the blue. Instead of De Monts' vessel there came in spring a
fishing smack with word that the grant of Acadia had been rescinded. No
more money would be advanced. Poutrincourt and his son, Biencourt,
resolved to come back without the support of a company; but for the
present all took sad leave of the little settlement--Poutrincourt,
Champlain, L'Escarbot--and sailed with the Cape Breton fishing fleet for
France, where they landed in October, 1607.

Cartier, Roberval, La Roche, De Monts--all had failed to establish France
in Canada; and as for England, Sir Humphrey's colonists lay bleaching
skeletons at the bottom of the sea.

{41}

CHAPTER III

FROM 1607 TO 1635

Argall of Virginia attacks the French--Champlain on the St.
Lawrence--Champlain and the Iroquois--Champlain explores the
Ottawa--Champlain with the Indians--Discovery of the Great Lakes--War
with the Iroquois--Conflicting interests in New France--The English
take Quebec

Though the monopoly had been rescinded, Poutrincourt set himself to
interesting merchants in the fur trade of Acadia, and the French king
confirmed to him the grant of Port Royal. Yet it was 1610 before Baron
Poutrincourt had gathered supplies to reestablish the colony, and an
ominous cloud rose on the horizon, threatening his supremacy in the New
World. Nearly all the merchants supporting him were either Huguenots
or moderate Catholics. The Jesuits were all powerful at court, and
were pressing for a part in his scheme. The Jesuit, Father Biard, was
waiting at Bordeaux to join the ship. Poutrincourt evaded issues with
such powerful opponents. He took on board Father La Fleche, a
moderate, and gave the Jesuit the slip by sailing from Dieppe in
February.

To this quarrel there are two sides, as to all quarrels. The colony
must now be supported by the fur trade; and fur traders, world over,
easily add to their profits by deeds which will not bear the censure of
missionaries. On the other hand, to Poutrincourt, the Jesuits meant
divided authority; and the most lawless scoundrel that ever perpetrated
crimes in the fur trade could win over the favor of the priests by a
hypocritical semblance of contrition at the confessional. Contrition
never yet undid a crime; and civil courts can take no cognizance of
repentance.

When the ships sailed in to Port Royal the little fort was found
precisely as it had been left. Not even the furniture had been
disturbed, and old Membert