152. The French in Prince Edward Island

had been prepared for cropping only in the month of March. Both Gauthier and Bugeau spoke in terms of eulogy on the capabilities of the soil. It would yield, they said, in abundance everything that man needed for subsistence, and they hoped, as time went on, to find in the generous fertility of their new fields some recom- pense for the losses they had suffered in leaving Acadia.

The news of Franquet’s arrival had spread among the settlements on both sides of the river, and when he rose on the following morning he found a number of these settlers waiting to consult him upon the site of a church which they had resolved to build. The difference of opinion was limited to one point—whether the church should stand on the north or the south bank of the river. Both sides had agreed to argue their case before Fran- quet, and abide by his decision. He was nothing loath to undertake the duties of umpire, but requested that all interested in the matter should be notified to meet at Sieur Gauthier’s where on his return from St. Peters, he would hear the question debated and give his decision.

Before these matters could be arranged the tide had begun to ebb, and portions of the shallows were begin- ning to appear above water. The party at once em- barked, with what haste the difficulties they had to encounter would allow. Having gained the offing they proceeded up stream, noticing on the left bank the River “Au Moulin”—Mill Brook, so called from a saw- mill which an enterprising settler had erected on it. Still farther on the Pisquid came into view, with its numerous dwellings on either bank. The well cleared lands under cultivation, and the fields of waving grain, woke the admiration of the travellers. They were told that the settlement was an old one, and that every