsthemainland,andasherformgrewsmallerandatlastwaslosttoviewintheroadwhichturnedalongthesideofthehill,helookedatMariecomingnearerandnearerassheascendedwithslowstepstheislandroad.
Herformstoodoutwithbolderlines,andherlargeeyesandbeautifulfacehadtakenanewqualityinhiseyes.
Hefoundhimselfthinkingaboutherasawoman,notasachild,ashehaddonepreviously.
TheinfluenceofMissGastononhimwasalreadyatwork,andintheconfusionofhisthoughtshedidnotfailtorealizethatfromthatdaythetwowomenwhohadsomuchtodowithhisdestinyhadsuddenlyfallenfromthepositionhehadfalselyplacedthemin,andhadbyarapidturnofaffairsassumedtheplacetheyrightlybelongedto,andwhichalsochangedconsiderablyhisownpositioninregardtothem.
CHAPTERXV.
EVANGELINE'SRETURN.
"Alongmyfather'sdykesIroamagain,Amongthewillowsbytheriver-side.
ThesemilesofgreenIknowfromhilltotideAndeverycreekandriver'sruddystain.
Neglectedlongandshunned,ourdeadherelain.
Herewhereapeople'sdearesthopehasdied,Aloneofalltheirchildrenscatteredwide,Iscanthesadmemorialsthatremain.
Thedykeswavewiththegrass,butnotforme,Theoxenstirnotwhilethisstrangercalls.
Fromthesenewhomesuponthegreenhill-side,Wherespeechisstrangeandthisnewpeoplefree,Novoicecriesoutinwelcome;forthesehallsGivefoodandshelterwhereImaynotbide.
"EarlynextmorningtheresidentsofPierreIsland,includingoldSuzanne,andtheirAmericanfriendsandanumberofvisitorsfromthehotelwereonboardalargeandpowerfultugboatengagedforthepurposeoftakingthemtoGrand-Pré.
Itwasapleasantparty.
Merrylaughterandconversationwereheardfromeverypartoftheboat.
Underthemorningsunthatfilledwithgloriouslighttheclearair,thewholebluesheetoftheBasinspreadbeforethem,andthewhitefog-veilofBlomidonslowlymeltedaway.
Thewarmdaylayopenandfullofdelightfulrepose,givingofitsbesteverywhere.
WhenatitsbestthegloryofaNovaScotiadayontheBasinofMinasisnottobeequalledanywhereforbalmyfreshnessontheswellingfloodofaFundytidefreshfromtheocean.
Itscool,saltydepthswerecleanandfleetto-dayonitserrandtothemarshcountryofGrand-Pré.
TideandsteamwereunitedinaccomplishingthejourneybetweenCumberlandHillsandHortonHeights.
OntheeastthetidespedupintotheCobequidBay,wherethelandwaslostsightofaltogether.
OnthewestBlomidonlaylikeasleepingbeast.
WhereitslopeddowntothebeginningofthemorelevelcountryoffarmsandorchardstheCornwallisValleyopensup.
Herebegintheredbanksanddykedlevelsofthemarshcountry.
Thebluetidehasnowitsfringeofredrunintoitspureoceancolorfromthealluvialdepositsthatfillalltheriverways,manyofthemrunningtothesea.
Astheircoursetookthemfarthersouththefringebecamebroader,anddoublingKingsportPointlongwedgesofsaltmarshcutintothetideuntiltheirsedgygrowthlaycompletelyburiedbythecurrent.
Thewholebodyofwateraroundtheboatwasnowred,andtheheadlandswereofthesamecolor,andwerecutdownalmostperpendicularbytheactionofthesea.
TheboathasnowreachedtheGrand-Précountry.
PierrepointedouttoWinslow,whostoodeverathisside,thedifferentrivers,andwherethedykesran,andthelocationofthemanyAcadianvillages.
OnthewestwereHabitantandCanard,oncelargerivers,butnowdykedinandmadefruitfuleventothebottomoftheancientchannels.
Herethedykescrossedtherivers,andshutoutthesaltwater.
TheCornwallisonthenorth-west,andtheAvonontheeast,withthehistoricGaspereaubetweenthem,yetfloweduntrammelledbyanyobstruction,thewindingdykesfollowingthesinuositiesoftherivers,whichwerelosttoviewupthevalleyswhencetheycame.
ThewoodedlandinfrontisLongIsland.
Quicklytheboatgoeswiththetidetilltheislandisontheright,andenteringthemouthoftheGaspereau,theGrand-Prémeadowsliebeforethem,stretchinglevelbetweenLongIslandandtheuplandonthesouth.
HerecentretheeventsofthestoryofEvangeline.
HerewastheGrand-Préofaprosperousandhappypeople.
