hemselves
being much better fighters than men of commerce. Champlain, like
others, suffered from their caprice, but they respected his bravery and
trusted his word.

In the next chapter we shall attempt to follow Champlain through the
wilderness, accompanied by its inhabitants, who were his guides and
friends. For the present we must pursue the fortunes of Quebec, whose
existence year by year hung upon the risk that court intrigue would
prevail against the determination of two brave men.

From 1608 till 1611 De Monts had two partners, named Collier and
Legendre, both citizens of Rouen. It was with the money of these three
that the post at Quebec had been built and equipped. Champlain was
their lieutenant and Pontgrave the commander of their trading ships.
After four years of experience Collier and Legendre found the results
unsatisfactory. 'They were unwilling,' says Champlain, 'to continue in
the association, as there was no commission forbidding others from
going to the new discoveries and trading with the inhabitants of the
country. Sieur de Monts, seeing this, bargained with them for what
remained at the settlement at Quebec, {71} in consideration of a sum of
money which he gave them for their share.'

Thus the intrepid De Monts became sole proprietor of the _habitation_,
and whatever clustered round it, at the foot of Cape Diamond. But the
property was worthless if the fur trade could not be put on a stable
basis. Quebec during its first three years had been a disappointment
because, contrary to expectation, it gave its founders no advantage
over their competitors which equalled the cost of maintenance. De
Monts was still ready to assist Champlain in his explorations, but his
resources, never great, were steadily diminishing, and while trade
continued unprofitable there were no funds for exploration. Moreover,
the assassination of Henry IV in 1610 weakened De Monts at court.
Whatever Henry's shortcomings as a friend of Huguenots and colonial
pioneers, their chances had been better with him than they now were
with Marie de Medicis.[1] Champlain states that De Monts' engagements
did not permit him to prosecute his interests at court. {72} Probably
his engagements would have been less pressing had he felt more sure of
favour. In any event, he made over to Champlain the whole conduct of
such negotiations as were called for by the unsatisfactory state of
affairs on the St Lawrence.

Champlain went to F