e had time for polemical discussions.

Thus matters went on for some time till the church was finished. After
it was roofed over, no persons, except those employed on it, were
allowed to enter. Numerous cases, which had formed part of the cargo of
one of the ships, were landed and conveyed to it, and a large bell was
hoisted up into the tower. One Sunday morning the bell began to toll
forth in a way which astonished the Protestant settlers. The church was
thrown open, and those who had been suspected by their fellow-colonists
were seen with triumphant looks wending their way towards it. Some of
the Protestants, influenced by curiosity, went in, and, on their return,
reported that they had seen the two priests clad in their sacerdotal
dresses, standing before a richly adorned altar, with a crucifix over
it, and the figure of the Virgin and Child, with those of several saints
placed in chapels on either side. Mass, with all its accompaniments,
was being performed, while the governor himself was taking part in the
ceremony. The Count de Tourville, and several other leading
Protestants, called on him afterwards to express their astonishment and
regret at what had happened. He received them with a haughty air, and
declared that it was his intention, for the good of the colony, to
encourage both forms of worship equally.

The count expostulated. "The colony," he observed, "had been
established for the express purpose of affording a home to Protestants,
where they could, regarding religious matters, avoid those dissensions
which had sprung up in the old country."

"You may still worship as you think fit; but others, who discover that
they have erred in quitting the Catholic Church, have a right to enjoy
the form which suits them best. I, as governor of this colony, am bound
to please all parties, and I desire to hear no more complaints on the
subject," he answered.

The deputation, being thus dismissed, retired to consult what steps
should be taken. Though the Protestants still outnumbered the
Romanists, the whole of the former could not be relied on, while the
latter formed a compact body, most of them being thoroughly drilled by
the priests, who had done their utmost to excite their fanaticism, while
it was evident that they were supported by the governor. The
Protestants, therefore, arrived at the conclusion, as people often do
under similar circumstances, that nothing could be done, and that they
must wait