Maitre Leroux did not call at as early an hour as Nigel expected. His
own horse and attendant had been at the door for some time before the
steward made his appearance. He had an ample apology to offer, having
been employed in an important matter till late at night.
"Come," he said, "we will make up for it. The lateness of the hour
matters not, for, with your permission, we will halt on the road, so as
to arrive early at the chateau to-morrow." They set out, followed by
their two attendants. After leaving the gates of Paris they continued
some distance along the banks of the Marne. The road was rough in
places, and often deep in dust; full of holes and ruts in others, which
made it necessary for the riders to hold a tight rein on their steeds,
and prevented them generally from going out of a walk.
Maitre Leroux carried a brace of huge pistols in his holsters, while
Nigel had a sword and a light arquebus, both their attendants being also
armed; so that they were well able to defend themselves against any
small party of marauders such as infested the roads in the neighbourhood
of the capital.
"We must make but a short stage to-day," said Maitre Leroux. "In truth,
I am unwilling to travel late in the evening, and prefer stopping at the
house of a friend to taking up our quarters at an inn where we might
meet with undesirable companions."
"But I shall be intruding on your friend," said Nigel.
"Pardon me; you will, on the contrary, be heartily welcomed. I am very
sure of your principles, and they agree with those of our host and his
family, so you need not be under the restraint which would be necessary
were we to sleep at a public inn."
These arguments at once overcame any scruples Nigel might have felt at
going to a stranger's house uninvited.
It yet wanted a couple of hours to sunset when they reached a good-sized
mansion, though not possessing the pretensions of a nobleman's chateau.
The owner, a man advanced in life, of gentlemanly refined manner,
received Maitre Leroux in a friendly way, and on hearing from him who
Nigel was, welcomed him cordially. Nigel was conducted into a saloon,
where he was introduced to his host's wife and daughters and several
other members of the family. Supper was quickly prepared, and Nigel
found himself at once at home.
As soon as the meal was over several other persons came in, some
apparently of the same rank as the host, and others of an inferior
order, but all staid and serious in their demeanour. The doors and
windows were then carefully closed, and Nigel observed that two of the
party went out armed with swords and pistols, apparently to watch the
approach to the house.
A large Bible was now produced, and several of the party drew forth
smaller editions from beneath their garments. The host then offered up
a prayer, and opening the Bible, read a portion, commenting as he
proceeded. A hymn was then sung and more of the Scriptures read, after
which the host delivered an address full of gospel truth, while he
exhorted his hearers to hold fast to the faith, but at the same time
remarked that they would be justified in flying from persecution if no
other means could be found of avoiding it at home. He reminded all
present, however, that their duty was to pray for their persecutors, and
however cruelly treated, not to return evil for evil. Nigel was
reminded of various meetings of the same character he had attended in
Scotland, where, however, every man could speak out boldly, without the
fear of interruption which seemed to pervade the minds of those present.
He now knew that his host was one of the many Protestants existing in
the country who ventured thus in secret to worship God according to
their consciences, even though running the risk of being condemned to
death as heretics.
After the guests had retired, the family spent some time in singing
Marot's hymns.
"Ah!" said the host, "it is only in praising God and reading His blessed
words that we can take any pleasure. It is our consolation and delight,
and enables us without complaining to endure the sad condition to which
bigotry and tyranny have reduced our unhappy country. The only prospect
now before us is exile, or imprisonment and death."
Nigel answered without hesitation that he felt much satisfaction in
again having the opportunity of worshipping, as he had been accustomed
to do at home, according to his conscience, and hearing the Bible read
and faithfully explained.
His host wishing him and his companion a friendly farewell, and
expressing a hope that he should see him again, they took their
departure at an early hour the next morning.
They had proceeded some distance when they entered a forest, through the
centre of which the high road passed. They had been pushing on rather
faster than usual, Maitre Leroux being anxious to get through it as soon
as possible, when they saw before them a body of soldiers. As they got
nearer they found that they were escorting a number of prisoners seated
in rough country carts, into which they were fastened with heavy chains.
"Who are these unhappy people?" inquired Nigel.
"The same we saw condemned in Paris," answered Maitre Leroux with a
sigh. "If we do not wish to share their fate we must exhibit no
sympathy for them, as the wretches who have them in charge would rejoice
to add to their number. As it will be impossible to pass them at
present, we will drop slowly behind."
"Would that I had a band of Protestant Scots with me, we would soon set
them at liberty!" exclaimed Nigel.
"Hush, hush! my friend," whispered the steward; "it becomes us not to
fight with carnal weapons; such is Dr Calvin's advice."
