The Heir to Grand-Pré

Frank Winslow was now in the midst of his work, fully recovered from the effect of his accident, and in the enthusiasm of his investigations, with the ardor and strength of his young manhood, he kept himself actively engaged. Sometimes with Pierre and Len, and often with Pierre alone, he made excursions to regions of important geological formations on the numerous islands that studded the waters of the Basin of Minas. He often kept Len afloat for several days, much to the vexation of that young man.

They were again out on the flood tide approaching Blomidon, Len, as usual, at the tiller and Winslow busy with his glass. The wind was fresh and the Marie moved quickly into the shadow of that famous mountain of volcanic birth, the termination of the range of hills that make the backbone of Nova Scotia. The end of the mountain rose in front, lying along the Basin for several miles, and presenting a rugged and precipitous face over the greater part of its extent. Here and there the crown of forest extended down the face of the cliffs like a cape, while in other places the soil was red and stood out in sharp contrast to the black or darker portions of the trap formations. Occasionally were open spaces of farm land where a barn or house could be seen perched seemingly on the very edge of the bluff. Along the whole face of the shore line the mountain stood out in coves and bays curving backward for several miles. To the extreme right the rock terminated in a sharp point called Cape Split, pointing seaward into the waters of the Bay of Fundy. On the right could be seen the lower lands of the Annapolis Valley, resting in quiet beauty on the south of the mountain. On the extreme south, blue in the distance, rose the outline of the South Mountain, making the other wall of the valley. The whole scene lay under the glorious sky of an Acadian summer, a veritable—

"Well, Len," said Winslow, "you seem to know everything about this grand old Basin: what is the meaning of Blomidon?"

"Blow-me-down, sir," answered Len, laconically.

The boat was under light sail, as the wind was fresh, and the early tide was driving them along rapidly. Frequent gusts of wind seemed to sweep down upon them from the mountain, literally falling upon the sails. One of these gusts struck the boat just as Len answered Winslow's question. The effect was startling and strange as the squall whirled about them without a sign of its coming.

"I understand your meaning, Len," said Winslow, after the boat had recovered and the wind had passed.

Len made no reply, but kept on the alert, sheet in hand and tiller free.

Blomidon cast a dark shadow to-day which the little boat was now darting through under the great bluffs. They soon sailed into smoother water and glided along steadily near the shore. Their course lay just outside the tide "rips," which roared and foamed where eddy and tide passed each other. The tide was rising rapidly and in a few hours would be sixty feet deeper, all the water pouring into the Basin between Blomidon and the opposite shores of Partridge Island, five miles distant.

Len pointed out the long line of beach formed of gravel and stone thrown up beyond the highest tides by the action of the surf. Behind this "sea-wall," many yards in extent, were the excavations made by the treasure hunters after Captain Kidd's hidden money.

Passing southward, they cut across from point to point the magnificent curve of "Big Eddy," after having examined for some time Amethyst Cove, so famous for the quality and quantity of its amethyst veins.

Their destination was Indian Springs, where it was possible to observe the junction of red sandstone and the overlying trap which had been forced up and poured over the earth during a great internal disturbance.

Leaving Len to look after the boat, Winslow spent the greater part of the day alone. He had proceeded along the shore for several miles, fully absorbed by his investigations, when he saw by the height of the tide that it was time for him to return to the boat. The formation of the red sandstone yet drew him onward till he saw, about half a mile ahead of him, that the face of the bluff was almost perpendicular to the beach, and that the waves of the tide were washing against the face of the rock, thus cutting off farther passage. As he stood examining the elevated rocky shore on which he now stood, he heard a voice below him, and turning he saw a young woman who had just risen into view from behind a large boulder.

Seeing him, she spoke hurriedly and with serious face.

"Oh, sir, are you acquainted with these tides? If so, do pray tell us how long it may be before we can pass that point which the tide reaches yonder?"

"High tide will not be for an hour," said Winslow, looking at his watch as he approached her. "It will be another hour, perhaps, before the tide will recede to enable you to pass the point."

"Oh, what shall we do?" said another voice, proceeding from the same rock.

As he came nearer he saw another young woman, with a look of utter despair, seated upon a stone, her head resting on both hands.

"Oh, Grace, what shall we do? Mother will be so frightened at our absence, and you know she is not yet strong after her illness. Oh, sir, can you help us to return to our friends? We should have left here an hour ago. If we cannot get back before two hours I do not know how much my mother may be affected."

