ia is the failure to seize a chance which never came
again to the French race. In 1607 Champlain sailed away from Port
Royal and the English founded Jamestown. In 1608 Champlain founded
Quebec, and thenceforth for over a century the efforts of France were
concentrated on the St Lawrence. When at length she founded Louisbourg
it was too late; by that time the English grasp upon the coast could
not be loosened.

Meanwhile De Monts, to whom the future was veiled, left Port Mouton
and, creeping from point to point, entered the Bay of Fundy--or, as
Champlain calls it, 'the great Baye Francoise, so named by Sieur de
Monts.' The month was June, but no time could be lost, for at this
juncture the aim of exploration was the discovery of a suitable site,
and after the site had been fixed the colonists needed what time
remained before winter to build their houses. Hence De Monts' first
exploration of the Baye Francoise was not exhaustive. He entered
Annapolis Basin and glanced at {34} the spot which afterwards was to be
Port Royal. He tried in vain to find a copper-mine of which he had
heard from Prevert of St Malo. He coasted the Bay of St John, and on
June 25 reached St Croix Island. 'Not finding any more suitable place
than this island,' says Champlain, the leaders of the colony decided
that it should be fortified: and thus was the French flag unfurled in
Acadia.

The arrangement of the settlement at St Croix was left to Champlain,
who gives us a drawing in explanation of his plan. The selection of an
island was mainly due to distrust of the Indians, with whom, however,
intercourse was necessary. The island lay close to the mouth of a
river, now also called the St Croix. As the choice of this spot proved
most unfortunate, it is well to remember the motives which prevailed at
the time. 'Vessels could pass up the river,' says Champlain, 'only at
the mercy of the cannon on this island, and we deemed the location most
advantageous, not only on account of its situation and good soil, but
also on account of the intercourse which we proposed with the savages
of these coasts and of the interior, as we should be in the midst of
them. We hoped to pacify them in course of time and put an end to the
wars {35} which they carry on with one another, so as to derive service
from them in future and convert them to the Christian faith.'

De Monts' band was made up largely of artisans, who at once began with
vigour to erect dwell