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THK

CAPE BRETON GIANT

A TRUTHFUL MEMOIR

By Jas. D. Gillis

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DHontteal :

fvd for tlie Author by John Loveli, A Sox,

1899.

Page 1

Page :

"Oif she

Page
joye^l as
l»age
Page
Page
Page
He doe
walked

thh:

CAPE BRETON GIANT

A TRUTHFUL MEMOIR

ERRATA.

T^ to 1'HV. line duelist read duellist.

Page 12. loth line, uue _^^^^^ ^^^^^^^j

p.,<re 20 last paragraph. 3d line, snoam ,

"ivf ..hp o-oes to Miramicni. .'

Oit t^ne t,ot.b tu ahould be smiles en-

Pa-e 22. 4th paragraph, 3d line, snouia u .

j.,yed as far as Upper Margare^e.

P.,"c -M) Cth line. G inches, should be 9 inches,
pte 47 in the Gth line, some should be none^
P^^e 5^; last line, when home should be went home
pX 83 10th line should end with raised it. 11th line

He does not tremble. His face does not redden. He

walked, etc., etc.

lllontveal:

Printed for the Author by Jonx Lqvell & Sox.

. 1890.

tkh:

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CAPE BRETON GIANT

A TRUTHFUL MEMOIR

BY Jas. D. GILUS

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BXontvcaii

Printed for the Author by John Lovell & Sox.

. 1899.

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' 1

ANGUS MacASKIUU and TOM THUMB

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JAMF.S I), (ill, US

one,

of hi

beinj

far J

son.

was

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Gil

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foi

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, . 1 V r^rrsnt^r to ffive a sketch, a brief
''%T'°own'lt L;Cay f loducdon to those

'I^Tbtro; July nth. .870.at StrathU; -t

far from the residence of John Maclsaac. Donalds

'""■ In early childhood 1 removed, or more correctly

7 1. TTooer Margaree. I went to school

"rt^e ^ndlSonbeca'meprofident enough to

TchscLr By the way my teachers-. J^ne

rhfhald'S:MaSane.DanMacphail and A. S.

""frttice to the united States ; I do not say so

/^r:r;-r;ngagedin schooUeachmgin Kil-

tarlity school.

\!*\^ ' ■

PREFACE

By their Biographies.

■'%«>^
The celebrities of other lands are daily brought be-
fore our eyes. This is well, for it is pleasant, recre-
ative and beneficial to know and to study the lives of
great men. The poet Longfellow says; —
*'Lives of great men all remind us
We can make our lives sublime;
And departing leave behind us

Foot prints on the sands of time."
Longfellow is right. Experience is an able teacher
moreover, and we can actually derive benefit from the
story of the experiences of great men, that is, from
the story of the ways and means by which the great
overcame difficulties, and acquired fortune and fame
an 1 attained to eminence.

Plutarch said : "To be ignorant of the lives of the
most celebrated men of antiquity is to continue in a
state of childhood all our days."

Now, dear reader, is it not proper to perpetuate the
fame of a deserving country ?

"Breathes there a man with soul so dead.
Who never to himself has said :
This is my own, my native land,
Whose heart had ne'er within him burned
As home his footsteps he had turned.?"
Cape Bretonians, one and all, remember that Angus
MacAskill was our countryman. Remember that we
have reason to be proud of him. Remember that he
was one of the greatest giants the world has ever seen
Yes, one of the giants of the world was a native of
Cape Breton,

viii PREFACE

But apart from our hero's bodily strength— he
was also an excellent man otherwise. The following
stanza is suggestive of his general personal character:
'True worth is in being, not seeming;

In doing each day that goes by
Some little good — not in the dreaming

Of great things to do by and by,
For whatever may be said in blindness

And in spite of the fancies of youth,
There's nothing so kingly as kindness,
And nothing so royal as truth."
The writing of this work was suggested by Mur-
doch MacLean, of Upper East Ainslie. The author
had seen an article in the "Family Herald and
Weekly Star" about Angus MacAskill. In a col-
loquy which this suggested, Mr. MacLean said, "it
would be a grand idea to write a life of MacAskill*'
The author soon took up the matter, and this book
is the result.

The author desires to thank the following people
for their help:—

Kenneth P. MacKay, Rear Scotsville; Duncan
MacAskill, St. Ann's; John A. Morrison S. Gut, St.
Ann's; Alick MacKinnon, North Ainslie; John P.
MacKay, Scotsville; Hugh Gillis, Warden, Upper
Margaree; John H. MacPhail, Upper E. Ainslie.

He also desires to thank Murdoch C. MacLean of
North Ainslie, for suggestions.

Respectfully,

James D. Gillis,

Teacher

INTRODUCTION

There is not a settlement in the Dominion of Can-
ada, or in the United State?, that is not aware of the
fact that there once lived a man by the name of An-
gus MacAskill, who was a prodigy of size and
strength. This general idea, my frienis, is not enough;
it is rather vague to be satisfactory. True, it is that
in some settlements a story or two may be heard, but
again, this is not enough.

Now this book gives all the important events ot
MacAskill's career in language, which, if sometimes
florid, is none the less easily understood by all who
are fairly versed in the language of England.

The reader may have heard different or deviating
versions of some of the exploit anecdotes here fur-
nished. She or he will perhaps doubt the authenticity
of this book, but the author is satisfied that this work
is virtually a surperb representative of MacAskili's

greatness.

The author's researches for information were
thorough. Now he ventures to say that a few read-
ings of this Life and Exploits of Angus MacAskill
is emphatically enough to enable any person to grasp
a non-shadowy conception of the hero. Alpreover, he
believes that these readings will be pleasurable, re-
Creative, very instructive and practically beneficial.
* As an "inspiring volume," it will possibly be of
benefit to old and young. The language being easy

INTRODUCTION.

as already stated, no one need fail to derive morals
from the Life of Mir A cHii u- ■_ morais

profit. M^'cAsk.ll. which may permanently

Geographical descriptions are profusely given.

furtt r*""'"'"""'^'- O'd-d later day hLo'y

e e :":7^'^^ the reader's path to the kn'ow.ed'e

^yeeks, a thorough knowledge of the Cape Breton

The fact that, as a rule, only one exploit is portrav

attheZeThereof^^aTra^f "°k "'''''''''' '"'
that another rapid L a " Thf r"" "'' '""^

r-thein„stL/wTer. ScrGrt'-'Tti:

"sed .n a metonymical sense, of couL. ' "

i he author is confident that it will be fn„n^
■"teresting than a fairy tale. He Ta devZ """'
t'-e to the work, having commenced it inrh ""*
of '898 at Upper East linsHe '' "'"'^'"

Applicable quotations sparkle here and there and
where convenient are credited to their author^

that this bmgraphy is the very best of the kind that
was ever published. '""

CHAPTER I
Birth Plack of MacAskill.

On the west coast of Scotland is a cluster of islands,
called the Hebridts, about five hundred in number,
of which one hundred are inhabited. Some of the
H islands have high mountain?, and are noted for their
picturesque scenery. The climate is mild and humid.
The Hebrides I i ed by an arm of the sea called
the Little Minch into the Inner Hebrides and the
Outer Hebrides.

The inner group lies clc.se to the west of Saotland.
The principal islands which constitute the group are:
Skye, Mull, Jura, Isiay, Arran, Bute and Staffa, The
latter is a small island on the west of Mull, and is re-
markable for its basaltic columns, and for Fingal's
cave.

Fingal's cave, to the Irish and Scotch people, how
musical the name ! lor it recalls to memory what we
have learned of the great Fingal, an illustrious king
of a part of Scotland in the days of antiquity. Yes,
and reminds us of King Fingal's gifted son Ossian
the poet. It reminds us of his other sons. Gall, Con-
nan and Oscar, also "famous in story." Fingal and
his sons, in their own way, were like bonny Marshal
Ney of France, "the bravest of the brave," and we
have reason to conclude that they were likewise re-
puted the greatest of the great. They were generous,
chivalrous and brave.

Ossian's poetic narration of his visit to Erin or Ire-
land cannot be excelled. Ossian was romantic. The
maids of Scotland were beautiful and charming, yet
none of them approached to Ossian's ideal of woman-
kind. Fingal saw and smiled and said "my son, go
to Ireland, there is many a lovely maiden there, and
I believe you will see one at least there who will
more than captivate your youthful heart." Ossian
went. He arrived at the palace of an Irish King,
where he got a ho pitable reception. It chanced that
on that very day, this King's daughter, the fairest
maid of Erin, was to be given in marriage to the best
duelist. The arms used were a shield and spear. Os-
sian won the day though there were several compet-
itors, and this prii.cess gave him her hand with her
heart in it, and his joy on that day he remember'^d
till his dying day.

It must not be omitted that, previous to the duel
or contest of spears, the heroes were permitted to get,
a glimpse of the lovely princess. Ossian was so ena-
moured by her beauty that he was willing, were it
possible, to die for her hand ten thousand times.

However, he returned to Scotland soon after ac-
companied by his vvife. They lived in bliss for many
a year, but cruel Death at length robbed him of his
darling "Evir Aluinn."

lona contains the ruins of a monastery, a famed
seat of learning where Calum Cile, otherwise known
as St. Columba, presided and taught in the days of
"lang syne," Eigg is famed for the cave of Frances
in which all the inhabitants of the island were smoked
to death by a hostile clan.

■A

The outer group of the Hebrides comprises Lewis,
North Uist Benbecula, South Uist, Barra, and num-
erous smaller islands. They are separated by nar-
row passages, and extend in a line of about one hun-
dred and twenty miles in length. The total popula-
tion of the Hebrides is ioo,ooo~(See J. B. Calkin's
Gen. Geography.)

The south-west part of Lewis is called Harris. —
Here our illustrious hero, Angus MacAskill, was born.
As an infant, he was, as said elsewhere, but ot aver-
age size and nobody dreamt of the bustle his future
prodigious size and appalling strength were to occa-
sion throughout the whole world, civilized and un-
civilized, from pole to pole.

But, reverting to Harris, be it said that it has pro-
duced many eminent men, and forefathers of eminent
men, and though many of them "were born to blush
unseen," and to "waste their sweetness on the de-
sert air," yet, generally speaking, the Harrissonians
and their descendants of other climes rank high.

Angus MacAskill was born in the year 1825. His
parents were respectable, and of "blood unstained
and lineage good."

I^is father was 5 ft. 9 in height, and stout. His
mother was a good sized woman. There was a family
of twelve besides him, three girls and nine boys.
There were two girls and a boy older than he. Four
of his brothers and two of his sisters are still living.
Some of the family died in infancy.

CHAPTER II.

Cape Breton As It Is.

Cape Breton Island is to the north-west of the
peninsula of Nova Scotia. It is divided into four
counties, namely: Inverness, Victoria, Cape Breton
and Richmond.

Cape Breton Island is remarkable for its beauti-
ful scenery. Good harbours are plentiful. It has a
plentitude of good highways and some railways. Of
the latter kind of accommodation, many more are
talked about, and the expectations of those interested
may be gratified all in good time. The soil is gener-
ally fertile, and is extensively cultivated. The fisher-
ies of and off the coast waters are famous. The Bras
d'Or lakes and some fresh water lakes, as Ainslie^are
simply enchanting. Into the latter flows Trout River
—a favourite resort of trout. From Lake Anslie flows
the South-West of Margaree river, a river, though
fairly large, still unassuming, a river whose intrinsic
loveliness, coupled with still more charming surround-
ings, has a prominent place in the directory of superb
phenomena, Reveting to Lake Ainslie, it is suf-
ficient to say that a great writer has successfully de-
monstrated that it is equal in beauty to the paragons
of such beauties, viz., the Killarney lakes ot Ireland,
Again, Middle River, Harvard Lakes, North-Kas
Margaree, Cheticamp, Broad Cove, Mabou, Port

Hood, Judique, Nyanza, Beddeck, Whycocomagh, the
Sydnies, East Bay, Mira, Arichat, St. Peters, and St.
Ann's possess panoramas of scenic magnificence uni-
versally supposed to be unrivalled beyond our shores.

The island is entering a "career of brilliant pro-
mise." The exodus to other parts is decreasing.
The flow of our boys and girls to the United States
will probably cease forever at no distant day. The
average Cape Bretonian is a George VVashingtcn in
the line of truthfulness. But that Dingley Bill of
the Americans indirectly contributes to Cape
Breton's coffers. The resources of our island are
many. It invariably piys to develop them. Many,
many reasons could be adduced to prove that it is far
better for the Cape Bretonians to stay at home than
to go abroad, and of late years experience has con-
firmed the majority and more that those who hive
been fortunate enou.;h to gain a foothold in Cape
Breton Island cannot leave it for a better land upon
this revolving star that we inhabit.

Before ''you and I" were young. Cape Breton Is-
land belonged to France. Vivacious France was
'•quick to learn and wise to know" the great value of
Isle Royal, as they called Cape Breton. They built
a town on the east coast, fortified "to kill, "and called
it Louisburg in honour of the then King Louis of
France.

Louisburg's fortifications were not kept in good re-
pair. In 1745 A. D. it was taken by a small fleet from
Great Britain aiiJ an army of New Englanders.
France was bereft of Islu Royal. Afterwards it was

ceded to France. Again, in 1758, however, Louis-
burg was finally captured by Great Britain. The
bon Isle Royal was ceded forever to Great Britain in
1763 A.D.

From 1784 to 18 19 A.D. the island formed a se-
parate province, under a military Government. While
a military Government would not be adequate to-day,
it is clear that it would be much butter for the island
to be still, and forever a separate province. With due
respect to the inhabitants of the peninsula, we are sa-
tisfied that it adds nothing to our dignity at home or
loroad to be affiliated with them under one provin-
cial Government, As for road and bridge grants,
etc, there is a "leagued oppression" against Cape
Breton in these matters, which needs no Argus to ob-
serve. However, there is a sentiment among the is-
landers in favour of secession. At a seasonable oppor-
tunity a "long, strong pull together" will gain for
us that separation which will be the keystone to our
political freedom.

In closing this chapter, it may be remarked that,
as the climate of our island is grand, that it is reason-
able to suppose that MacAskill, the hero of our tale
owed some of his size and strength to his being bred
here for the most part. Yes, our island is exception-
ally conductive to the growth of humanity. A visit to
us will convince anyone of this. While all admit that
our hero was by far the greatest of all, the average
Cape Bretonian is little less than a giant, comparative-
ly speaking. But the debts we owe our land we shall
remember, our gratitude our land esteems full high.

