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sleepers；
Angel of God was there none to awaken the slumbering maiden。
Swiftly they glided away； like the shade of a cloud on the
prairie。
After the sound of their oars on the tholes had died in the
distance；
As from a magic trance the sleepers awoke； and the maiden
Said with a sigh to the friendly priest； 〃O Father Felician！
Something says in my heart that near me Gabriel wanders。
Is it a foolish dream； an idle and vague superstition？
Or has an angel passed； and revealed the truth to my spirit？〃
Then； with a blush； she added； 〃Alas for my credulous fancy！
Unto ears like thine such words as these have no meaning。〃
But made answer the reverend man； and he smiled as he answered；
〃Daughter； thy words are not idle； nor are they to me without
meaning。
Feeling is deep and still； and the word that floats on the
surface
Is as the tossing buoy； that betrays where the anchor is hidden。
Therefore trust to thy heart； and to what the world calls
illusions。
Gabriel truly is near thee； for not far away to the southward；
On the banks of the Teche； are the towns of St。 Maur and St。
Martin。
There the long…wandering bride shall be given again to her
bridegroom；
There the long…absent pastor regain his flock and his sheepfold。
Beautiful is the land； with its prairies and forests of
fruit…trees；
Under the feet a garden of flowers； and the bluest of heavens
Bending above； and resting its dome on the walls of the forest。
They who dwell there have named it the Eden of Louisiana。〃
With these words of cheer they arose and continued their
journey。
Softly the evening came。 The sun from the western horizon
Like a magician extended his golden wand o'er the landscape；
Twinkling vapors arose； and sky and water and forest
Seemed all on fire at the touch； and melted and mingled together。
Hanging between two skies； a cloud with edges of silver；
Floated the boat； with its dripping oars； on the motionless
water。
Filled was Evangeline's heart with inexpressible sweetness。
Touched by the magic spell； the sacred fountains of feeling
Glowed with the light of love； as the skies and waters around
her。
Then from a neighboring thicket the mocking…bird； wildest of
singers；
Swinging aloft on a willow spray that hung o'er the water；
Shook from his little throat such floods of delirious music；
That the whole air and the woods and the waves seemed silent to
listen。
Plaintive at first were the tones and sad； then soaring to
madness
Seemed they to follow or guide the revel of frenzied Bacchantes。
Single notes were then heard； in sorrowful； low lamentation；
Till； having gathered them all； he flung them abroad in derision；
As when； after a storm； a gust of wind through the tree…tops
Shakes down the rattling rain in a crystal shower on the
branches。
With such a prelude as this； and hearts that throbbed with
emotion；
Slowly they entered the Teche； where it flows through the green
Opelousas；
And； through the amber air； above the crest of the woodland；
Saw the column of smoke that arose from a neighboring dwelling；
Sounds of a horn they heard； and the distant lowing of cattle。
III
Near to the bank of the river； o'ershadowed by oaks； from whose
branches
Garlands of Spanish moss and of mystic mistletoe flaunted；
Such as the Druids cut down with golden hatchets at Yule…tide；
Stood； secluded and still； the house of the herdsman。 A garden
Girded it round about with a belt of luxuriant blossoms；
Filling the air with fragrance。 The house itself was of timbers
Hewn from the cypress…tree； and carefully fitted together。
Large and low was the roof； and on slender columns supported；
Rose…wreathed； vine…encircled； a broad and spacious veranda；
Haunt of the humming…bird and the bee； extended around it。
At each end of the house； amid the flowers of the garden；
Stationed the dove…cots were； as love's perpetual symbol；
Scenes of endless wooing； and endless contentions of rivals。
Silence reigned o'er the place。 The line of shadow and sunshine
Ran near the tops of the trees； but the house itself was in
shadow；
And from its chimney…top； ascending and slowly expanding
Into the evening air； a thin blue column of smoke rose。
In the rear of the house； from the garden gate； ran a pathway
Through the great groves of oak to the skirts of the limitless
prairie；
Into whose sea of flowers the sun was slowly descending。
Full in his track of light； like ships with shadowy canvas
Hanging loose from their spars in a motionless calm in the
tropics；
Stood a cluster of trees； with tangled cordage of grapevines。
Just where the woodlands met the flowery surf of the prairie；
Mounted upon his horse； with Spanish saddle and stirrups；
Sat a herdsman； arrayed in gaiters and doublet of deerskin。
Broad and brown was the face that from under the Spanish sombrero
Gazed on the peaceful scene； with the lordly look of its master。
Round about him were numberless herds of kine； that were grazing
Quietly in the meadows； and breathing the vapory freshness
That uprose from the river； and spread itself over the landscape。
Slowly lifting the horn that hung at his side； and expanding
Fully his broad； deep chest； he blew a blast； that resounded
Wildly and sweet and far； through the still damp air of the
evening。
Suddenly out of the grass the long white horns of the cattle
Rose like flakes of foam on the adverse currents of ocean。
Silent a moment they gazed； then bellowing rushed o'er the
prairie；
And the whole mass became a cloud； a shade in the distance。
Then； as the herdsman turned to the house； through the gate of
the garden
Saw he the forms of the priest and the maiden advancing to meet
him。
Suddenly down from his horse he sprang in amazement； and forward
Rushed with extended arms and exclamations of wonder；
When they beheld his face； they recognized Basil the blacksmith。
Hearty his welcome was； as he led his guests to the garden。
There in an arbor of roses with endless question and answer
Gave they vent to their hearts； and renewed their friendly
embraces；
Laughing and weeping by turns； or sitting silent and thoughtful。
Thoughtful； for Gabriel came not； and now dark doubts and
misgivings
Stole o'er the maiden's heart； and Basil； somewhat embarrassed；
Broke the silence and said； 〃If you came by the Atchafalaya；
How have you nowhere encountered my Gabriel's boat on the
bayous？〃
Over Evangeline's face at the words of Basil a shade passed。
Tears came into her eyes； and she said； with a tremulous accent；
〃Gone？ is Gabriel gone？〃 and； concealing her face on his
shoulder；
All her o'erburdened heart gave way； and she wept and lamented。
Then the good Basil said；and his voice grew blithe as he said
it；
〃Be of good cheer； my child； it is only to…day he departed。
Foolish boy！ he has left me alone with my herds and my horses。
Moody and restless grown； and tried and troubled； his spirit
Could no longer endure the calm