Volume VII - Modernist Magazines Project

The Web of MayaBy Ella D'ArcyLTAS is the name of the land lying at the southern extremityof the Isle of Saint Maclou. It would form a separate isletby itself, but that it is joined to the larger one by an isthmus, awall of rock, of such dizzy height, of such sheer descent, thatthe narrow road on top gropes falteringly its perilous way fromside to side.The fishermen of Saint Maclou, who are also its farmers, itsfield-labourers, its coachmen, when driving a party of trippersover to Le Tas, get down at the beginning of the Coupee, asthis strange isthmus is called, and, in their courteous broken English,invite their fares to get down too. Then, holding the horse bythe bridle, and walking backwards before him, the driver leadshim over the Coupee, turning an anxious eye this side and theother, to see that the wheels keep within the meagre limits : for, acareless movement here—a false step—and you would be precipitateddown a clear three hundred feet to the sea below. But it is onlyan experienced fisherman who will take you over the Coupee atall. If a young man happens to be driving, he will send you intoLe