CHAPITRE XV. [i.e., xiv.]

En nostre route nous eusmes le rencontre du sieur Champlain, qui tiroit à Kebec parmy les glaces sur la fin du moys d'Auril. Ces glaces estoyent monstrueuses, car en aucuns endroits la mer en estoit toute couuerte, autant qu'on pouuoit estendre la veuë. Et pour passer à trauers, falloit les rompre auec barres & leuiers apposez aux escobilles, ou bec du nauire; elles estoyent d'eau douce & auoyent esté charriées plus de cent lieuës auant en haute, & pleine mer par la grande riuiere S. Laurens. En aucuns endroits apparoissoyent des hauts, & prodigieux glaçons nageants, & flottans, esleuez de [140] trente & quarante brasses, gros, & larges cõme si vous ioigniezplusiearschasteaux ensemble, & comme vous diriés, si l'Eglise nostre Dame de Paris auec vne partie de son Isle, maisons, & palais alloit flottant dessus l'eau. Les Holãdois en ont bien veu de plus enormes & prodigieux à Spitbergen, & au destroit de Vbaïgats, si ce qu'ils en ont publié est veritable. Nous arriuasmes à port Royal le 22. de Iuin de la mesme annee 1611. le S. iour de la Pentecoste.

On our way, towards the last of April, we had seen sieur Champlain, who was making his way through the icebergs to Kebec. These masses of ice were enormous, for the sea was in some places covered with them as far as the eye could reach. And, to cross them, they had to be broken with bars and pointed irons inserted in the escobilles or beak of the ship; it was fresh-water ice, and had drifted down more than a hundred leagues to the deep and open sea through the great St. Lawrence river. In some places there appeared vast and lofty pieces of floating and wavering ice, [140] thirty and forty fathoms out of the water, as big and broad as if several castles were joined together, or, as you might say, as if the Church of notre Dame de Paris, with part of its Island, houses, and palaces should go floating out upon the water. The Hollanders have seen still more enormous and wonderful ones at Spit[z]bergen, and in the strait of Ubaïgats,34if what they have published about them is true. We arrived at port Royal the 22nd of June of the same year, 1611, the Holy day of Pentecost.35

Mais auant que mettre pied à terre disons vn mot touchant l'estat auquel les Iesuites ont vescu pendant le voyage. Car quoy que ce soyent choses de peu de consequence elles sont toutesfois necessaires pour fermer la bouche au mensonge. La verité doncques est, Premierement, qu'il n'eurent aucun seruiteur en tout ce voyage, [141] sinõ leur propres pieds, & bras: s'il falloit lauer leur linge, si nettoyer leur habits, si les rapiecer, si pouruoir à aultres necessités ils auoyent priuilege de le faire eux mesmes aussi biẽ que le182moindre. Secondement ils ne se mesloyent d'aucun gouuernement, ny ne faisoyent aucun semblant d'auoir point de droict ou puissance dans le nauire; le sieur de Biencourt faisoit tout, seul maistre, & absolu: laquelle forme d'humilité ils ont tousiours cõtinuée despuis à port Royal. Leurs ordinaires exercices estoyent de chanter le seruice diuin les Dimanches, & festes, auec vne petite exhortation ou sermõ: tous les iours le matin, & soir ils assembloyẽt toute la troupe pour la priere, & le Caresme par l'hexhortation, trois fois seulemẽt la semaine. Leur conuersation estoit telle, que le capitaine Iean d'Aune [142] & le pilote Dauid de Bruges, tous deux de la Pretenduë en rẽdirent tesmoignage auec grande approbation au sieur de Potrincourt, & ont deposé souuent depuis dans Dieppe, & autre part, qu'ils auoyent cogneu lors les Iesuites pour tout autres, qu'on ne les leur auoit figuré auparauant, sçauoir est pour gens honnestes, courtois, & de bonne conuention & conscience.