Just at that moment a voice exclaimed, "Brethren, remember Him who is in
heaven above!"
Some of the rear-guard immediately turned round, and with drawn swords
dashed furiously towards Nigel and Maitre Leroux, believing, evidently,
that one of them had uttered the exclamation they had heard. They both
drew up, for flight would have been useless, when, just as the troopers
had got some fifty yards from them, a man advanced from among the trees
and repeated the words in a loud tone. He was instantly seized by the
soldiers, and being dragged back along them, was thrown into one of the
carts among the other prisoners. His appearance probably saved the
lives of Nigel and his companion, for the doughty Scot had drawn his
sword, and would have fought desperately before he would have yielded
himself a prisoner.
"Pull in your rein, I entreat you," said the steward; "we must not turn
round, and the sooner we let these people get to a distance from us, the
better."
Nigel, seeing that it would be hopeless to attempt assisting the
unfortunate man, did as his companion advised, and they accordingly
waited till the troopers were out of sight, taking good care not again
to overtake them. Their progress was thus considerably delayed, and not
till they came to a road passing outside the town of Meaux did they
again venture to push forward.
They managed before sunset to reach the Chateau de Tourville, a high
conical-roofed pile, with numerous towers and a handsome gateway.
Maitre Leroux, conducting Nigel to a waiting-room near the entrance,
went at once to the count, taking his letter of introduction. Nigel had
not been left long alone when the steward returned with the request that
he would accompany him to the hall, where, he told him, he would find
the count and admiral with several other persons. Nigel, not being
troubled by bashfulness, quickly followed his guide.
The count, who was of middle age and handsome, courteously rose from his
seat at the top of the table to welcome him. At the right hand of the
count Nigel observed a person of middle height, ruddy complexion, and
well-proportioned figure, with a calm and pleasant, if not decidedly
handsome countenance. On the other side sat a tall man, whose sunburnt
features, though regular, wore an expression which at the first glance
gave Nigel the feeling that he was not a person in whom he would place
implicit confidence, though directly afterwards, as he again looked at
him, his manner seemed so frank and easy, that the impression vanished.
Several other persons of different ages, and apparently of somewhat
inferior rank, sat on either side of the table.
"Which of those two can be the admiral?" thought Nigel; "the last looks
most like a naval commander."
"The Lady Mary Seton, your cousin, and my daughter, have written in your
favour, young sir, and I am glad to see you at the chateau; you have, I
understand, also a letter of introduction to Admiral Coligny, to whom
allow me to make you known." Saying this, the count presented Nigel to
the gentleman on his right side, who requested the person next him to
move further down, bidding Nigel to take the vacant seat.
Nigel observed that the meal was over, but the count ordered the servant
to bring in some viands for the newly arrived guest.
"As I take no wine you will allow me to read the letter brought by this
young gentleman," said the admiral, turning to the count; "I never defer
looking at an epistle if it can possibly be helped."
The count bowed his acquiescence, and the admiral quickly glanced over
the letter which Nigel had presented to him.
"I shall be glad to forward your object," he said, turning round with a
calm smile, and playing with a straw, which he was wont to carry in his
mouth.
"Fortunately, I have an opportunity of doing so. I am about to fit out
an expedition to form a settlement in the southern part of America, and
if your qualifications are such as I am led to believe, I will appoint
you as an officer on board one of the ships. You will have but little
time to remain idle in France, as we wish the ships to sail as soon as
the emigrants who are going on board them can be collected. They will
undoubtedly be anxious without delay to leave our unhappy country, where
they are constantly subjected to the cruel persecutions of their
opponents in religious opinions. Would the service I propose suit your
taste?"
"Though I might wish to engage in some more warlike expedition, yet I am
willing and glad to go wherever you, sir, may think fit to send me,"
answered Nigel.
"Well spoken, young man," said the admiral. "War is a necessity which
cannot be avoided, but there are other employments in which a person may
nobly engage with far greater advantage to himself and his
fellow-creatures. Such is the work in which I desire to employ you--the
noble undertaking of founding a new colony, and planting the banner of
pure religion and civilisation in the far-off wilds of the Western
world."
The admiral spoke on for some time in the same strain, till Nigel felt
inspired with the same noble enthusiasm which animated the bosom of the
brave and enlightened nobleman who was speaking to him.
Many questions were put to him concerning his nautical knowledge and
religious belief, to which he answered in a satisfactory manner.
"I believe you are well suited for the undertaking, and I will forthwith
make you known to the commander of the expedition, my friend Captain
Villegagnon," said the admiral.
The dark man Nigel had remarked, hearing his name mentioned, looked
toward him. Nigel bowed. The admiral, after explaining Nigel's
qualifications, went on to inquire what posts were vacant in the
squadron?