"Calm yourself, Lizzie," said her friend, encouragingly; "perhaps this gentleman may help us," turning to Winslow as she spoke.

"I came to this shore in a sail-boat which is, I fear, too far away to be brought here in an hour. If I had been a few minutes earlier I might have helped you past the point, even if it had been necessary to carry you."

"My friend, Miss Forest, is not a good mountain climber, or we might try to reach the top of the bluff and return that way."

"I think, Miss—?" hesitated Winslow.

"Gaston," she said, smiling, in reply.

"I think, Miss Gaston," as he spoke passing to her a card he happened to have, "if you are willing to permit me to assist you, that we may find a way up the mountain."

"Lizzie, if you will accept Mr. Winslow's kind offer to help us we may return at once. I can carry the camera and get on very well without help, as you know."

"Anything, Grace, if we may escape from here. The sound of the waves will drive me to do anything. I have become so nervous thinking of mother."

"It is very kind of you, Mr. Winslow," said Miss Gaston, "and pray excuse the necessity of taking your time in this way. It may cause you much inconvenience."

"Not at all," smiled Winslow, in reply; "I am my own master, and my boatman is engaged for the season."

"Do let us hasten, then, Mr. Winslow, I beg of you. It is very, very kind of you indeed."

Winslow at once moved up the rocky base of Blomidon, choosing a way through the boulders and over the rough broken stone that was easiest for the ladies. As he came near the steep face of the cape he selected a place which seemed to promise less difficulty than elsewhere for their ascent. The course took them up the bed of a brook in the sandstone worn irregularly smooth, and free from stone and earth. At this dry season the amount of water running was small. It was very steep in many places, but the sharp, fine material of the rock over which they trod gave them a good footing. Winslow paid all attention to Miss Forest, who was more timid and less agile and firm of foot than Miss Gaston. Often the way was so steep as to be most difficult for him to ascend, but when he got himself up it was more easy to assist them afterward. To aid him he used a long, tough stick which he found on the way, and by taking the ends in his hands he made good use of the loop by passing it around the waist of the young women.

"Are you sure you can hold out, ladies?" asked Winslow, when they had risen about a hundred feet in this way, and were resting, still in the bed of the brook.

"We must! We must!" cried Miss Forest, clinging to her friend as she looked down the steep way they had come. "It can be no worse than going up. Indeed, I do not believe we can get back. Do you think so, Grace?"

Her friend smiled and said, "We are doing well, are we not, Mr. Winslow?"

"You certainly are. Fifty feet more will take us out of this brook bed to a road less steep, though perhaps less easy to climb."

Having rested for a short time, they again began the ascent, but a few more yards brought them to the most difficult place to surmount they had met with.

"Now, ladies, I have helped you up so far," said Winslow, after he had examined the wall before and above them; "you must now help me." He spoke cheerfully. "This place is too high for me to go up without a little help. Just above is the last of the brook bed for us."

"How may we help you?" said Miss Gaston, surveying the red and apparently impassable wall they were yet to climb. Her face told Winslow that she felt the difficulty of their position. Her friend sat down without a word, the picture of despair.

Winslow lost no time. Taking from his pocket a large knife, he carefully selected a place measuring from Miss Gaston's head, and in a few minutes had cut a notch in the loose rock large enough to receive part of a foot. He then cut another as high from the base as she could reach with her foot to lift her weight from the ground. Between the two now cut he made another.

"Now, ladies you must hold me against the rock when I step up on the lowest notch."

Placing his foot in position he rose up, and while held there by both the young women he cut a fourth notch above the highest one. Miss Forest saw what he wished to do and became more hopeful again.

"Less than three minutes will find us all above. Now, ladies, your assistance again."

Placing one on each side of him, he stood close to the rock and raised himself carefully and slowly with his foot in the first step. The ladies held him against the face of the rock while he aided himself as much as he could by placing his hands in the step above his head. When he reached the second step he could not depend upon anything above to support him. Now taking the knife from between his teeth where he held it open, he reached up and made another small cut, into which he pressed his fingers. He held for a moment to give the ladies an opportunity to rest, for he felt the trembling of their hands against him. In a few more seconds he had the notch deeper, and with his foot in the third hole, he was able to draw himself up to the shelf above, which was large and flat.

"Now, ladies, if your skirts will not permit you to be sure in taking the steps, you had better shorten them. You will not be able to use your hands."

