ps sailed on, keeping close together, the wind
being fair and moderate. Sometimes it fell a calm, when the officers
and gentlemen Calvinists of the different ships visited one another, and
discussed their plans for the future. The chief delight, however, of
most on board was to hold religious services, which they could now do
without fear of interruption; and hymns of praise arose from amid the
desert ocean, their voices, when the ships were close to each other,
uniting together in harmony.

Often had Constance expressed her feelings at the thought that they
might in future thus worship God. Before, however, they reached their
destination, they encountered several violent gales, during which,
whenever his duty would allow him, Nigel made his way to the side of
Constance to afford her comfort and support.

"Do not be afraid," he said; "our ships are strong, and our commander
experienced. I have been in a worse found vessel in a more violent
gale, and we reached port in safety."

"But the waves look so terrible, threatening every moment to come down
and overwhelm us," said Constance, who was seated on deck, gazing at the
tumultuous ocean.

"Remember, God tells us that it is He who rules the waves; and should it
be His will, they cannot hurt us," answered Nigel.

"Yes, yes," said Constance; "I was wrong to express fear. Happy are we
who possess the Bible, of which the followers of the tyrant Pope and his
pretended priests are deprived."

"Think how many thousands of our countrymen would thankfully go through
far greater dangers than we are enduring to reach a country where they
may enjoy freedom from persecution," observed Nigel.

The young couple, however, talked on many other subjects; and when the
storm ceased, and favourable breezes wafted them over the ocean, their
spirits rose, and they spoke of the happy future in store for them.
Nigel, however, was not altogether free from anxiety. He could not
forget the conversation he had overheard between the captain and priest,
though sometimes he almost fancied that it must have been a dream,
Villegagnon was so courteous and polite to all his passengers, and
expressed sentiments so in accordance with theirs.

At length "Land! land!" was shouted from the mast-head. The goal of
their hopes was near, and the ships, getting close together, glided with
a fair breeze towards the magnificent Bay of Nitherohy. Lofty and
fantastic mountains, then unnamed by Europeans,