Part 3 (1/2)
Nigel observed that the meal was over, but the count ordered the servant to bring in some viands for the newly arrived guest.
”As I take no wine you will allow me to read the letter brought by this young gentleman,” said the admiral, turning to the count; ”I never defer looking at an epistle if it can possibly be helped.”
The count bowed his acquiescence, and the admiral quickly glanced over the letter which Nigel had presented to him.
”I shall be glad to forward your object,” he said, turning round with a calm smile, and playing with a straw, which he was wont to carry in his mouth.
”Fortunately, I have an opportunity of doing so. I am about to fit out an expedition to form a settlement in the southern part of America, and if your qualifications are such as I am led to believe, I will appoint you as an officer on board one of the s.h.i.+ps. You will have but little time to remain idle in France, as we wish the s.h.i.+ps to sail as soon as the emigrants who are going on board them can be collected. They will undoubtedly be anxious without delay to leave our unhappy country, where they are constantly subjected to the cruel persecutions of their opponents in religious opinions. Would the service I propose suit your taste?”
”Though I might wish to engage in some more warlike expedition, yet I am willing and glad to go wherever you, sir, may think fit to send me,”
answered Nigel.
”Well spoken, young man,” said the admiral. ”War is a necessity which cannot be avoided, but there are other employments in which a person may n.o.bly engage with far greater advantage to himself and his fellow-creatures. Such is the work in which I desire to employ you--the n.o.ble undertaking of founding a new colony, and planting the banner of pure religion and civilisation in the far-off wilds of the Western world.”
The admiral spoke on for some time in the same strain, till Nigel felt inspired with the same n.o.ble enthusiasm which animated the bosom of the brave and enlightened n.o.bleman who was speaking to him.
Many questions were put to him concerning his nautical knowledge and religious belief, to which he answered in a satisfactory manner.
”I believe you are well suited for the undertaking, and I will forthwith make you known to the commander of the expedition, my friend Captain Villegagnon,” said the admiral.
The dark man Nigel had remarked, hearing his name mentioned, looked toward him. Nigel bowed. The admiral, after explaining Nigel's qualifications, went on to inquire what posts were vacant in the squadron?
”That of the second officer on board my own s.h.i.+p, the _Madeline_; and I shall be pleased to have a seaman of experience to fill it, although he is not a native of France,” answered the captain.
”You may consider your appointment as settled, my young friend,” said the admiral. ”I will desire my secretary to make it out, and as you a.s.sure me that you are a true Protestant, I willingly appoint you, such being the religious opinions of all those who are about to form the colony of Antarctic France, which I trust will be well-established under the wise government of Monsieur Villegagnon. Many other s.h.i.+ps will sail forth with emigrants seeking an asylum from the persecutions they are subjected to in France on account of their religious opinions.”
Nigel warmly thanked the admiral for the prompt way in which he had met his request.
”Say nothing about that, my young friend; we are too glad to find Protestant officers ready to engage in the expedition,” was the answer.
The conversation now became general, and the plans for the future colony were freely discussed, the count, who appeared as much interested as the admiral, taking a leading part--indeed, Nigel gathered from what he heard, that he himself intended to go out among the first colonists.
The idea of establis.h.i.+ng the colony had been started, so Nigel understood, by Monsieur Villegagnon, who had chosen the Bay of Nitherohy, since known as that of Rio de Janeiro, as the site of the first town to be built. It was a place which he had visited some years before on a trading voyage, when he and his companions had been well received by the natives, though they were at enmity with the Portuguese, already established in the country, who claimed it as their own. This latter circ.u.mstance Monsieur Villegagnon remarked was of little consequence, as they were few in numbers, and, with the a.s.sistance of the natives, could easily be driven out.
The repast being over, the admiral rose from the table, the other guests following his example. Calling to Captain Villegagnon, he took him and Nigel into the deep recess of a window to have some further conversation on the subject of the proposed colony.
”Monsieur de Villegagnon sets out to-morrow to take command of the squadron, and you will do well to accompany him, young sir,” he said, turning to Nigel. ”You will thus be able to superintend the fitting out of your s.h.i.+p, and see that the stores come on board, and that proper accommodation is prepared for the emigrants; many are of rank and position in society, and there are merchants, soldiers, and artificers, and you will have to consider how best to find room for them. I am glad to say that the king himself takes great interest in the success of the colony, and under the able management of so skilled a leader as he who has been appointed to the command, we may hope that the flag of France will wave proudly ere long over many portions of the continent.”
”It will not be my fault if the n.o.ble enterprise fails to succeed,” said the captain, drawing himself up proudly, and then bowing to the admiral in acknowledgment of the compliment. ”My chief satisfaction is, however, that a home will be found for so many of the persecuted Protestants who are compelled for conscience sake to leave their native land.”
”You are right, my friend; that is a n.o.ble sentiment,” observed the admiral; ”and I would urge our friends who are dissatisfied with the state of affairs at home to place themselves under your command.”
”From the expressions our host has uttered, I may hope that he also will render valuable aid to our undertaking,” observed the captain.
”No one, be a.s.sured, more warmly enters into our views,” answered the admiral, ”and he will both with his purse and influence a.s.sist us, if he does not do so in a more effectual way.”
They were soon after joined by the count, who requested the captain to reserve two cabins for some persons who intended going on board just before the squadron put to sea.
From the conversation which ensued, Nigel found that most of the persons present purposed joining the expedition. They were all, he found from the remarks they made, Protestants, and haters of the system of persecution which had so long been the curse of France. Most of them had already disposed of their possessions, and were only waiting till the squadron was completely equipped to go on board. Among them was a Protestant minister, and, notwithstanding the edicts against meeting for public or private wors.h.i.+p, the doors of the chateau being closed, before retiring to rest all the inmates were collected, the Bible was read and prayers offered up, those for the success of the undertaking and the preservation of the persons about to embark not being forgotten.