"Miss Gaston, if you will help your friend up one step, I will be able to use this stick. She will let it pass over her shoulders under her arms. By all means keep close to the rock. I have cut a place here to brace my feet."

Very pale, and with set lips and eyes filled with fear, Miss Forest went up as she was directed. She was slight, and Winslow was able almost to lift her up the ascent, her own exertions merely keeping her from being bruised against the rock. She was up in a moment at his side.

"You are without anyone to help you, Miss Gaston, but your strength was necessary to aid your friend.

"Place your foot in the first step and rest your two hands in the second. When I say 'ready,' leap up from the ground as far as you can. Try it a few times easily till you are sure of your footing."

She did so, and after a few trials could rest for a brief space of time on one foot supported by her hands.

"Now, ready!" cried Winslow, and as she rose he let the loop of the stick fall over her shoulders far enough down for it to rest under her arms as her hands slipped off the step. Holding firmly to the stick, and balanced on one foot, she steadied herself for a moment, and lifting the other foot she placed it in the second step. With his assistance she was able to rise to this foot, and with another step upward was drawn to a safe place on the ledge by her hands, which Winslow seized with his own.

He gave them time to let down their skirts, not before his eyes of necessity had sight of shapely ankles and limbs, and suspicion of torn hosiery.

CHAPTER IX.

THE ALTERNATIVE.

While Winslow and his recent acquaintances were resting on the broad shelf which they had reached with so much difficulty, and were looking out over the waters that lay below them nearly two hundred feet, a boat appeared sailing close to shore.

"My boatman has arrived, ladies. Shall we return and take the boat, or continue up the mountain?"

"We could never get down again," said Miss Forest, going as near the edge as she dared, and looking down with a shudder. "I am sure I do not know how we ever came up."

"It is always easier to go up a steep place than to go down," said Winslow, recalling his own experience of a few weeks previous.

"I also think we had better try the ascent," added Miss Gaston.

"The way has been so difficult, I do not wish to conjecture as to the rest of the ascent. Yet I think we have gone over the worst of it," rejoined Winslow, looking up the face of the mountain, which from where he stood could be seen rising into the woods of the summit. On the right a strip of hardwood ran down the face of the cliff and shut off their view to the north-east, but on their left hand the rough formation extended for several hundred yards, patches of green shrubbery and woods alternating with rough stone broken off the cliff and sloping downward. Everything seemed to be clinging to the steep face of the mountain, and was apparently at any moment likely to lose its hold and go sliding and tumbling down into the sea. The wind often started a rock or slide of sand downward, and the noise of invisible movement often came to their ears. Yet the birds were all about them. Eagle and hawk were interrupted in their warfare on the smaller bird life, and the seagulls floated through the air with graceful motion.

"Let us go, Grace," said Miss Forest, at last becoming impatient.

By this time Winslow had succeeded in attracting the attention of Len, though he could not make him understand in the roar of the waves, but by motioning in the direction he intended to take he kept him going on to the termination of the mountain.

The ladies were climbing up and were able to get along very well without assistance. Their course lay up a long, loose slide of rock and earth not easy to traverse at times because of its tendency to slip from beneath their feet and endanger the limbs of the person who happened to be just below. Large rocks were easily set rolling downward, and their way was marked by a continuous rolling of stones and earth.

Taking a diagonal direction up the face of the mountain, they approached the long line of trees and brush which seemed to extend from the brow of the bluff of Blomidon downward to where they were.

They now stood within a short distance of the wood they were aiming for, but to Winslow's dismay he found that the more solid formation on which they stood and the woods beyond were separated by a long slide, steep and treacherous, of fine red sand. This slide was as level as a roof. The particles of sand moving so freely over each other had made the slide extremely steep, and the whole slope presented no visible break in the smoothness of its surface. Winslow found that when he tried to go across it was necessary to step very quickly, as his feet sank in the soft material, and the whole surface seemed to move downward in a body, bearing him along with it. His strength kept him from sliding down quicker than he could walk, and he was able to make his way across, where he found another difficulty. The rise from the slide was high, the margin of the wood making a steep bank held together by the countless roots of the trees that bordered it. It was higher than his shoulders, and could only be climbed by the aid of the bare roots and overhanging branches. To stand in one place was impossible, and it would exhaust the strongest man in a short while to attempt to walk up the slide.

