The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1876-10-08

| ging to q certain depth, the sand of the downs
| is invariably foHnd underneath.
"This same contrast" he added, exists not
| only in the nature of the soil, but in the lam
| guage aud manners of the inhabitant s-I
fishermen and the citizens of Adinkerk live
together on the most friendly terms, they never
unite in marriage"
| Thus con versng, the two officers entered the
| downs. The walking was tedious for at every
moment they were obliged to climb mountain
| of sand then descend, only to ascend another
| steep summit.
| "Is this the right road 7" demanded tt
younger.
Yes" replied the elder az recognize the
path. The wind often displaces one hillock
aud raises O mountain in the place of valley.
There are, however, some high noun taus which
| seen immovable, for during centuries they
| have served az guides to fishermen. The name
of panne is given to every little valley or plain
between the hillocks, or hill as every little
elevation OF sand is called. When l was living
10 America, l was surprised to find this same
word hill with the same Specification in the
English language. The solitude of this coun-
try surprises you; it is because the fishermen
for the past twenty. five years have preferred
to collect in plain of some extent about}hAl
league from this spot. They call it Kerk-
panDe, or simply the PanRe"
The two officers stopped at a certain turn TO
erJ ~ the curious spectacle of the surroundip x
laud, which seemed to have been rent by an
arthqnake, when the younger said to his
companion:
Some one is behind us; by his dress take
ham TO be q fisherman"
The appearance of man in the complete
costume of a fisherman seemed to Gauss great
pleasure TO the old soldier, for they lad met
none snch at Adiukerk W here ALI are al har
laborers OF workmen.
Yes" sbe replied, he is o fisherman. The
happiest years of my life were passed under
red jacket such rs that. l see myself again in
that mau."
What a tread said the other. He steps
like ON Ostrich, and sways from side to side
like elephant"
s k,n G.L
it is the rocking of the vessel which gives them
the habit. AS 10 his height, it is not extra. |
ordinary in this country A couple of leagues
from this place there is Flemish village called |
Oostde eok;rk, the fishermen of which are noted |
for their excessive height, even among the |
men of the downs"
:. 1t would not be pleasant to fight with such
u fellow, particularly with the fists. But W hat |
Is the matter with himf Is be afraid of us 7 |
tie pretends not TO see US, and covers his face |
with his cap"
The fisherman, as he came up to the two
officers, spranE TO the other side Of the road
and passed on rapidly without looking ~ them |
May God project you, comrade ~ cried out !
to him the old soldier in Flemish patois lyon |
are in great hurry"
The fisherman, surprised to hear himself ad- |
dressed i'll so friendly manner in his native
tonsue, stopped aud looked back bat inme-
diately the thought that the life OF mac !
might depend upon his speed, and tue neces- |
sity of announcing to Father Stock the arrival |
of the French. urged HIM to continue on his |
'Ss oooJ HaihlbS SIlAl nOro TaplCtN, ne soon |
disappeared.
The evil spirit possesses him y said the
younger officer laughing. Che fishermen of
tbs country arc rs rough as wild beasts"
" | am at q loss to understand his conduct
replied the other. This is not the ON of
the Inhabitants Ga the contrary, the people .
of the beach of Adinkerk are noted for their
pollteness aud aifAbiity Let Us make haste,
that man may otherwise have time to impart
his foolish fear to others In few minutes
We will reach the end of our journey"
Say what you please, your countrymen are
not heroes they have the bodies of giants bu
the hearts of hares. Nature certainly made
mistake in their Coz nation"
You are wholly mistaken" replied his COM
paDiOn These simple people appear timid
but could you them In times of danger
struggling with storm and wave could you see
them riskIng their own lives to save the lives
of others, you would be filed with respect and
admiration for their heroism. Their spirit of
self sacrifice arises solely from their natural
generosity of heart, and never from 8u expec- |
tatIon OF recompense for their good actions |
are unknown TO the world"
1T may be Bat in that case they leave |
their couarSe at when they touch laud," |
muttered the young officer to himself, as he |
qackened his pace to keep up with his COM
p4nIon.
90 be contnued.)