1610 The Story of Acadia. 89 the pies in Paradise would be as good as those at Port Royal. At night, by the blazing pine logs, Champlain would relate the stories of his wonderful adventures. What stories they must have been ! Sad news came to the colony after these happy and neverto-be-forgotten days. The monopoly granted to De Monts was rescinded by the home powers, and the colony was obliged to return to France. The Indians loved this French colony, and were greatly disappointed at its departure. They bade their benefactors farewell with tears and lamentations, and stood on the shore as if heart-broken, as the boats sailed away to the ship on the lovely bay. Poutrincourt promised them that he would return again. He kept the promise. He returned in 1610. The Indians had awaited his coming, and protected the houses of the French while he was gone. He found his favorite Port Royal as he had left it, and as faithful hearts to welcome him back again. A new colony was founded, and its efforts were largely directed to converting the Indians to Christianity. The aged chief we have mentioned was one of the first converts and the first to be baptized. Indians came to Port Royal from all the country around for baptism. There were bitter contests of words and plots between the Jesuits and the liberal Catholic priests, but with this exception, Acadia was like a dream-land again. The ladies of the French court favored the mission, and astonishing tidings of great numbers of converts were yearly carried to them across the sea. Other colonists followed, and the French settlement grew. Peace and contentment prevailed. The Jesuits left the settlement to loving and benevolent curés, – "And the children Paused in their play to kiss the hand he extended to bless them." By the fortunes of war this colony was transferred to England; but its heart was still with France. The English distrusted its loyalty and sent an armed force to surprise and attack it, and to carry away the once happy people, and scatter them throughout their American domains. The Acadians were crowded into transports, their families were separated, their friendships and attachments blighted, and they were exiled among strangers never to see each other again. The name of Acadia was blotted out. The story of "Evangeline is almost the only memorial of this most romantic and ideal settlement that remains. Acadia has one lesson in history that we ought not to forget. Love wins love, even from a savage's heart. The French from the first were kind and generous to the Indians; not only just, as the Puritans of New England tried to be, but magnanimous and noble. Among the best citizens of the American Acadia were these Indians, faithful and grateful to those who were ever true to them. NEW ENGLAND. A little more than two centuries ago New England was one vast forest. Here and there a little space was cleared, a little corn was raised, a few Indian families made their temporary abode. The savage occupants of the land spent their profitless lives to no better purpose than in hunting and fighting. The rivers which now give life to so much cheerful industry flowed uselessly to the sea. Providence had prepared a home which a great people might fitly inhabit. Let us see whence and how the men were brought who were the destined possessors of its opulence. The Reformation had taught that every man is entitled to read his Bible for himself, and guide his life by the light he obtains from it. But the lesson was too high to be soon |