"That of the second officer on board my own ship, the _Madeline_; and I
shall be pleased to have a seaman of experience to fill it, although he
is not a native of France," answered the captain.
"You may consider your appointment as settled, my young friend," said
the admiral. "I will desire my secretary to make it out, and as you
assure me that you are a true Protestant, I willingly appoint you, such
being the religious opinions of all those who are about to form the
colony of Antarctic France, which I trust will be well-established under
the wise government of Monsieur Villegagnon. Many other ships will sail
forth with emigrants seeking an asylum from the persecutions they are
subjected to in France on account of their religious opinions."
Nigel warmly thanked the admiral for the prompt way in which he had met
his request.
"Say nothing about that, my young friend; we are too glad to find
Protestant officers ready to engage in the expedition," was the answer.
The conversation now became general, and the plans for the future colony
were freely discussed, the count, who appeared as much interested as the
admiral, taking a leading part--indeed, Nigel gathered from what he
heard, that he himself intended to go out among the first colonists.
The idea of establishing the colony had been started, so Nigel
understood, by Monsieur Villegagnon, who had chosen the Bay of
Nitherohy, since known as that of Rio de Janeiro, as the site of the
first town to be built. It was a place which he had visited some years
before on a trading voyage, when he and his companions had been well
received by the natives, though they were at enmity with the Portuguese,
already established in the country, who claimed it as their own. This
latter circumstance Monsieur Villegagnon remarked was of little
consequence, as they were few in numbers, and, with the assistance of
the natives, could easily be driven out.
The repast being over, the admiral rose from the table, the other guests
following his example. Calling to Captain Villegagnon, he took him and
Nigel into the deep recess of a window to have some further conversation
on the subject of the proposed colony.
"Monsieur de Villegagnon sets out to-morrow to take command of the
squadron, and you will do well to accompany him, young sir," he said,
turning to Nigel. "You will thus be able to superintend the fitting out
of your ship, and see that the stores come on board, and that proper
accommodation is prepared for the emigrants; many are of rank and
position in society, and there are merchants, soldiers, and artificers,
and you will have to consider how best to find room for them. I am glad
to say that the king himself takes great interest in the success of the
colony, and under the able management of so skilled a leader as he who
has been appointed to the command, we may hope that the flag of France
will wave proudly ere long over many portions of the continent."
"It will not be my fault if the noble enterprise fails to succeed," said
the captain, drawing himself up proudly, and then bowing to the admiral
in acknowledgment of the compliment. "My chief satisfaction is,
however, that a home will be found for so many of the persecuted
Protestants who are compelled for conscience sake to leave their native
land."
"You are right, my friend; that is a noble sentiment," observed the
admiral; "and I would urge our friends who are dissatisfied with the
state of affairs at home to place themselves under your command."
"From the expressions our host has uttered, I may hope that he also will
render valuable aid to our undertaking," observed the captain.
"No one, be assured, more warmly enters into our views," answered the
admiral, "and he will both with his purse and influence assist us, if he
does not do so in a more effectual way."
They were soon after joined by the count, who requested the captain to
reserve two cabins for some persons who intended going on board just
before the squadron put to sea.
From the conversation which ensued, Nigel found that most of the persons
present purposed joining the expedition. They were all, he found from
the remarks they made, Protestants, and haters of the system of
persecution which had so long been the curse of France. Most of them
had already disposed of their possessions, and were only waiting till
the squadron was completely equipped to go on board. Among them was a
Protestant minister, and, notwithstanding the edicts against meeting for
public or private worship, the doors of the chateau being closed, before
retiring to rest all the inmates were collected, the Bible was read and
prayers offered up, those for the success of the undertaking and the
preservation of the persons about to embark not being forgotten.
Maitre Leroux accompanied Nigel to his chamber. He expressed his
pleasure on hearing that he had obtained the object of his wishes.
"Would that I could accompany you," he said, with a sigh; "but my duty
compels me to remain, and watch over my master's property, should he be
called away. Ah, he is a kind, good master, and his daughter is an
angel. I would lay down my life for her sake, should she be deprived of
her father--and we never know what may happen in these times. Alack! I
fear that she is in society little congenial to her taste and opinion,
for she is a true Protestant, as was her sainted mother, now in heaven."
Nigel felt deeply interested in listening to the garrulous steward's
account of his young mistress, and encouraged him to go on. She had
been compelled, against her father's and her own wish, to reside at
court, for the evident purpose of perverting her faith; "but she is too
sound and too wise to allow them to succeed," he added, "though I would
the dear young lady were back with us again."