178 OVER ON THE ISLAND

pursuing bones. Venturesome, indeed, is he who crosses that point at night.

Rustico! What an odd, though attractive, name. It is unique, too, I believe, for its origin would tend to make it so. It is derived from the name of an old French settler of this district, M. Racicot. He settled near the Rustico Chapel, and lived his humble useful life among his few countrymen on the North Shore.

It is not far to New Glasgow and some of the finest scenery on the Island. I shall not describe it, for I could not do it justice. I shall just mention that it is hilly, that the fields form a checkerboard of red and green, and that long lines of trees stand in trim rows along the old Scots’ dikes. Crickets chirp cheerfully in tune with their surroundings. Brooks wander merrily on. It is all so peaceful. Yet it is not so many years since this district resounded with the hammering of nails, for here was a large shipyard. Out of this harbour sailed the first Canadian ship to go directly from any port of Canada to New Zealand. Away she went on a six months’ voyage and arrived without mishap. The tide had turned. The Island had begun to send out immigrants.

It is clear that Cartier never saw the New Glasgow country. Otherwise, he would never have made the mistake of saying that the Island was inclined to be flat; but even patriotic Islanders make such assertions at times. The next time I hear any one say that the Island is flat I shall take him by the hand and make him lug my bicycle up all the hills on the North Shore. And, if he still persists in his statement, I shall take him then to the Bonshaw hills . . . That should cure him!