French River 
narrow stretch of level country between moun- 
tains and sea. The houses by common con- 
sent in this whole country keep as far away 
from the road and from one another as they 
can. We could see them set far back toward 
the mountains and protected from the dangers 
of the highway by broad fields which lay in 
front of them. 
For some distance the road winds its charm- 
ing way in full view of the surrounding moun- 
tains and sea, and then it turns inland and 
crosses the steep-banked Barasois River over a 
new iron bridge. 
Cape Breton is a remarkable place for brooks. 
One feels obliged to keep on saying so, for 
they keep on appearing, the most friendly and 
joyous brooks ; sliding without a ripple over 
mossy rocks, leaping wildly down the faces of 
cliffs, disappearing, reappearing, murmuring, 
smiling, roaring, they were our constant com- 
panions, delightful beyond all reason. They are 
brown brooks as a rule, a deep golden brown, 
though sometimes they are emerald green. 
Indian Brook, which we crossed soon after 
the Barasois, almost anywhere else would be 
called a river. It has a broad stony beach 
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