94 OVER ON THE ISLAND

There are no cars at the foot of the hill, we observe, as we crawl out of the ditch. No broken bones, no cuts—just red clay all over us.

Vernon River! Named after Admiral Sir Edward Vernon. In the interest of temperance he diluted the sailors’ spirits with water. The watered rum became known as “grog” in allusion to the grogram coat which he wore in foul weather. No doubt the clear Admiral would be pleased if he knew that the Island is still enforcing Prohibition. Yes, he would be pleased—if he did not hear of the rum runners, and if he did not taste their product.

Vernon River is the destination of this redoubtable army of marchers who preceded us down this road so many years ago. The reason for their march started back in the year 1767. In that year there met in London a number of men who had claims, or claimed to have claims on the British government. The report of the meeting sounds like a child’s party game. Sixty-four slips of paper, containing sixty-four num- bers, were put in a hat. One by one these men stepped forward and drew a number. The number they drew represented the lot of land they had drawn on Prince Edward Island. One additional lot was reserved for the Crown. Two others had been previously granted. These lots were granted on specific terms of quit-rents and settlement. The Great Lottery! It reminds one of the advertisers’ promises over the radio. Every- body wins. Something for nothing. N o wonder they all flocked to the Board of Trade.

Shortly afterwards, transfers of land began. Many proprietors had neither the interest nor the ability to settle colonists in America. They had simply acquired,