these did not prevent association in a common purpose 

 for so high an end. Under Henry IV a notable company 

 was formed, the leading spirit of which was Aylmar de 

 Chastes, a gentleman of high standing and governor of 

 Dieppe, to carry forward colonization on these shores 

 '4n the name of God and the King." 



At this juncture comes upon the scene one of the most 

 remarkable characters of our New World history — Sam- 

 uel, Sieur de Champlain. Born on the shore of Biscay 

 in a little seaport where departing and returning ships 

 bringing stories of wide and wild adventure quickened 

 into life that vague consciousness of power which stirs 

 in all brave spirits ; by nature bold, chivalrous, romantic ; 

 by early experience soldier, sailor, observer and relater ; 

 tireless in labor, patient of suffering, large of vision and 

 generous of purpose, genial of spirit and firm of soul, he 

 may well be regarded as providentially prepared to be 

 called to the solution of great problems of enterprise. 

 We do not wonder that he had already received special 

 marks of honor from the king. He and de Chastes seem 

 to have come together by mutual attraction. To him the 

 king gave special charge to observe carefully and report 

 all he should see. The practical charge of the expedition 

 was entrusted to Du Pont Grave, of St. Malo in Bretagne, 

 who had already made a voyage to this region. 



This expedition explored the St. Lawrence, tarrying 

 some time at Tadoussac, at the mouth of the mysterious 

 Saguenay, and finally ascending to the site of Montreal. 

 Of this exploration there were wonderful things to tell in 

 France; and told by Champlain roused an interest such 

 as nothing had done before. He came back with high 

 hopes, but found that his generous patron had passed 

 away, and with him the supporting hand, if not the ani- 

 mating spirit, of the enterprise. 



But he found also that the king had given a new charter 

 to a gentleman of equally high character, an officer of 

 the king's household, Pierre de Monts, Seigneur of the 



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