"
Master Jean's voice was clear and resonant as a church bell newly
christened; and he sang the old boat-song with an energy that drew
the crews of half-a-dozen other canoes into the wake of his music,
all uniting in the stirring chorus:
"Fringue! Fringue sur la riviere!
Fringue! Fringue sur l'aviron!"
The performance of Jean La Marche was highly relished by the
critical boatmen, and drew from them that flattering mark of
approval, so welcome to a vocalist,--an encore of the whole long
ballad, from beginning to end.
As the line of canoes swept up the stream, a welcome cheer
occasionally greeted them from the shore, or a voice on land joined
in the gay refrain. They draw nearer to Tilly, and their voices
became more and more musical, their gaiety more irrepressible, for
they were going home; and home to the habitans, as well as to their
lady, was the world of all delights.
The contagion of high spirits caught even Le Gardeur, and drew him
out of himself, making him for the time forget the disappointments,
resentments, and allurements of the city.
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