HerewastheGrand-Prémadedesolateandlosttoitspeople.
HereistheGrand-Préofanotherrace,rich,beautiful,andforevertobeknowninitssadstory.
ThesteamerwassoonatthepierinsidethebroadmouthoftheriverGaspereau.
HereweretheAcadianpeopletakenaboardthevesselsbyboatsunderthecarelesseyesofthesoldiery,whodidnotunderstandtheirlanguageandgavelittleheedtotheirgrief.
Theseasonwascoldandlate.
Theworkwastobedone,andthesooneroverthebetter,afterthetediousdelayofgettingenoughshipsforthepurpose,andbeingkeptinthecountrywhentheywerelookingforwardtothetimewhentheymightreturntotheirhomes.
Thepeoplewerehurriedoff,andtheworkpromisedtobeoverwithsoon.
Themorningswerenowunpleasantlycoldafteruncomfortablenightsinthecanvastents,andthegroundwasoftenfrozen.
Theyweretoogladtoescape,andshortworktheymadeofbustlingthepoorpeopleintotheships.
Astherewerenotenoughvesselstotakethepeoplecomfortably,theyhadtobestowedawayaswellaspossibleinthefewtherewere.
Afterviewingthescene,thewholepartytooktheroadalongwhichtheAcadianscametothebeach,andinashorttimearrivedatGrand-Pré.
BytherowofFrenchwillowswhichthepeoplehadsetoutnearthechurch,theynowstoodtolookupthegentleslopecoveredwithfruittrees,andbeautifulwiththeyounggreenoftheyear'scrops.
HerehadstoodthevillageofGrand-Pré.
BetweentheslopeandthewillowsColonelWinslowhadpicketedhiscamp.
"EvangelinehasreturnedtoGrand-Pré,"saidMissForest,takingMarie'shandasshespoke,"afteranabsenceofacenturyandahalf.
""Onlytolookuponherfathers'home,"saidPierre,whostoodnear;"onlytostandnearthegravesofherancestors,unmarkedevenbyamound.
OnlytogazeintothehollowofacellaroncethefoundationofaGotrohome,oruponthedeathlesswillowthatgrewintheplaceofapeople'sloveandmarkedthehomeofatrustfulpeasantry.
ToournamehastheAcadianGrand-Prédescended,buttheAcadianGrand-Préisnomore.
"Hisfriendslistenedtohiswordsinsilence,andappreciatedthefeelingsofthevenerableoldman,embodyinginhimselftheconvictionsofthousandsofhisrace,theirhumilityandcalm,theirmelancholypatience,thelatergenerationsoftheAcadianpeople.
TheynowwanderedoverthegroundnearthewillowswherestoodthechurchofSt.
Charles,whichhadservedastheprisonforthefourhundredandtwenty-fourmaleinhabitantsfromtenyearsandupwards.
TheywalkeduptheslopeontheoldFrenchroad,whilethelastGotro,theheirtoGrand-Pré,pointedoutthehomesofhisancestors.
Atlast,fromthehilltheylookedoverthevaststretchofdykelandandthenumerouslinesofdykewhichhadbeenthrownuponebeyondtheothertillthewholemeadowhadbeenenclosed.
WinslowandMissGastonfoundthemselvesalittleapartfromtheothers,thefirsttimetheyhadbeenalonesincetheyhadseparatedonthebeachatPierreIslandthedaybefore.
"Mr.
Winslow,willyoupermitmetosayit,IthinkwehaveunitedourinterestinMarie.
IfeelthatthismakesabondbetweenuswhichIamsurecannotbewithoutvaluetoeitherofus.
IdaretobelievethatImayrightfullyholdthisopinion.
AmIright""IcannotrelinquishmyservicetothedaughterofmyfriendPierre.
Icanshareitwithyouwithpleasureandinallconfidence.
""Iamverygladofit,"shereturned.
"ImustbelievethatourunitedserviceisacceptabletoMarie,aswellastoherfather.
Sheacceptsyoursnolessthanmine.
""Imusttakethisopportunitytosaygood-bye,MissGaston.
Ishallnotreturnbytheboat,asIgobytrainfromhere.
"Theapproachoftheirfriendspreventedanyfurtherconversationofapersonalorprivatenature,andwithmanyexpressionsofregretandsurpriseonallsides,heboardedthetrainwhichsoonarrived,andwastakenfromamongthem.
MarieandMissGastonclungtoeachotheralmostasmotherandchild.
InMarie'seyeswasthestoryofhergrief.
Inherfriend'sheartwasthesaddoubtthathadcomeintoitfromthesuddendepartureofWinslow.
FromthatdaybeganthepatientwaitingofthemourningEvangelineandthelongabsenceofherGabriel.