"Your assistance, Mr. Winslow," said a voice near him, and turning around he found that Miss Gaston had followed him, but without strength enough to enable her to keep in line with him, she had been carried down some distance by the moving sand. He was at her side in an instant, and together they slowly came up the slope until he was able to grasp a projecting root, and with much difficulty he succeeded in helping her up the bank. As a muscular feat it was the most severe he had attempted that day. They had torn so much of the sand down in their passage across that now the whole face of the slide was amove, the particles filling up all the traces of their exertions. Returning quickly for Miss Forest, he led her up the bank some distance, and as she was slight of figure he was able, by half dragging and half lifting her, to get her safe across. And they again stood together, glad to rest for a time.

"Admirably done, Mr. Winslow," said Miss Gaston, laughing. "You surely have repented of this undertaking many times since we left the beach."

"I have regretted what it has caused you, rather. You will have painful reminders in bruised body and stiffened and strained limbs for some weeks. This trip will be one to be remembered."

"And much torn clothing," added Miss Forest, whose spirits had revived somewhat, surveying the disorder of her garments, at the same time exchanging glances with Miss Gaston whose meaning seemed to be mutually understood, for merry laughter followed.

"Are you sufficiently rested, Mr. Winslow?" asked Miss Gaston, smiling.

"Quite so, thank you," replied Winslow, at once making his way up the mountain through the thick growth of trees and underbrush. From this point they were able to make their way with comparative ease and comfort to the top of the bluff and along the summit.

"At last, at last!" cried Miss Forest, as they clambered up the last part of the steep bluff, and found themselves on the level ground, over which they could now proceed to their destination. They did not pause to enjoy the magnificent view presented from the top of Cape Blomidon, but hurried downward, the delight of their escape lending renewed strength to their limbs. The roar of the sea came to their ears from the shore hundreds of feet below them, and the sun was now about to dip into the crimson and gold lights of the west.

Miss Forest had recovered her natural vivacity of manner and speech.

"Our meeting was a fortunate one for us, Mr. Winslow. But for you we would still be prisoners in that dreadful place, and perhaps would not have been able to get away from it till after dark. You certainly saved my peace of mind, and my mother will thank you for thus restoring her daughter to her arms."

"I shall be glad to tell her what a good mountain climber her daughter is," smiled Winslow. "You both did well, and gave a good exhibition of American pluck. If I mistake not, you are Americans? Almost all the tourists who come here are Americans."

"Yes, we are New Yorkers," she replied.

"My home also for several years," said Winslow. "My summers are usually spent away."

"It may seem strange to you that we should have been caught in such a trap, but we had been told to return in an hour, and we did not think it possible that the tide could rise so rapidly as it did. We are collecting mineral specimens,—not as some of you gentlemen fish, you know, with silver hooks, but we find our own specimens, and in our enthusiasm among the agates and amethysts we did not note how far we were away from the point until too late."

"And our lovely specimens!" cried Miss Gaston. "We have left them on the beach; I did not bring a crystal of any kind."

"Grace, you may have to go after them alone to-morrow. Mother objected to letting me go away from her to-day. After this experience I do not think I shall desire to attempt another for some time."

"I shall return to-morrow by way of the shore and may be able to find your collection," said Winslow. "My work will keep me here two or three days longer, and my intention is to go over the beach thoroughly on foot."

"We have already put ourselves under obligation to you beyond our power to repay," said Miss Gaston.

They now were in sight of the little wharf at White Waters, and the red road leading down beside it to the beach which had been followed by the young ladies. On the pier they saw a man and woman walking to and fro, often stopping to look towards the point around which the young ladies were expected to come.

"My poor, dear old mother!" cried Miss Forest, in a burst of excitement, as she caught sight of the two figures. They all set up a cry, and with their handkerchiefs waving soon attracted the attention of their friends.

It was not many minutes before mother and daughter were in each other's arms, as if the younger woman had escaped from some great danger.

"My dear child, how anxious I have been for you, and for you, too, Grace."

"You must thank our escort, Mr. Winslow, mother, for he was a friend indeed, and came along at the right moment."

"I hope you will join us at the hotel this evening, Mr. Winslow," said Mrs. Forest to him as they proceeded up the pier. Miss Gaston was accompanied by the gentleman, whom Winslow observed with interest. Of quiet and easy manner, Mr. Sternly left a doubt in the mind of the young geologist as to what place to assign him in relation to the party whom chance had so suddenly thrown in his way.

