hopeless despair. But, he who believes in the infinite mercy of the All-powerful, he who disposes every night the burden of his tribulations at the feet of the Redeemer of the world, is strong even in adversity.

"We now approach land, not the continent, as you may have supposed, but a fertile island, where, with a little labor and ingenuity you can provide for your natural wants. I I will explain to you here that the want of provisions, an imperious necessity, has forced me to land you on a neighboring island. I will disembark with you provisions for two days, divers tools, bedding, hunting and fishing implements; then the Castor will set sail again to seek on the shores of New France a suitable place for the establishment of the colony which I have projected. As soon as I have found it I will return for you, and take you thither.”

As De la Roche proceeded, a loud murmur, the precursor of a storm, rose in the ranks of the convicts. A spark was sufficient to produce an explosion, nor was the spark wanting.

"It is intended to abandon us in the middle of the ocean!" shouted an individual, lost in the crowd.

"It is intended to abandon us!" exclaimed the echo of twenty voices, with an accent of terror, and of unqualified

menace.

"Yes, to abandon us!" rejoined the first voice; "to abandon us on some unknown shore; there, to become the victims of famine and wild beasts."

A formidable roar welcomed this declaration; and in less than a second, as if impelled by an electric shock, all

the convicts were pressing tumultuously under the poop, with the intention of scaling it.

Chedotel laughed in his sleeve, and continued to steer towards the northeast.

De la Roche felt that it was necessary for him to lay aside his habitual pride, in order to put down the insurrection.

"Listen," said he, "I have every right over you; the punishment of the ringleaders of your first mutiny must have convinced you of this. But I am opposed to violent executions, and I pardon you this moment of insubordination, but with the understanding that any similar attempt in future will be punished with death."

"Yes, with hangings, like those of Molin, Tronchard, and others!" interposed again the same individual in a tone of bitterness which revived the irritation.

"In order to show you," continued the marquis, “that I have no intention of abandoning you, as certain suspicious persons among you fear, my equerry, Viscount de Ganay, will remain among you, and command you in my absence. Are you satisfied?"

"Yes, yes," replied several bandits.

"Well, then, return to the steerage, and make your preparations.

This promise immediately suppressed the effervescence which rose in every head.

"Lord de Ganay, I shall depend on you," said the marquis, turning towards his equerry, "four sailors will serve you as a guard."

"I will obey, monseigneur," replied the viscount with indifference.

Chedotel reefed the sails, with the exception of the mizzen, and with sounding-line in hand, steered the Castor across the battures which encumbered the passage where he was then sailing.

Soon after some miles, an island was observed covered with small trees, which in the distance produced an agreeable effect.

The order was given to bring the vessel to and cast anchor. Then William de la Roche, accompanied by his principal officers, descended into a small boat, and landed. He was the first to disembark, plant a cross, and the flag of France and Navarre in the sand, and take possession of the island in the name of the king, his master.

The sun set behind a thick gray cloud, which stained the azure of the firmament as a spot of ink would stain a holiday robe, when the small boat bringing back William de la Roche came for John de Ganay, the four sailors, charged with watching over his personal safety, and the pretended Yvon who served him as a domestic.

In this capacity Guyonne proceeded to cross the bulwark to take part in the landing, when Chedotel seized her by the hand, and exclaimed with concentrated fury:

"Woman, it is your wish! Well, you will be the prey of antiches who await you yonder. Adieu!" added he almost biting her fingers. "Do not forget the first and last kiss of your lover, Chedotel!"

Guyonne trembled with fright under the infernal gaze of the pilot, and mechanically jumped into the boat which set off at once.

It had but touched the shore when a sudden gust of wind whistled in the rigging of the Castor. A rolling of thunder succeeded to this sinister presage. The bark made three successive lurches, and receded as if driven by an irresistible power.

“Blood and death!" said Chedotel, "hell seconds my designs! We will weigh anchor.-Raise the anchor, and take a reef in the mizzen-sail!"

"What's the reason of this ?" asked William de la Roche.

"Do you see these phosphorescent egrets which dance at the extremity of the cacatois?" replied Chetodel; “it is St. Elme's fire. It is necessary to regain the deep sea at once, if we don't wish to be wrecked on the shoals, or against the rocks.

Forty persons, including Guyonne and John de Ganay,

remained on the island of Sable.

PART II..

CHAPTER I.

THE ISLE OF SABLE.

THE Isle of Sable, a wild and arid plain, is situated in latitude 43 degrees, 56 minutes, 42 seconds; and in longitude 60 degrees, 17 minutes, 15 seconds, on the great oceanic route taken by vessels to gain the northern ports both of the Old and of the New World. Its distance on this side of Neadie (Nova Scotia), and Cape Britain, is about eighty-five miles. As its name indicates, hills of sand, indented by the waves, compose it. It scarcely rises above the elevation of the sea; although it contains some hills which consist also of sand. The best known at the present day is Mount Lutrell, situated at the western extremity towards the south. The Isle of Sable is in the form of a crescent. Its greatest length from east to west does not exceed ten leagues; its breadth five leagues. Placed at the north of the St. Lawrence, in the Atlantic, it is sur