CHAPTERXVI.
THERETURNOFGABRIEL.
"Sweet,sorrowing,mute,unplainingmaidenhood.
"AsthecomingofFrankWinslowtoPierreIslandhadbeenthecauseofsomanychangesandimportanteventsinthelivesofseveralindividuals,sotheperiodofhisabsence,onthecontrary,wasstrangelyquietanduneventful.
PierreIslandanditsvenerableinhabitant,seldomdisturbednowbythesignsofanoutsideworld,felttheyearspassawayandrealizednochange.
MariehadbeeninNewYorkforthreeyearsunderthecareofMissGaston.
Asallherwintersforsometimehadbeenspentawayfromhome,itwasnounusualconditionforherfather.
WinslowhadgonewestimmediatelyafterhisreturntotheStates,sothatwhenMissGastonreachedthecityhewasmanymilesaway.
FromtheRockyMountainshehadgonetotheKlondike.
DuringhisstayinthatregionhehadkeptintouchwithhisfriendsintheEast.
AfterthedepartureoftheAmericans,andparticularlyofWinslow,LenLawsonhadchangedconsiderablyindemeanor,andwhenhelearnedthathisrivalwasinadistantcountryhedidnotconcealhissatisfactionintheleast.
HeopenlyexpressedittoPierre.
Hismannerotherwisewasnotsounpleasant,andbutfortheever-hauntingfearofthecursethatwouldsoonbeuponhim,hisnatureseemedtohaveundergoneachangeforthebetter.
PierreIslandsawmuchofhim,andhadbecomeaplaceofrefuge,sotospeak,whendriventoaconditionofdespair.
Hewassureoftheoldman'sprotectionandsympathy.
FrankWinslowfoundinastrangecountry,andamidthehardshipsandoccupationpeculiartohismissionthere,anagreeablemeansofdistractionfromtheseriousthoughtresultingfromtheconditionswhichhadlatelyinvolvedhislife.
Theblowhehadreceivedwasasevereone,andhadcomesuddenlyandunexpectedly.
Inthetoilandroutineofhisnewlifehesethimselfbravelytothetaskhehadbeforehim.
Therewasagrievouswoundtobehealed,andhisforceofcharacterturnedhimintosuchdirectionsastendedtomakehimasquicklyaspossiblegrowintothenewlifethatmustnowopentohim.
Hispreviousactivecareerhadkepthimremarkablyfreefromwoman'sinfluence.
Thoughbutayoungman,hehadtravelledagreatdeal,butwithastrictadherencetothedemandsofhiswork,andsoabsorbedbyitthathehadbeenabletogiveithisundividedattention.
Sciencehadreceivedhisallegiance,totheexclusionofeveryothermistress.
AftercomingintointimaterelationswithGraceGaston,andseeinginherthosehighqualitieswhichpleasedhismanlyheart,hewasatoncepowerfullyinfluenced.
Everythingtendedtobringhimmoreandmoreintoarealizationofherpersonality,andthatmadetheresultinevitable,sofarashewasconcerned.
Fromtheirfirstmeetingtotheirfinalpartinghewasaffected.
Suchafeeling,whetherloveorfriendship,isofapermanentcharacter.
Hehadinterpreteditasmeaninglove.
Hehadbeenpowerfullymovedbyit.
Hehadactedasthelover,andastheloverhadatlastcometoher.
Asaresulttheybothsuffered,eachinhisandherownway,andwerepreventedinconsequencefromenjoyingthefullvaluewhichafriendshipsuchaswaspossibletothemwouldbestow.
InthewildsofAlaskahefeltthesamepowerfulfeelingswhichhadmovedhimatPierreIsland.
Hisexperiencegaveitadifferentcoloringinhislife.
TherewasnouncertaintyinrelationtoitasregardedGraceGaston.
Timewasneededtosoftentheeffectofthedisappointmentuponhislife,whichhadcomethroughher.
Sohewasgladthattheworkwhichhehadinhandwouldrequirenotafewyearstoaccomplish.
GraceGastonfoundinMariethedevelopmentofawomanhoodofapureandretiringnature.
Herwonderfullysensitiveheartdemandedcertainconditionstosatisfyit.
Asshebrokeawayfromthetiesofyouth,afewyearswroughtgreatchangesinher.
Sheeverretainedhershyness.
Aquietretirement,excepttothoseinwhomsheplacedimplicitfaith,andamodestywhichnostateofherlifecoulderadicateoralter,wereeverthequalitiestocharacterizeher.
Inhereverydaylifeshewasstrongofcharacterandpurpose.
Warmofheart,andoffirmhope,shegrewtoriperwomanhoodcapableofanysacrificeforthoseofherintimatelife.