But before going ashore, let us say a word about the way in which the Jesuits lived during the voyage. For although these are things of little consequence, they are, nevertheless, necessary to close the mouth of falsehood. The truth then is this: First, that they had no servant during the entire voyage, [141] except their own hands and feet: if their linen was to be washed, their clothes cleaned and patched, if other needs had to be provided for, they had the privilege of doing it themselves, as well as the least.Secondly, they did not meddle with any one's authority, or make any pretense of having control or rights over the ship: sieur de Biencourt was in everything, sole and absolute master: and this kind of submissiveness they always continued afterward at port Royal. Their usual exercises were singing divine service Sundays and holidays, with a little exhortation or sermon: every morning and evening, they assembled the whole crew for prayer, and during Lent for exhortation, only three times a week. Their conversation was such, that captain Jean d'Aune [142] and the pilot, David de Bruges, both of the Pretended Religion,31have often expressed their approval of it to sieur de Potrincourt; and frequently since then, in Dieppe and other places, have affirmed that they then found the Jesuits quite different from what they had previously been pictured to them, namely, honest and courteous men, of good conduct and pure consciences.

CHAPITRE XV. [i.e., xiv.]L'ESTAT, AUQUEL ESTOIT LE SIEUR DE POTRINCOURT LORS DE CEST'ARRIUÉE, & SON VOYAGE AUX ETECHEMINS.184LA ioye de l'arriuée fut grãde d'vn costé, & d'autre. Grande aux arriuants à cause de leur desir, & de l'ennuy supporté en vne si longue nauigation: [143] mais bien plus redoublée au sieur de Potrincourt, qui auoit esté en de grandes peines, & apprehensions durant tout l'Hyuer. Car ayant eu auec soy vingt & trois personnes, sans prouisions suffisantes pour les nourrir, il auoit esté contrainct d'en cõgedier aucuns pour s'en aller auec les Sauuages, viure auec eux: aux autres le pain auoit manqué six, ou sept sepmaines durant, & sans l'assistance des mesmes Sauuages, ie ne sçay si tout ne leur eust miserablement failly. Or le secours, que nous leur apportions n'estoit quasi que, comme l'on dit, vn verre d'eau à vn bien alteré. Premierement parce que nous estions trente-six, en nostre equipage, lesquels adioustez à 23. hõmes, qu'il y auoit, cinquãte neuf bouches se retrouuoyent tous les iours à sa table. Et Membertou le Sauuage [144] par dessus, auec sa fille, & sa sequelle. En apres nous auions demeuré quatre mois sur mer: & par ainsi nos prouisions estoyent fort diminuées, veu mesmement, que nostre vaisseau estoit fort petit, sçauoir est de cinquante, ou soixante tonneaux, & plus prouisionné pour la pesche, que pour autre chose. A cest'occasion donc ce fut à186Monsieur de Potrincourt de penser plustost comm'il renuoyeroit promptement ceste si grande famille, de peur qu'elle ne consumast tout, que non pas de procurer la trocque, & la pesche, esquelles neantmoins gisoit tout l'espoir de ressource pour vn secõd voyage. Si ne pouuoit-il s'empescher totalement de trocquer; car il falloit faire de l'argent, & pour payer les gages de ses seruiteurs, & pour estant en France, aller, & venir.

184LA ioye de l'arriuée fut grãde d'vn costé, & d'autre. Grande aux arriuants à cause de leur desir, & de l'ennuy supporté en vne si longue nauigation: [143] mais bien plus redoublée au sieur de Potrincourt, qui auoit esté en de grandes peines, & apprehensions durant tout l'Hyuer. Car ayant eu auec soy vingt & trois personnes, sans prouisions suffisantes pour les nourrir, il auoit esté contrainct d'en cõgedier aucuns pour s'en aller auec les Sauuages, viure auec eux: aux autres le pain auoit manqué six, ou sept sepmaines durant, & sans l'assistance des mesmes Sauuages, ie ne sçay si tout ne leur eust miserablement failly. Or le secours, que nous leur apportions n'estoit quasi que, comme l'on dit, vn verre d'eau à vn bien alteré. Premierement parce que nous estions trente-six, en nostre equipage, lesquels adioustez à 23. hõmes, qu'il y auoit, cinquãte neuf bouches se retrouuoyent tous les iours à sa table. Et Membertou le Sauuage [144] par dessus, auec sa fille, & sa sequelle. En apres nous auions demeuré quatre mois sur mer: & par ainsi nos prouisions estoyent fort diminuées, veu mesmement, que nostre vaisseau estoit fort petit, sçauoir est de cinquante, ou soixante tonneaux, & plus prouisionné pour la pesche, que pour autre chose. A cest'occasion donc ce fut à186Monsieur de Potrincourt de penser plustost comm'il renuoyeroit promptement ceste si grande famille, de peur qu'elle ne consumast tout, que non pas de procurer la trocque, & la pesche, esquelles neantmoins gisoit tout l'espoir de ressource pour vn secõd voyage. Si ne pouuoit-il s'empescher totalement de trocquer; car il falloit faire de l'argent, & pour payer les gages de ses seruiteurs, & pour estant en France, aller, & venir.