,;';

hence, while Cape Breton exists, she will reverberate
with praise of her sons and the realm of size and
strength vaunt our hero to the very skies. Such, such
will Cape Breton show her love of him who loved
her well.

CHAPTER III.

MacAskill Comes Across.

When MacAskill was a ycdth, the subject of im-
migration to America was pervaded with great and
sometimes unrealized expectations. Of course, truth
is stranger than fiction, and a truthful account of Am-
erica could not be exceeded in wonders and interest
by the most fabulous writer "orator. Yet, there is
no clime on earth where all succeed. Even America
is not an exception, though it offers the poor excep-
tional chance?. Hence it wa;5 that many immigrants
even from Scotland were disappointed. But it is gra-
tifying to know that the great majority who crossed
the "Atlantic's roar" to the land of the setting sun
might reasonably celebrate the day the thought of
coming over flashed through their minds. §

In those days iVmerica was the Boston, the Why-
cocomagh or the Klondike of to-day. News from
America excited public interest to concert pitch. In
truth, a vessel hailing from the New World would
occasion as lively a bustle as did the arrival of Sir
Randolph Murray with his ''News of Battle," after
the Battle of Flodden. As favourable reports were
usually submitted, it is no marvel that many 'took a
leap and o'er the sea." "

Moreover, the Scottish island?, as well as other
parts of Europe, were becoming overcrowded. The

resources of these countries were seldom equal to the
demands made upon them. In many cases, in spite of
economy, thrift and hard labour, "want even as an
armed man came down upon their sheds."

It may not be irrelevant here to remark what in-
calculable gratitude the greater part of the civilized
world owes Spain. Were it not for Spain, America
might not have been yet discovered. True it is that
Columbus was not a Spaniard, but it is equally true
that it was Spiin that furnished him the means to
cross.

Say, reader, just think of the millions who have
been indebted thus to Spain for fame, fortune and life
itself. Fancy the thousands who, of recent years,
came from Europe, combined with the millions whose
forefathers came from there, yes, fancy them, packed,
I may say, in Europe ; who can picture the result ^ As
long as an inhabitant of America appreciates elbow
room and pure air, he or she is lacking some way if
Spain is not recalled to memory with a flush of grati-
tude.

Yet there are some, but in the honest Dominion of
Canada their ranks are wearing thinner, who would
rejoice in the downfall of Spain. The same people
would laud their o-vn little idols of humanity to the
skies— these little idols of theirs whose prominence
falls like that of kites, and likewise would fall to be
lost forever only for the tangent selfishness by which
it is fastened to some unscrupulous hand.

It is of little interest to refer to that discovery of
America by the Northmen. It was at best a slipshod

affair, and resulted in songs which our ordinary people
of this day could not understand.
As for Cabot and others, previous to Columbus*
discovery, they had never dreamt of the roundness or
rotundity of the earth.

But our great benefactor, Columbus, studied physio-
graphy for years. At length he concluded that the
earth was round. He set off westerly for East India.
By the way, though confident in his conclusions about
the earth's form, he was not aware that there was such
a country as America. Yes, he set off for India, but
better still, instead of discovering s. shorter route to
that land than the one then taken, he discovered the
land of lands, America.

But enough. However, when Angus MacAskill
was six years old "he saw the ship that brought him
o'er." Yes, he was but six years old when his pa-
re'.its lead him by the hand to the ship. Though his
parents were confident in the future, yet their hearts
were almost bursting as they bade their friends a
**heart-warm fond adieu." Angus shed tears too.
Next morning the ship left the harbour. When An-
gus realized that they were actually going to live out
of sight of the old home, he cried bitterly. His pa-
rents consoled him as well as they could, but almost
in vain.

However, as was customary, when the vessel pro-
ceeded out a piece, twelve violinists stood at the stern
Soothed by this sprightly air, Angus dried his
tears. By and by, he pouted "I'll be a man yet, and

may yet see my own, my native land," and he did see
the country of his birth, which may be credited to
some extent to his determined will.

This may possibly remind some of Napoleon Bona-
parte at the Bridge of Lodi. 'Twas at the Bridge of
Lodi, during an exciting engagement with the Aus-
trians, that the idea flashed through Napoleon Bona •
parte's mind that he might yet be a great man. -

However, after an otherwise uneventful voyage,
Angus MacAskill arrived safely at St. Ann, Victoria
County, Cape Breton Island.

t ■

CHArXER IV.
From Upper Margaree to St. Ann's.

A journey from Upper Margaree to St. Ann's gives
pleasure, recreation and benefit. It can be more con-
veniently and profitably performed in summer or au-
tumn.

Leaving Upper Margaree, the tourist ascends to
Egypt. Egypt is a fine settlement, physically and
otherwise. It is fairly well adapted to farming.

Not far from Egypt is Piper's Glen, where a famous
piper, Niel Jamieson, dwells. In regard to pipers
and violinists, Cape Breton is not behind. Hector Mac-
Q'uarrie, of Loch Ban; John N. Jamieson, formerly of
Pipers* Glen; Angus MacDonald, of Mabou; Donald
MacLellan, of Judique; Neil J. MacDonald, formerly
of Broad Cove; a Mr. Beaton, of Mabou; the Mac-
Kinnons' pipers of bonny Lake Ainslie; Allan J. Mac-
Farlane, Duncan Gillis, James Hugh Gillis, and the
intellectual giant, Malcolm H. Gillis, of Upper Mar-
garee, are pipers that would electrify the stoutest
hearts in Scotland and the fairest ears as well.

Egypt plenteously abounds in crystal clear foun-
tains. In summer, Egypt smiles with strawberries.
Kinnons, pipers of Bonny Lake Ainslie ; Allan Mac-
garee by the lovers of good living and by the roman-
tic.

Between Egypt and Gilander's Mountain, Middle

tl
cl

T^'v^^r^^

•

River, "Victoria County, there is a defile through the
forest of three miles' duration. Over this road a
buggy will roll and jolt with some safety, barring ac-
cidents. Shortly after emerging from the forest, the
tourist sights Middle River, upon which he is apt to
gaze "long and thoughtfully," as Napoleon Bona-
parte gazed on Moscow.

On Gilander's lives Donald A. MacDonald. His
is a family whose friendship I will ever treasure.
They are pleasant and hospitable, and their financial
plentitude enables them to attest to their kindness in
an enjoyable manner.

From MacDonald's to the river the distance is
about three miles. The Presbyterian church here is
a comely building.

Along the road you may telescope landscapes most
beautiful, and farms that may remind you of those
of Ontario.

The river is "a silver thread" that attracts many
trout and salmon sports. In its bed gold is found in
modest quantities, Deeper search may reveal more
of that ever- valued element.

The road soon slopes up Hunter's Mountain (call-
ed after Mr. John trunter), and from the highest de-
gree which the roau describes you may behold com-
binations of scenery and contrasts, about which a By-
ron might compose a Lochnagar.

By and by you pass through Big Beddeck and over
the bridge which is so lofty that you experience cold
chills as you go across.
Along to Beddeck town the road is inlaid with

«'li

spruce trees, and, hence, is rather monotonous. Four*
miles travelled and you are in town.

Beddeck is a lovely town. There are many fine
houses, and several churches. The post-office would
be a credit to a city.

Steamboats, etc., without number call at Beddeck,
Across the harbour may be seen the ghost or perhaps
the skeleton of the ill-fated "May Queen."

Beddeck people are exemplary. They are indus-
trious, artistic and kind. Much and varied work and
business is daily done. Money is plentiful. Loung-
ers are few. In politics the voters are practical; de-
corum prevails.

With due respect to others, about Allan Mac-
Donald, blacksmith, I hold that he and Mrs. Mac-
Donald are individuals whose acquaintance is worth
having. Mr. MacDonald is a violonist. Indeed, a
visit to Allan MacDonald's is something which no
one will ever think of without a thrill of joy.

From Beddeck to St. Ann's, the miles number ten*
The road is good. On the way you pass by an
I. 0. G. T. Lodge.

From Upper Margaree to St. Ann's the people
along the road are good, always profuse in furnishing
information or any other restorative the wayworn
may require.

Four

y fine
would

[deck,
jrhaps

indus-
•k and
.oung-
il; de-

Mac-
, Mac-
worth
ieed, a
ch no

>er ten*
by an

people
nishing
ayworn

CHAPTER V.

St. Ann's.

In the eastern pirtof Victoria county, a few miles
to the west of Great Bars d'Or, the tourist suddenly
beholds a ba)- which is truely lovely. This is St.
Ann's Bay. It is over six miles in length, and has an
average breadth of over a mile.

At the mouth of St. Ann's Bay, on the west side
is the town, Englishtown. The people of English-
town are remarkably progressive. Education re-
ceives due attention. In short, the success of En-
glishtown poeple is a vivid example of what can be
achieved by patient study and continued labour.

Along the bay, for the most part, and on both sides,
are excellent farms. The scenic beauty of these cozy
farms ranges from the simple to the picturesque. A
reasonable number and quantity of north temperate
plants are grown. Well blooded horses are plentiful.
Cows and calves add a lustre to their allotted villas,
while in the lofty distance sturks, oxen, sheep, etc.,
can be seen in vast numbers.

Scores of sailing and steaming vessels plough the
waters of St. Ann's every week. As these gigantic
cradles gently rock, they resemble fabulous vultures
of the deep in the act of sunning themselves aad rest-
ing moreover before taking one of their long and
happy flights.

\i'

There is a sufficiency of wharves. Not far from one
of these is a saw- mill which would be no disgrace to
a lumber company in New Brunswick. The rapidity
of this mill in shingle sawing reminds one of marvel-
ous tales reported about sleight of hand.

The roads are pretty good. Iron bridges appear to
be very fashionable, for brooks of very ordinary pie-
tensi ns babble the "go on forever" boast; — They've
bridged me o'er with iron.

The southern end of the main bay is extended by a
creek. The neck between this superfluous head and
the bay is designated South Gut.

Into the west side of St. Ann's Bay rolls the lordly
North River, This river flows through a fertile re-
gion. Yes, the farmers of North River need but
"tickle the ground, and it smiles with a harvest."
Again, North River hay, pressed or otherwise, has
more than a local reputation.

But, reverting to St. Ann's, the people are agree-
able, cheerful and hospitable. Young and old seem
to be exceptionally robust. As a rule, the people are
good looking. To "treat extensively" upon this might
be indiscreet, for two reasons which need not be told.
Three churches, magnificent buildings, emphatically
testify to the "applied Christianity" of the place. One
of these buildings is elsewhere mentioned. The re-
ligion isPresbyterianism.

There are several I. O. G. T. Lodges* The object
of those ladies and gentlemen who meet here is to
suppress intemperance.
The school sections are large and populous. Good

^ 1 work, and plenty of it, is being done in the schools.

° ,j The chief occupations of St. Ann's people are farm-

ing, fishing, na^'igating and lumbering. Farming
heads the list in lucrative importance, the others fol-
low as above respectively in the order of descending
magnitude of profit.

In these industries there is a gradual but steady im-
provement. New blood and new capital is occasion-
ally introduced. Equanimity prevails, and it is rea-
sonable to suppose that St. Ann's will yet vie with
historic places of eminence.

The homes of St. Ann's might remind the tourist
of Mrs. Heman's poetical tribute to the lovely " homes
of England." The exteriors of these (the former) are
only excelled by their interiors. Clumps of flowery
flower-plants are seen in discreet profusion mildly
blooming outside the inviting open doors of these pa-
latial cottages, as if the florid sources of varied sweet-
nesses within "had run o'er," as the gold of Venice
seemed, to Rogers, yes, "had run o'er," which necessi-
tated the removal of the plant inhabitants outside the
music resounding walls.

The fisheries off St. Ann's are far-famed. Fishing
is quite a significant source of wealth. Formerly, how-
ever, United States traders came up the bay to pur-
chase bait, and paid a high price therefor. Directly
this filled the coffers of St. Ann's men; but, indirectly
reckoning, 'tis better for St. Ann's, like other parts of
the Dominion of Canada, to deal with others in pre-
ference to United States people. To-day, and no one
regrets it, the United States flag is seldom seen in the
bay.

One reason for the collapse of United States trade"
here was the fact that our laws obliged the Amer-
icans to buy licences ere proceedings to trade with "
us. This they thought rather oppressive, hence their
exit, and no one sings

"Will ye no come back again."

Many of St. Ann's young men "take a loup(leap)
and o'er the sea." They are smart on the sea, and
their promotion is usually rapid. They are regularly,
well paid, and later in life these mariners generally
settle on a farm or else open a store or a kindred in-
dustry.

In winter the forest resounds with the perpetual re-
ports of the axe. Beech, birch, maple, ash, elm,
spruce, fir, hemlock, juniper and pine are here in
abundance. In due time, the yarded lumber is con-
veyed to the whistling and ever-hungry circular saws.
Many jolly crowds are engaged in the varied employ-
ments which these allusions suggest.

St. Ann's has moreover a plentiful store of gypsum,
better known as "plaster of Paris." This mineral,
when thoroughly utilized,, will prove its great value
in several different phases.
In fact, St. Ann's is a country which no one would
desire to leave. A description thereof that would do
justice thereto would occupy a volume. True, this
country has a few faults and drawbacks, but those
weigh but very little against the merits which prepon-
derate overwhelmingly.

The merchants are a fine set of men. They buy
and sell fairly, and have discarded the credit

system long ago; but liberally assist a customer or a
stranger on credit, if it lies in their financial power,
when a special emergency justifies the concession.

There are justices of the peace, lawyers, and med-
ical doctors. The land is so peaceful and healthful
that these men find little or nothing to do; such is
St. Ann's.

in-

-.4-

CHAPTER VI.

MacAskill's Appearance, Size, Etc.

; !

i;'!

> a,'.

In appearance, Angus MacAskill was prepossess-
ing. His eyes and countenance bespoke a stern and
shrewd mind tempered with kindness.

His height was seven and three-fourth feet. He was
three feet and eight inches across the shoulders. The
palm of his hand was six inches wide and twelve
inches long. One of his boots at least is still extant,
and is eighteen inches long, A coat and vest of his
are to be seen in Boston, Mass., and the vest can be
comfortably buttoned over two good sized men.
Though his face was becomingly plump, he was never
fat. Touching on his face, it is interesting to know
that it was positively beardless. Hence he was never
obliged to patronize the consolations of the barber's
chair except for a hair cut or a shampoo. His eyes
were blue and deep set. His voice, though musical,
was somewhat hollow, owing to his massive wind or-
ganism. The reader may gain a faint idea of his re-
sonant voice by getting a friend to sit in an empty
puncheon and speak. He weighed over 500 pounds.