Withhermentalandmoralgrowthwasalsothebeautyoffaceandformwhich,neverbrilliant,wasneverthelessofthathightypewhichcommandsadmirationandderivesitsstrengthfromunaffectednativeloveliness.
Herwomanhoodwasofthatpurequalityseenonlyinthereposefulfaceandthehalfmelancholy,languidrelaxationofformutterlyunconsciousofitself.
ToGraceGastoneverydaythatcamefoundinherheartsomehopeforthechangeintherelationsthatexistedbetweenWinslowandherlovedcompanion,Marie.
Itwastheregretofherexistencethatthroughherunwittingactionshehadbeenthemeansofseparatingthesetwopersons.
ShehadcomeinthewayofMarie'slove.
ShehadinterruptedthecourseofeventswhichshefullybelievedwouldhaveopenedWinslow'shearttoastrongattachmentfortheAcadiangirl.
Forthisactofhersshecouldneverrestcontentwithherselfuntilshesawthesetwofriendsreturnedtoeachother,andtheoriginalstateofaffairsrestoredasshehadfoundthemwhenshehadarrivedatPierreIsland,orjustbeforeshehadseenWinslowatBlomidon.
Marie,shebelieved,wastherealandtrueobjectofhislife.
Sheheldtothisideaasanintuition,andshehadallfaithintheultimateresult.
Shelongedforthefinalrestorationofthepicturewhichshehadrudelymarred.
Herownhappinessdependedonit.
ShereadtheforceofWinslow'scharacter.
SheknewtheheartofMarie,andsheknewthequalitieswhichhadendearedhertoherself.
Inpursuanceofthisidea,andinactingforitsend,shedidnotseeorrealizealltheresultsofherefforts.
WhilesheexertedeverywomanlytacttomakehimunderstandwhathadtakenplaceinMarie'slife,andofthewonderfuldevelopmentinherpersonality,shefailedtoseetheimpressionshemadeonWinslow'smindinregardtoherself.
Hefoundhertakingahigherandbetterplaceinhislifethanhehadbeenabletogiveheratfirst.
Sherosesteadilyinhisestimation,andthoughsheknewitnot,sheoftenleftwithhimallthepainandalltheregretswhichhesufferedonlearningthetruestateofherheart.
AstoMarie,shewasthesametohimasshewaswhenheleftPierreIsland.
Hecouldnotchangethepictureofherinhismind.
Shy,gentle,andinthefirstblushofwomanhood,wonderfullybeautiful,heremembered,andwithastrangelightinhereyeswhichhehadseenbutafewtimes,—thiswastherecollectionofthedaughterofhisfriendPierre,andthisonlywhenhegaveherathought.
SoGraceGastonwastruetohertrustandfaithfultothechargeshehadplaceduponherself.
Nomothermoreseriouslyconsideredthetrainingandcultureofherdaughter.
Shefeltalltheanxietyofherresponsibletaskandlookedtoacertainresult.
Onherfaithfulandintelligentarrangementandpreparationdependedthelifehappinessoftwoofherfriends.
Andonthedesiredresulthungtheexpiationoftheblameshecouldnotridherselfof.
"Marie,IamfinishingmylettertoMr.
Winslow.
Whatistherefromyourfatherhewouldliketohear""PèrewrotetomethatLenLawsonhadlostagooddealofhismoneytryingtoimprovetheBlueVeinmine.
Itisnotsogoodnow,astheveinisverysmall,andthestoneisnotsofine.
Lenhashadthewaterfeverforsometime,andbetweenthetwoheischanging.
""Ihavetoldhimthatyouthinkyoucannotleaveyourfatherforsolongatimeagain.
Hedoesnotshowanysignofdecline,butasheissooldyouthinkthatyoushouldnotbeawayfromhimsomuch.
""Yes,andpèrehopestoseeMr.
Winslowthisyear.
""Iwilltellhimso.
Ithinkthatwewillseehimthisyear.
""Itislateforhimtoreturnfromthatcountry,isitnot""Yes,buthesaysthathewillhavetocomesouthatonce.
""WhydoeshereturnthisyearHesaidthatitwouldtakehimanotheryeartocompletehiswork.
""Yes,hewrotetomethathecouldnotexpecttocomehomebeforenextsummer.
""Grace,doyouthinkthatheisinbadhealthItisaterriblecountry,evenforstrongmen,"askedMarie,lookinginquiringlyintothefaceofherfriend.
"Hislastletterdoesnotsaywhyheisreturningsosoon.
""Hemustbesick,Grace.
Thatdreadfulcountry,andhehasbeenworkingsohard.
