CHAPTER XV.
LETTER FROM A FRIEND.
PALM BEACH, November 1st.
_Dear Master Bolax_: When you receive this letter you will say who isthis lady? I never knew her, so I must introduce myself. I am a very oldfriend of your mother's; we were schoolmates. When you were a tiny babyI saw you and held you in my arms, since then I have been traveling inEurope and did not see your dear mother until we met down here. We oftenwalk out together, and talk of old times, but Mamma's chief topic ofconversation is her "boy." You are the core of your mother's heart, andshe so hopes to be able to say as you grow older, "This is my blessedboy, is he not noble? I am so proud of him," and you will feel all thenobleness of your nature grow greater, for any boy who can write suchsweet, tender letters has the Christ Child in his heart and cannot gofar wrong; only you let the little Pixie, a very tormenting spirit, siton your shoulder at times, and that is the trouble; just you work himoff and keep him off; his name is "Lack of Application," and he whispersin your right ear, "don't study hard, let's have some fun; you'll get onsomehow."
Then "Lack of Application" has a little sister, who is just asmischievous, her name is: "Procrastination," with these two little Elvesso close, and keeping them as constant companions is the cause of allour trouble. If you will whisper to the dear Christ Child to drive themoff, and help you to put the cobbles of determination in their place,you will find your pathway full of sunshine.
The Brothers, your instructors, do not mean to be severe, but are tryingto help you drive away these two spirits with whom you have struck upsuch a great friendship.
Now, my dear boy, you have great talent; study that you may be one ofthe _great men_ and you will find those you think are "hard" upon youare your best friends and helpers.
For your mother's sake, who loves you better than her life, make_pleasure your_ friend _for_ your hours of leisure, but let Brain, Heartand Hands work during working hours. Seek all the knowledge that you nowhave the chance of obtaining for the more you know of French, Music,Mathematics and general knowledge, the greater are your chances ofsuccess.
I think I hear you say: "Why did this lady write to me? She don't knowme." Oh, yes, she does, from your letters, and your mother's descriptionof you.
I love boys. I have had one of my own; I know all about their funnytricks. I used to wish I had been a boy myself.
Once when a little girl, I kicked and yelled for an hour because I wasnot permitted to climb a chestnut tree, and set traps for rabbits andplay shinney with the boys. Now don't you think I know something, havinggone through all this.
I think a letter from you to me would be a fine thing. We might have atilt or two with the pen and brain, if not with the sword and lance.
As your dear mother tells me you have a loving, kind heart. I send you aportion of the love I give her and ask you to call me,
AUNT ANNA EUHLER.
* * * * *
L'ISLET, P. Q., December 8th.
_Darling Mother_: Your sweet letter was received yesterday and my heartbeat with joy on seeing it.
Brother will let me have all the books and papers you can send. I wouldlike to renew my subscription to Harper's Young People. I have read alldear Father Finn's books over again, and enjoyed them as I did the firsttime. I know you are under great expense on account of Papa's illness,so do not exert yourself trying to send me Christmas money, if itbecomes necessary I will do without going anywhere or getting anything.
There will be a few boys here to stay over Christmas and New Year, so Iwill have a little fun, although not as much as if I went to Quebec, St.Anne, St. Eugene's, Cape St. Ignac or Trois Pistolets.
Brother Director has told the Brother who cooks to clean the butter forme, he will put it in water and mash it, thus withdrawing the saltytaste and black particles.
I now have a book called "Horsfield's Method of Learning FrenchLanguage," and I think it will help me very much. It has the French ontop and the English underneath, as:
Il est fou, etc., He is fool.
It also has conversation, as:
Vous avez des cheveuz rouge, You have the hairs red.
Don't you wish I could write as well as the fellow who addressed thisenvelope? The strongest boy in the school is Adolph Bernier, and he isone of my best friends. If he had the nerve of Dr. Carroll he could lickthe world.
His muscle is almost three times as large as Doctor's, and his legsabout eighteen inches round.
The wind howls around here, and the snow is above the fences. We walk onit with snow shoes.
My love to Papa. Could you send me some alligator's eggs?
Your loving son,
BOLAX.
* * * * *
PALM BEACH, December.
_My Noble, Generous Boy_: Your letter touched Papa to the heart, butthere will be no necessity for your making such a sacrifice.
It would grieve me to have my child so far away from home, without themeans for having a pleasant Christmas. Uncle wrote to say he wouldattend to your holiday pleasures, and Papa now sends ten dollars.