He was afifable, courteous and friendly. His hospi-
tality was famous. His character strongly reminded
people of Goldsmith's lines in praise of his father. He
frequently visited his friends.

Like all good and great men, he had enemies and

■-'<''■

■J^

3«

Opponents, but, as he always trod the path of virtue in
addition to his strength, his enemies and opponents
never got the upper hand literally, financially or pu-
gilistically, or generally speaking in any way. Yet
he never risked the extension of his lines by trying
too many things.

He was in religion a Presbyterian. At the age of
twenty his knowledge of the Bible was extensive.
Sundays, or Sabbaths as the reader may choose to
csiW f/iese days of rest and devotion, he carefully ob-
served. A Mr. Campbell, writing from Riverside,
California, for the Montreal "Star," says in addition to
other information about MacAskill: -'He conducted
meetings in his own (MacAskill's) house on Sunday."
This not only attests to his knowledge of Scripture, it
proves that he endeavoured to conform his life to the
truths condescended to happy man on the inspired
pages.

He seldom went to any church save the one of his
own parish, not even to a Presbyterian church, be-
cause hispresence was liable to draw the attention of
the congregation too much. This was his reason.
He clearly saw the danger and governed himself ac-
cordingly. But this was probably excessive modesty,
or modesty a little misdirected. 'Twere better for
him to attend.

It may be superfluous to say that he was not a
bigot. No, far from it. Though firmly attaciied to
his own religious belief, he treated the expression of
different religious opinions with cautious gravity and
invariable leniency.

Such, such was Angus MacAskill, a man whose
size, strength, k'niness, virtues, and exploits will be
long remembered. In his own realm of greatness he
was the Bonny Charlie, the Wallace, the Bruce, the
Napoleon Bonaparte, the Marshal Ney, the Welling-
ton, the Nelson, the O'Connel, the Robert Burns or
the Washington of his countless friends, according as
they happened to be impressed by the different phases
of his greatness.

Even to-day in Cape Breton, and in many another
land, the mere mention of St. Ann's Big Boy creates
a sensation. But while we rejoice at the greatness of
our hero, let us not forget the unremitting loyalty of
Cape Breton to her sons and daughters. She never
"warps or swerves or stirs" from what she thought or
spoke of them, and when they leave her like wanton
birds, who paint aloft upon her flag the modest wel-
come, come what may: — "Will ye na come back
agam?

Yes, hundreds of eminent people yearly vie with
one another in sounding the praises of the Cape Bre-
tonians. It is gratifying to reflect upon the fact that
our reputation is often the subject of friendly discus-
sions within the "merry homes of England."

These remarks, far from deducting from our hero's
claim to what we call immortal fame, make his claim
so much the stronger, for such a people would not
careto "throw up their bonnets" for one not highly
worthy of such an inestimable tribute.

vhose
ill be
iss he
:, the
lling-
ns or
ngas
chases

lother
reates
less of
Ity of
never
ight or
i^anton
5t wel-
back

e with
pe Bre-
ct that
discus-

r hero's

s claim

aid not

highly

CHAPTER VII.

MacAs kill's Ancestors.

At this stage of our hero's life and exploits, it is
both reasonable and natural that the reader will be
curious to know something of his ancestors. Were
there any giants among them? It has been said al-
ready that his father was but of moderate size, and
that his mother was a good sized woman. But the
reader will probably desire to dive deeper than that.
. But before proceeding with this phase, a few re-
marks on heredity miy not be inappropriate.

Nature works in mysterious ways. A child may
bear a striking facial resemblance to his father, while
his limbs may resemble those of his maternal grand-
father. Again a man may not resemble his father a
visible iota, and his son may be the picture of
his paternal grandfather. But in the case of such a
man the points of resemblance were there, though not
evinced. Moreover, a man may be found to be al-
most a duplicate of a great grand uncle. Yet, as a
rule, and as a rule a salutary thing it is, children are
ideal images of their parents. And though " Auld
Nature" wantonly as if by accident devirtes occasion-
ally from her rule far enough to use anew the moulds
in which our remote ancestors were moulded, it ra-
ther strengthens than weakens the belief that Nature
intended us all to be and to look a little or mere like

i\.

'^'^;;

one another, and like Adam and Eve, This pheno-
menon of Nature is called heredity.

In our hero's paternal ancestral line, if we go back
several generations, yes, several centuries, we will find
another giant (a MacAskill) whose prowess was al-
most equally great. With said exception, our hero's
ancestry were people of average size.

Now it is possible that that MacAskill line may yet
startle the world by producing another herculean spe-
cimen of humanity.

But in the case of our hero, Angus MacAskill, cli-
matic influences the most favourable, as elsewhere sug-
gested, and other circumstances possibly were power-
ful auxiliaries of Nature in building his stupendous
body and in its thorough development.

It may be here remarked that as a baby he was so
small that no one expected him to live. As time pass-
ed he began to grow, and to grow in earnest.

After the age of eight years until he arrived at ma-
turity he always ate a bowl of a palatable mixture of
cream and oatmeal, sometimes called crowdie, after
each meal.

Such a dessert might seem crude and unattractive
to some, yet it was good and mention thereof may
serve to show the wisdom of substantial diet; it slams
the door on the dwarf's nose in days of growth.

How sweet to see our hero doffing his bonnet to
enjoy his modest but superb repast! And who wojld
dare to scoff!

pheno-

o back
/ill find
was al-
r hero's

nay yet
an spe-

kiU, cli-
ere sug-
; power-
DC ndous

; was so
me pass-

d at ma-
ixtnre of
lie, after

ttractive
eof may
; it slams
growth,
onnet to
tio would

CHAPTER VIII.

MACASKILL used TOBA.CCO.

Those who do not use tobacco cannot be blamed
though they condemn the tobacco habit. Of course,
there are some who do not touch tobacco, who care
little or nothing whether others smoke, chew, snuff
or not. Others are readily sickened by tobacco fames.
To these, passing swiftly through a smoking car is an
ordeal which they would not like to repeat. This re-
spect is one of the mnny in which variations of or dif-
fering constitutions is expressed. What is one man's
medicine is another man's poison, though not a well
underpinned principle beats the winds of time fairly
well, and the researches made by the moderns reveal
that it will rock there yet for quite a while.

The above mentioned maxim (did I say principle.?)
has been well illustrated in one of the foeign regions
somewhere. A certain lad, a soldier, decided to try
his fortune as a doctor. He did not go to college or
to a university, but he just bought a valise full of me"
dicine and a few implements. He had R. R. R.,

G. G. G., Hood's Sarsaparilla, Ayer's Cherry Pectoral
etc. Thus equipped he joined another division of the
army, and enlisted as a doctor. His first patient was
a Dutchman down with a raging fever. Give me
"sour krout" shouted the poor Dutchman. The doctor
(so-called) got his patient thecabbage soup. The dutch-

man swallowed his fill, and soon recovered. The
doctor wrote in his professional diary: **Sour krout
cures fever." Next morning he was called to attend
a Prussian, who was all but gone with the fever. The
doctor gave him sour krout, and in five minutes the
Prussian was dead. The aristocratic Prussian consti-
tution was ruined by sour krout. The doctor wrote
in his diary as follows: — Sour krout heals a Dutch
man's fever; but it is a Prussian's coup ie grace (or
finishing stroke.)

Now a medicine, drug, or even a narcotic, may suit
one person better than his twin brother. Some who
receive a charge of ether never recover in perfection.
There are others who experience no evil consequences
But is tobacco a failure.-^ Thousands answer "yes"
and hundreds answer "no." That tobacco users are
in the minority is no argument against its use. Medi-
cal knowledge or science cautiously advises the world
to avoid tobacco. Said science teaches that a moder-
ate dose of smoke or an occasional chew or a fre-
quent shot of snuff has no ill consequences of a very
material nature. But here, as in many other things,
people are in danger of overstepping moderation, and,
moreover, tobacco, like strong drink, usually causes a
greater appetite for what? for more of itself. If too
much tobacco be taken, it impairs or injures the mind
and the body, makes a person bad looking, clumsy
and weak. If you once begin, it is, you may say, im-
possible to discontinue the tobacco habit. In fighting
with your inclinations, you are but one against two.
First, force of habit is against you ; secondly, you have

\'. !

the insidious craving for the weed, which is a more
bitter enemy than the fir.'t. Don't begin to use tobac-
co ; no, don't touch it if you mean to stop using it
some other day. It is a pungent, that is, a bad
smelling weed too, and as it does no good, that is, as
it is usually taken, why not leave it alone? Of course
applied to cuts or snake bites, etc., it is a valuable
medicine.

Plowever, it is well to make known that our hero
used tobacco. He was "barely yet apast his teens"
when he acquired the habit. In those times, smoking
was somewhat fashionable, and, of course, MicAskill
could afford to smoke as well as his mates.

One ot his pipes is still extant, and is a marvel of
size. It is of cherry wood, one of the limbs serving
the function of stem. Possibly it was made on a
colossal scale merely for merriment, not for the sake
of logical proportion. It will hold one-sixth of a
pound of tobacco at a time, and resembles a mallet
in the distance.

But to be serious, tobacco had no ill effects on Mac-
Askill's body. He was so robust and able that it
would take tobacco half a century to make the least
impression upon him. Should his supply get ex-
hausted he did not care very much, for he could con-
trol his craving till it was convenient to have his
orders sent.

■If

id,

iii

t 1

CHAPTER IX.
MacAskill would take a Glass.

The folly of drinking intoxicating liquors has been
often and conclusively proved. The arguments ad-
vanced in favour of strong drink are all very shadowy.
But against strong drink scoies of able arguments
can be adduced, and this without great study or re-
search. At this day no self-respecting person bothers
with "tangle-foot" at all.

But in former years, say, thirty or forty years ago,
it was not known that alcoholic liquors were so perni-
cious. It remained for the present studious, laborious
and researching generation to discover the danger.
Rum, etc., injures a person morally, physically, men-
tally and financially. This being admitted, why
would any one drink strong drink? The author of
this book ventures to answer that question. It is be-
cause rum, etc., so to speak, creates cheerfulness and
happiness. But, dear reader, this cheerfulness and this
happiness are merely counterfeits, yes, merely delu-
sions. One smile is more beneficial to a sober person
than a peal of laughter to the man who is "pretty
full." Again, after the direct effects of a sjliss or more
of rum, etc., are over, there is a reaction. The man is
dull and sad — these are penalties which he must pay
for the folly of drinking alcoholic drinks. Really now,
there is no pleasure in rum, etc., drinking; it does not

;v.

39-

been
ts ad-
dowy.
iments
or re-
others

rs ago,
perni-
)orious
langer,
Y, men-
d, why
hor of
: is be-
:ss and
nd this
'- delu-
person
pretty
r more
man is
ist pay
y now,
3es not

heat you in cold weather, except in your imagination ;
hence, I ask again, why drink the hateful liquor at all?

But, as already suggested some years ago the evil
resultants of alcoholic drinks had not been discovered.
This serves as an ample apology for those who drank
them. No further apology is needed for anyone. An-
other helping or auxiliary apology is the fact that the
intoxicating drinks forsale then were not adulterated.
They were not additionally poisoned with soda, tobac-
co, etc., etc.

Angus MacAskill took a glass of rum, brandy or
whiskey occasionally. Did I say glass.? Well, 'twas
a mistake. He used to drink out of a wooden dish
called a tub. The tub would hold three glasses.

However, ordinarily speaking, strong drink did not
hurt Angus MacAskill, i.e., to any apparent extent.
He was so healthy and strong that a few drinks a week
did not injure him.

No one will dream of disrespecting the memory of
Angus MacAskill on account of the knowledge that
he drank strong liquors. No! no! Drinking was cus-
tomary in his day, and as aforesaid it was supposed to
be harmless. In fact, drinking was thought to be a
semi-elixir which would make perfect health better
and cure every ailment peculiar to the age.

About rum, etc. — our hero was no niggard in a li-
quor store. He'd call for a drink for all hands as soon
as he'd enter, no matter whether the crowd was large
or small.

He did not sell strong liquor himself, but often had

ilplli

! I

some in his store for private use. Any customer
whom he knew to be fond of the "drop," would
get a hearty "swallow," and then in the din of funny
yarns, broken only with laughter, he'd drink a '*shot"

himself.

Had our hero heen of the present day, we may be
sure that he'd be an advocate of total abstinence.
However, be it said, that drinking never excited him
to any visible extent, and that he never drank to in-
toxication.

!!■:

! ■;,'■

i^ 'y ! ii?

1i,- \

i:; fl' i

I'* ;h

'5 II

u I

astoiner

would

f funny

L "shot"

may be
tinence.
ted him
k to in-

CHAPTER X.
MacAskill Could Farm.

In his early years, except fishing, no work pleased
our hero more than farming. He could plough, har-
row, and in short, was an adept at all those duties pe-
culiar to the farm. He was an expert ploughman.
This is interesting to the farmer reader, for he knows
that ploughing is one thing and ploughing admirably
well another. Our hero became versed in the science
and art of ploughing at a very early age. He was
carefully trained to it by his father, who always tried
to have the following momentous principle practically
applied:— What's worth doing at all is worth doing

well.

His father taught him the wisdom of having one
general principle in all doings instead of trying to
follow many rule?. His father often demonstrated
that, if men do their duty to the best of their judgment,
power and strength, it matters little whether the mo-
tives are selfish or not. He showed that there is no
antagonism between doings that are really good; in
fine, that what is really and positively good is good and
cannot be bad; yes, that that what is good for one man
is good for all, directly, or indirectly. Moreover, he
held that nothing approximates the expression of the
above principles as near as the golden rule, to wit:
"Do to others as you would have others do to you.'

: I

I Ml

!| 'I

::,.i'i'h^

Such was the philosophic general instruction imparted
to our hero, to which he largely owed "that prudent,
cautious self control which is wisdom's root." Won-
der not that the son of such a parent was morally and
generally a whole man.

He loved his mother too deep and too much for
words. Nothing pained him so much as to see her sad.
He spared no pains for her comfort. Her word was
law to him, and he never persisted in anything of
which she disapproved.

