Page:The history of Grand-Pre by Herbin, John Frederic.djvu/19

Rh dating 1774. Many graves antedate this. On many stones may be read the early life of this region in the names they bear of those first families whose fortunes were cast here and who died in the land of their adoption.

The memory of the Acadians is kept only by scattered willows and apple trees, cellar excavations that have gaped under the sky for a century and a half, and disused dykes which the forces of nature have not as yet laid level with the earth from whence they were taken. Not a letter in the whole of Minas tells the name of an Acadian.

Beyond the ridge south of Wolfville lies the famous valley of the Gaspereau. The river flowing through it empties into the Basin east of Grand-Pré. The salt tides make their way up this river for several miles. Half a mile from the broad outlet is the historic landing place where the Acadians were taken into boats and borne to the transports anchored in the channel.

West and east from the river lie the wonderful marshlands, those salt plains which drew the Acadians to the shores of Minas Basin, and which they reclaimed from the sea through years of arduous toil. Following all the rivers where the marshes lay they built their homes on the adjoining uplands, and became a numerous people. It was at Grand-Pré they were finally compelled to gather for removal, that other people might be induced to make their homes on the Acadian lands and enjoy the fruits of their toil and industry. From the Gaspereau the transports went out with the tide, and Grand-Pré ceased to know the Acadians as a united people.