THE EARTH'S BOUNTY 



Two strong crates were securely fastened into 

 the spring wagon, and we started off in true 

 farm style. After the first two miles the 

 travel was entirely through heavy-timbered 

 woods, until the few shanties which consti- 

 tuted the settlement were reached. More for- 

 lorn homes could hardly be conceived. Even 

 the patches of grapevines and vegetables scat- 

 tered between the stumps of trees long since 

 felled only accentuated the general desolation 

 of the place. But as there were several goats 

 and women staring in wide-eyed astonishment 

 at us, we postponed our quizzical inspection 

 of their homes, drew rein and attempted to 

 explain our presence. The dear Master Man, 

 who spoke French and Italian with colloquial 

 fluency, was quite unable to make anyone 

 understand, though they commenced to chat- 

 ter violently among themselves in provincial 

 patois. The confab terminated in a shrill 

 voice yelling an extraordinary name full of 

 "k's" and "c's," which brought a small 

 tousle-headed urchin, with sharp features and 



266 



