Free Band of Acadians by John Skelton

“When I learn to write better, that’s what I want to do — write stories and draw pictures to illustrate those tales.”

    By mid-March, the first signs of spring — fresh shoots of greenery — began to appear wherever the snow had melted. Jocelyne and Nola went about the campsite selecting the most edible-looking of these buds and soon had a fragrant “weed soup” cooking. Their broth proved so tasty that everyone hankered for a second bowl.
    â€œIf we throw a couple of lobsters into that soup, I bet Frank will compare us to the best chefs in Europe again,” Jocelyne said.
    A week later the spring weather was sufficiently advanced that Hector announced to Chief Toomy that the Rameurs would be on their way within the week. “Your people have been very kind to us. We’ll be forever in your debt. As we promised last fall, it’s time for us to seek a place far from your hunting grounds.”
    Chief Toomy acknowledged this thanks and, gesturing, asked what the Rameurs were going to do with the many rabbits they had raised. Would they be taking them all on the rafts?
    â€œNo,” Hector said, “there are too many. It would be our pleasure to give you a dozen or so.”
    When Grandpa discussed the transfer of the rabbits with Chief Toomy, he was surprised to discover that the Mi’kmaq wouldn’t continue the rabbit farming. Apparently, it wasn’t the traditional way. Also, though they were interested and somewhat impressed by the advantages of chimneys, Grandpa was told they wouldn’t build those, either.
    Frank tried to grasp their reasoning. “The Mi’kmaq are so accustomed to their traditional ways that even when something better comes along they’re reluctant to accept it. It’s really hard to understand why that’s so. Perhaps sometime in the far past change meant something bad about to happen and it became taboo to accept it. Grandpa says that in the Mi’kmaq language the word for change carries a negative undertone.”
    â€œMaybe,” Nola said, “but I believe if they had more iron tools they’d also be more open to change. Hard times have made them careful about adopting unproven methods. And, remember, even their smoky, no-chimney teepees help them fend off mosquitoes. Who are we to say what’s best?”
    The next day Toomy came by. In his arms he held a lovely surprise for Nola. “This is for you,” he gestured. It was a lively pup the spitting image of Zena.
    Taking the pup in her arms, Nola cried, “You’re so beautiful! You have the same brown, black, and white as your mother and have the same expressive ears. Thank you, Toomy. Thank you very much.” She went over and have him a big hug. “What a wonderful present. Let’s see. I wonder what we should call him.” Thinking for a moment, she answered her own question. “I know. I’m going to name him Zoopie. The Z sound will remind us of his delightful mother.”
    Nola could tell Toomy was genuinely pleased. He promised her he would come visit Zoopie, and all the Rameurs , when they found a new place to live.
    The shallops and rafts were readied for the new voyage, food and water was loaded onboard, and Jocelyne brought her precious beehive. Remy, Joseph, and Pierre tightened the rope holding the bayonets to their spears and checked their other fishing gear. Wood for cooking was stacked in the centre of the rafts, enough flints for lighting fires were found, and all their clothes and blankets were packed. Then Hector announced, “We’re ready!”
    Once on the water, the Rameurs waved heartily to the hundred or so Mi’kmaq gathered to see them off.

6
Westmount and Louisbourg
    T he flotilla made its first stop, quite unanticipated, only three hours into the trip. It was to check gypsum outcroppings that Frank had sighted along the shore. Several of the refugees with no writing slates had insisted