ng the few ladies who exhibited no undue alarm, and
expressed their confidence in the skill of the officers. But even they
at length acknowledged that they should be thankful could they find
themselves again safe in port. The Count de Tourville especially was
unwilling to return; but for his daughter's sake, however, he at length
consented to ask the captain to do what he considered best for the
safety of the ships.

"They will probably, if we continue at sea, become so battered, that we
shall hardly reach our destination," was the answer.

The signal thereon was hoisted from the commander's ship, and the
squadron stood back for France. On making the land, they found that
they were to the eastward of the port from which they started, and at
length they entered that of Dieppe. Here several of the artificers, and
even some of the men of higher rank, resolved to abandon the expedition,
rather than again risk the dangers of the sea. Their places, however,
were supplied by others collected by the captain, who had gone on shore
for the purpose. So many of these men were received on board each of
the ships, that they became overcrowded; but the captain silenced all
complaints by asserting that, if they would consent to suffer a little
present inconvenience, they would have a greater number to defend
themselves against any enemies they might meet with.

Once more the squadron sailed, and succeeded in getting clear of the
Channel. They had not, however, been long at sea before Nigel began to
suspect the character of the new-comers, of which his own ship carried
the greater number. They herded together, and showed little respect to
the services which the chaplain was wont to hold on board for the
spiritual benefit of the colonists. They were even seen to mock while
he preached, till complaints, being made to the captain, he ordered them
to behave themselves.

Day after day the ships sailed on, keeping close together, the wind
being fair and moderate. Sometimes it fell a calm, when the officers
and gentlemen Calvinists of the different ships visited one another, and
discussed their plans for the future. The chief delight, however, of
most on board was to hold religious services, which they could now do
without fear of interruption; and hymns of praise arose from amid the
desert ocean, their voices, when the ships were close to each other,
uniting together in harmony.

Often had Constance expressed her feelings at t