""Ifearhehasoverworkedhimself,Marie,andheiscompelledtoreturnthisyear,ayearearlierthanhefirstintended.
""Ifheisnotwell,mydearfathermaynotseehim,evenifhereturns.
""Hewouldnotspendthesummerhere,andhecouldnotdobetterthantogotoPierreIsland,evenintheautumn.
"AsshespokeshelaidherhandonMarie'sarm,andlookedupintoherfacewithalovingexpressionofcountenance.
"Ihopehewillcome,"saidMarie,withouttheslightestembarrassmentofmanner.
Asoftlookcameintohereyesasshespokeherthoughtsandfeelings.
SoitwasthatMariehadinthematuredstrengthofherwomanhoodunconsciouslyconsecratedherlifetoherlove.
Notbydeliberatepurposehadshedoneso,buteveryactandthoughtofherlifewereinaccordwithit,anditwasannouncedinthemanddominatedherbeingandcontrolledheractions.
Itwasakintoworship,yettherewasnottheslightestelementofencouragementinit,sofarasshewasconcerned.
Shelivedhappilywithherlove,neverthelesstheforgetfulnessofherself,andthedispositiononherparttosetasideherlifeforthegoodofothersdidnotpermithertodwelluponanyexpectation.
Sheclungfirmlytowhatshehad,andlivedheryearsasapreciouspossession.
InafewmoreweeksMariewasathomeagainatPierreIsland,amongtherocksandbluffsofMinasBasin.
Whatalovelinesswasthereinthewarmreflectionsoftheskyonthelong,barebeachesatlowtide.
Outalongthefringeoftheflatsshewalkedasagirl,seeingthebeautyofthingsandplaces,andfeelingthejoyoflifeamidthescenesandobjectswhichbeforehadnotsoattractedherattention.
Herearswerefilledwithgladsounds.
Theyspokeofthelong,lazyfallofthelow-tidesurf.
Itsighedthroughthesalmonweir,andoverheadsoughedinthefoliageofthestuntedpines,andamongthecavesandcovesofPierreIsland,echoedbackwithweirdloudnessfromthefaceofthecliffs.
Howfreshandcleanthebreezecame,fanningherface,fromthesalttidesandbrinypoolsofweed!
Wherethesandandfinerstonehadbeenlaidstepabovestep,showingeachchangeofthetide,shewalkedalongthelasttidelineandmarkedthegatheringsofthesealaidupontheshore.
Itwasallsodelightfullyrealtohernow,sinceshehadbeenawayfromitsolong,andhadgrownsofarintoanewlifewhileaway.
Neverbeforeinherabsencehadshefeltthesamejoyonherreturn.
Shewasnotgiventoidledreaming,butshewaslivinginanewlifeoffresh,matureryears,andshesawtheworldofheryouth,herbeautifulworld,throughtheeyesofherlove.
Ittintedeverything.
Shehadbecomeapoetinfancyandperception,intheemotionalintensityandexpansionofherbeing.
Hereducationanddevelopmentgaveheranintelligentappreciationofthehigherpoeticqualitiesoflifearoundhernow,andofherplaceinit.
Therewassuggestioninit,richthought,andherlovecrowneditall.
SoMariebroughtbacktoPierreIslandaqualityshehadneverbeforeknownorseeninit.
Shedidnotrealizethatitcamefromherself,andthatherchangedpersonalityhadgivenofitselftoeverycommonplaceobject.
Nordidsheknowthatthestrangethrillswhichcametoherintheplayoflightandcolor,ofharmonioussounduponhersensibilities,weregivenlifeandreceivedtheirpeculiarcharacterfromtheinfluencesofherloveandtheexpectationofthereturnofWinslow.
WhenMariedidthinkofthepossibilityofseeingWinslowatPierreIsland,afearandtremblingseizeduponherheartattimes,andshelongedforthepresenceofherfriend,MissGaston,thewomanshelovedasonlyawomancanlovewhohasnonearrelativeintheworldbutafather.
ShelearnedfromherfatherthatLenLawson,heroldplaymateofthebeach,whomshehadnowtodrivefromherlife,hadbeenawayforseveralweeks,consultingskilfulspecialists,andtryingtogetaremedyforhismalady.
Thecursewasuponhim.
Everypassionandambitionofhisformerlifewasdrownedintheawfulfeveroftheoldmalediction.
HisloveforMarie,hisinterestinhismine,andthewealthhehadacquired,wereforgotteninhiseffortstogetrelieffromthecursewhichwasuponhimdayandnight.
Notmanydaysaftercominghome,whilethenoveltyofitallwasyetwithher,shespentseveralhoursatthebluffsideofPierreIsland.
ShelookedwithastrangefeelingofdreadattheshelfinthecovefromwhichWinslowhadbeenrescued.
