Thus
fortified, and charged by the new viceroy to return to Quebec and improve
the defences of the colony, Champlain induced a number of persons to
embark with him for the purpose of settling in the country. He himself
arranged all his private affairs and took out with him his wife and
several relations.
The return of Champlain, accompanied by Madame Champlain, then only
twenty-two years of age, was celebrated at Quebec with all the
manifestations of rejoicing and of respect that it was possible for the
people to evince. It was an epoch in the history of the colony. The
Indian savages were especially delighted with the amiable demeanor and
the beauty of Madame Champlain,[4] who at once set about learning their
language, and in many ways testified her concern in their welfare. She
soon became able to instruct their children, using their native tongue,
in the principles of the Catholic religion; for, though formerly a
Huguenot, she was now a devout adherent of the church to which her
husband belonged. Champlain found the edifices at Quebec in a dilapidated
condition, so that his first care was to effect repairs on the magazine,
the old fort, and other buildings, as well as to provide temporary
quarters for his family. Steps were also taken for commencing a structure
extensive enough to afford protection to all the inhabitants and the
interests of the company, in case of serious attack from any enemy, and
so situated as to command the harbor.
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