We laughed so heartily at your description of how the butter was washedfor your benefit.
Dearie, do you remember the stories old Colonel O'Brien used to tell usof his campaign during the Civil War? How once he was nearlyforty-eight hours without food, and was glad to eat an old piece ofham-fat, which he saw a darkey throw out on the grass as he rode past?
Colonel told us it was the spirit of self-control he had learned whileat College that enabled him to bear hunger, cold, privations of allkinds, while in the army. Of course, the food is not expected to be asdainty as at home, but it is always wholesome; no Catholic College wouldgive bad food to the children entrusted to its care. I tried to get thealligator's eggs, but the darkies tell me that it is a hard matter tofind them; one old fellow told me: "Dem ugly beasteses loves dere younglike de dogs and cats do, dey hide dere eggs and watches round when detime comes for de little ones to be hatched out; you don't better benear at dat time hunten' eggs or young ones, de mudder would snap you upin half a minute."
I have some curious shells which I will give you when I see you; theywould only be destroyed among so many boys, if I sent them.
Pray for Papa, not forgetting your loving mother.
P. S.--You ask me to describe Palm Beach, so I send the advertisingpamphlet. The description given therein is a perfect pen-picture of theplace, much better than I can give. I am Papa's amanuensis and he has somany business letters to send I have little time for other writing, withlove,
MAMMA.
* * * * *
DECEMBER 29.
_Bien Chere Maman_: Such a happy Christmas as I have had. At midnight Iwas awakened by the Parish Church bells chiming the Adeste Fidelis.
The Midnight Mass was celebrated in the College Chapel, because the snowis so deep, Monsieur Le Cure had announced to the Congregation that thegrand High Mass would be at 6 A. M. in the Parish Church.
I assisted at the Mass in the Chapel. It was my first Midnight Mass, andI felt awed by the solemn ceremony.
The grand High Mass was sung by four gentlemen from Quebec. Brotherwould not let me get up for it, but I attended Vespers in the evening;they had the same choir as at the morning service, with a band of music.
At nine o'clock we were invited to breakfast in the Brothers' diningroom. At each "cover" was a box of bonbons from Brother Director and ourletters from home.
Dear Ma! I was so surprised I cried. I opened your dear letter first,really I don't know how to thank you and dear Papa.
Aunt Lucy and Uncle Carroll sent me ten dollars, Uncle Dick, five. Ifeel as rich as a millionaire, with my twenty-five dollars.
* * * * *
JANUARY 20.
_Dear Mamma and Papa_: As I was writing the above, Monsieur Le Cure sentfor me to go with him to Quebec. You may be sure I
jumped at the offer.
We put up at the Sulpician Seminary. We went to see several beautifulchurches.
Notre Dame de Victoire, built in the time of Louis XIV as a votiveoffering in thanksgiving for a victory gained over the English.
The very same flags and trophys captured then are still preserved inthis church.
We saw the ice palace, on the summit of a hill, it was illuminated byelectricity, and reminded me of Aladin's Castle in the fairy tale.
No one was allowed to go into it, but you could look in at the windowsand doors, and see the wax figures dressed in fancy costumes.
You should have heard the joy bells, and the booming of the cannon fromthe citadel ushering in the New Year.
There was no discordant clang, no ear-splitting fog horns as in NewYork, but most of the churches having chimes, made an inspiritingmelody.
The Basilica played the Te Deum, Adeste Fidelis, and the NationalAnthem.
We had midnight Mass in the Seminary, and no one went to bed until nearmorning.
I must tell you about a little girl we met in the street. She wascarrying a doll in her arms when she slipped and fell; the doll wasbroken to pieces, the poor little thing knelt on the pavement and lookedsadly at it, then bursting into tears and raising her eyes to heaven,she cried out: "Sainte Vierge mon seul enfant est mort!" (Holy Virgin,my only child is dead!)
It went to my heart to see her, so I picked her up, and tried to comforther; I took her to the nearest shop and bought another "child," when Iplaced it in her hands, her eyes fairly danced with delight. "Oh,mesieu! I tank yo! No English speak."
Monsieur Le Cure gave her his blessing. As she was leaving the store shetook up the broken doll, we asked her what she wanted with the old,broken thing. "Ah, mesieu, one does not throw away dead children; theymust be buried."
The people here are so full of faith; you will see well-dressedgentlemen and ladies stop to say the Angelus in the street if they hearthe bell ring.
