chanting
psalms. That night one of the young noblemen died. Toward spring an
Indian was seen apparently recovering from the same disease. Cartier
asked him what had worked the cure and learned of the simple remedy of
brewed spruce juice.

By the time the Indians came from the winter hunt Cartier's men were in
full health. Up at Hochelaga a chief had seized Cartier's gold-handled
dagger and pointed up the Ottawa whence came ore like the gold handle.
Failing to carry any minerals home, Cartier felt he must have witnesses
to his report. The boats are rigged to sail, Chief Donnacona and eleven
others are lured on board, surrounded, forcibly seized, and treacherously
carried off to France. May 6, 1536, the boats leave Quebec, stopping
only for water at St. Pierre, where the Breton fishermen have huts. July
16 they anchor at St. Malo.

Did France realize that Cartier had found a new kingdom? Not in the
least; but the home land gave heed to that story of minerals, and had the
kidnapped Indians baptized. Donnacona and all his fellow-captives but
the little girl of Richelieu die, and Sieur de Roberval is appointed lord
paramount of Canada to equip Cartier with five vessels and scour the
jails of France for colonists. Though the colonists are convicts, the
convicts are not criminals. Some have been convicted for their religion,
some for their politics. What with politics and war, it is May, 1541,
before the ships sail, and then Roberval has to wait another year for his
artillery, while Cartier goes ahead to build the forts.

From the first, things go wrong. Head winds prolong the passage for
three months. The stock on board is reduced to a diet of cider, and half
the cattle die. Then the Indians of Quebec {19} ask awkward questions
about Donnacona. Cartier flounders midway between truth and lie.
Donnacona had died, he said; as for the others, they have become as white
men. Agona succeeds Donnacona as chief. Agona is so pleased at the news
that he gives Cartier a suit of buckskin garnished with wampum, but the
rest of the Indians draw off in such resentment that Cartier deems it
wise to build his fort at a distance, and sails nine miles up to Cape
Rouge, where he constructs Bourg Royal. Noel, his nephew, and Jalobert,
his brother-in-law, take two ships back to France. While Cartier roams
exploring, Beaupre commands Bourg Royal.

In his roamings, ever with his eyes to earth for minerals, he finds
stones s