he wind snapped after they departed, Marie in the sails as had joked that all the good T the wooden men would be taken before ship ploughed through the the ship arrived. One of the Atlantic. Marie and Eloise, chaperones had replied that both 14 years old, climbed the girls were lucky to have a out onto the deck for the chance to marry anyone at all. first time in a week. Their As a poor orphan, Marie knees were wobbly, and their knew this was true. Still, stomachs were still churning. she and her companions “Mon dieu,” said Marie to dreamed of finding happiness her friend, “you look green!” in New France. “So do you,” said Eloise. But as the weeks had “But at least we are still dragged by, their excitement alive.” faded. Many of the girls “Yes, we are still alive.” had grown weak from Marie looked at her friend’s seasickness. They’d tried to faint smile. “And we will choke down the salt pork survive.” and hard biscuits they were Two months earlier, back given, but some just couldn’t in France, Marie and Eloise eat. When bad weather kept had been excited to finally them below deck, two had be free of the orphanage. grown so ill that they’d With a dowry from King nearly died. Louis himself, they were It had been a difficult going to New France to find voyage. But now, finally, adventure — and husbands. a watery sun was shining, New France, In May of 1671, Marie and the girls were able to and Eloise joined nearly 100 escape the rank smells of other filles du roi on the their sleeping quarters. Marie sixth ship to travel to Quebec breathed in the cool, salty ew ome with potential wives for the air and hummed to herself. N H men of the colony. Soon Things were looking up. written by Heather Wright illustrated by Joy Ang KAYAK #19 JAN/FEB 08 KAYAK #19 JAN/FEB 08 KAYAK #19 JAN/FEB 08 KAYAK #19 JAN/FEB 08 eager faces looking up at the marry, they would have to First Sight of latest batch of filles du roi. A Bachelor pay a fine. New France Would one of these strangers Comes Calling Pierre lined up with the soon be her husband? other men until he was called Days later, the ship left the The girls lined up to In the following days and into a small room. Inside ocean for the journey up the leave the ship and walk to weeks, many potential was a nun sitting behind a St. Lawrence River to Quebec. the convent that would be husbands travelled up table. Sister Catherine stared The girls stood on deck and their home until they were the road to the nunnery. at him, sizing him up. She stared at the land that was married. They smiled shyly as Nineteen-year-old Pierre asked him questions about to be their home. When they they passed the young men. DuLois was among them. his family and his health. She learned they were close to Keeping a respectful distance, He was a habitant with a also asked if he drank or had their destination, many ran the men smiled back. well-established farm. Even bad habits. He couldn’t tell if to change their clothes and When they reached their though he worried that she approved of him or not. fix their hair. They wanted to quarters at the convent, he might be turned down “So, monsieur,” she said make a good first impression. the girls collapsed with because of his plain looks, sternly, “I suppose you, too, Their efforts weren’t exhaustion. Marie and Eloise he knew he had to try for want the most beautiful girl wasted. There were scores were asleep in moments. But a wife. Jean Talon, the we have for your wife.” of men waiting at the the nuns knew that after intendant of New France, “Oh no, sister. I know that dock when the ship finally a few days’ rest, the girls had said that if the young such a wife is not for me. I …” anchored. Marie stared at the would be strong again. men of his colony didn’t His voice trailed away. Daughters of the King In the early 1660s, there were only girls were called filles du roi — about 3,000 settlers living in New daughters of the king. Most came France. And most of them were from orphanages or from poor men. Without more women, the farming families. population couldn’t grow. Between 1663 and 1673, nearly King Louis XIV and his 800 filles du roi arrived in New Brickdale, Eleanor Fortescue government knew something France. Most got married soon after had to be done. In 1663, they they arrived. Slowly, families began began to send girls to New France to grow. And so did the population to marry the men there. These of the colony! du Roi, Les Filles Photo: Photo: Archives Canada (C-020126) Library and KAYAK #19 JAN/FEB 08 KAYAK #19 JAN/FEB 08 KAYAK #19 JAN/FEB 08 KAYAK #19 JAN/FEB 08 “You want something, take him. “My mother sang DuLois. What is it?” Her to me and my brothers and eyes were curious — sisters every night before and cold. bed. Her beautiful voice is I might as well tell her, the most important memory he thought. But what if it’s of my childhood. I wish asking for too much? “I … similar memories for my I was hoping for a girl who own children … if …” he likes to sing.” blushed, “if I ever have “Sing?” Sister Catherine a family.” repeated sharply. Just Marie felt herself blushing, that morning, she’d heard too. For a moment she one of the girls singing pictured herself years later, during chores. “Hmm,” she turn soon. I hope you are as had chosen. He wore wool singing softly to Pierre and murmured, then stood and lucky as I have been.” Eloise pants, moccasins, and an their children. Though love left the room. gave her a push. “Go. Go. animal skin coat cinched wasn’t there yet, Marie Pierre clutched his new Then hurry back and tell with a ceinture flechée. He suspected that this man hat, nearly twisting the brim me everything!” smelled of wood smoke and was right for her. off with his strong hands. Marie smoothed her hair the soap he’d washed with Pierre was nervous. What have I done? then hurried down the stairs. that morning. He wasn’t She hadn’t said anything — “There’s a young man here really handsome, but his skin and she was looking at who’s hoping for a girl who was clear and tanned, and his him strangely! “If … A Match sings,” said Sister Catherine. brown eyes glimmered when you … don’t want me,” is Made She looked at Marie’s white she said hello. he stammered. “I mean, face and patted her kindly Sister Catherine retreated my brother told me I was “Marie!” Sister Catherine’s on the shoulder. “Come to a far corner of the room. too homely for anyone to voice rang up the stairs to along, Marie,” she whispered. No one spoke. marry. So, I could just go …” the girls’ bedroom. “I’d like “You are serving your king, He’s shy, thought Marie. Marie smiled and you to meet someone.” remember?” With a small smile she said, took a deep breath. “You Marie felt frozen to the Marie remembered, but “I was told you want a girl certainly may go,” she floor. Eloise jumped off the it didn’t make her feel much who likes to sing. Why?” said. “But only to tell bed where she’d been sitting better. When she entered When Pierre heard her your brother how wrong and gave Marie a hug. “See? the room, she looked at the voice, his heart soared. If he is — and to invite him I told you it would be your young man Sister Catherine only this pretty girl would to our wedding.” K KAYAK #19 JAN/FEB 08 KAYAK #19 JAN/FEB 08 KAYAK #19 JAN/FEB 08 KAYAK #19 JAN/FEB 08.