Whilst the recently-abolished manorial Court of the Priory of St. Michel du Valle still existed, there was a curious servitude attached to this estate. When this Court made its periodical procession through the island to inspect the King’s highway and see that it was kept in due repair, the proprietor of the Ville-au-Roi was expected to furnish a cup of milk to everyone legally entitled to a place in the cortège, and the procession made a halt at the gate to demand the accustomed refreshment, which was willingly afforded, although immemorial usage alone could be pleaded for the exaction. It is now time to come to the legend itself. In the earliest records which the human race possesses--the Holy Scriptures--we read that disputes arose about wells and the right of drawing water from them. Where water is scarce, as it is in some parts of the East, this can readily be understood, but why should any disagreement occur in places where this indispensable element abounds? The answer is simply this. The well is for the most part the property of one person, and situated on his ground, and those who claim a right to the use of it, must necessarily pass over their neighbour’s land to get at it. It is clear that this right may be exercised in such a manner as to become vexatious and troublesome. Gaultier de la Salle had a poor neighbour of the name of Massy, who was the proprietor of a small field containing little more than a vergée of land at the back of the Bailiff’s house, but with this land he possessed also the right,--no doubt by virtue of some ancient and binding contract--of drawing water from a well on De la Salle’s property. Often had the Bailiff offered to buy off this right,--to give a fair and even liberal price for the piece of ground to which the privilege was attached. Massy was obstinate. His answer to every offer was that of Naboth to Ahab--“The Lord forbid it me that I should give the inheritance of my fathers to thee.”