ThenshewanderedontotheplacewheretheBlueVeinlayunderthemassoffallenrock.
Theopeninghadbeenenlarged,andtherewaseveryevidenceoflaborabovewherethetidereached.
Otherwisetherewasnothingunusualintheappearanceoftheplace.
TherehadnotbeenanylabordonesinceLenhadgoneaway,andthetidehadwashedoutallthesignsofhumaneffort.
Marieavoidedtheplacewithakindofterror,asthoughtheshadowofanimpendingfatewasalreadyoverit.
Finallytherisingofthetidewarnedherthatitwastimeforherreturn.
Slowlyshemovedalongtheedgeoftherisingwater,takingadelicatebitofseaweedtopress,orexaminingashellormineralspecimen.
InthiseasywayshereachedBluffCastleatlast.
SuddenlytheattentionofMariewascalledtovoiceswhichcamefromthehouse.
Shestopped,andinamomentthecolorleftherface,and,trembling,shesankuponabenchnearthedoor.
Herfeardidnotleaveher.
Thesoundsoffamiliarvoices,oneherfather's,theothersowellremembered,yetsochanged,cametoherwithunnervingpower.
Thehopedfor,yettheunexpected,hadoccurred.
Shehadneverdweltuponhiscoming,andofthepossibilityofbeingcompelledtoenterhispresenceunannounced,orwithnothingtobringthemtogethereasilyandnaturally.
Hewasnearher,inherownhome,yetshedarednotenter.
Shehadnotthestrengthtoriseandremoveherselffromtheseat.
Suddenlyhercouragereturned,inthewordswhichcametoherfromwithin.
Herstrengthasserteditselfandshewasnolongerafraid.
Shehadpicturedtoherselfthestalwart,strongWinslowofthreeyearspast,butthewordsthatcametohernowtoldthestory,andarousedthewomaninher,theheartofsympathyforthemansheloved.
"FriendPierre,itisgoodtofeeltheairhere.
Itwillmeanlifeandstrengthtomesoon.
ButforyouIwouldneverhaveclimbedIslandRoad.
ItseemsimpossiblethatIhavelostsomuch.
"Marie,arousedallatonce,didnotseeassheheardthewordsthusspoken,apale,emaciatedman,changedoutofalmosteverysemblanceofhisformerathleticself,lyingbackinaneasychair.
Onlythefirmvoiceandfine,honesteyestoldtheWinslow,butfallensolow.
Inamomentshewasthewomanagain,equaltohiminthepurposeofherobedientandsympatheticheart.
Shefeltthatheneededher,andthensheentered.
Gabrielhadbeenfound.
CHAPTERXVII.
THEWATERCURSE.
ForabriefspaceoftimeWinslowgazedatMarie,andthenbrokeout,astonishmentwritteninhisface:"What,Marie!
Thenwehavebothchanged.
"Herlookwasequallyoneofsurpriseandpainasshetookhisextendedhand,andshewaspowerlesstoutteraword.
Shewassparedfurtherembarrassment,however,byPierre,whosaid:"Marie,putMr.
Winslow'sroomtorights.
Wehavebeenwaitingforyou.
"Marie,gladtoescape,hurriedaway.
FromthatmomentanewlightcameintothelifeofMarie.
Newandpleasantdutiesbecamehers.
MissGaston,whoheardfromherafewdaysafterWinslow'sarrival,realizedthechangeinherfriend.
ShewiselyconcludednottogotoPierreIslandthatyear,oratleasttillshewassurehercomingwouldnotbethecauseofanybreakinthenewconditionofaffairs.
Shehadherownhistorytomake,andyetherownhappinessdidnotpreventherenteringintothelivesofherfriends.
Asthedayswentby,MariebecamemoreandmorearevelationtoWinslow.
Afterthefatigueofhisjourney,andthelongandtediousroadtoPierreIsland,hedidnotrealizefullywhattheextentofthedevelopmentwasthathadtakenplaceinMarie.
Hesawitmoreandmoreasthetimepassedandhiskeenerperceptionsrenewedtheiractivity.
SoWinslowsawonlyPierreandhisfamilyabouthim.
Itwassomedaysbeforehecouldwalktothebeach,althoughhisstrengthcamebackwitheverybreathoftheFundyairandthepuresunshineofthelatesummerdays.
Mariefromthefirstwasinstalledasnurseandcompanion.
Asanassociateshewasinaveryshorttimeasnecessaryasshehadatfirstbeenasanurse.
InthiswayWinslowcametoknowthewomanbetterthanhehadknownthegirl,everydaydisclosingsomequalityofherbeautifulnature.
