Sail was now
made, and the ships stood towards the land. They had not gone far,
however, before the signal was made from the prize that the water was
again rushing in. The _Madeline_ and the other ships sent their boats
to her assistance, but all the efforts of the crew could not keep her
afloat, and they had barely time to escape from her, when she went down
head foremost, with most of her cargo on board. As the French had no
desire to retain their prisoners, they steered into a small port some
way to the southward of Nitherohy. Here the Portuguese were put on
shore, with a supply of provisions and such arms as were required to
enable them to protect themselves against the natives, who, they
averred, would otherwise attack and cut them off--an event, considering
the cruelties they had already begun to practise on the unfortunate
Indians, very likely to happen. A bright look-out was kept during the
time for the enemy's squadron, but it did not appear; and the French,
favoured by a fair wind, steered for Nitherohy, which they were all
eager to reach. Nigel's heart beat with anxiety. Besides knowing that
the Portuguese, in considerable force, were in the neighbourhood, and
being uncertain as to the fidelity of the fickle Indians, he could not
forget his suspicions regarding Villegagnon, and he dreaded to hear that
the governor had carried out the treacherous designs which he believed
him to entertain. All eyes were directed towards the island-fortress,
as the ship sailed up the harbour. Great was the satisfaction of the
voyagers as they beheld the flag of France blowing out above the
fortifications. Cheers burst from their throats, and a salute fired
from the shore was returned by the ships, as, gliding on, they came to
an anchor before the landing-place.

CHAPTER SEVEN.

TREACHERY.

Villegagnon stood waiting on shore to receive the new-comers, who landed
amid the cheers of their countrymen. He expressed himself highly
pleased with this accession of strength to the community, and loudly
declared that he believed ere long their Protestant colony would be
established on a firm basis. His letters, he said, informed him that
many thousands of French settlers were about to sail and join them.
Nigel hastened on shore as soon as his duties would allow, and was
welcomed with all the marks of affection he could desire by Constance,
and kindly greeted by her father. Great progress had been made, the
count told