One instance will serve to prove this quite empha-
tically. He and his lather were out ploughing one
afternoon. A neighbour came around, and in the course
of a colloquy with our hero bet ten dollars that the field
would not be finished that evening. Our hero put
up ten dollars, too, ana the neighbour went off till a
later hour. Soon, however, one of the horses got
sick, and had to be unyoked for that day, whereupon
MacAskill stepped into the horse's place, took hold of
the traces, and was fairly more than a match for the
remaining horse. He filled the sick horse's place
successfully for two hours.

At four o'clock his mother came out with a lun-
cheon. She was astounded. In fact, she wept. She
prayed her son to cease such work at once, and never
to do the like again. Without a word of explanation
our hero begged her pardon, which was readily
granted. Luncheon over, he walked home, and
smoked for a while. Then he pocketed ten dollars
ouj;^of his safe, and payed the bet. Were it not for

-":i;i

iparted

irudent,

Won-

lly and

uch for
her sad.
3rd was
thing of

empha-
ling one
le course
the field
lero put
Dff till a
rses got
.ereupon
z hold of
) for the
;'s place

:h a lun-
p^. She
nd never
Dlanation
readily
me, and
n dollars
it not fot'

his mother's interference, he would have won the bet,
but rather than hurt his mother*,"; feelings he let his
money go.

'Twas months afterwards that his mother heard of
the wager. She was sorry, yet shp was satisfied that
she did right to interpose. The good lady was right,
for

A pebble on the streamlet scant
Has turned the course of many a river;
A dewdrop on the baby plant
Has warped the giant oak forever.

Hence, her interposing probably stayed him for
these happy years at least from indiscreet under-
takings which might end disastrously. "A man's a
man for all that," no matter how great his strength,
and labours usually assigned to engines or beasts of
burden are too heavy for the strongest man, at least
if continued, and are moreover a little undignifying.

Years afterwards he said: my mother's counsel on
that occasion cost me ten dollars, but to me it was
worth a thousand.

Let all mothers who read this endeavour to train
their sons to refrain from indiscreet undertakings.
Thus, they'll confer a favour on all humanity, for in
a great measure, as Napoleon Bonaparte said, "the
cradle rules the world."

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■ :;'u

l!.

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■J I

CHAPTER XI.

He Suprises His Father.

When all the world is young, lad,
And all the trees are green;
And every goose a swan, lad,
Ard every lass a queen ;
Then hey fcr boot and horse, lad,

And round the world away, —
Young blood must have its course, lad.
And every man his day."
Though by no means a vain minded person, our
hero's chief pastime, in his early days, was the per-
forming of feats which might startle veteran circuS
spectators. But in his case the feats were real, and
devoid of all trickery, jugglery and sleight of hand.
He was a giant by nature. He never attended a
gymnasium. We can barely imagine the result had
science and art been brought to bear on the develop-
ing of his strength.

At the age of fourteen he was known as St. Ann's
Big Boy. He moved slowly, and had nothing to do
with other boys of the same age as long as he had
more mature company. This was not owing to pre-
cocity, but because these contemporaries of his, pos-
sibly through jealousy, were wont to tease him about
his great size and his slowly gait. When, however
our hero showed signs of anger, they took to,
theii heels.

lad,

rson, our
1 the per-
'an ci'rcus
real, and
>f hand,
tended a
ssult had
develop-

St. Ann's
ng to do
he had
g to pre-
his, pos-
im about
however
took to,

As above intimated, he was not precocious. At
this age, though big, his mind was boyish. He en-
joyed his own innocent sports with as much zest as
other youths enjoyed theirs.

Touching on precocity in children and young peo-
ple, nothing is more ridiculous. It is invariably
the fault of parents, guardians and teachers. Those
who instruct children and young people surely ought
to know that, if it were better for the young to think
land act like mature people, that they would be in-
Istinctively inclined to do so, and competent, too, of
themselves alone. Parents and others cannot give
laws to Nature, but they should carefully co-operate
with Nature. They should allow children to indulge
in childish pastimes, In fact, parents, guardians and
teachers ought toencourage in those under their juris-
diction such studies, plays and labours as are only
suitable for the young. The great majority of the
world's celebrated women and men did not think or
act like grown up people until the> passed their teens.

Reason, common sense and history combine to
prove that precocity is a great danger, or, at best, an
utter failure, for it places the youth in the embarrass-
ing situation of the "daw in borrowed feathers."

About the first time that he showed his great
strength was when he was sixteen. In those pioneer
j^ays boards were sawn by the whip-saw ; the logs were
placed on what was called a pit seven or eight feet
jtom the ground, and it took a good deal of strength

put up the logs. Our hero and his father were one
lay sawing boards in this primitive way. For once

I li

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ii 'll! I

! I

in their lives, the two disagreed about something.
The dinner conch sounded as they had just got a
heavy log on the pit. His father went to dinner, but
our hero did not go. When his father returned, the
log was laying on the ground, whereupon he accused
his son of gathering neighbours to help him in doing
mischief. Our hero then seized the log and threw it
up on the pit as if it were a little block.

He then said to his father, "we have quarrelled a
little, but I am sorry. As it was our first quarrel, let
it be our last. But in a manner I'm glad that it was
you, for, if it were many a man, the possibilities are
that I'd relieve bim of his head with one clip of my
hand." He extended his hand to his father. They
shook hands in silence, and they never had a cross
■ word again.

Indeed, he loved his parents dearly. Filial love,
yes, exceptional filial love, always merits admiration.
Most great men of ancient and modern times loved
their parents or their guardians, as the case might be,
to a degree almost incredible. Angus MacAskill was
not an exception. Nothing that he could do for his
parent's comfort or welfare was left undone, and woe
to him whether friend or foe who would insult them
Yv'hen he was near. In this he has left the younj^
people an example by which they can benefit, and, as
one laudable thought or deed breeds another, and
so on, that example may be the means whereby some
may rise step by step to a position where they can
take advantage of " that tide in the alifairs of men
which taken at the flood leads on to fortune."

Dmethtng.
ust got a
inner, but
irned, the
,e accused
I in doing
d threw it

larrelled a
[uarrel, let
hat it was
bilities are
clip of my
er. They
ad a cross

^ilial love,
dmiration.
mes loved
J might be,
:Askill was
, do for his
e,and woe
nsult them
:he young
;fit, and, as
lother, and
^reby some
e they can
.irs of men

ne.

CHAPTER XII.
He loses a Frfend, but no Enmity.

Some of the exploits of Angus MacAskill, like
those of some of the celebrities in other walks of life,
savour of the curious; one of these is sufficient. Were
many of these given the author would possibly suffer
the rdium of being classed among the liars of the
age. However, some of these reflecr a ray on our hero
which would lead one to suspect him of want of sense
or of virtue.

Here is a word portrait of the exploit suggested: —

One day our hero and a friend of his set off afoot
on a journey of thirty miles or so. They arrived at
their destination, and, having Discharged their errand,
they resolved to return home that evening. They di-
rected their steps homeward, and all "went merry as
a marriage bell" till about dusk, when a tempestuous
thunder storm rolled along,

*'And such a night they take the road in
As ne'er poor mortal was abroad in."

Down poured the rain. MacAskill viewed the ex-
cited elements wi;h composure.

But for the rain he would have been delighted, for
he had a keen relish for the awful and sublime. He
asked his friend if he would like to call anywhere.
His friend said that he would rather go home. "All
ri|ht," said MacAskill, "but as I see you are getting
tired, come on my back, I'll carry you."

i I

'!"|l-

!i:','ii!

f I

1 1

His friend laughed an objection, but our hero in-
sisted. So after a few moments our hero was walking
swiftly along with his friend perched on his back. ,

The lightnings flashed, the electric bolts shot zig-
zag where something was scented to devour, the thun-
der rolled, but MacAskill was not alarmed. He told
his funniest yarns.

When within a mile of home his friend remarked
that he had recently heard that a friend of theirs was
sick out in Texas, adding that enquiries ought to be
made whether he was out of money, etc.

MacAskill was touched. He became silent at once.
Absorbed in the sad news, he unconsciously let his
friend slip off his back. His friend said nothing, but
walked on behind.

Not until our hero had got home did he think of
his burden. His friend, though weighing one hun-
dred and ninety pounds, was in the matter of weight so
trifling to him that his back never missed him.

His friend soon arrived, and, after both had a sump-
tuous repast, they went to bed, and were up again
hale and hearty in "the morning early."

The round trip, sixty miles, was quite a distance to
walk, but our hero did not mind it. Had he a dis-
tant errand to perform the next day he would gladly
go. He was so strong, and his step so long, that a
hundred miles a day would not cause him serious
fatigue.

>« %

hero in-
walking
back. ^
shot zig-
he thun-
He told

e marked
heirs was
rht to be

t at once.
^ let his
tiing, but

think of
Dfie hun-
veight so
im.

1 asump-
ip again

stance to
le a dis-
Id gladly
g, that a
I serious

CHAPTER XIII.

He Shakes Hands In Dead Earnest,

Now, here's a hand, my trusty friend.
And gie's a hand of thine.
And we'll take a cup of kindness yet
For old lang syne.

One day, at the time when MacAskill's fame was
dawning, a renowned fighter put in his appearance,
MacAskill soon suspected something, but made no
remarks. He entertained the stranger in true Cape
Breton style. This reminds one of Roderick Dhu's
attitude towards his illustrious guest, James V. of
Scotland, when they met in the wilds of that "home
of the happy." At length the question arose, is this
burly stranger going to perpetrate a miniature Glen-
coe massacre in St. Ann ? At length, the suspicious
case requested our hero to fight him. MacAskill re-
monstrated with him, told him that pugilism was an
abomination, and fraught with evils many. But the
stranger persisted, and charged our hero with cowar-
dice. ThelaUer at last said, "all right, my friend, but
let us first shake hands." Well, dear reader, they
did shake hands. Alas for the stranger, I suppose
he "never smiled again." MacAskill squeezed the
unfortunate man's hand, which caused the blood to
flow freely through the tips of the latter's fingers
This stranger was, of course, more fortunate than Sir

'm'\m

,!!:', :;■ !:

!-i

lilli

<■' '.''■'■

''4-

I • t

Henry de Bohun, who tried to assassinate King Ro-
bert Bruce at Bannockburn. Yet, it is probable that
he never thought of his adventure Vv'ith MacAskill
without a sense of shame and fear. However, he re-
treated hastily fiom St. Ann, well convinced that, as
Brittania rules the waves, Cape Breton rules the earth
in the realm of muscular strength.

Not loner after this event, another man came to see
MacAskill; nay, not only to see him, but to wrestle
with him. As before, our hero was loath to wrestle or to
open hostilities for fame or curiosity. His mighty
heart was brimful of charitable humanity. He in-
variably held that men ought not to wrestle, fight and
such like without plausible reasons. He recognized
the principle which Burns thus set before us: —

"Then gently scan your brother man,

Still gentlier sister woman;
Although they go a trifle wrong,

To step aside is human.
One point must still be greatly dark,

The moving why they do it;
And just as lamely can you mark

How far perhaps they rue it.
"Who made the heart, 'tis He alone

Decidedly can try us;
He knows each chord, its various tone,

Each spring — its various bias;
Then at the balance let's be mute,

We never can adjust it;
What's done we partly may compute.

But know not what's resisted."

King Ro-
)bable that
MacAskill
:ver, he re-
id that, as
s the earth

ame to see
to wrestle

restle or to

is mighty

He in-

', fight and

recognized

us: —

But when he saw the impossibility of convincing
his would-be antagonist of the barbarity of wanton
wrestling, fighting, etc., he got hold of him. Near
by there was a woodpile fully ten feet in height and
twelve feet in width on top. As already said, Mac-
Askill got hold of the man and threw him over the
woodpile. Yes, though he weighed over three hun-
dred pounds, he was sent whistling over thit wood-
pile, describing a curve like a projectile fired from
a mortar.

This stranger was a United States sea-captain.
Some of his crew met him on the beach on his depart-
ure from MacAskill's. Their boat required sjme
ballast, and they proceeded to take stones and rocks,
therefore off MacAskill's farm. Our hero said noth-
ing till they were through. Thereupon, he lit his
pipeandstrodeleisurely down to the shore. The boat
was put to sea and had moved out about one hundred
feet when our hero got to the shore- "Say, captain,"
says MacAskill, "get back here with those stones and
rocks you took."

"What do you want them for ?" said the captain.
"It matters not," said MacAskill, "bat it was a dirty
mean trick to take them under the circumstances
without my permission."

"I will not send them back," responded the cap-
tain, "but if you go out again to my vessel, you will
stand a show to get them."

MacAskill seized a stone and threw it at the boat.
The one stone damaged the b^at so much that the
captain judged it was better to surrender in time. The

^r?

! I

boat was rowed back and the captain and his men
were obliged to put each stone and rock exactly
where it was before, while our hero superintended the
work with a beaming countenance which showed the
appreciating by-standing boys of St. Ann how highly
he was amused with the captain's humiliation.

"The sun had now gone out of sight

Behind the mountains tall ;
And on the sand around his feet

The dew began to fall."— Malcolm H. Gillis.

And now the ballast episode being over, MacAskill
walked home, meditating with wonder on the vanities
and follies of some men. His home that night was
crammed with eager visitors who came to congra-
tulate him. Soon the sound of choice music from
violin and bag-pipe rose over the sweet and delicious
music of happy voices. "Eyes spake love to eyes that
spake again." The dance begins. The celebration
was a success, and a delightful one.

Such were the early days of MacAskill. Such were
his exploits. How pleasant to reflect on the fact that,
as an exceptional man, he was timely recognized and
appreciated. His recognition and appreciation by his
friends and countrymen was to him an ample reward
for wisely using his muscular superiority. Of him
it cannot be said:

"He who is truly wise or great
Lives both too early or too late."

i_.

his men
exactly
ided the
)wed the
w highly
n.

'. Gillis.

acAskill
vanities
ght was
congra-
sic from
ielicious
lyes that
ebration

ich were
act that,
zed and
n by his
I reward
Of him

CHAPTER XIV.

He goes to a Frame- Raising.

•'Then let us pray that come it may,
And come it will for all that;
That man to man the world o'er
Shall brothers be and all that." — Burns.

The Cape Bretonians are far-famed for their unanim-
ity, and for their strict observance of the Golden
Rule. If a Cape Bretonian happens to need assistance
of any kind, he has only to undergo the ordeal of mak-
ing his wants known.