AtlasthefoundthathisyearsspentintheYukonwereofthegreatestvalueinhislife.
Theyledtohispresentposition,whichanyothercoursewouldhavelosttohim.
OnedayhesaidtoPierre:"WhathasbecomeofLen'sboat""Thepoorfellowgotintoarageoneday,duringatalkwithme.
Itwasintheheightofsummer,andthedreadofthecursewasbreakinghimdown.
Hesuddenlyleftmeandhurriedawaytohisboat,whichwaslyingonthebeachoutofthetide.
Isawhimgoaboardofher,andverysoonsmokerosefromthelittlecabin.
Isuspectedwhatheintendedtodowhenheleftme,andwentafterhim,buttoolatetopreventhimsettingthefire,whichsoonspreadoverthewholeboatfromthecabin.
Lenstoodby,lookingonwithoutawordormovement,tillthecomingtidewashedovertheremainsoftheMarie.
Hethenwentaway,andIdidnotseehimforweeks,nordidIknowwherehehadgone.
""Youwrotetomethathehadfallenavictimtothewatercurse,astheothermembersofthefamilyhadbeforehim.
""Yes,poorboy.
Heoftentoldmethathedidnotbelievehewouldbeafflicted,ashisfatherwasnotsobadwithitashisgrandfather.
""Lenwasastrangecharactertome,"saidWinslow.
"Therewasattimesamadlookinhiseyes.
Ithinkitmustbeaformofinsanity,perhapsamildtypeofmentalderangement.
""Itcameonlikeafever,andseemedtoaffecthismind.
""Wasitasuddenfever,ordiditgraduallyaffecthim"askedWinslow.
"Thethirstcamewithawfulsuddenness,"theoldmanreplied;"butleadinguptothattimeforweeksandmonthshewasachangedman.
Itwasasadthingtoseehimavoidingeverybodybutme,andmovingaboutasiffollowedbysomethinghedidnotsee,butfearedateverystep.
""Wasthereanaccompanyingsicknessofanykind""No,notthatwecoulddetect.
Atthelastheremainedwithustilltheworstcame.
""Mariewasaway""Yes,andwedidallwecouldforhim.
Nothinggavehimeaseofmind.
Atlast,onthedaywhenhecameofage,wewereinthehouse.
Lenwasneverquiet.
Fordayshedidnotrest,andIthinkhegotverylittlesleep,forIoftenheardhimpacingthehouseorpassingoutofdoors.
SeveraltimesIfollowedhimtothecliffs,fearinghemightdoviolencetohimself.
Forduringthoselastdayshislifemusthavebeenveryhardtobear.
Yethehadnoideaofcommittingsuicide.
SurelyLen'ssufferingwasenoughtoatoneforanyactcommittedbyanyancestorofhis.
""Lenwasaveryintelligentfellow.
Perhapsthishadmuchtodowithmakinghisdreadofthecursegreaterthanitwouldhaveotherwisebeen""Perhapsyouareright.
Hiswealthgavehimadifferentstandinginthecommunity,andhisloveforMariealsomadehimlookuponthecomingofthecursewithhatred.
Atlastthetimecame.
Hewasexhaustedwithexpectationandwiththesleeplesswanderingofmanydaysandnights.
Hecouldnotstand,butsatwithaghastlyfaceandrollingeyesasthemomentcame.
Thetimepassed.
Isawthenervoustwitchingofhismouthandtheclenchingofhishands.
Severalminutespassed,andhebegantostruggleasoneinafit.
Hestartedfromhischair,onlytofallbackagainlikeacorpse.
Heslippedtothefloor,beatingwithhishandsthematonwhichhelay;thenwithaterriblecryhewasonhisfeetagain,andseizingmebythearm,hecried:"'Pierre!
Pierre!
thecurseisuponme!
Thecurseismine!
Iamdyingofthirst.
'"Rushingtothekitchen,heseizedalargetinofwater,andcarryingittohislips,hebegantodrinkeagerly.
Ithoughthewouldkillhimself,forhetookeverydrop,exceptwhathespilledinhismadnesstodrinkandsatisfyhisterriblethirst.
"Strangetosay,hecalmeddown,andburyinghisfaceinhishands,hewept,abroken-spiritedman.
""Youthinkitchangedhim""Hewasfromthatmomentanotherman.
Amorehopelessandafflictedlookingmanyoucouldnoteasilyfind.
Ifearedinsanitybeforethecurseworkeditsworstuponhim.
Idonotknowwhattheeffectofthefatalthirstwillfinallybe,butifhedoesnotlosehisreasonentirely,hewillkillhimself.
Poorboy,poorboy!
"murmuredtheoldman.
"Itseemstomeawonderfulcase,andimpossibletounderstand.