I pray our dear Lord, that you, Papa, and all I love may have a happyNew Year.
Your affectionate son,
B. ALLEN.
After Christmas holidays it was difficult for the boys to settle down tostudy. The good Brothers, who had not forgotten their own boy-life,understood this and did not draw the reins of discipline very tight forthe first few days.
Brother Director made a very pleasant and sensible address to thejuniors on the duty and benefits of being diligent in study. At theclose of his "talk," as he termed it, he said:
"And now boys, I have something to offer you by the way of spurring yourdiligence. Three beautiful silver medals have been placed in my hands bythree gentlemen living in Quebec. These medals are for your competition.If they were intended as rewards, I would not be a party to theirbestowal. I want my pupils to feel that hard, honest study carries itsown reward with it. Study puts you in possession of knowledge, which ispower, strength, influence and pleasure.
"These are rewards to satisfy any virtuous boy without the addition ofgifts. Boys of your age lag a little sometimes, and perhaps needsomething tangible to help them on. I hope these medals will keep youall up to your mettle, and that although only three of you can win them,all will prove yourselves worthy of them. One is for keeping the rulesof the College. One for Composition--English or French. One for him whoshall pass the best examination in all branches of study.
"You are now dismissed until tomorrow morning, when I shall expect youto be ready to begin work in earnest."
The boys set up a grand huzza for Brother Director, and then dividinginto groups were soon scattered over the grounds or seated under thesugar maple trees.
All the boys made determined resolutions to win the prize. Bolax wasespecially anxious, because his father had objected to his coming toCanada, and he wanted to show that his mother's choice of a College wasa success.
LETTER TO PAPA.
_Dear Papa_: Now I am in another scrape. The fellow that took thingsfrom the table has been found out; I can't imagine how. But he declaresI told Brother Isadore on him. I said it wasn't true. He got red in theface and called me a hypocrite; said I pretended to be a saint because Igo to Holy Communion every week. Papa, I never pretended to be a saint.It isn't agreeable to have people think you're worse than you reallyare.
Your loving son,
B. ALLEN.
PAPA'S ANSWER.
_My Dear Son_: How is a boy to become a manly man if he has everythingand everyone about him "agreeable." I did not send you to College justfor the French and Latin merely. I could teach you those languages, andin fact, all your other lessons if I chose. I send you that you may getsome knocks, and bruises; that you may learn to bear annoyances withpatience and manliness.
As long as you live in this world you will meet with people who willmisunderstand and misjudge you. But what of that? You have and alwayswill have, if you deserve it, friends who appreciate and love you, whowill make the best of your good qualities and the least of your badones. Above all, you can have the friendship of God by faithfullykeeping His Commandments.
Your affectionate
FATHER.
LE GOURMAND.
For some weeks since the boys returned after Christmas holidays, BrotherJulien, who had charge of the dormitories, complained of finding scrapsof cake, apple cores, etc., hidden behind the water tank in thelavatory; no one could tell who placed them there. Fulton and Allenknew, but would not inform, although both were very often disturbed byhearing Hyacinth Laforge munching apples in the bed next them.
One morning Brother Director came into the Refectory looking very stern."I will thank the young gentlemen as they pass from the room to turntheir pockets inside out," was the bland invitation that filledeverybody with amusement or consternation, as the case might be.
There was a good deal of laughing and joking, as the boys filed out ofthe room and a great display of knives, pencil, bits of string, etc.
At last the guilty one took his turn. Out came apples, crumbs of cake,nuts, a little of everything.
"So it seems we have a thief among us!" Brother Director spoke in a verysevere tone of voice.
"I didn't suppose you would begrudge me an apple or two," said the boy,throwing the contents of his pocket defiantly on the table.
"Nor do I. If you had come to me or to the Brother Procurator, and said:'I am a greedy fellow; I want to eat all I can hold at the table, andhave something to fall back on between times,' you would have been amplyprovided. But what is that bulging out under your jacket? Open itimmediately." Hyacinth slowly and with a dogged air, unbuttoned hisvest, when, to the astonishment of the Brother, and the great amusementof the boys, out came a whole pie.
Such a laugh as followed! Brother Isadore, who was standing near,touched the pie, and finding it was still warm, asked when he hadmanaged to capture it. The cook answered the question by coming on thescene, saying: "That boy ran through my kitchen a minute ago, shouldn'twonder if he had taken something, he's always sneaking round."
