; 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 a