Monts's monopoly, had {59} succeeded in
influencing the government to withdraw its patronage from him and his
associates. Soon afterwards the little colony regretfully left Port
Royal, which never looked so lovely in their eyes as they passed on to
the Bay of Fundy, and saw the whole country in the glory of mid-summer.
The Indians, especially Membertou, watched the departure of their new
friends with unfeigned regret, and promised to look carefully after the
safety of the fort and its contents.

As soon as Poutrincourt reached his native country he did his best to
make friends at the Court, as he was resolved on returning to Acadia,
while Champlain decided to venture to the St. Lawrence, where I shall
take up his memorable story later. Poutrincourt's prospects, for a
time, were exceedingly gloomy. De Monts was able to assist him but
very little, and the adventurous Baron himself was involved in debt and
litigations, but he eventually succeeded in obtaining a renewal of his
grant from the King, and interesting some wealthy traders in the
enterprise. Then some difficulties of a religious character threatened
to interfere with the success of the expedition. The society of
Jesuits was, at this time, exceedingly influential at court, and, in
consequence of their representations, the King ordered that Pierre
Biard, professor of theology at Lyons, should accompany the expedition.
Though Poutrincourt was a good Catholic, he mistrusted this religious
order, and succeeded in deceiving Father Biard, who was waiting for him
at Bordeaux, by taking his departure from Dieppe in company with {60}
Father Fleche, who was not a member of the Jesuits.

The ship entered Port Royal basin in the beginning of June, 1610. Here
they were agreeably surprised to find the buildings and their contents
perfectly safe, and their old friend Membertou, now a centenarian,
looking as hale as ever, and overwhelmed with joy at the return of the
friendly palefaces. Among the first things that Poutrincourt did,
after his arrival, was to make converts of the Indians. Father Fleche
soon convinced Membertou and all his tribe of the truths of
Christianity. Membertou was named Henri, after the king; his chief
squaw Marie, after the queen. The Pope, the Dauphin, Marguerite de
Valois, and other ladies and gentlemen famous in the history of their
times, became sponsors for the Micmac converts who were gathered into
mother church on St. John's day, with the