"Here Brother, here's his plunder," said the Director, "Ce n'est bon quepour les poules maintenant!" (It is only fit for the chickens now),answered the cook, who was very much provoked.
After the laughter had subsided, Hyacinth received a severe andmortifying reproof.
Brother Director said: "Since eating seems to be your chief aim in life,and to save you from stealing, your bed shall be moved into the littleclothes room and a plate of cakes and apples placed so that you canmunch all night if you wish, without disturbing the rest of thedormitory." The boys passed out laughing. It is needless to add that theapples and cakes were beside the greedy one, every night until he wassick of the sight and smell.
FRENCH LETTER.
Mrs. Allen was very anxious that her son should write a letter inFrench, so to please her he sent the following:
COLLEGE DE L'ISLET, Janvier 7.
_Bien Chere Maman_: Votre card de postal etait recu hier et je l'ai luavec beaucoup de playsir
.
Je suis toujour content a recevoir vos lettres, parceque vous est monpremier amour, je vous aime plus que tout dans le monde et dans le cielexceptey le bon Dieu et la sainte Vierge.
S'il vous play, envoyer moi de l'argent pour achetey du sucre blanc. Jen'aime pas le sucre brune.
Comme ceci est mon premier lettre en francais, si vous play ne fait pasle _fun_ a mes fautes.
Je suis avec tout l'amour de mon coeur votre fils.
B. ALLEN.
TRANSLATION OF LETTER.
_My Dear Mamma_: Your postal card was received yesterday and I read itwith much pleasure.
I am always so glad to receive your letters, because you are my firstlove, my own dearest mother!
I love you more than anything in this world or in Heaven, except thegood God and the Holy Virgin.
If you please, send me some money. I want to buy some white sugar, as Idon't like the brown sugar they give here.
As this is my first French letter if you please don't make fun over myfaults.
I am with all the love of my heart,
Your son,
B. ALLEN.
* * * * *
PALM BEACH, FLA., January.
_My Very Dear Child_: Papa and I are much pleased with your effort atFrench letter-writing, you spell as the words are pronounced, but youwill soon learn to correct that. Don't forget accents. They are asimportant as letters in writing French. I enclose two dollars for thesugar.
Papa is improving in health and spirits in this delightful climate. I amwriting at an open window, with the odor of roses and Jessamine waftinginto my room.
Dearest make good use of your time. Papa is particularly anxious aboutyour arithmetic, and you know that's your weak point. We are so pleasedwith the "gold certificate," it proves you are doing your best. Pardonthe brevity of this letter, Papa is waiting for me to go and watch thealligators sporting in the water, but we won't let them get a bite atus.
Your loving mother,
M. ALLEN.
P. S.--I should not have said "sporting," for alligators are sluggishbeasts, but often may be seen in the mud in clusters, a tail-switching,or a head raised, on the watch for prey.
* * * * *
L'ISLET, January 15.
_Bien Chere Mere_: I have just received a Christmas gift from that oldlady we always called "Madame." You know she never would say my name,always calling me "Bon Homme."
The following verse is written on the fly-leaf of the book she sent.Don't you think it cute?
Sans que je te nomme, Mon petit "Bon Homme," Je m' adresse au ciel; Et je te souhaite Une belle fete, Un heureux Noel, Un coeur pur et sage, Voila le presage, D'un bonheur reel.
MADAME.
Avec beaucoup d' amour je suis votre fils.
B. ALLEN.
* * * * *
_Bien Chere Mere_: Vous me demandez encore une autre lettre en francais!Whew! How am I to manage it? Why on earth do they have male and femaleverbs, and adjectives, and spell the participles differently at everyturn. It's no use, I'll never do it! Brother Director tells me I readwell, talk well, pronounce well, that ought to be enough.
Hier j'aide le frere Pascal, qui est le cuisiniere de porte le bois dansla cuisine, without thinking, j'ai laisser tomber les morceau de boisdans un chaudron de soup.
Le bon frere didn't get mad, he just said: "Tu a fais ton mieux monpetit, voici des pommes en payment de votre ouvrage." I didn't considerit work, it was just play.
J'ai achete' des raquettes (snow shoes) we have a fine skating rink, andwe play hockey every day.
I had to buy new moccasins, mine were all cut after a long walk over arough road. I have a new Cache-nez (muffler) and a surtout; et uncasquette Canadian, which covers toute ma tete et mes oreilles, leavingonly my eyes and nose free, so I don't feel the cold, although thethermometer is always below zero.