It was an eventful day in the life of two of the party at least. The sun went down, and under the cliffs of Blomidon night soon fell, while out across the Basin glided the lights of ships, and far across the waters of the now quickly falling tide gleamed the bright beacon of Horton Bluff, telling the pilots where the Cornwallis, the Avon and the Gaspereau rivers lie, and to the eye familiar with all the loveliness of the south shore that bright gleam told where stretched the verdant dykeland of the Grand-Pré.

CHAPTER X.

AMETHYST.

The small party of Americans consisted of Mrs. Forest, her only daughter, Miss Gaston, a schoolmate of Miss Forest, and Mr. Sternly, a young artist and friend of Miss Gaston.

Winslow was glad of the opportunity that had thrown him into the society of these persons. During the evening he became aware of the position in which Mr. Sternly stood in relation to Miss Gaston, which only heightened his interest in that young lady. Her behaviour during their arduous climb up the face of Blomidon had impressed him greatly in her favor, and the good opinion he entertained of her was augmented during the evening he spent at the hotel. The effects of their rough climb were removed, and the changed conditions of their existence as he found them in the private parlor of the hotel, as compared with the adverse circumstances of their first acquaintance, left a strong impression upon his feelings. Their few hours of companionship on the mountain had accelerated their good feeling, and there already existed a very good understanding between the several persons who had thus been so strangely thrown together.

Miss Gaston, while apparently young in years, had lived through a period of life and experiences and changes which had stamped her face with a quiet and almost reserved yet strong maturity. A personality well in hand, a sweet disposition, and a disinterested nature were often disclosed by her word or smile.

At the breakfast table the next morning Winslow learned that Miss Gaston and Mr. Sternly were to accompany him in search of the specimens they had left on the shore.

"If you are still interested in mineral specimens I can recommend the part of the Basin where I have been stopping for a few weeks."

"Is the variety good?" asked Miss Gaston.

"Excellent," replied Winslow, "and well worth your consideration. The veins are very numerous, and the combinations are many and interesting, and more or less valuable. As to the beauty of the places there, I think they are worthy the brush of any artist."

"By all means, girls, let us go," said Mrs. Forest. "We have spent enough time here, and we may see Grand-Pré later."

"It was our purpose to go to Evangeline's home from here," added her daughter to Winslow; "but your account of Pierre Island, and its venerable owner and his beautiful daughter, has made us decide to go there at once."

"I am sure it will not disappoint you. You may discover the vein of very rich and rare mineral said to be there somewhere. Its discovery means an immense fortune to somebody," he said, smiling.

"We must go at once, Grace. We will form a joint stock company for the tearing down of Pierre Island. We will give these gentlemen important positions on the managing staff."

Everybody was in good spirits when Winslow took his leave of the Forests.

Miss Gaston and her friend, Mr. Sternly, accompanied Winslow on his return, for the purpose of recovering the specimens that had been left the day before. Len was to follow with the boat when it floated, as the tide was now but half out and a half-mile of beach lay between the bluff and the sea.

In the morning light Winslow had looked with interest on the scene which lay before him. He tried to recall the time when his famous ancestor had sailed into the Basin, and, landing at Grand-Pré, took possession of the church and the priest's house for himself and his soldiers. He pictured to himself the prosperous and contented people inhabiting the region from the upper waters of the Avon, which he could see, all along the south shore and up all the other large streams as far as Pereau, but a few miles distant. Here were farms and orchards, populous villages and many scattered homes. Then he saw it as it was when Colonel Winslow departed, destroyed and laid waste; churches, houses, mills and barns all burned, people removed, and six years of silence and desolation haunted by the spectre of things as they had been, a spectre called up by the ruins of what had been happy homes, by the uncared-for fields, the broken dykes and marshes covered again by the sea, the orchards of fruit ungathered, the bones of cattle that had starved to death. Then he noted the coming of the New England people to take up the vacated lands, and how dependent they were upon the very people they replaced to restore the dykes. Also the returning Acadians, with gaunt-eyed and suffering faces disclosing the fear they yet felt because of the terrible fate that had befallen them and seemed to follow them wherever they went. This he saw, and, above all, he recognized the merciless hand that had struck them with such deadly hate, following them in their utter helplessness and misery, when all hope seemed dead and no door open for them. Thus he had mused as he realized that not one of the people could be found in all the country that lay before him and that had been all theirs.

Miss Gaston showed no sign of fatigue in the morning. Under the red bluffs in the cool air of the day they made their way, and soon passed out of sight of the wharf around the steep point where the tide had cut them off the day before.

