r of vessels,
and upon the right that wonderful rock with its diadem of towers and its
township huddled round its base, the centre and stronghold of French
power in America. Cannon thundered from the bastions above, and were
echoed back by the warship, while ensigns dipped, hats waved, and a
swarm of boats and canoes shot out to welcome the new governor, and to
convey the soldiers and passengers to shore.

The old merchant had pined away since he had left French soil, like a
plant which has been plucked from its roots. The shock of the shipwreck
and the night spent in their bleak refuge upon the iceberg had been too
much for his years and strength. Since they had been picked up he had
lain amid the scurvy-stricken soldiers with hardly a sign of life save
for his thin breathing and the twitching of his scraggy throat. Now,
however, at the sound of the cannon and the shouting he opened his eyes,
and raised himself slowly and painfully upon his pillow. "What is it,
father? What can we do for you?" cried Adele. "We are in America, and
here is Amory and here am I, your children."

But the old man shook his head. "The Lord has brought me to the
promised land, but He has not willed that I should enter into it," said
he. "May His will be done, and blessed be His name forever! But at
least I should wish, like Moses, to gaze upon it, if I cannot set foot
upon it. Think you, Amory, that you could lend me your arm and lead me
on to the deck?"

"If I have another to help me," said De Catinat, and ascending to the
deck, he brought Amos Green back with him. "Now, father, if you will
lay a hand upon the shoulder of each, you need scarce put your feet to
the boards."

A minute later the old merchant was on the deck, and the two young men
had seated him upon a coil of rope with his back against the mast, where
he should be away from the crush. The soldiers were already crowding
down into the boats, and all were so busy over their own affairs that
they paid no heed to the little group of refugees who gathered round the
stricken man. He turned his head painfully from side to side, but his
eyes brightened as they fell upon the broad blue stretch of water, the
flash of the distant falls, the high castle, and the long line of purple
mountains away to the north-west.

"It is not like France," said he. "It is not green and peaceful and
smiling, but it is grand and strong and stern like Him who made it.
As I have weakened,