Beyond the Storm: An Acadian Odyssey

Beyond The Storm An Acadian Odyssey

All Rights Reserved © 2002 by Leon M. Arceneaux

No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping, or by any information storage retrieval system, without the permission in writing from the publisher.

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ISBN: 0-595-21911-X

ISBN: 978-1-4697-8520-2 (eBook)

Contents

PREFACE

CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER 2

CHAPTER 3

CHAPTER 4

CHAPTER 5

CHAPTER 6

CHAPTER 7

CHAPTER 8

CHAPTER 9

CHAPTER 10

CHAPTER 11

CHAPTER 12

CHAPTER 13

This book is dedicated to all the Cajuns of the world. Wherever you may be.

This book is fictional but it is based on official documents of the time, combined with stories and legends handed down about the Exile of the Acadians. Names of persons other than Emmeline, Louis and the British officials are fictional. Any similarities to actual people are strictly coincidental. Although Emmeline LaBiche and Louis Arceneaux were real people, this is a story of what might have been. Louis Arceneaux did obtain a land grant and settle a few miles north of what is now Lafayette, Louisiana after being separated from his beloved Emmeline. An historic marker at a site called Beaubassin marks where his home once was.

PREFACE

In the year of Our Lord 1755, an entire nation was torn from its foundations. Families were separated, some never to be reunited. A nation of happy, peaceful people were made to endure untold misery and suffering. As many as half of the exiles did not survive the hardship and disease.

Because of their faith in God, their joie de vie (joy of life), and because they did not harbor hatred in their hearts, the Acadians flourished. From what was once a remnant, millions of Cajuns, descendents of the original Acadians, now stand proudly to attest to the courage and strength of their ancestors.

To those Acadians wrenched from their happy peaceful homeland, who brought with them unyielding faith and courage to face the future, I owe a debt of gratitude. But to the many brave souls who did not survive, I stand and salute. To these I owe a debt of honor.

CHAPTER 1

June 1755

There are times when the sky is an azure blue and the golden rays of a vibrant sun smile down on cool green meadows. These are the days when we are at peace with the world—when no evil seems to exist and we look to the future with happy expectation. But just beyond the horizon a storm may be brewing with blinding rain and clawing winds of change that can tear our tranquil world apart. And so it was with the Acadians on that June of long ago.

Louis stopped to rest as he surveyed the land he had cleared. The earthy smell of freshly plowed fields and spring meadows gave him a warm, happy, secure feeling. He wiped the sweat from his face and took a long drink from a water bag he had hung on a small tree. The water was sweet and cool.

His grandfather had been a navigator on a ship from France bringing settlers to the New World. When he stepped off of the ship, he immediately fell in love with Acadia, and stayed to marry and raise a family. He had made a wise choice. The fertile soil and friendly natives had welcomed him, and now a third generation of Arsenalts was coming into its own.

Louis poured some of the cool water on his head and let it run down his neck and face. The muscles in his arms ached but his heart was light with joy as he took a deep breath and continued his work. In September, three months away, he’ll marry his lovely, Emmeline.

His father had given him the land he was clearing and his neighbors had helped him build a cabin. His friend, Fabien, had presented him with a pair of sheep as an early wedding present. There will be newborn lambs next spring, his friend had told him.

He had not yet shown Emmeline any of this. He wanted to surprise her by bringing her here after mass on Sunday. Then they’ll go to his parents for dinner.

Life could not have been better, he thought, as he prepared to continue pulling up stumps where next year there will be a bountiful harvest for him and the woman he loved so dearly.

Louis stood outside the church, talking with some of the other men while waiting for the LaBiche family and Emmeline.

What’s the news? asked Pierre, Louis’ father, to Etienne Boudreau. How did the meeting go?

Etienne had met the day before with Colonel John Winslow, the British officer in charge of the Grand Pré Area.

We have nothing to worry about, Etienne answered. He paused, then continued. The British wanted us to denounce our faith and pledge unconditional allegiance to the king of England…

What? interrupted Pierre along with the surprised gasps of the other men. What do you mean? We chose you to represent us!

Wait—wait said Etienne impatiently. Let me finish. Didn’t I say I would look after our interests? He slowly looked around at the faces of the men surrounding him. Well, Colonel Winslow realized we wouldn’t agree to that and there’d be trouble if he tried to force us. I told him we were citizens of Acadia. We would not pledge allegiance to either France or England.

That’s right! someone shouted. Yes, declared several others.

Etienne continued. Then I reminded him that we are Neutrals and we’ve had neutral status since the conventions of 1730. We only want to be left alone. To live our lives in peace.

What did he say? Pierre asked.

He agreed. He said that if we are truly neutral and do not cause trouble, we will be allowed to live our lives without interference, Etienne replied.

What about our guns? one of the men in the group asked. Are they going to give them back to us? We need them to hunt and to protect ourselves.