"We have heard a great deal here about Kidd's diamond from the Blomidon folk, Mr. Winslow. How do you account for the light sometimes seen on the face of the cliff by persons on vessels? It is always at the same point above Amethyst Cove."

"I presume the cause of it is a large cluster of quartz which at times catches the light of the sun and reflects it. I understand it has been a belief for many years that Captain Kidd, our famous buccaneer, brought much of his treasure here, and hiding it in a cave on Blomidon shore, walled the entrance to the place."

"And the diamond is supposed to indicate the location of the treasure?" asked Miss Gaston.

"Yes. And, moreover, certain individuals, it is told, have seen a dull glow at night where the brightness is sometimes observable in the daytime. If you are interested in such tales and legends there are many to be learned."

"It is a country with a romantic history, and it is very beautiful," she said. "We hope to remain for a time among the descendants of the Grand-Pré Acadians who returned to the country after they were expelled. Our trip to Pierre Island will introduce us to the people, and open up the subject in a pleasant way. Then a visit to Grand-Pré and a few weeks with the people themselves on our way back will complete our study of 'Evangeline.'"

"This place seems familiar," said Winslow, as they now came to huge boulders and a large stretch of broken stone. "Yes, there is the dry brook-way, and that yonder is the stone rock you were standing near when I first saw you yesterday."

"And here are our specimens," exclaimed Miss Gaston, with delight.

"Amethyst and agate, and a very good piece of opal," said Winslow, examining the collection.

"And what is the red-colored piece?" she asked.

"Acadialite, a variety of what is known as chabazite. The red kind is peculiar to Acadia, and the stone is so called because of this."

Miss Gaston gathered up her precious collection, and her friend, who had been making a sketch of the place, joined them as Winslow prepared to take his leave of them.

"If by any chance we should not see you at the other side, I shall expect to see you in New York when you return there."

"Thank you, but do not fail to come to Pierre Island. It is well worth the effort and will repay you."

"I am much interested in your Evangeline. We have had a steel engraving of Faed's picture which is so well known, but I have never seen an Acadian in the flesh. The people and their story fascinate me."

They now separated, and Winslow went on alone, leaving his friends to return to White Waters.

Winslow recalled, as he strode along over the rocky beach, her words, "your Evangeline," and he thought of the brown-eyed maiden, awkwardly shy, and always noticeably embarrassed in his presence.

His athletic frame and light, firm step paused not, and his active mind kept him good company. Often a gull passed him in easy flight on the way to its fishing ground, or an eagle, startled from its place on a lofty ledge, floated away into some better concealment far in advance. No sign of human life met his eye along the whole stretch of shore. Out on the Basin the long trail of a steamer's smoke hung black in the summer morning air.

Winslow at last reached Amethyst Cove, where from the beach near the tide he examined the cliff carefully with his glass. He was curious to discover the secret of Kidd's diamond. Scattered veins of quartz ran in various parts of the perpendicular bluff, here and there showing the purple color peculiar to the amethyst of Cape Blomidon. Nowhere in reach of his glass could he discern anything like what he thought was worthy of the fame tradition had given Kidd's diamond. He changed his position several times, till, at last, from a high rock, he scanned the cliff for the last time. Suddenly, high up on the face of the cliff, he discovered something that held his attention. There, in a slight depression in the solid rock, appeared a large cluster of bright crystals of quartz, but slightly tinted with blue. He could see that the points were of extraordinary size and extremely bright of surface.

Here, then, must be the explanation of the mysterious light that had been a puzzle for so long. Only at certain favorable times would it be possible for the sun's rays to strike the crystals, and then only at certain points on the Basin could the reflection be caught, because of the projecting sides of the cavity. The moon when full might produce the same effect, but much softened. Only with a powerful glass such as he used could the place have been detected and the secret of Amethyst Cove been disclosed.

Having satisfied himself as to the explanation of the mysterious light, he proceeded on his way. The boat was not yet in sight, and as he passed around a point of the bluff his ears were shocked by a loud report. The sound had scarcely died away when two men appeared from behind a large rock which had protected them from the blast, and came towards him where the smoke of the powder was yet rising in the air. Winslow joined the men as they reached the place where the rock had been thrown down. He found a large vein of red-colored agate exposed, and the men were soon at work prying pieces of it out. Near by he observed a number of amethyst specimens that they had already secured, some of it beautifully colored and with large crystals. They soon forced off a large piece of the vein, and disclosed a large pocket of finely tinted crystals of the true amethyst color in a great mass of brilliant points. Securing from the men a good-sized crystal as a memento of his visit to Amethyst Cove and the famous Blomidon, he passed on and was soon out of the reach of the sound of any human labor, and strode on in the full enjoyment of the ever-changing character of the geological formations that were observable.

