Translated into English, the name of this bright-faced fisher-boy is
"Little Jack." Mönkgut is a barren peninsula forming the southeastern
extremity of Rügen, an island off the coast of Prussia, in the Baltic
Sea.
The Mönkgutes, as the inhabitants of the wild and comfortless strip of
land call themselves, are distinguished by many original traits in
dress, customs, and language. They are a peculiar race, opposing
anything new that comes to them from the outside world, and clinging
stubbornly to the ways and manners of their ancestors.
Yet these people have kind hearts, and many of the boys and girls who
lead constrained lives in our great cities might well envy the freedom
and fun enjoyed by Little Jack as he roams up and down the shore,
gathering shells, and playing hide-and-seek with the snow-capped waves.
One of these days, when he grows up, he will without doubt be a sailor
or a fisherman, as all his forefathers have been. Even now he is all
equipped, with his home-spun vest and wide hat tied so closely under his
chin. Presently he will be permitted to help his father with an oar, and
then the time will come when he himself will command some brave boat as
it rides out over the billows.