s to me that I have become once more a little
child when I speak of days gone by, and when I recall the memory of
those I loved so well and who are no more.

I shall now attempt to repeat the story of my grandmother's
misfortunes, and as she has related it to us time and again.

Chapter Two

My Grandmother's
Narrative

_She Depicts Acadian Manners
and Customs_

"Petiots," she said, "my native land is situated far, far away, up
north, and you would have to walk during many months to reach it; you
would have to cross rivers deep and wide, go over mountains looming up
thousands of feet, and beneath impending rocks, shadowing yawning
valleys; you would have to travel day and night, in endless forests,
among hostile Indians, seeking an opportunity to waylay and murder
you.

"My native land is called Acadia. It is a cold and desolate region
during winter, and snow covers the ground during several months of the
year. It is rocky, and huge and rugged stones lie strewn over the
surface of the ground in many places, and one must struggle hard for a
livelihood there, especially with the poor and meagre tools possessed
by my people. My country is not like yours, diversified by rolling and
gentle hills, covered the year round with a thick carpet of green
grass, and where every plant sprouts up and grows to maturity as if by
magic, and where one may enrich himself easily, provided he fears God
and is laborious and economical. Yet I grieve for my native land, with
its rocks and snows, because I have left there a part of my heart in
the graves of those I loved so well and who sleep under its sod."

And as she spoke thus, her eyes streamed with tears and emotion choked
her utterance.

"I have promised to give you an insight into the manners and customs
of your Acadian ancestors, and to tell you how it was that we left our
country as exiles to emigrate to Louisiana. I now keep my promise,
and will relate to you all that I know of our sad history:

"You must know, petiots, that less than a hundred years ago Acadia was
a French Province, whose people lived contented and happy. The king of
France sent brave officers to govern the province, and these officers
treated us with the greatest kindness; they were our arbiters and
adjusted all our differences, and so equitable were their decisions,
that they proved satisfactory to all. Is it strange, then, that being
thus situated we prospered and lived contented and happy?