He assured me he’s having discussions with the Governor. We’ll be getting them back, as soon as all this settles down.

Good, said Pierre. I don’t trust these British. They have the upper hand now that they control Acadia. But then, what can they do to us if we declare ourselves to be neutral? There was a murmur of agreement from the other men.

That’s right, Etienne also agreed. Yet, what else could we do? If we side with the British, then the Micmac Indians might cause us trouble. You know how they hate the British. And we have nothing to protect ourselves with.

Yes! one of the men shouted, And our countrymen have abandoned us!

Etienne continued, But Colonel Winslow is a good man. He agreed to our neutrality. We have nothing to worry about, as long as we don’t cause trouble.

Cause trouble? declared Pierre dropping his arms in frustration. How could we? They have our guns.

Well, he doesn’t have to worry about trouble from us, said Louis. All we want is to be left alone.

Right, said one of the men gathered around Etienne. But I’d feel much better if the British hadn’t confiscated our guns. How could we have let that happen?

Well, one thing we do know, said Louis as he looked around for Emmeline. We don’t want to be caught in the crossfire between the British and the French. This was followed by a murmur of approval.

Remember what Father André told us in his sermon today, Fabian said rather loudly so everyone could hear. Love thy neighbor. That means we should love the British and pray for them. They’re our brothers.

Love them! one of the men in the group shouted.

What’s the matter with you? others shouted at Fabien.

Calm down, everyone, Louis exclaimed loudly, waving his arms. What Fabien means is we should live peaceably with them. Isn’t that right, Fabian?

Well… Fabian answered as all eyes were fixed on him.

And, that’s what we want to do. Louis heard Alphonse, Emmeline’s brother, bellow from behind him. If they leave us alone we’ll leave them alone, but if they want trouble…

Louis turned around on hearing Alphonse’s voice. He spotted Emmeline with her family and called to her while he pushed his way through the group who had assembled around Etienne.

Alphonse put his arm around Louis’ shoulder as he walked with him. The British surprised us all when they searched our houses for guns. But we got the better of them. Alphonse ruffled Louis’ hair. You and I had our guns at our hunting camp, he said smugly. If the Micmacs didn’t find them, we still have our guns.

Not so loud, Louis cautioned. We can go to prison, or worse, if the British know.

At least, you and I still have our guns, Alphonse continued in a loud whisper. We don’t know how many others still do, hidden away. If those damned British want a fight, they got it. Even if it’s just you and me. Right?

All right. Open your eyes, Louis said to Emmeline as he removed the blindfold. What do you see?

Emmeline was speechless.

They were on a ridge above a lush green basin or wide shallow valley. On this ridge, with a view of the land below, was a cabin made of logs.

This is going to be our home, he continued. Our own little corner of heaven. My father gave us the land on top of the ridge. I’ve been clearing it so we can farm it next year.

He took her by the hand and led her up the steps to the porch. I saved all I made from trapping for the last three winters and bought the land down to the bottom of the basin from Felix Martin. One day I’ll clear the trees on the slope and plant a vineyard. Maybe we can make our own wine and sell it. His heart was filled with pride in being able to share this moment with Emmeline.

I’ll make you a good husband, he continued as he squeezed Emmeline’s hand. You and our children will never want for anything. I promise you that. We’ll call this our Beaubassin. I built the cabin looking out over the basin. On summer evenings we can sit on the porch and watch the moon come up.

Oh, Louis! Emmeline said softly. I can’t believe it! It’s like a dream.

She threw her arms around Louis’ neck and kissed him.

He held her tightly in his arms. When he held her like this, reality seemed to disappear, and it was just the two of them sealed together in their own little cocoon. But when he kissed her…when he felt her lips against his…when he tasted her breath…

She pushed him away, breathing heavily. "That’s enough…stop…

Louis’ heart was beating hard, pounding in his ears. He wanted to pull her back to him…to hold her tightly in his arms.

We have to wait, the young woman said, still breathing hard. "Only three more months and then…

Only three more months, thought Louis…only! It seemed like an eternity to wait. He stood at arms length, his hands on her shoulders, taking in her beauty—dark eyes sparkling with excitement, moist red lips, loose brown curls flowing over her shoulders. He thrilled at the sight of her full firm breasts, rising and falling with each breath…the sensuous curve of her hips. He loved this woman more than he thought he could love anyone. He worked hard, just so he could make her happy. There is nothing that I wouldn’t do for her, he thought.

He took a deep breath and letting it out said, Come see what I made for us. He took her by the hand and led her to the door of the little cabin.

Louis flung the door open with a flair. After unlatching and opening the wooden shutters on the windows, light flooded into the room. In the center was a rustic table made from logs sawed in half. Next to it was a wooden bench also made from a half log. A large fireplace, with a black iron pot hanging inside, graced the far