ofty Sugar Loaf, the flotilla sailed
through the entrance, when the magnificent land-locked expanse opened
out before them, surrounded on all sides by hills and lofty mountains;
while lovely little verdant and palm-clad islands appeared dotting the
dark bosom of the water. Words, indeed, fail to describe the beautiful
and varied scenery. The anchors were dropped close to one of the first
isles they reached. On this spot Villegagnon told the eager crowd who
surrounded him that he had determined to form the first settlement of
the new colony. Here, at the entrance of the harbour, and surrounded by
water, they might defy the attacks of enemies from without, or the
Portuguese or natives who might venture to dispute their possession of
the country. From this they might extend to others on either side, and
then form a settlement on the shore, thus advancing till they had
brought under subjection the whole of the surrounding country.

The settlers expressed their satisfaction at the captain's plan, as they
gazed at the richly coloured woods which covered the sides of the
surrounding hills, at the purple blooming quaresma, the snake-like
cacti, and the gorgeous flowering parasites hanging down even from the
jagged and precipitous sides of the Sugar Loaf, and the rich verdure
starting forth from every nook and crevice of the fantastically shaped
rocks. Scarcely had the anchor been dropped, than the sun set behind
the distant mountains, and, as darkness rapidly followed, they remained
on board during the night.

Next morning, Constance and her father came on deck, where they found
the young lieutenant attending to his duties. Again they gazed with
renewed pleasure at the wild and the sublime outline of the surrounding
mountains with their varied combinations, while the richness and beauty
of colouring thrown over and around the whole, by the purple and rose
colours and ethereal blue of the sky, imparted to the scene a beauty
which no fancy sketch of fairyland could surpass. As they turned their
eyes towards the nearest shore of the main land, they saw the beach and
fringing rocks covered by a multitude of natives, waving green boughs as
a sign of welcome; while, on the heights above, they had kindled
numerous bonfires, to show their satisfaction at the arrival of the
French, whom they believed had come to protect them from their enemies,
the Portuguese. Preparations were being made on board the ships to land
the officer