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this region somewhat aloof and suspicious but through tact and courtesy
and the distribution of gifts he soon won their friendship. Desiring to
take them back to France, he enticed two of the Indians aboard ship but
they managed to escape. The Huguenots thoroughly explored the
surrounding country, both by land and water, and discovering much that
was to their liking, brought ashore and set up another stone pillar.

Having claimed the territory for France, Ribaut made a lengthy
and impassioned speech to his men, appealing to their patriotism,
recalling to them the reasons for the enterprise on which they had
originally embarked. He stressed colonization for France as the chief
purpose of the expedition and asked for volunteers to remain here and
retain Port Royal for their king.

Of the many soldiers who eagerly offered to stay and form a
colony, Joan Ribaut selected twenty-eight, naming Albert de la Pierria as
their captain. On a small creek a house of logs and clay was constructed,
surrounded with a defensive bulwark, armed with eight pieces of artillery
and stored with provisions and ammunition. This first Protestant colony
in North America was named Charlesfort, after the French King.

With the promise that he would return within six months,
bringing additional supplies and more ships, Ribaut left the little colony
on June 11, his departure saluted by a salve of artillery from their fort.
The colonists, watching the ships draw away, hulks gradually