* * * * *
March 5th.
_Dear Papa and Mamma_: It is now three weeks since I wrote the above. Ihave been in the infirmary, but don't be alarmed; I'm all right now. Theway it was, the boys dared me to climb a telegraph pole covered withice. As I had once climbed a greased pole, I thought I could manage thisone. I succeeded somehow, though I had a hard tussle to accomplish thefeat.
The boys cheered and made such a racket, one of the Brothers came out,in my hurry to descend I fell when within a few feet of the ground, andbroke my ankle. Dr. Dion, a fine surgeon, set it, and placed my foot inplaster-of-paris. Brother Director wrote to Aunt Lucy and Dr. Carroll,but not to Papa or you, as it was no use to worry you. I have had thebest of care, the Brother Infirmarian was a doctor out in the world andknows all about nursing.
I am fed on "sugar and spice and everything nice."
Monsieur Le Cure sits with me every day. I could walk now if they wouldlet me.
I am not losing my lessons, but keep up as near as possible with theclasses.
Brother Director hears me the lessons. Brother Paul (the Infirmarian)does not speak a word of English, so that will help my French. Give mylove to dear Papa and to Aunt Euhler. I will write her a letter soon,her last about the tame alligator was enjoyed by the whole College. Shesays you all eat alligator's tails, that the meat is like chicken. Iwish you could send one up here, I'd like to taste it. Now don't worry,I'll soon be as well as ever.
J'ai l'honneur de me dire, avec une parfaite affection, Votrefils--Ahem!
BOLAX.
* * * * *
EASTER SUNDAY.
_Bien Cher Papa et Chere Maman_: I still continue strong and well, andpray that you and dear Papa are in good health. I have really tried hardto study and keep the rules of the College. With this I send another"Gold Certificate," which shows I have given satisfaction.
I long so to see you as the time approaches for vacation.
I go to Holy Communion every Sunday and First Friday, but you needn'tthink I am going to be a Christian Brother, or a Priest. I would beafraid I might get tired and cut up didoes like that Monk we read of inIvanhoe.
Always votre fils,
BOLAX.
P. S.--The Monk's name was Friar Tuck. I remember Uncle Dick tellingabout him.
"Hurrah, Hurrah! for vacation's coming, And the weeks of Jubilee!"
AWARDING PRIZES.
The weeks rolled on in spite of the oft-repeated saying among students,"Vacation will never come." The examinations began on June 15th; quite anumber of patrons attended. Bolax stood the test of examination finely,all things considered, but his former lack of application showed itselfin several things, particularly arithmetic.
In addition to the three medals given by the gentlemen, a prize had beenoffered for the best declamation. All prizes were to be awarded at theclosing exercises on Commencement Day.
The large exhibition hall was crowded on that afternoon, which was aregular fete for the people of L'Islet. Great pains had been taken todress the hall, its walls were festooned with evergreens, and thespacious platform gay with flags.
The boys were dressed in white pants and blue jackets. Everything thatskill and taste, combined with economy, could suggest, had been done tomake the place attractive, and the occasion pleasant.
"What uncouth creatures boys are!" observed one young lady to a bevy ofmisses seated near her. "Look, there isn't one in that crowd sittinggracefully, they all act as if their hands were in their way." "Youdon't mean to say my brother is ungraceful, do you?" asked JulieBernier.
"Oh, I'm not referring to the collegiate class; they certainly aregentlemen, but the juniors."
"I think," remarked Anaise Latour, "Young Allen, one of the Americanboys, is very graceful, and he has such a pleasant expression of face."
"Oh, he's too fat to be graceful," retorted Julie Bernier.
A general titter followed thi
s remark. Before the girls were ready torenew their criticisms, the call bell rang. Brother Director announcedthat the exercises would open with an address by Monsieur Le Cure.
After the address came the spirited hymn, "Nous Sommes Les Soldats de laFoi" (We are the Soldiers of the Faith), played by the College band, andsung by all the boys.
Next on the program came the declamations by the juniors, of course,most of the pieces were given in French, as few among the audienceunderstood English.
George Fulton came first, with a comic Piece, taking off "StumpSpeaking." This elicited much applause, because of the excellentmimicry of the speaker.
Bolax Allen gave Joaquin Miller's "Columbus." As he imitated theAdmiral's "Sail on! Sail on! Sail on and on!" he thrilled the audiencewith the power of his voice. One could almost fancy they saw Columbus ashe paced his deck on the eventful night before he sighted land.