Their unanimity has proved a general blessing. The
merits of unanimity were well illustrated once by an
old man. He was contemplating the matter of em-
barkation to eternity which was "too, too soon" to be
inevitable, and before leaving he desired to give his
family an object lesson, the last of many, which would
crown all the rest. He got a few sticks, put them to-
gether, side by side, and tried to break them across
his knee. Having failed, he took the sticks separate-
ly and broke them easily. ''Now, my dears," he said,
"there is strength in union, and if you practice unanim-
ity you shall be much more apt to succeed." Shortly
after he died. His family observed his counsel, and
the result was that they became the leading men of
the place, "with wealth at^ their will."

The absence of unanimity has retarded the progress

Illl

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I ill

■Ifc

iliil';:^''

of nations. It had something to do with the failure
of Charles Edward Stuart (Bonny Prince Charlie)
Yes, dissensions retarded the progress of Scotland*
Ireland and of England. Even in our great Domin-
ion of Canada, dissensions, political and otherwise,
have sometimes proved very embarrassing.

Not so in the Island of Cape Breton. What dis-
sensions we have had owed their origin to varied
opinions respecting the means to be employed for cer-
tain praiseworthy ends. As all parties were sincere,
and meant to do good, and did good, these super-
ficial tempests were almost essential constituents of
unanimity.

A discreet quantity of word warring strengthens the
right. The difficulty is to guage ourselves at the
proper line. The philosophy of the benefits of op-
position suggested in the preceding sentences is some-
thing that only one in two thousand have learned.

Those who have not time to study large books on
this philosophy can proceed in another way. Let
them watch and observe discussions. As a rule, they
will find that the results of discussions where all
thought and spoke alike are ahvays zveak.

But to our hero. A neighbour of his was to have
a barn frame raised on a certain day. As customary
in such cases, he requested his neighbours to "give him
a lift." The call was promptly and cheerfully re-
sponded to by the arrival of sixty or seventy men,
Angus MacAskill among the rest like a lighthouse
among lamp-posts.

le failure
Charlie)

)Cotland>
Domin-

:herwise,

hat dis-
> varied

1 for cer-
sincere,

2 super-
uents of

hens the
5 at the
) of op-
is som^-
irned.
Doks on
y. Lat
ale, they
liere all

to have
stomary
jive him
lly re-
:y men,
hthouse

The frame was not quite ready, and MacAskill
peeled off and went to work with the big augur. As
he worked he noticed that the crowd were getting
"unco happy," and the breath of the first man that
came in close proximity to him reminded him of a
rum distillery. That was enough. He understood
that for some reason he was to be neglected that day
by the frame owner. He said nothing. He was not
very fond of strong drink anyhow, but he was none
the less insulted at heart.

The frame was raised, and was ready for the rafters
:when the dinner bell rang. MacAskill loitered behind*
and when the rest had entered the house he went to
' ,the frame, climbed up, and lowered one of the side
^'plaits, a stick 6oft, x 8 in. x 8 in., put it on his should-
er, and walked off with it. He made fortIi2 sea-
shore, which was about four hundred yards away, and
^consigned the plait to the Atlantic Ocean.

The splash was heard in the house, but they dared
not go to ask for explanations. Our hero walked
away satisfied in leaving a token of his displeasure.

On his way home he called at a certain grocery
store. He ^sked for a pound of tea. The proprietor
said: "Well, Mr. M acAskill, take a handful out of that
box, and if it weighs one half of a pound, I'll charge
you nothing." MacAskill tried as requested. The
•phandful was weighed, and it weighed one pound.

The merchant offered him a whole box as a present,
but this he poliiely refused, and went home.

CHAPTER XV.
He was not Vain.

As already observed, it was the good fortune of our
hero that he was not swayed overmuch by vanity. Of
course, he duly appreciated the praise of his admirers,
but not to excess. Vanity or love of praise is not a
sign of weakness. On thecDntrary, this power of the
mind is essential in t he mental organism. But, like
th(: other faculties, it requires Providential grace for its
suitable enlive.iment and a grace-pervaded reason or
understanding for its guidance and moderation. Given
these akin to essential requisites, vanity is a treasure.

Some of the greatest men had aseasonble dash of
vanity. Where is the young man that would not face
astounding odds for the sweet enconiums his darling
can bestow upon him? Where is the man, young
or old, who would not fight and die for his country
with joy, if he were confident that his name would be
placed on the list of heroes, to be honoured for all
time. They have not been born — at least in Cape
Breton Island.

However, as already intimated, Mac Askill was not a
slave to vanity, nor to any other passion. But, by the
way, it is gratifying to know that his great size, and
strength were, by no means, a brake on his content-
ment. He took as lively an interest in himself, as a
natural prodigy, as others took. It is said that "it is

ne of our
anity. Of
admirers,
; is not a
verof the

But, like
ace for its
reason or
)n. Given
treasure,
e dash of
d not face
3 darling
1, young

country

would be

:1 for all

in Cape

vasnot a
t, by the
size, and
content-
self, as a
hat "it is

a wise boy that knows his own father." Very good^
but wiser still is he who knows himself. MacAskill
wisely endeavoured, discreetly, of course, to gain an
idea of his own exceptional value, so to speak, but
in the line of strength he failed, because he never
failed, fc he never attempted a lift or kindred feat
without succeeding with wonderful ease. From the
above gleanings the reader, at least after some re.
flection, can realize the utility of vanity. Harmoniz-
ing with the other faculties of the mind, as in the
case of our hero, vanity in one sense ceases to be
vanity, yet constitutes a whip whose strength or weak-
ness influences man to a high degree.

Our hero often merited and enjoyed the applause
of ladies and gentlemen by passing swiftly over the
sidewalk with t;vo barrels of salted pork, one under
each arm. In get ting the barrels under his arms he
did not experience much difficulty.

Lifting a hundredweight with two finger?, and
raising it till his arm arrived at a horizontal pose, was
mere child's play to him. But who else could do that.?
Reader, think well. Add to this that he could hold
his arm in that position for ten minutes. Even this
will convey the idea of his superior strength to per-
manent conviction.

But not to lower the fame of MacAskill, but to

solidify it by fair comparisons, it may be said that

two Cape Bretonians, a Niel MacDonald, of West

Ainslie, and a John J. MacFarlane, of Upper Marga"

ree (both of them untrained), did something tough

too. The former took a weight of 86 l6s. on his little

finger, and wrote his name legibly at a level with his
face. The latter wrote his name at the same height
with a 56 pounder suspended from his little finger.
These men were but common sized, and did well, but
be it said that great as MacAskill's size was,' his
strength was greater in proportion to his size than
that displayed in the above comparison.

\m-l^:

«*'tP

with his
e height
i firiG^er.
A^ell, but
was, his
ize than

■^1
11 '"

CHapter XV7.

MacAskill Helps a Friend.

"Courarre brother! do not stumble,
Thoucrh thy path he dnrk as nif]jht
There's a star t3 guide the humble;
Trust in Gtjd and do the right."

The hero of this history was uncommonly warm-
hearted. The poor and oppressed of his diy never
appealed to him in vain.

It is a happy fact that the great majority of the
world's great women and great men have been in all
ages exception illy :hiriMbh v\ \ devoid of unreas-
onable pride and haunrhtiness. This is worthy of
young people's earnest consideration. However, an
instance or two will serve to illustrate the truth of
what has been above asserted of his warm-heartedness.

Once upon a time, a certain man, humble in cir-
cumstances, presented himself at a certain store and
asked the proprietor, an acquaintance of his, to let him
have a barrel of flour on credit. Times were dull, and
hence the merchant was the same. He gave the poor
would-be purchaser a look of merchantable contempt
which meant a positive refusal, but said nothing.
Again and again the man made known the object of
his call, and told the merchant that his wife and little
children were on the verge of starvation. Again and
again no answer, save the whistling of the simple and

I (III

Ilili

'i|iH li

mellow music of "Home, sweet home/* At length,
however, the merchant spoke out this poser: "I have
a vessel down here at the wharf. There are several
barrels of flour in the hold. If you throw a barrel
out of the Hold on deck, a height of twelve feet, the
barrel is yours," and warmings up with excitement, he
added : "Yes you can have all the barrels that you or
any man can throw on deck."

"That's pretty tall talking," said the poor man,
"there are lots of strong men in the world."

The merchant was nettled a little mite by the man's
sober reply, and said, "I defy you to procure a man in
St. Ann's that can do what I have proposed."

The man shrugged his shoulders, thought of Mac-
Askill, and proceeded homeward. His horse was slow,
the road bad, and the entire world looked gloomy
The future "was ominous and dark." The man, not-
withstanding the jolting of his cart, thought of many
things. He dreamt of his early days "when his bosom
was young." Then he thought of his courtship of the
loveliest of them all, and of the many imposing castles
he had built in the air before and after marriage.
Having come in sight of his home, he espied his wife.
He paused, shuddered and wept.

But who happened to come to where he was but
MacAskill. He gleaned from the man's woeful coun-
tenance that something was wrong. He asked what
was the matter. On being told, he said : "is your horse
tired?" The man said "No." "Well," said our hero,
"let's go back. The distance is not very great." And
off they went. Arrived at the store, our hero walked

«\'i'v

;^u^MMBB(fta

t length,
"I have
e several
a barrel
feet, the
ment, he
Lt you or

»or man,

he man's
a man in

•

of Mac-
k\'as slow*
gloomy
lan, not-
of many
s bosom

p of the
g castles
larriage.

lis wife.

was but
il coun-
ed what
ir horse
ar hero*
:." And
walked

in and told the merchant that he was ready to pur-
chase flour on the "latest" terms proposed. "All
right" sang the merchant.

MacAskill and his friend, accompanied by the
merchant, proceeded to the vessel. On the wharf
there chanced to be a crowd. Each and all of them
were eye witnesses to what occured.

Our hero jumped on board and down into the hold.
It then occurred to his cloudless mind that should he
throw some barrels on deck they would be smashed.
But resolved not to be outdone. He seized a bar-
rel, threw it, up through the hatchway it went, and
out splash into the harbour. Out came another, and
another until six were floating. Fortunately, none
of the barrels collided. Therupon he helped his
friend in removing the barrels to the cart and the
two set off for their respective homes.

However, be it said that MacAskill was warmly
thanked by his friend, and applauded by all the by-
standers, the merchant included. Little by little his
friend whom he had so practically helped and indirect-
ly encouraged, improved in the science and art of
success. Twelve years afterwards he was quite well to
do. Before his death he had several hundred dollars
in bank, and his descendants to-day are reputed
among the higher rural class, socially and financially.

i ■

i
)

lit

CHAPTER XVII.

MacAskill liked Fishing.

Fish and fishing, where are the eyes that do not
sparkle at the mere mentioning of these two musical
words ! How many happy recollections "flow gently'^
into the memory! Fish and fishirg, "go where you will
on land or on sea," these suggestive words, in what-
ever language spoken, awaken thoughts which never
fail to benefit the mind if not your general worldly
interests.

Fish and fishing illustrate or illustrate more and
better morals than Aesop's fables. The credulity of
some fishes, shows the folly of extreme credulity.
The imperative painstaking of the fisherman proves
the necessity of taking pains in what is to be done
before success may be expected. If the reader be ci
keen observer and thinker, and a person of force,
he or she may derive pleasure, recreation and benefit,
from a thorough consideration of fish and fishing.
But a warning note may be not amiss. It is danger-
ous to think too much on such matters — half an hou-
in the afternoon is suflficient.

River fishing or angling is very attractive. It is
particularly so to veteran anglers. The new begin-
ners' occasional plights are lovely described by the
great author, Washington Irving. Irving humourous.
ly remarks that he hooked himself instead of fish, etc,

t do not
» musical
V gently'^
: you will
in what-
ich never
I worldly

more and
edulity of
credulity,
an proves
be done
ader be <i
of force,
d benefit,
fishing,
is danger-
f an houi-

re. It is
ivv begin -
id by the
imourous'
fish, etc.,

etc., and his comments are so true to life that a person
almost fancies that Irving and his associates are all
present well equipped, and, moreover, in imagination,
you can almost hear the river of his angling xeperi-
ences thundering by.

But the accustomed angler's success is an effect-
ual balm for the troubles occasioned by the obstacles
he or she needs to surmount. And again a veteran
eludes many stumbling blocks.

It may be here remarked that among the best ang-
lers of Cape Breton Island, the following gentlemen
arc classed: —

Angus J. MacFarlane, Upper Margaree; Dan Hugh
MacFarlane, Upper Margaree; Kenneth P. MacKay,
Rear, Scotsville; John P. Mackay, Rear, Scotsville
Donald B. Gillis (carpenter), Upper Margaree; John
MacLellan ^John's son), S. W. Margaree; Alex. Mac
Dougall (Archd.'s son), S. W. Margaree.

The second named one is generally reputed to be
a prodigy in the science and art. He is not ovei fif-
teen, but was trained by his father, first above men-
tioned.

Angling is generally pursued for pastime, but salt
sea fishing for satisfying hunger and for profit. Sea
fishing is vastly important. Millions depend on it,
and thousands fish who hate the work, in a manner,
but like it in other respects because it is the most be-
neficial industry that lies within reach of their grasp

Angus MacAskill's favourite amusement and em-
ployment was sea fishing. During the entire fishing
season, save when there was a rush of farm work, the

_ ' t .

■r^i-

dawn of morning opened her beaming eyes to see him
in his boat. Early rising, as a rule, is advisable in all
■ walks of life, and it is very necessary for the fisher -
folk. It is not necessary to name the principal rea-
sons, for, if you fish, you will soon find out these rea-
sons for yourself, and if you don't fish, you need not
be very concerned therewith.

But MacAskill was an exceptionally early riser — .
first out of bed, and usually the first to go to bed. He
took his dinner with him in a satchel ; and sometimes
a newspaper, book or scribbling book to while away
his leisure moments.

He always hated a second-hand or wrecked boat.
All the boats he ever had were good ones and large.
He usually manned his boat alone, sitting on the stern
tharwt, of course, rudder in hand. Before the mast
was placed a ballast, a precaution which the weight of
our hero seated at the rear rendered essential. Only
for this ballast the boat would turn a quarter of a
summersault, which would make things rather uncom-
fortable*

Things that are bettered by painting he made a
point of keeping painted. So his boat was not ne-
glected in this respect.

In fact St. Ann's has seldom, if ever, seen a better
fisherman than MacAskill. He cleared a crisp hand-
ful of ten dollar bills every year.

When the season was over, he would cart the boat
and all his fishing gear to a house expressly built for
the purpose. Then he would take up some other
work until the ''airy wheels of time" a five months'
course "had driven."

