154 OVER ON THE ISLAND

We were soon deep in thought.

“You are right,” I concluded finally. “Travelling would be easy because we’ve been offered so many lifts, even with our bikes. As for meals, well, look at all the free meals we’ve been given already—without asking. Then, at night, if you ever mentioned a haystack or a barn to a farmer as sleeping-quarters, he’d order the family to air the spare room and get supper ready. And they’d do it gladly, too. ”

“I wonder Why. On the mainland they are so afraid of tramps.”

“There aren’t any tramps here. For one thing, they would have to pay their way over and back on the car ferry, so that makes the Island tramp—free. The people are so used to giving hand—outs to genuine ‘in needers’ that they never question the resources or occupations of an applicant.

“It’s the same with car—driving. It’s too hard for thugs to get off the Island, so they don’t come here to work any auto rackets. The Island’s isolation is a splendid protection.

”It used to be quite difficult to get off the Island. Indentured servants and such like used to escape, so the governor ordered that everybody intending to leave should put their names, residences, and inten- tions in the county’s Public Pass Office two weeks before their departure. ”

4

St. Peter’s! The old commercial capital of Prince Edward Island.

To—day, though not half as important as it used to be, it is still a fine old fishing village. It is attractive, with its stretch of bright blue water at its front door.