1504.—Mo que Gylome le Corvar et Colin Savage comancer acovyr ma grange landeman du jor Saint Appolyne. Acevest le jor Saint Aubin lan vc quatre, which may be translated:—
(1468.—Memo of the people who helped me to quarry the stone … and the big rocks … of “l’Ecluse Luet” [the Ecluse was the mill-dam in connection with the old watermill which gave its name to Moulin Huet Bay. It was situated in the hollow at the bottom of the water-lane of “Les Olivettes,” just above the old Mill House] first William Robert, one day, &c.)
(1498.—Memo. That I bargain with Colas Fyquet about my house, the end (to be) towards the north … for the sum of eight escus. They began the 18th of May—on Tuesday.)
(1504.—Memo. That William Le Corvar (&) Colin Savage, began to cover my barn the day following the day of Saint Appolyne [Feb. 9,] finished the day of St. Aubin [March 1,] 1504.)
In the parish of St. Martin’s they still tell a story of the old days when the Bonamys yet occupied Les Câches.
Years and years ago, there was an old Helier Bonamy,[347] who lived at the Câches. He was one of the richest men in Guernsey, and kept, as well as cows and horses, a large flock of sheep, there being much demand for wool in those days on account of the quantity of jerseys, stockings, &c., knitted over here. One night he and his daughter went to a ball in the town. Tradition even goes so far as to say that Miss Bonamy was dressed in white brocade. Before starting, Helier Bonamy summoned his herdsmen, and told them to keep a sharp look out after his sheep, for that there were many lawless men about. Helier and his daughter[348] walked home that night earlier than was expected.
As they turned into the avenue, between high hedges and forest trees, they heard the bleatings of sheep in pain. “Écoute donc, ce sont mes berbis” (Listen, those are my sheep), said Helier, and drew his daughter under the hedge to listen. Peeping through the bushes they saw his herdsman and farm labourers calling each other by name, drinking, talking and laughing, and, while cutting the throats of the defenceless sheep, chanting in chorus:—
“Rasons! rasons! les berbis
Du grand Bonamy,
S’il était ichin d’vànt,