CHAPTER XVIII.
The Fishing Boat Exploit.

The fishing boat exploit of our hero is a household
tale in St. Ann's. But there are either two versions
of the same exploit, or there are two sister exploits.
For that matter, it differs nothing, as one thing is cer-
tain, viz., "somehing was attempted, something was
done," and that some thing was prodigious in the ex-
treme. The two versions are here subjoined, the
former was related to the author by John A. Morri-
son of South Gut, St. Ann's.

Our hero's favourite pursuit was fishing. One
day he was alone in and about his boat; in the even-
ing, as he came to the shore, he halloed to the other
fishermen to come and help him in with his boat.
They soon arrived. One of them secretly proposed
that they should push and haul the boat over a hil^
into a neighbouring pool, and leave MacAskill to get
it out of there at his leisure. The crowd was a large
one, and sure of success. No one breathed the se-
cret to MacAskill. They seized the boat, and up
it goes, MacAskill walks by the shoulder of the boat
pulling reasonably strong. When the boat arrived at
high water mark, MacAskill said "that will do, thank
you," They pretended not to hear him, and up the
boat goes, but not very far; MacAskill perceived the
trick at a flash, and placed his shoulder to that of the
boat. Crack, crack, crack, and the boat is torn apart,

The crowd fled, but our hero grabbed one, and threw
him disdainfuliy up in the air, where he described an
arch or senil-circle, 1. in. ling twenty feet away, more
dead than alive wit!i fear and pain*

The second version, or sister exploit (as the case
may be), words subst mtially as lollows: —

One lovely twilight, our hero and his friends had
ust come ashore. In their fishi ig fleet was one boat
of extra weisfht. The haulin::^ tlicreof to a safe aiti-
tude defied a crowd of brawny veterans. MacAskill
was requested to help. Up he came and caught hold.
His companions just for fun hauled back with all
their strength ; MacAskiilsoon noticed the joke, and
decided to have a joke of his own. lEe gave a pond-
erous pull, the boat was torn in two from stern to
prow. He carried his half as far as he pleased, and
threw it aside. His compajiions were dumbfounded
with astonishment. The owner of the boat was quite
satisfied. He said that he [)referied seeing that ex-
ploit than the best boat that ever graced the smiling
waters of St. Ann's.

It is said that thereafter St. Ann's men who were
given to jokes, tricks and such like carefully avoided
experimenting on Angus MacAskill. On this, and
on other occasions, had he been very ill-natured, there
had been a tragedy. What would an ordinary citizen
be in his vice- like grasp.-*

The boat exploit would be a very choice subject for
a poem. Possibly the day will arrive when one of
our poets will weave a wreath of poesy about that
boat, a large, lettered wreath so worded as to spell
the immortal name, Angus MacAskiil.

^i\

CHAPTER XIX.
MacAskill goes to the United States.

Mr. C. H. Campbell, of Riverside, California, is
right when he says in the "Family Herald'' and
"Weekly Star^' and "People's Popular Magazine," as
follows in the next paragraph : —

A man from New York visited Cape Breton iii
1849, and, meeting Angus MacAskill, asked him to
go with him, which he consented to do. He engaged
him for five years, and they travelled through Canada
the United States and part of Europe.

He was now twenty- four years of age. After a
thorough preparation for his travels, and for his ab-
sence from home, he proceeded to bid his friends "a
ad and heart-warm fond adieu." He was deeply af-
fected, but could not restrain his surprise at the gQn-
suine sorrow manifested by one and all. Xot till now
did he dream that he was exceptionally beloved.

A large crowd escorted him to the shore, where a
boat was waiting to convey him and the New Yorker
to the vessel.

After further leave-taking, his comrades sadly
directed their steps- homeward. That was a sad
evening with them. That was a sad evening at
St. Ann's.

The late poet, Alfred Tennyson, has aptly and
wisely said :

i-r'

"I hold it true whate'er befall :
I feel it when I sorrow most :
'Tis better to have loved and lost
Than never to have loved at all."

Nevertheless, parting with one we love is very
trying. It is exceptionally hard to bear. Sorrow
for absent loved ones has sometimes caused death.
It may be proper here to remark in all sincerity that
the best thing to do in time of sorrow, ordinarily
speaking, is to go to work and to work hard. This
antidote or cure does not involve the least disrespect
of those whose absence we regret.

Acting on this or a similar maxim of equanimity,
our hero's friends soon busied themselves with their
usual employments. Before long the welcomed let-
ter arrived from MacAskill. Here is a fac-simile
thereof.

Quebec, P. Q., 8th July, 1849.

Dear Brother.— I arrived here safely. The voyage
was rather rough, but no accidents occurred. What
1 have seen of Quebec excels my expectations.

1 was rather lonely during the passage, though I
had a plentitude of suitable and congenial company.
My friend, the New York man, is very agreeable.
But, notwithstanding, I often reflect o'er the memory
of the days which I passed with'my friends of bonnie
St. Ann's.

"Scenes of woe and scenes of pleasure ;
Scenes that former thoughts renew ;
Scenes of woe and scenes of pleasure,
Now a five years' sad adieu."

4^ -:«

-4

In conclusion, I think I'm safe in saying that my
homesick melancholy it "evanishing amid the storm"
and bustle and furore my bodily size here occasionn.
I am, your fond brother,

Angus MacAskill.
It is superfluous to add that this letter, though brief,

was a source of consolation and congratulation.

Our hero wrote often to his friends, and dwelt long
on themes which he judged interesting to them. As
this knowledge is obtainable from standard books on
travel, etc., it is not neccssiiry to reproduce it here.

Ere long, the New Yorker procured him an unco'
comrade. This was Tom Thumb, a miniature pheno-
mena, yes, the smallest full-grown man that ever lived.
Tom Thumb was a fair dancer, and MacAskill w>)uld
hold out his right arm and with the other he'd hoist
Tom Thumb to the palm of his right hand. Here
Tom Thumb would dance as merrily "as you please,"
Thereupon, MacAskill would sometimes throw him
into his pocket.

Tom Thumb was quite a joker. He'd put up his
hands in boxing attitude sometimes, and challenge
MacAskill to fight. This used to amuse MacAskill
very much.

The chief towns of the Provinces were visited in
due time. The New Yorker often remarked : "the
day I met MacAskill has proved to be a red-letter day
in my life. My fortune is made, and, moreover, he is
such good company."

As railroads were not so plentiful then, they trav-
elled much in coaches, but the roads being smooth
their journeyings were attended with comfort.

i '

CHAPTER XX.

MacAsktll Travels Much.

Our hero spent a short time in Cuba. It was then
the depth of winter, but the weather was still uncom-
fortably warm. He was not very favourably impress-
ed with Cuba. But, as he said himself, ifhe had seen
more of Cuban scenery, probably he might find some-
thing to admire.

He was not accustomed to travel very much about

the places at which he and his employer called, at least
until the rush to see him was over. Were he to per-
ambulate around, few only would pay a dollar to see
him thereafter as one good look at him would satiate
cuiiosity to a bearable extent.

In the course of his travels, he met a man who was
as tall as he himself, but almost as slender as a child.
This man could walk in a dead calm, but the least
wind would jeopardise his equilibrium. MacAskill
averred that he was quite a sight. In fact, a gale might
hoist that man " to the very clouds themselves."

He saw a darkey woman who was nearly as big as
himself. Yes, she was almost his peer in height
stoutness and weight. As to her strength, there is
nothing recorded thereabout.

We can easily conjecture that our hero saw many
strange sights. Just fancy how delightful to spend
a day in his company. Of course, be it said, that con-

versing over his reminiscences was no hobby of his.
But, if courteously requested, he would willingly tell
many stories of what he saw.

It may be remarked here that on his foreign tour
he posed as a prodigy of size, not as a prodigy of
strength. This was discreet, for had he chosen the
latter, it might end very sadly. Hence, it was that
he tried his strength but seldom during this under-
taking.

He enjoyed his travels very much. He was not

bashfull, and, under the gaze of thousands of specta-

' tors who came expressly to see him, he would stand

up and walk around without evincing an iota of

excitement.

No one ever went to see our hero to return disap-
pointed, except in another sense of the word. They
were usually agreeably disappointed. Yes, disap-
pointed, the right way for them ; he was a greater show
than they usually expected. This reminds one of a
western man who got sick and came east to die. He
soon recovered in our health-giving climate, and went
back, as the papers chronicle, ''happily disappointed."

It does not belong to this book to give our hero's
"tales of travel " in full. But what has been stated
will serve as a fitting sequel to the rest, which was not
for the most part less interesting.

Many of St. Ann's ladies and gentlemen can recall
with pleasure, mellowed with a little sadness, the hap-
py days they used to repair to our hero's home to
listen to his marvellous stories.

1 1
'1 \'

i:'

CHAPTER XXI.

He verifies Reports about his Strength.

The people of the United States, generally speaking,
love their country and their countrymen to a remark-
able degree. This is not unreasonable, for their coun-
try is a great one, and they, have and have had their
great men. Bat some Americans go so far as: o
ignore the idea that there are countries and men in
other longitudes and latitudes as great as theirs.

The above remark is intended to warn the reader
to be cautious in weighing the patriotic effusions of
our friends "over the boarder." Let the Canadian
study neutral statistics, and then decide for himself
about the comparative greatness of the United
States.

However, during our hero's sojourn in the United
States, a friend of his and some Americans had
a lively war of words about our hero's strength. Our
hero's friend was one of those sturdy Cape Bretonians
who say their say where they please, regardless of
danger. Like Galcagus, he possessed some of that
stuff of which heroes are made. With his back to a
brick edifice, gracefully posed, manly sounding the
praises of MacAskil), he woud remind one of James
V of Scotland, as depicted by Scott, exclaiming ;
"Come one, come all, this rock shall fly
From its firm base as soon as I !"

At length the crowd dispersed, the greater number

% id

of them going into a wholesale liquor store near by.
This friend of MacAskill's walked down the street.
Turning a corner, whom did he meet but Angus Mac-
Askill. It was a pleasant meeting. MacAskill was
betimes told of the doubters. " Never mind," he
said, "let us go to the store, and I may have a chance
of impressing upon them the truth of the adage 'seeing
is believing.' "

They arrived in the store. The crowd was still
there. On seeing MacAskill, some of them fearing
violence visibly trembled.

Our hero called for a drink for "all hands." While
the rest were leisurely enjoying theirs he stepped over
to a puncheon of Scotch whiskey, containing one
hundred and forty gallons. He lifted it on end. Then
he struck the head a rap with his knuckles. The bung
flew out and made skyward. Whereupon, he raised
the puncheon, as if it were a jar, and drank to the
health of the bystanders. Whether the drink was a
large one or not is not known ; it has not been record-
ed, but at the least it was taken on the wholesale
principle. However, having quafTed his, he paid for
"all hands," and walked out.

The Americans of the episode were more than
convinced, and declared that he ought to run for
Congress, while the satisfaction of MacAskill's friend
can only be fancied by those who have been repeated-
ly tantalized in a foreign land.

This achievement soon spread like a prairie fire,
never to die, and is listened to to-day in Australia
and in other parts by thousands of British descended
people with a zest equal to our own.

IPs (

CHAPTER XXII.

He Visits Queen Victoria.

In this world of ours, few exactly apjree as to what
character constitutes the ideal ruler. Perfect women
and men are scarce. Hence, the most loyal, not
without reason, sometinies criticize their chief ruler
rather unfavourably.

Again, and probably for the best, people differ in
the nature and in the extent of deferential feeling
towards their ruler. P'or instance, members of the
British Empire are, as a rule essentially loyal to the
Queen, but few from the same motives. Some are
loyal through personal affection, some through a love
of the Queen's royalty, some through fear, some
through appreciation of the Queen's policy, and others
are loyal because they judge that, to an important
extent, loyalty to the Queen is loyalty to themselves
and to their interests. The last motive is decidedly
the best. AIJ men a born equal. Every woman
and every man have a perfect right to be loyal to
hcmselves, and, more than that, it is their duty to
be loyal to themselves. This granted, it goes without
saying or demonstration that, if loyalty to a chief ruler
is subversive to one's own interests, it is his or her
duty, if oppressed by the Throne, to seek and obtain
redress or to hie to a less oppressive banner.

The idea of regarding chief rulers with great awe,

sense of danger, etc., is erroneous. Should it come
to the crisis that innocent men would be lawfully sup-
posed to quake in presence of their r"J;r, surely any
lady or gentleman could discern that there "was some
rottenness in Denmark." Yes, readers, and remem-
ber that sovereigns are servants of the people, and
are only to behonourt^d for the trust reposed in them
and for their beneficial or praise- worthy services or
achievements.

Loyalty should ever be governed by reason, The
great people of the world afford ample examples.
Artemus Ward, for instance, says, "bully for the na-
tional sentiment!" but we cannot shout worth a cent
on empty stomachs. The East Indian members af the
British Empire could say likewise a year ago, when
they were perishing in thousands, while millions of
dollars were being spent in other parts of the Empire
in the name of loyalty.

Speaking of extreme loyalty reminds one of a cer-
tain servant. His master did an extensive business,
and kept a ledger whose statements were souietimes
doubted. When a customer was settling his account,
should a dispute arise, the servant was at once tele-
phoned by his master, when the following dialogue
would tak. p'ace : —

♦Halle!"

' Yes, sir."

"Will you swear to this ?"

"Yes sir ; yes, what is it .^"
But reverting to the character best fitted to rule,
we are many. As already^ said, few of us exactly agree

it -I

% SI

; ii

on that point. But our noble Queen Victoria is truly
great and possessed of the dignity that becomes her
charge as well as with that humility that endears her
to us, so that the attitude of one and all towards her is
like that of his flock to Goldsmith's village preacher.
Queen Victoria is a great personage. That she is
a queen adds not much to her splendour. For, in the
words of Shakespeare, the king of dramatic poetry ;

"My crown is in my heart, not on my head ;

Not decked with diamond and Indian stones,
Nor to be seen ! My crown is called Content —

A crown it is that seldom kings enjoy."

But enough. However, be it announced that Her
Majesty Queen Victoria invited Angus MacAskill to
Windsor Castle. He soon called upon her. She
gave him a cordial reception. She chatted pleasantly
with him for a few hours.

She was highly intere^ited in his great size, and com-
plimented him very warmly. She presented hfm
with two rings of gold.

