pted Cora's offer.

Nearly a month had passed since the scout set out, and fears were
entertained that he had perished. At last, however, one evening, he was
seen descending the side of the hill, along the steep and difficult path
by which, as has been said, the valley could alone be reached from the
southward; he was accompanied by a white man, whose tottering steps he
supported in the difficult descent. As they approached the village, the
gaunt form and haggard features of the latter prevented Nigel, who went
out to meet them, from recognising him.

"You don't know me, Monsieur Lieutenant; I am Jacques Baville, whom you
knew well as a true Protestant. I assisted the escape of our good
minister, Laporte, who was committed to the care of some of the brave
Indians by the young chief Tecumah. We fought our way to the water's
side, and embarked in a canoe; but before we had got far, we were chased
by two of the enemy's boats, and captured. We expected instant death,
but were reserved for a more cruel fate. We were conveyed to the south
shore, where we heard that the forts on the island had all been
destroyed, and our countrymen, with the traitor Villegagnon, had sailed
away, leaving most of the Protestants to the cruel vengeance of our
foes. To commemorate their victory, the Portuguese had resolved, we
found, on building a city. One of the first edifices erected was a
prison, into which the good minister and several other persons were
thrown; while the Tamoyos, who had been taken prisoners, with two other
artisans, like myself, were employed, with many people of other tribes,
who had been reduced to slavery by the Portuguese, in labouring at the
work going forward. A church was next built, and filled full of idols
for the people to worship. As soon as it was finished, the minister and
other captives were led from the prison, and dragged into it, when they
were ordered to worship, as the other people were doing. They refused,
however, to bow their heads to the saints, or other false gods, but
stood motionless, with their arms folded. The priests, on this, reviled
them, and threatened them with death if they refused. Still they were
firm, declaring that they would not mock God with such senseless
ceremonies. On this they were taken back to prison; and we, seeing how
they behaved, resolved to imitate them. Several times they were carried
before the priests, who sat in the church to try them for what was
called