CHAPTER XI.

THE ADOPTION.

Winslow spent several more days on Blomidon than he had previously thought would be sufficient to conclude his investigations. The differing trap formations, the composition of the vein deposits, and the varied character of the crystalline structures gave him a large field for study. Here, also, the tides in all their force and wonderful character were easier of investigation than elsewhere.

Camping on the shore at various points of the mountain, or spending a night now and then on the boat, he had found in his boatman, Len Lawson, an interesting study as well, and had attempted at various times to get from him the confirmation of the strange story connected with his family.

Len proved himself on several occasions a skilful seaman and thoroughly acquainted with the changing conditions of the Basin and its more uncertain neighbor, the Bay of Fundy. But as to his personality Winslow found him every day less approachable, and he could not but be conscious of the fact that there was something of a dangerous nature in his companion. Winslow did not impress anybody with whom he came in contact with the idea that he feared anything. His open-handed manner and unconscious calmness in the face of danger kept Len in check. He had ample opportunity to learn that beneath the calm exterior, which always seemed unchanged in Winslow, was a great reserve of force and strength, and which he never attempted to trifle with. The one never took advantage of his position to work anything unmanly upon the other simply because he was in his employ. Nor would Len have submitted to imposition of any kind. One was perhaps as courageous as the other, but with the courage of Winslow was the strength of moral intelligence, the unobtrusive pride of a young manhood and a kind heart.

Familiar with many of the curious legends connected with every part of those northern shores, Len was at his best moments ready enough to talk about them. It was a part of his business to amuse those whom he conveyed in his boat. His shrewd intelligence taught him the advantage of this, and his mind was one which easily and naturally stored itself with tale and legend. Yet he carefully avoided any reference to his family or to anything which would lead up to that subject. Unintentionally, Winslow sometimes asked a question which in Len's mind suggested a connection with the haunting and proscribed subject. At once his manner would change, and for hours a strange set expression of his face and eyes never left him, while his manner was at once suspicious and repellent. At other times it left him in the power of some strong emotion, which alternated between defiance and despair.

At such times Winslow would set him at work demanding all his activity, either in working out a vein of mineral or in sailing out on the rapid waters of the channel between the bay and the Basin. Once this cost Winslow six hours in the boat without a wind and at the mercy of the tide, the wind having died out before they could get back to their camp.

It was almost a week before the Marie cast anchor in the shadow of Pierre Island and Winslow found himself making his way to the road leading to Bluff Castle. On reaching the level top of the island he was both pleased and astonished to see coming out of the grove near the house Miss Gaston and the blushing Marie.

"We have been enjoying the view, and we saw your boat come in," said Miss Gaston, after the first greetings.

"I observe you have found our Evangeline," smiled Winslow.

"Oh, yes, we are fast friends," replied Miss Gaston. "I have needed a guide to disclose to me the secrets of these shores, and a companion as well, as Mrs. Forest does not wish her daughter to be long away from her since our adventure on Blomidon. In Marie I have found both guide and companion, as well as a friend."

"Have you found the place interesting at all?" he asked.

"Very much so, and we have found very beautiful specimens to add to our collection."

As they came near the house Marie escaped into it, leaving her friends. A moment after Suzanne appeared with a bundle of letters and papers and a telegram.

"How do you do, Suzanne? My mail, I suppose. Ah! a telegram. How is my friend Pierre?" he said, looking into her smiling face as he opened the despatch.

Miss Gaston slipped into the house as he was looking over his mail, and in a few minutes appeared again.

"I am in time to cross by the ford. My friends are expecting you as soon as you are able to come over to our hotel."

Winslow walked by her side to the beach.

"May I ask, how long has this intimacy existed between you and Marie?" he asked.

"We have been here four days. On our arrival we introduced ourselves at the island, and found that your name was the open sesame. I was much pleased with Marie, and interested in the father as well. I think the daughter is a beautiful girl, as good of heart as lovely of face."