MacAskill regretted tlipt there were no means of
showing his power of lifting, but he thought of a
plan to leave a token of his strength on the sly. He
walked back and forth before the Queen, secretly
pressing the carpet with his heels. When he left, the
carpet, though thick and strong, was cut here and
there, in bread-cutter fashion, by the heels of the
giant.

The Queen said afterwards that he was the tallest,
the stoutest anJ the stronfjest mm that ever entered
the palace.

MacAskill was well pleased with his visit Yet he
was not intoxicated by the honour, but preserved his
wonted composure. 'Tis true, lier kindness increased
and enlivened his love for her, yet there were others
he loved best, loyal as he was. Chief among those
were his parents and his brother and sister.

Still our hero was a model of loyalty, but, in ordin-
ary matters, with him -the man was the gold and all
that." ^

ill

\:\

111

11*1 ;

CHAPTER XXIir.

He Goes to Edinburgh.

Our hero's visit to Edinburgh interested him very
mucli. Edinburgh is brimful of interest, not mere
curiosity, but genuine sensible interest. There one
may see plenteous tokens of the varied trains of
thought, study and activity which have prevailed in
the ages that have been. If there be "a whim-inspired
fool " who supposes that the Scotch have been un-
civilized in any age, let him go to Edinburgh. There>
the mist which constitutes such a supposition will be
dissolved forever by the light of revelations which
convince.

Before proceeding further, it may be not amiss to
refer to one of Scotland's giants and heroes, Sir Wil-
liam Wallace. This was an "extraordinary man."
Historically, it is not very long since Wallace livep
and died, yet, a great many lies have been manufac-
tured about him. Jane Porter wrote a novel, called
Scottish Chiefs, in which Wallace figured, and strange
to say some suppose that novel to be a true story,
Jane Porter is not to be blamed for this I presume,
but it is a recognized fact and a happy one that the
truth about Wallace is more interesting that the
brightest inventions of fiction, and it is to be regretted
that such an able writer as Jane Porter did not write
a true life of Wallace in addition to her famous novel ,
Scottish Chiefs.

verj

fai

thel

En^

W;i

loui
ian<
friej
Brie

Sir William Wallace flourished in tlie thirteenth
century. He was uncommonly stout, tall, heavy,
muscular, strong, brave and full of life. His patriot-
ism will be remembered with undecreasing apprecia-
tion while time exists.

Among the first exploits of Wallace was the kill-
ing of a few English armed warriors. The Scotch-
man's only weapon was a fishing rod.

It may be remembered that in these days the Eng-
lish kings strongly desired to rule Scotland. Wal-
lace from the cradle up was strongly opposed to Eng-
lish rule. Some of the English soldiers and sentinels
sent to Scotland were to haughty and insolent, hence
the episode recorded above.

Wallace marshalled an army in due time, and was
very successful against the English. In 1297, at the
famous battle of Sterling Bridge, he utterly routed
the English governor of Scotland. "Soon not an
English soldier remained north of the Tweed, and
Wjllace was elected Governor of Scotland.

^'For eight years, in spite of the coldness and jea-
lousy of the old nobility, he ably maintained Scot-
land's cause. At last he was betrayed by a false
friend, and hanged in London in 1305 A. D."— See
Brief History of England.

The King of France once requested Wallace to
cross over with a few officers to help him against a
certain country. Wallace consented. He and a ne-
phew of his and a few more soon went aboard a ship
and sailed. Soon the red sails of the fleet of a well-
known sea pirate hoved in sight. He was known as

the Red Rover. The captain was shocked. Wallace
said, "fear nothing." Wallace asked the captain if he
knew the Red Rover.

The captain said "yes." Wallace said "describe his
appearance." The captain said ''he's a great big man,
about your size, and as a distinction wears a red
woolen coat over his mail. Moreover he usually is
the first man to jump aboard the prey." "That will
do," said Wallace, "you and your men go and hide."
Then he ordered his own men to go down below ex-
cept his beloved nephew, Wallace, and his nephew
paced the deck, waiting for the Red Rover.

They had not to v/ait long. In jumped the Red
Rover, Wallace grabbled him, and, ladies and gentle-
men, that was a tussle. Soon the Red Rover's heels
described a semi-circle in the air; down comes the
Red Rover on his face on deck. Wallace siezed him
by the back of the neck and knocked the deck with
his mouth. Who are you ?" gasped the pirate. "I
am William Wallace of Scotland" was the reply. "And
the strongest man I ever met," said the Red Rover.
"But I'm your man now and henceforth" added the
Red Rover. He was as good as his word. He brave-
ly fought under Wallace in France, and afterwards in
Scotland, and was one of King Robert Bruce's right
hand me'i at the Battle of Bannockburn.

The sword of Wallace ranks among the wonders of
the world. Nine inches were accidently broken ofif
the top. The two parts may be seen in Edinburgh.
The sword was seven feet in length and wide propor-
tionately. Hugh Gillis, warden, of Upper Margaree,

interviewed two reputable men who actually saw and
handled the sword of Wallace. IJoth men's descrin-
t.ons exactly agreed. Both these men declared that
.t weighed forty pounds. After the death of Wallace
I1.S sword was treasured in Dumfries for hundreds of
years. In the reign of good King George the Fourth
on the occasion of his visit to Edinburgh, the memor '
able sword of Wallace, that the King might see it
was taken there, and there it is to-day.

MacAskill went to see the sword of Wallace He
sa.d he could possibly wield is on the battle-field but
tliat It was rather big and heavy.

Now gentle reader, think of theman who could
w.eld U as easily as you could a bayonet. But it is
gratifying to know MacA,klll was the only man who
could swing and brandish it in martial style exceot
the great Sir Willam Wallace himself.

But a few words about Dumfries City. Here lies
buried one of Scotland's intellectual giants, Robert
Burns. He was a great poet. Notwithstandinc' his
naturally strong and rebellious passions, he lived a
good life, a life of current sobriety, a life of super
fluous honesty, and died happily, attended by his
wife, bonnie Jean, and by his lovely friend, Jessie
Lewyars.

Edinburgh, Dumfries, etc, were visited by Mac
AskiU. The most of them pleased him much but
Edmburgh the most of all.

CHAPTER XXIV.

He Shoulders a Monster Weight.

The anchor exploit of Angus MacAskill was truly-
wonderful. The author has read and heard more
than one account thereof. Of these he will narrate
merely two, which, though differing in details, agree
essentially. However, the second version given is
more authentic, and, in fact, there is no reason to
doubt its truthfulness.

The first version says that on a New York pier,
there was an anchor weighing twenty-two hundred
pounds. MacAskill came here one day and met some
French sailors. After chatting for some time, the
conversation drifted to the big anchor. The French-
men had heard before of our hero's strength, and
wanted to see it tested. They said that they knew a
giant in France who could shoulder it, and spoke in
words as much as to say thit a mm from St. Ann's,
Cape Breton, could not move it. Our hero ciught
the anchor, shouldered it and poised it on his shoulder
with ease, to the surprise of th^ Freiic'i n^n. Taey
had not expected th.it. B^ ic sii 1 also that taeir
French giant story was but a fib to trick MacAskill
into trying his strength. The author does not intend
to try to justify them, but their motives, if dishonest,
might have been more patriotic than criminal. But
sad to say, when MacAskill threw the anchor off, one

J(
cl
al

i. r

of the flukes caught in the shoulder region, and shat-
tered his massive constitution forever.

The second version his no French connected there-
with. But this is not what nukes it preferable, but
that it is very probably the truth entirely.

To begin, the fa.Ti3u> anchor weighed two thoj-
sand seven hundred. It was lying on a N"ew York
pier. Why it was disuse.! at the time is not now
known.

Our hero went to the pier one evening, and for pas-
time grabbed the anchor, and with startling ease raised
do not tremble, his face does not redden. ^He walked
back and forth wit[i that poaderoas anchor on his
shoulder.

Little did he know " that soon, too soon," his
blooming constitution was going to bs blighted for-
ever. But it is a good thing that "coming events" do
not "cast their shadows before." Were people to
know their futures, the knowledge might be, if not
always sad, yet a little or more embarrassing.

Our hero as already said p iced the pier, and at
length tossed the anchor as if it were an ordinary
caber, but one of the flukes hooked his shoulder,
and wrecked his stalwart fram-.

The bystanders all were in tears. He was in great
pain for a while. In course of time he improved to
some extent.

In another chapter it will be seen whether or not
this wrecking accident was so significant to his
strength as a miniature accident would be to an or-
dinary man.

CHAPTER XXV.
Other Giants.
U is .uUe proper to announce th^t we Ja-^^^f^

and have in Cape 1^--;;;; , ' .^rno'ne of them
Nova Scot.a, scores ° S'^ ^^'^'^^^ ^^^, ^f them
could be compared w.th ™^<=^3'- j^ others

have been or are gUnts of s.e a -^^'^J^^^^,^,

^:o,-,fc in <;trenfTth alone, we mi'^*

giants in stren^t French, Scotch and

from various nationahties. Irish, 1 renc ,

His son, 1^1. ^ u^ U asstroacr asnine

athletes in the J<^ ^^^^^.^^ ph sique.
or ten men, and (M of Ute an . f g.^ts.

.In H GiUi., of ScotsviUe, is a modern g,ant of
strJfgth He l.ft's very heavy weights with surpr.s-

'V::i.. John GiUis (Peter's son), S- W^Iargaree
was a marvel of strength, and so was Alex. ban.

ToHn^s son) of West Side, S. W. Mar^aree.
.John s son;, o _ Margaree, is six

•Vn'^us A. Mici.eiU'i, ol b- vv b

had, j
la of
them
them
thers
jnded
1 and

over

feet six inches in height, and weighs proportionately.
He performed exploits of which no Cape Bretonian
or Nova Scotian need be ashamed. A large spruce
log he can handle like a long shingle block.

The MacFarlanes, Gillis', MacDougalls, Mac-
Donells and Camerons of Upper and S. W. Marga-
ree have and have had giants in their ranks, that
would grace a Royal Guard. These fought too (I
do not mean among themselves), and, figuratively
speaking, sheathed their swords, but for want of ar-
gument.

Broad Cove, Mabou, Port Hood, Judique, Ports
Hastings and Hawkesbury, VVhycocomagh, etc., have
had and have giants.

Margaree Forks, P^merald, N. E. Margaree, AI.
Harbour, Friar's Head and Cheticamp have their
celebrities.

The late Mr. Brussard (J no. Brussard's father), of
Margaree Forks, has had but few equals. One day;
he hauled a plough by the side of an ox for six hours.

The MacKinnons, of East and West Ainslie, will be
ever famous. Again, at Upper East Ainslie, there is an
unassuming man, Allan MacDougall by name, who
if attacked would prove to be a terror.

Again, L. E. MacLean, Black River; Charles L.
Macdonald, of Kirkwood, Lake Ainslie, Allan Mac-
Quarrie, of Loch Ban, Michael Kennedy, of Loch
Ban ; Simeon MacDonell, S .W. Margaree; Thomas
Dunbar, North Ainslie; Ronald MacLcllan, Egypt ;
Donald R. MacLean Broad Cove Mines, S. W. Mac-
garee ; Duncan A. ]\iacLellan, S. VV. Margaree ; John

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J. MacDonald, S. VV. Margaree; John J. Gillis, S. W,
Margaree, are all men who grace our island chivalry.
Victoria County is not wanting in fine bodied men.
MacCharles and other have wrested laurels from com-
petitors of high order.

Cape l^>reton County and Richmond raise stal-

wart boys too.

Throughout the Peninsula 'Nova Scotia propei i,

an exccp" innally strong mm is not a strange sight.

Ikit a few Cape Bretonians are still to be mentioned
One of these is the late Mian MacDonell, of Mount
rirasant, Upper M.ir.iarec, whom the late Neil Mac
Donald ol Kiikwooci, Lake Ainslie, reputed to be the
suonirest man lo lilt a weight lie over met, and Archi-
bald GiUis and Angus MacNeil, of Broad Cove, two
who will never know to pertection what they cm lift
and what they can't.

This chapter, far from lessening Angus MacAskill
in appreciation, will, on the contrary, serve to con-
vince the reader of the truth of what is related of our
hero. And, moreover, the modern "instances" are
interesting in themselves.

The author, however, apologizes for using some
names without asking for consent, but he opines that
his friends alluded to are too lenient to criticise this,
and much too lenient to criticise "the style in which
it's done."— Farewell.

CHAPTER XXVI.

A Trip from Upper Margauee to Margaree

Harbour.

The author of this book on being informed that
Angus MacDougall, of Margaree Harbour, had work-
ed for Angus MacDougall, set off to interview Mr-
MacDougall on a fine October morning.

The sun was just peeping over the Egyptian moun-
tains to smile on Kittarlity, as I directed my steps
northward. The landscape views that seemed to pre-
sent then: selves voluntary to my gaze in close succes-
sion were near to perfection, at least if my judgment
of perfection be taken as a standard.

The road was soon alive and abustle with girls and
boys, horses and buggies, bicycles, etc. Soon a gen-
tleman from North Ainslie, John C. Campbell, sailed
along in a horse car. He told me to jump in, and I
did. I soon learned that he was en route for Mr.
Murphy's with apples.

After half an hour's travel over the smooth road,
we arrived at Mr. Murphy's. Mr. Murphy was away
from home, but none the less I enjoyed my call very
highly, and so did Mr. Campbell.

Our hostess (Mr. Murphy's housewife), a beautiful,
magnetic young lady of excellent disposition, rallied
us with pleasing chat and a delicious repast. This
over, Mr. Campbell treated us with apples, announc-
ing to our hostess (Miss Ross), at the same time that

he was marketing apples, moreover. The bargain
was soon transacted. Mr. Campbell made quite a
wholesale that morning ; in fact, he sold the entire
load, eight barrels, right there and then. While
the hired man was removing them to the store-
house, I bade my hostess and Mr. Campbell a fond
good morning.

Being in very good humour, I walked briskly, and
soon sighted Margaree Forks. Margaree Forks has
been so often described that further descriptions are
unnecessary. -In due time I tipped the door-bell of
Hugh Gillis' residence. I was well entertained
stayed over night, and took the road the next morn*
ing at "break of day."

About seven o'clock I was at my destination. Mr.

and Mrs. Angus MacDougall reside about a mile
south of Margaree Harbour town. They are a kindly
couple, and soon regaled me with news, anecdotes
and a profuse table.

The brandy bottle was produced, but as I declined
'its intimacy (being a teetotaler), it was set aside. Talk
of hospitality, but they are lovely.

