two butcheries the legend, "Not as to
Spaniards, but as to traitors, robbers, and murderers."

Thus closed the last bloody act in the tragedy of French colonization in
Carolina and Florida. A long period--one hundred and thirty-four
years--was to pass before the French flag would again fly within the
territory now embraced in the Southern States.

[1] In "Pioneer Spaniards in North America," p. 79, it has been mentioned
that when Ponce de Leon fancied that he heard among the Indians of Porto
Rico a story of a fountain having the property of giving immortality,
this was because he had in his mind a legend that had long been current
in Europe. Sir John Maundeville went so far as to say that he had
visited these famous waters in Asia and had bathed in them. The legend
was, however, much older than Maundeville's time. In the "Romance of
Alexander the Great," which was very popular hundreds of years ago, it is
related that Alexander's cook, on one of his marches, took a salt fish to
a spring to wash it before cooking it. No sooner was the fish put into
the water than it swam away. The cook secured a bottle of the magic
water, but concealed his knowledge. Later he divulged his secret to
Alexander's daughter, who thereupon married him. Alexander, when he
learned the facts, was furious. He changed his daughter into a sea-nymph
and his cook into a sea-monster. Being immortal, undoubtedly they are
still disporting themselves in the Indian Ocean. For this story the
writer is indebted to Professor George F. Moore, D.D., of the Harvard
Divinity School.

{101}

Chapter VIII

SAMUEL DE CHAMPLAIN IN NOVA SCOTIA

How the Cod-fishery led to the Fur-trade.--Disastrous Failure of the
First Trading-posts.--Champlain's First Visit to the New World.--His
Second, and the Determination to which it led.--The Bitter Winter at
St. Croix.--Champlain's First Voyage down the New England
Coast.--Removal to Port Royal.--Abandonment of Port Royal.

The disasters in Florida did not abate the activity of Frenchmen on the
far northern coast of America.

The earliest attraction was the cod-fishery. Then, as the fishing-folk
grew familiar with Newfoundland and the continental shores, their
attention was drawn to the skins worn by the natives. What prices they
would bring in France! Here was a field that would make richer returns
than rough and perilous fishing. In this way the fur-trade, which
became the life of Canada,