he thought that they
might in future thus worship God. Before, however, they reached their
destination, they encountered several violent gales, during which,
whenever his duty would allow him, Nigel made his way to the side of
Constance to afford her comfort and support.

"Do not be afraid," he said; "our ships are strong, and our commander
experienced. I have been in a worse found vessel in a more violent
gale, and we reached port in safety."

"But the waves look so terrible, threatening every moment to come down
and overwhelm us," said Constance, who was seated on deck, gazing at the
tumultuous ocean.

"Remember, God tells us that it is He who rules the waves; and should it
be His will, they cannot hurt us," answered Nigel.

"Yes, yes," said Constance; "I was wrong to express fear. Happy are we
who possess the Bible, of which the followers of the tyrant Pope and his
pretended priests are deprived."

"Think how many thousands of our countrymen would thankfully go through
far greater dangers than we are enduring to reach a country where they
may enjoy freedom from persecution," observed Nigel.

The young couple, however, talked on many other subjects; and when the
storm ceased, and favourable breezes wafted them over the ocean, their
spirits rose, and they spoke of the happy future in store for them.
Nigel, however, was not altogether free from anxiety. He could not
forget the conversation he had overheard between the captain and priest,
though sometimes he almost fancied that it must have been a dream,
Villegagnon was so courteous and polite to all his passengers, and
expressed sentiments so in accordance with theirs.

At length "Land! land!" was shouted from the mast-head. The goal of
their hopes was near, and the ships, getting close together, glided with
a fair breeze towards the magnificent Bay of Nitherohy. Lofty and
fantastic mountains, then unnamed by Europeans, rose out of the blue
waters before them. On the left, appeared the conical-shaped height,
since known as the Sugar Loaf. Further on, on the same side, the Three
Brothers reared their heads to the skies, and still more to the south
was seen the Corcovada and Gavia, the green mountains of the Three
Brothers strongly contrasting with the latter-named peaks, while the
distant ranges of the Blue Mountains rose in the interior. On the right
was seen another range of varied-shaped heights, extending far away to
the north. Passing beneath the l