FORT LA JOYE AND MICMAC TALES 43

away. It is related, too, that church vessels and other valuables were buried in a small brass cannon near the church on the Hillsborough. The priests of St. Peter’s and St. Louis were sent in the first transport and those of Point Prim and Malpeque later. One whole parish, in addition, escaped.

Now they go on board the boat—~a procession of old and young, and they wave to Isle St. Jean a last fond farewell. Mass is celebrated, and many are married. Romance? No, far from it! The far- seeing French believe that single men, on reaching France, will be compelled to become soldiers, and this they are extremely anxious to avoid. Over the Island broods a sadness. In the empty houses the echo of Norman songs still lingers plaintively. The birds perch near by wondering at the solitude. And the inquisitive squirrels race through the empty houses and chuckle at the discovery of a new store house for their nuts. The Indians wander stealthily, disturbed at the sudden exodus. Empty houses. Neglected streams. A lost people.

Tragedy strikes still more deeply into the hearts of these simple Acadian peasants. Perhaps there is nothing sadder in history than the fate of these unfortunate people. The Duke William and the Violet, carrying exiled Acadians to France, sank in the Atlantic Ocean. On board the Duke William was an old grandfather of an hundred and ten years. The conquerors might at least have left him; but perhaps he preferred to go rather than stay alone on the Island. When it became evident that there was no hope for the ship, this old Frenchman came to the captain, and on behalf of his people, requested the captain to save himself and the British crew by taking