Hashebeenunderanytreatment""Hespentsometimewithtwoeminentphysicianswhowereinterestedinhiscase,buttheyfailedtohelphiminanyway,anddidnotseemtounderstandtheafflictionatall.
Heisawaynow.
Itunfitshimsadlyforanyoccupation,andhiseasymeansoflivingpermitshimtoomuchtimetobroodoverhiscondition.
""HehasceasedexpectinganyhopefromMarie,then""Henolongerspeaksofher.
Hedoesnotevenmentionyournamenow.
Heisdeadtohisoldlife,oldinhisyouth,andwithnodesireinlifebuttobecuredofhisinsatiablethirst.
Thatistheonlyhopelefttohim.
"WinslowwasmuchimpressedbyPierre'saccountofLen'strouble,andwhiletheywerespeakingMarieappeared,comingtowardsthem.
Heatoncelefttheoldman,wholookedafterhimwithakindlylookofaffectioninhiseyes.
"Youarelate,nurse,"saidWinslow,ashecamenearher.
"YourfatherhasbeenabletotellmeallaboutLenwhileIhavebeenwaitingforyou.
""Suzanneneededmyhelp,andcouldnotwait.
Iknewthepatientcould,"saidMarie,laughing,"especiallyifhehadpèretotalkto.
"Sotheybothwalkedawayfromtheoldman,whostillgazedafterthem.
Hisheartwaswiththemastheirformsgraduallybecamesmallerwiththeincreasingdistance.
WecannotgowithMarieandWinslowveryfarintheirwalk.
TheytalkedagreatdealaboutLen,andMariespokeofhimwithsorrow,andheardofhisgreattroublewithtears.
Theyhadbeenfriendsintheiryoungerdays,andoflateyearshadbeenseparatedcompletely,whilehiscaseseemedtohersosadsheturnedawayforamomenttohidehertearsfromhercompanion.
Winslowlookedatherassheturnedaway,andsuddenlyhesteppedclosetoherandspokewordsthatquicklygushedfromhisheart.
Shewasstartledandturnedabouttofacehim,hereyesnowuncoveredandmoistwithtears.
Thereshestoodwithoutaword,andhecameevennearer,lookingintotheeyesthatdidnotfallfromhisown.
Hesawafreshflowoftearsasherlookfellawayatlast,andfromthesightofhishappyeyesshehidthenewglorywhichcameintohers.
CHAPTERXVIII.
CONCLUSION.
ForsometimemattersatPierreIslandwentforwardpleasantly.
Therewasnothingtomartheserenityofthedays,andnodistractingelementordisturbingconditiontobreakthepeaceandcalmthatwrappedtheheartsofthefolkofBluffHouse.
MarieandWinslow,asmaybesupposed,gavethemselvesuptothedeliciousmomentsoftheirnewlife.
GraceGaston,whohadkeptherselfawayfromherfriendsforsolong,suddenlyappearedamongthem,andherpresenceaddedanewelementofpleasuretotheexperienceofall,whileherowndelightwasundisguisedatwhathadoccurredprevioustoherarrival.
ItwasknownthatLenLawsonhadappearedonthescene,andthoughseldomseen,hespentmuchofhistimeneartheBlueVein,untilhedisappearedaltogether.
Pierreinformedhisfriendsthathehadbeentotheminetodiscover,ifpossible,whathadbeendonethere,andhefoundthatthepassagetotheveinhadbeenclosedbyafallofrock.
Therehadbeenabreakfromthecliffabove,andthematerialalreadyfallenhadbeensocrushedthatnosignoftheopeningcouldbediscovered.
Everytraceoftheformerworkwasobliterated.
PierrebelievedthatLenhadbeenburiedbythefall,andwasbeyondallhopeofrecovery.
Ithadeveryevidenceofprobability,asLenwasneveragainheardoforseen.
FrankWinslow,fullyrestoredtohealth,andwithanewpurposeinhislife,becameapermanentresidentofPierreIsland,wheninNovaScotia.
BeforetheyearwaspasthewasmarriedtoMarie,andhisfriends,whocametoknowhiminthemoreintimaterelationsofhishomelife,oftencalledhimtheHeirtoGrand-Pré.
Transcriber'sNote:—Punctuationerrorshavebeencorrected.
Thefollowingsuspectedprinter'serrorshavebeenaddressed.
Page60.
supchangedtosip.
{forasiptogiveherchild)Page79.
betwenchangedtobetween.
(frombetweenhisteeth)page99.
repellantchangedtorepellent.
(suspiciousandrepellent)Page126.
aproachingchangedtoapproaching.
(Marie'sstepsapproaching)[TheendofTheHeirtoGrand-PrébyJohnFredericHerbin]