"I would like to help the family," said Winslow, "for their history, while strange and fascinating, is also a sad one; and as you may know, Pierre is the last of his line."

"Yes, I have learned a great deal about the people from Marie and Suzanne. The child may need a protector some day, for her father's health is failing, and he is an old man, though he seems good for many years yet."

"I fear not," said Winslow, in reply; "he has a great grief ever bearing him down. Marie is all he has left in the world. And while he seldom speaks of his sorrow, I know he is bending under it. I am glad you have been drawn to the family as I have. I owe my life to Pierre," he continued, "and I feel, in the confidence the old man has reposed in me, under obligation to them, and more than that, I feel it a duty that binds me to them."

She looked at the young man and was struck by the words he had spoken in such a straightforward and manly way. She did not reply for a time, her thoughts being taken up with what he had said.

"I hope I may share with you in interest and responsibility in Marie, who has apparently bound us both to her," she said, at last. "I would not intrude myself into their lives or affect your connection with them by it, but I have found in Marie a sweet creature who has spoken to me of herself and laid bare her young heart as to a mother. She may need the comfort and love of a woman in her life, as well as the protection of a man."

"I am much pleased to know that you have assumed a place in her life," said the young man, warmly, turning upon her a face that told her of the honesty of his words and thoughts. He spoke openly, as if they had known each other for a much longer time. He continued:

"If my judgment is not at fault, and I am sure Marie's friendship confirms my opinion, there could not have been a better choice made by her."

"Thank you," she said, blushing at the unreserved expression of his approval, while she laughed to hide the embarrassment his words caused.

He also burst out laughing, and said, "Pardon me, Miss Gaston, but I do not feel as if I had not known you for a long time. The climb we had together and your purpose in regard to my friends here have made me feel well towards you, and are accountable for my plain statement of our position. We have these things in common, and from them springs a mutual interest."

So they came to an understanding, and yet each formed erroneous ideas of the other, whose result would be felt seriously by both for years of their life.

"Our friends are on the beach, I observe, waiting for me at the ford. I do not think they know that you have returned," she said.

Their appearance was the signal for the waving of handkerchiefs and the exchange of merry greetings.

"We have been expecting you, Mr. Winslow," said Mrs. Forest, after an exchange of courtesies.

"I was longer on Blomidon than I expected to be. I did not think to find you here so soon."

"We had all these lovely places in anticipation, you know, and we had exhausted Blomidon and completed our geological investigations," continued her daughter, with a smile. "This field presented a greater range for our work, and permits mother to have a sharper eye upon me. She has not gotten over her fear of the tide. Yet we have found all the zeolites, and the combinations of them,—stilbite, acadialite, flybites and skylights, and I don't know how many tights."

Their merry laughter echoed along the cliffs after this speech.

"I see you have been making a careful study of the subject, and have not lost much time," said Winslow, laughing.

"My dear, there is another bite you have forgotten to mention. I found a good specimen this morning, you know," said Mrs. Forest.

"When may we see you?" she said to Winslow, as he raised his cap, about to leave them. "We are easily found."

"We inhabitants of Pierre Island time our going and coming by the tide."

He returned to the island.

Events were making history in the life of Marie, the child-woman, the woman-child. When Winslow reached Bluff Castle he was surprised to meet Len, who strode past him without a word, his face pale with rage, and a savage look in his eyes. Entering the house, he found Marie in tears and Suzanne absent. Seeing him, she withdrew into another room, leaving him to conjecture as to the cause of her emotion. He suspected that Len had found her alone and had continued to force his unpleasant and jealous humor upon her after his protracted absence. He had lost no time, as the occasion showed.

Leaving the house, he went quickly after Len and called to him. This did not stop him or even cause him to turn his head to see who spoke his name. Again Winslow called after him in such a tone of voice as told Len he had better heed, so he stopped in the road and waited for him to come near enough to speak with him.

"I have received a telegram which will compel me to leave here sooner than I expected to. As the rest of my work will be done without a boat, I will pay you for the whole time I engaged you for. Is that satisfactory?"

"Yes, sir," he said, the sullen look on his face relaxing as he found that there was to be no reference to himself or Marie, which he had expected.

"When are you going away?" he asked, scarcely concealing his interest and satisfaction in what had occurred.

"Quite soon, I think. I liked your boat, Len, and I hope to need her again some other time."

Saying this, he turned to the house and went over his mail again, before preparing to meet his American friends.

CHAPTER XII.

THE BLUE VEIN.