aid than on that dreadful night.

For four days the men were imprisoned in the church, while their
womenfolk, sick with sorrow, waited in their homes. On the fifth day a
long procession of women and children came, driving in ponderous wagons
laden with their household goods, down to the seashore. Then the church
doors were unbarred, and, pale with grief and imprisonment, the Acadian
peasants marched to the harbor under the escort of soldiers. Evangeline
was on the watch for her dear ones; to her lover she whispered words of
encouragement, and strove to cheer her father, though sadly affrighted
by his dejection and the way he seemed suddenly to have grown much
older.

At the place of embarking the greatest confusion prevailed. Small boats
plied between the shore and the ships and thus wives were torn from
their husbands and mothers, too late, saw their children left behind.
Half the task was not finished when night came on. Basil and Gabriel
were among those who were taken to the ships, but Evangeline and her
father were left standing in despair on the shore.

Fires were kindled on the beach, and Father Felician wandered from group
to group, consoling and blessing the poor homeless people. As he paused
where Evangeline and her father were encamped, a sudden flare filled the
sky behind them. All eyes were turned in that direction, and the whole
village was seen to be in flames. Overwhelmed with sorrow the priest and
the maiden gazed at the scene of terror, but Benedict uttered no word,
and, when at last they turned to look at him, he had fallen to the
ground and lay there dead. Separated from her lover and now alone in the
world, the poor girl's courage at length failed her and her grief was
piteous to behold.

The next morning the old farmer received a hasty burial on the seashore,
and the remainder of the exiles were carried to the ships and
transported to far distant lands.

[Illustration]

PART II

Many years had passed away since the burning of the village of
Grand-Pre, and the exiles had been scattered far asunder. Among them a
maiden, patient and meek in spirit, waited and wandered. Sometimes she
lingered in towns, at others she passed through the country and wandered
into churchyards, gazing sadly at the crosses and tombstones, but never
did she remain long in the same place. It was Evangeline searching for
her lover, and, though many sought to dissuade her from her quest, and
urged her to listen to the