In due time I related the object of my visit, Mr.
MacDougall took the matter seriously, and was silent
and abstracted for an hour or more, and then told his
story of MacAskill. In some minor points it differed
with my data, but they were essentially identical.

Next morning "happy be the day," I left for Upper
Margaree. My friend MacDougall drove me to
Margaree Forks. An hour and a half's walk brought
me to S. W. Margaree. I could not resist the inclina-

tion to call where I had called on my northward tran-
sit, and, in fact, I did not try.

"1*11 ne'er blame my partial fancy,
Nothing could resist my Nancy ;
But to see her was to love her,
Love but her and love fotever."
Shortly after noon, however, I was on the road
again. Betimes, I was back in Upper Margaree.
Though I don't owe my birth ^o this settlement (be-
ing born at Strathlorne), however, as I passed many
years here, I may be peimitted to say that it is a
beauty.

Mountains, glens, rocks ant" valleys, intersected
with streams of becoming size ; clearances, houses,
barns, wood factories and forests — all these are here,
as it were in semi-careles« profusion. The homes of
Upper Margaree, so plenteous in wealth and cheer, are
generally ornaments that would set off any country to
advantage.

Gentle reader, if such scenery be not truly lovely —
loveliness upon our earth is surely rare.

CHAPTER XXVII.
MacAskill After his Return, and his Death.

Angus MacAskill was well paid by the New Yorker
with whom he travelled. Hence, when he came home
to St. Ann's he possessed a snug fortune.

He donated resp' ctable sums to many of his rela-
tives and friends. Of course, none of these were poor
before, but the gifts of* our hero were none the less
acceptable, and some of them were appreciated as in-
tensely as Napoleon Bonaparte's gift to Campbell's
English sailor.

He filled the role of a second Marc Lecarbot by
building two good grist-mills a suitable distance apart.
This undertaking proved very profitable.

He was an accomplished miller, and at times ran
one of his mills himself. The other was in charge of
Angus MacDougall, at present of Margaree Harbour.

It was interesting to see Angus MacAskill, while
picking the millstones, hold the pick between his
thumb and two fingers. It need not be siid that he
would turn over the stones with as much ease as a
Scotch-descended Cape Breton sonsie lassie would
turn over a sugar loaf.

As for wheat bags, oat bags, etc., some containing
four bushels, they were mere playthings in his hands.

Were the mill-brook to run dry, and flour or meal
to become scarce, provided that there was grain on

■

hand, he could avert a temporary embarrassment by
driving the mill himself. He could easily turn the
pit-wheel rouud for hours, if necessary, or tear of the
cogs.

Pie built an elegant store and stocked it well, and
kept it so. He was a reputable business man, honest,
prompt and agreeable. He sold his gouds at a low
figure, and thus, though not intentionally, he, like Sir
Richard Arkright, relieved the sailsof other merchants
of some wind. He never admired the credit system,
and in business he never encouraged its adoption,
yet, he never refused to help a person in need, be he
an acquaintance or a stranger.

His ledger, etc., are still extant, and evince a prac-
tical knowledge of commercial book-keeping. Yet,
to day, from the fact that £. s. d. are there instead of
$ and c, they maj- appear a little quaint.

At St. Ann's, you may see the great Angus Mac-
Askill's store. There it is, a momento of a glorious
past, but unoccupied. How many a heart overflow-
ing with gratitude departed from that store! Our
hero and many of his customers have gone to their
reward ; but are they forgotten ? No. And while a
vestige of that edifice graces the landscape, it will re-
call to the minds of one and all, MacAskill's life, Mac-
Askill's charity and MacAskill's philanthropy, and
thereby associate our hearts with trains of thought
fully as beneficial and enobling as Goldsmith's Desert-
ed Village.

By the way, the doors of the storebear further evid-
ence to our hero's overhead requirements. They are

i t

m. '

nine feet in height, and his favourite stool is there.
What do you suppose it is? It is a i8o gallon molas-
ses puncheon.

It has been already said that the anchor seriously
hurt our hero. In fact, his frame was permanently
shattered. Possibly his back bone was injured, and
probably some of his ribs were displaced. He could
never afterwards stand straightly erect, and rising
from a chair to a standing posture was always a mat-
ter of difficulty, and oftentimes of torture.

But still his strength was prodigious, a fact which
he occasionally manifested. Now and again some
people would fancy that his strength was failing down
to the ordinary. But ho ! my friends, some new ex-
ploits would more than dispel these visions.

The anchor exploit already portrayed and his sub-
sequent ones excited more than usual interest because
he had had previously a severe fever in Spain. This
malady had impaired his constitution forever, and
lessened his strength over twenty per cent. There-
fore, the anchor exploit may be pronounced doubly
wonderful, and his later exploits trebly wonderful.

But, regarding his exploits, they were all astonish-
ing. Hence, all who have heard of them and of their
hero, MacAskill, take pleasure in treasuring momen-
tos or remembrances of his strength and size. At
Donald MacKay's, blacksmith, Scotsville, one of the
family, Thomas MacKay, showed me an inner boot
sole of MacAskill's. This sole I measured, and its
size was not contradictory to my earlier researches
About Genevra, the poet Rogers began; —

"Reader, if thou should'st ever come to Modena,"
but I say, reader, if thou should'sl ever come to Scots-
ville, stop at Donald MacKay'sand ask for to see the
sole mentioned, and you will, and, moreover, receive
what Robert Burn desired to receive in Heaven — "a
Highland welcome."

However, in August, 1863, Angus MacAskill was
seized with that dire ailment, brain lever. The dis-
ease set in without any apparent cause.

It is gratifying to know that medical science and
art were timely exerted to their utmost to save his
life, or, at least, to prolong it, but in vain. Shortly
before death, all the delirium left him. Indeed, for a
few hours he enjoyed sweet tranquility, and conversed
with those around him Yet, he was woefully weak,
^and he thought that the end was near.

On the 8th of August, after a week's illness, he ex-
pired as a child falls into a peaceful sleep. The
pastor of the place was present. Though confident
that his soul was in "that better land," yet all around
were in tears.

The news of our hero's death spread like wild-fire.
Sympathetic messages were received by his sisters
and brothers, and were promptly acknowledged.

Notwithstanding the furore caused by our hero's
size and strength in the days gone by, so great was the
sorrow and excitement occasioned and aroused by
his death that his most intense lative admirers were
surprised.

Newspaper after newspaper told the tale of the
death of the Cape Breton giant. Encomiums were
showered on his memory.

Hi§ sisters and brothers bore their affliction with
great patience. The sting of death was sore indeed ;
but they were sensible enough to see that they had
many consolations. Our herd had died in their
midst, "with comforts at his side." His life and death
were edifying. These consolations soon relieved and
in due time completely healed that horrid wound—
the recollection of a friend's death. '

CHAPTER XXVril.
The Cokfin.

After our hero's death, among the first things con-
sidered was a coffin. In those times imported coffins
were not yet dreamed of. Two reputable carpenters
undertook to make the coffin, and they had it com-
pleted in six hours.

The coffin was made of native pine boards, as cof-
fins usually were in the days when pine was plentiful.
The cover was one-fourth glass.

In size the coffin was a sight of a life time. Yet,
so well proportioned was it that it looked uncouth by
no means. Yes, it seemed to be smaller than what
an actual measurement would attest.

It was costly lined with white cloth. Great pains
were taken with every detail. Accomplished ladies
and gentlemen thus vied with one another in show-
ing their respect, admiration and appreciation of this
extraordinary man.

The exterior of the coffin was lovely. The bright
mountings shone out in harmonious contrast with the
sober dark ground which they embellished.

In due time the sad task of laying our hero's re-
mains in their last earthy home was becomingly per-
formed. The lid being replaced, the spectators in
dozens paced orderly along once more to gaze "on
the face that was dead." Bcquetsand wreaths with-

out number were brought along. An aged aristo-
cratic man present who had spent years in Edin-
burgh said : "I have seen many a coffin ; but, if this
is not the costliest coffin I have seen, it is the most
beautiful and the best festooned. These boquets
would do honour to a prince. Never have I seen
such genuine and sensible indications of sorrow as
MacAskill's mourners have evinced."

The minister of the congregation arrived at the ap-
pointed hour. After prayer and scriptural reading, he
preached an appropriate sermon. His Christian and
modest eulogy of our hero will be long remembered.

During the sermon many wept. But ere he had
neared the end the mists of sadness began to dis-
solve "like the dim fabric of a vision," and when the
moment of the benediction arrived, there was not a
sad heart in the crowd.

But, reverting to the coffin, the reader has probably
by this time formed an idea thereof in his or her
mind. The beauty of it can be imagined by com-
parisons or "modern instances." But to imagine its
size is very difficult.

It has been said that figures speak. That is a true
saying. Yet the actual dimensions cf our hero's cof-
fin need not be given, another way of communicating
an idea of its size being judged, more easily grasped,
and more easily remembered moreover.

Hence, an emphatic illustration is chosen to con-
vey the idea, not at all as a substitute, but as a better
medium of this knowledge. Figures may be forgot-
ten, but the following disclosure never.

When the woodwork of the coffin was finished
i. e., when it was ready for the dressing, etc., it was
found to be sufficient to hear or float three men acroaa
the Bay of 8t. Ann's.

How this has transpired is left to the readers as
a matter of conjecture. However, it serves as an ad-
ditional argument in support of the far-famed saying,
"truth is stranger that fiction.

I I

«>'

CHAPTER XXIX.
MacAskill's Grave.

On the eastern side of St. Ann's Bay, about a mile
and a half from the sea, there is a bonnie cemetery.
As you go down by the bay, facing north, it is on
your right hand side. Less than a mile to the south
of it, on your left hand side, is one of St. Ann's church-
es, a magnificent building, with a vane on the top of
the spire, which tells the observer there the four fun-
damental points of the"compass, and what's of little
less importance '* the way the wind blows."

The church is referred to above to aid the stranger
in locating the cemetery without asking too many
questions. Strangers who are extremely modest like
to be spared the odium of asking questions on every
side.

Close by the road the cemetery begins. It con-
tinues quite a distance up a brae or hillside, then
curves over to the top of the hill, and you are on the
level, and a few yards ahead you observe its western
boundary.

In this cemetery the vegetable kingdom is profuse-
ly represented. There are elder bushes, cherry trees,
raspberry bushes, low wild- rose bushes, and many
other beauties of the kind. It remin Js one of a pass-
age that we read in Lucy Flemming — that quaint,
though happy phrase, "its cheerful graves."

""H. ;

On the upper level of the cemetery, a mound of
earth twelve feet in length, artistically set off with
gravel, and a respectable gravestone mark the earthly
resting place of our hero.

A few feet to the no/th-east of it are the graves of
Mr. and Mrs. Rev. Abraham Miclntosh. Rev. Mr.
Macintosh was pastor of St. Ann's an.! North Shore.
He died on March lo, 1889 His wifj's maiden
name was Annie Ross. . Siie was born in 1822, and

died 1884. There is a becoming paling yard around
their graves. Lastly, there's a superb monument,
which, if not necessary to perpetuate the raemory of
their virtues, designates to the tourist their cozy abode
at the top of the hill of life which, like Joon Ander-
son and his wife, they weel "had climbed together."

The breath of St. Ann's cemetery, is as fragrant and
sweet as that of a flower garden. As one walks along
he is apt to imagine that a costly deoderant has been
sprinkled about a few minutes ago.

But let us go back again to our hero's grave, and

read the inscription so deftly carved on yonder stone.

Here it is in toto-

"Erected
To

The Memory of

Angus MacAskill,

The Nova Scotian Giant,

Who died, August 8th, 1863.

• Aged 38 years.

A dutiful son, a kind brother. Just in all his dcc^lings.

;

■<i p^.

100

^Universally respected by friends and acquaintances.
Mark the perfect man and heboid the upright, the

end of that man is peace."
• Opposite the cemetery is a httle sandy island orna-
ment by a light-house elsewhere referred to On the
west side of the bay, opposite the cemetery, a moder-
ately high and rather steep mountain begins at the
water's edge Here, half a mile or so of the moun-
tarn side is still wooded and uninhabited, and exhibits
a relieving contrast with the great remainder domestic-
ated by the hand of man.

CHAPTER XXX.
Duncan MacAskill's Description of our Hero.

On^ of our hero's brothers, an excellent man, Dun-
c':jn MacAskill by name, when interviewed, has had
the following to say about our hero's appearance, in
addition to what you have read : —

"My brother's hair was very black and curly.
Otherwise he was light complexioned. His face was
freckled."

Now, it was a little singular that his hair was very
black, while his arms, etc, were light complexioned
Yet we meet with such cases now and. then. A pe-
culiarity pertaining to a celebrated person glistens
more conspicuously. If you meet an ordinary man at a
house, or an a train, except in special cases, you don't
scrutinize his appearance ; but if you meet Sir Charles
Tupper, the Earl of Minto, or President MacKinley,
or Queen Victoria, all your observing faculties are
quickly employed. You scan and mentally analyse
every feature, and, if you see any peculiarity, it is ne-
ver to be effaced from your memory. Hence, it is
that we exclaim, **how strange," when told that An-
gus MacAskill's head was black, whereas his arms

were lir^ht complexioned.

Can medical science account for all the causes of

freckles.^ However, freckles seldom deduct very ma-
terially from a person's beauty. Nevertheless, freckles

102

are not desired ; but freckle-faced people have this
consolation, viz. only snow white skin becomes
freckled. With those who work in the sun, the ab-
sence of freckles indicates a skin tinged a little like
Klondike currency.

Again his brother adds : —

"My brother's facial features were well-proportion-
ed. His mouth was pretty. His lips were fairly thin
and rosy. He ha ' a good chin, red cheeks, a well-
shaped head. His neck was stout and not over long.
He dressed 'stylishly* but was not painfully careful in
dressing himself ' ^

A glance at his picture will corroborate these above
remarks. We may suppose that Angus MacAskill
was handsome. He was a lovely giant. In this, he,
a real giant, differed from the giants that we are apt
to picture for ourselves in imagination.

'Twas pleasant to see this great big man so gentle
manly in appearance, Of course, his merit and good
character were emphatically more important, but a
winning appearance helped to set off the man to bet-
ter advantage.

Finally, his brother says : —

"When my brother put on the Highland costume,
which, by the way, was a present from Queen Vic-
toria (not that he was my brother), but he looked
like one of those heroes we read of in the ancient
chronicles."

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