udly petitioned to
put back; but as it was, they were afraid, should they again set foot in
France, of being seized by their persecutors; nevertheless, as the storm
increased, the terror of the emigrants, unaccustomed to the sea, became
greater and greater. Loud cries of alarm arose; some mourned their
folly in having left their native shores to perish in the ocean. Nigel
and the other officers did their utmost to calm their fears, and assured
them that should the ships be in real clanger they would return to the
port.

Constance was among the few ladies who exhibited no undue alarm, and
expressed their confidence in the skill of the officers. But even they
at length acknowledged that they should be thankful could they find
themselves again safe in port. The Count de Tourville especially was
unwilling to return; but for his daughter's sake, however, he at length
consented to ask the captain to do what he considered best for the
safety of the ships.

"They will probably, if we continue at sea, become so battered, that we
shall hardly reach our destination," was the answer.

The signal thereon was hoisted from the commander's ship, and the
squadron stood back for France. On making the land, they found that
they were to the eastward of the port from which they started, and at
length they entered that of Dieppe. Here several of the artificers, and
even some of the men of higher rank, resolved to abandon the expedition,
rather than again risk the dangers of the sea. Their places, however,
were supplied by others collected by the captain, who had gone on shore
for the purpose. So many of these men were received on board each of
the ships, that they became overcrowded; but the captain silenced all
complaints by asserting that, if they would consent to suffer a little
present inconvenience, they would have a greater number to defend
themselves against any enemies they might meet with.

Once more the squadron sailed, and succeeded in getting clear of the
Channel. They had not, however, been long at sea before Nigel began to
suspect the character of the new-comers, of which his own ship carried
the greater number. They herded together, and showed little respect to
the services which the chaplain was wont to hold on board for the
spiritual benefit of the colonists. They were even seen to mock while
he preached, till complaints, being made to the captain, he ordered them
to behave themselves.

Day after day the shi