Mr. H. Bernier and Mr. L. Harrison entered into a comic debate as to thesuperior merits of their respective nations. Bernier for the French,Harrison for the English. The young gentlemen seemed so in earnest, gotinto a dispute and spoke in such angry tones, that every one expected tosee them resort to fisticuffs. At a point when they appeared to be in arage against each other, old Farmer Tourier happened to come into thehall, and being struck with what he thought the disgraceful conduct ofthe boys, jumped on the stage to separate them.
"Have you no respect for Monsieur Le Cure and the Brothers?" he demandedin a loud voice.
Monsieur Le Cure and the other gentlemen on the platform were soconvulsed with laughter, it was some minutes before any one interfered.The audience fairly shouted and clapped, it was a regular pandemonium.
At last one of the Brothers went up to poor old Tourier and whispered tohim. You should have seen his crestfallen appearance when he found hehad been making a laughing stock of himself.
Poor old fellow, all summer the villagers laughed whenever they met him,as his wife said:
"On a bien ri ce jour la, et tout le monde rit-encore!" (People laughedthat day, and they laugh yet.)
Brother Director appointed a committee to decide on the merits of thedeclaimers and to award the prize. When these gentlemen arrived at adecision, Brother awarded the medals.
After a brief address by Monsieur Le Cure, in which he showed that thehighest reward of study is not a medal or prize of any kind, but themental growth and power which comes from it to the student.
"Still," he added, "a prize is not to be despised, because it symbolizesthe diligence, obedience and perseverance of the winners. Hence, myboys, I wish you ever to set a higher value on the character which wins,than the prize which is won.
"The committee of examinations have unanimously awarded the silver medalfor general excellence in all studies to Louis Tascherau." Here cheerswere given for Louis.
"The silver medal for the best composition is awarded to Bolax Allen."Cheers were heartily given for Bolax, and the young ladies in theaudience could not say this boy was not able to make a most gracefulbow.
"The committee on declamation found it very difficult to decide betweenthe speakers. There was but a shade of difference in favor of Fulton, sohe received the medal." George was loudly applauded, for he was a jollyfellow, liked by the whole school, masters and scholars, althoughinclined to make fun out of time.
To his utter astonishment, Bolax heard his name called again, this timeto receive a medal for strictly keeping the rules of the College, andgiving good example by his upright conduct on all occasions.
Huzzas three times repeated showed that he had won the good will of hiscompanions.
As Monsieur Le Cure placed the medal around Bo's neck, he whispered. "Iwish your worthy parents were here to see your triumph."
After the juniors had received their rewards, the young collegians wereintroduced by Brother Director.
Some of them spoke on learned topics, rather above the comprehension ofmany in the audience, but evidently highly appreciated by the priestsand other gentlemen seated on the platform.
Mr. Brenier received the gold cross, the highest reward given to agraduate. T. Harrison and H. de Villiers received gold medals forexcellence in all studies.
Honore gave the Valedictory, dressed in a long black gown and doctor'scap, he looked very handsome and proved himself a fine orator. He wasinterrupted by frequent bursts of applause. At last came one tumultuousand prolonged, that proclaimed the conclusion of his oration.
The exercises being ended, the band struck up, and all sang the vacationsong:
Quel plaisir nous allous partir Les vacances vont commencer!
When the music had ceased, the students with their parents and friends,were invited to partake of a simple collation. You may be sure they hada merry time over the cake and ice cream.
After the boys left, the College was so quiet, the halls and rooms soempty that Bolax and Fulton were overpowered with loneliness. They werethe only scholars who had to remain. Harrison, the other "American" boy,had gone to his uncle in Montreal to spend his vacation.
Bolax expected soon to hear from his parents, who were on their way toCanada, and Fulton was invited to spend a few weeks with his chum, deVilliers, at the pretty village of "Trois Pistolets."
On the morning of the fourth day of vacation, Brother Julien took theboys out for a sail on the St. Lawrence. He brought a hamper of goodthings for luncheon, and fishing tackle to give them employment.
They were very lucky and filled a basket with fine trout, but just asthey were preparing to return the wind changed, and the boat wasbecalmed.
They had made up their minds to pass the night on the water, whenfortunately, a strong north wind filled the sails, and they steered forhome.
It was after dark when they got to the pier, where they found BrotherDirector and a crowd of villagers on their knees praying "La bonne St.Anne," to protect the boat with its precious cargo.