l placed for
defence, it was also exposed to the fury of the sea when excited by
tempests. They now awaited anxiously for news of the ships, but still
the wind blew furiously up the harbour, and would prevent them from
coming down, even should they have escaped shipwreck. Fears were
entertained that they might have been cast on the northern shore, when
their crews would most probably have fallen into the hands of the
Portuguese. For two days more the tempest continued, and the hearts of
the colonists remained agitated with doubts and fears. The third
morning broke bright and clear, the clouds dispersed, and the wind,
changing, blew with a gentle breath down the harbour. Had a boat
remained on the island she would have been sent in search of the missing
ships. Some proposed building a flat-bottomed raft, which might be
finished in a few hours and serve to navigate the smooth waters of the
bay. Villegagnon gave the order to commence the work, and already it
had made some progress, when a shout was raised of "A sail! a sail!" It
was one of the ships standing down before the wind from the upper part
of the harbour. Another and another appeared, till at length the minds
of the colonists were set at rest. They all had had narrow escapes, but
had succeeded in bringing up under the lee of different islands, where,
the water being smooth, they had ridden out the storm. Every one
capable of labouring immediately set to work to re-ship the guns, and
stores, and even the woodwork of the houses and forts, to convey them to
an island Villegagnon had fixed on in a more secure part of the harbour.
The task occupied several days, and sorely tried the patience of those
who were anxious at once to commence their intended agricultural
pursuits. The advantages possessed by the new spot selected were
evidently superior to those of Lange Island which they had left. The
count proposed that the name of their patron, "Admiral Coligny," should
be given to their present resting-place, and he was supported by the
leading colonists. The governor, with a bad grace, consented, though it
was evident that he had intended to bestow his own name on their new
acquisition.

With the exception of the losses caused by the storm, all hitherto
seemed to be going on well; and Nigel began to hope that Villegagnon had
abandoned his design, and really intended to establish a colony on the
principles proposed by the admiral. He was glad, indeed, that