As the party walked down the road they were greeted with pleasant smiles, in which there were both natural curiosity and kindly welcome. Mr. Smith spoke to the people some friendly words in the _patois_ used by them, which he seemed to understand perfectly; and the answers, though unintelligible to the boys, had a pleasant meaning to their minds, on account of the merry laughter and amiable faces of the speakers. The little children stopped in their sport as the strangers came along, and stood, with their round, merry faces, staring with laughing black eyes. On the whole, the boys found in this scene all that they could wish, and more than they had anticipated. It realized very closely the ideas which they had formed from the description in Evangeline; and Bart, as he looked around, could not help repeating the well-known words: “There, in the midst of its farms, reposed the Acadian village; Strongly built were the houses, with frames of oak and of chestnut, Such as the peasants of Normandy built in the days of the Henrys. There, in the tranquil evenings of summer, when brightly the sunset Lighted the village street, and gilded the vanes on the chim neys, Matrons and maidens sat in snow-white cap, and in kirtles Scarlet, and blue, and green, with distaffs spinning the golden Flax for the gossiping looms, whose noisy shuttles within doors Mingled their sound with the whir of the wheels and the songs of the maidens. Solemnly down the street came the parish priest, and the children Paused in their play to kiss the hand he extended to bless them. Reverend walked he among them; and up rose matrons and maidens, Hailing his slow approach with words of affeetionate welcome. Then came the laborers home from the field, and serenely the sun sank Down to his rest, and twilight prevailed. Anon from the belfry Softly the Angelus sounded, and over the roofs of the village Columns of pale blue smoke, like clouds of incense ascend ing, Rose from a hundred hearths, the homes of peace and con tentment. Thus dwelt together in love these simple Acadian farmers; Dwelt in the love of God and of man. Alike were they free from Fear that dwells with the tyrant, and envy, the vice of repub lics. Neither looks had they to their doors, nor bars to their win