CHAPTER XV. [i.e., xiv.]SIEUR DE POTRINCOURT'S CONDITION AT THE TIME OF THEIR ARRIVAL, AND HIS JOURNEY TO THE ETECHEMINS.OUR arrival caused great joy on both sides—great on the part of those arriving, because of their longings, and the tediousness of so long a voyage; [143] but more than double was that of sieur de Potrincourt, who had been in great distress and apprehension during the entire Winter. For having had with him twenty-three people, without sufficient food to nourish them, he had been obliged to send some off among the Savages, to live with them: the others had had no bread for six or seven weeks, and without the assistance of these same Savages, I do not know but that they would all have perished miserably. Now the succor that we brought them, was little else, as the saying is, than a glass of water to a very thirsty man. First, because there were thirty-six of us in our company, and these, added to the 23 men that he had, made fifty-nine mouths every day at his table; and Membertou the Savage [144] beside, with his daughter and crew. After living four months upon the sea, our provisions were very much diminished, especially as our vessel was quite small, being only fifty or sixty tons burden, and provisioned more for fishing than anything else. For this reason, then, it was left to Monsieur de Potrincourt to think how he could promptly send backsuch a large family, lest everything should be consumed, rather than to secure traffic and fish, in which, however, lay all hope of resources for a second voyage. But he could not entirely refrain from doing some trading; for he had to make money, both to pay the wages of his servants, and for journeys here and there when in France.

OUR arrival caused great joy on both sides—great on the part of those arriving, because of their longings, and the tediousness of so long a voyage; [143] but more than double was that of sieur de Potrincourt, who had been in great distress and apprehension during the entire Winter. For having had with him twenty-three people, without sufficient food to nourish them, he had been obliged to send some off among the Savages, to live with them: the others had had no bread for six or seven weeks, and without the assistance of these same Savages, I do not know but that they would all have perished miserably. Now the succor that we brought them, was little else, as the saying is, than a glass of water to a very thirsty man. First, because there were thirty-six of us in our company, and these, added to the 23 men that he had, made fifty-nine mouths every day at his table; and Membertou the Savage [144] beside, with his daughter and crew. After living four months upon the sea, our provisions were very much diminished, especially as our vessel was quite small, being only fifty or sixty tons burden, and provisioned more for fishing than anything else. For this reason, then, it was left to Monsieur de Potrincourt to think how he could promptly send backsuch a large family, lest everything should be consumed, rather than to secure traffic and fish, in which, however, lay all hope of resources for a second voyage. But he could not entirely refrain from doing some trading; for he had to make money, both to pay the wages of his servants, and for journeys here and there when in France.

[145] A ces fins doncques il partit dans ce sien nauire, quelque iours apres auec quasi toutes ses gens, pour aller en vn port des Etechemins, appellé la Pierre Blanche, à 22. lieuës de Port Royal droict à l'Oüest. Il esperoit de trouuer là quelque secours de viures au moyen des nauires François qu'il sçauoit y trafiquer. Le P. Biard l'y voulut accompagner, à fin de recognoistre le pays, & disposition des Nationaires, ce qui luy fut accordé. Ils y trouuerent quatre vaisseaux François, vn appartenãtausieur de Monts, vn Rochelois, vn Maloüin, ou de S. Malo, de du Pont Graué, auquel commandoit vn sien parent appellé Capitaine la Salle, duquel nous parlerons tãtost; & vne barque aussi Maloüine, il se faut souuenir de ces quatre vaisseaux pour bien entendre ce qui suit.

[145] For these purposes then, he departed some days afterward in his ship, with nearly all his crew, to go to one of the Etechemins' ports, called Pierre Blanche, 22 leagues from Port Royal, directly to the West. He hoped to find there some help in food supplies from the French ships which he knew were in the habit of trading in that place. Father Biard wished to accompany him, to study the country and character of the Natives, and his wish was granted. They found there four French ships, one belonging to sieur de Monts, one from La Rochelle, one Maloüin or St. Malo ship, belonging to Pont Gravé, commanded by a relation of his named Captain la Salle, of whom we shall speak by and by, and also a Maloüine barque; these four vessels must be well remembered, in order to understand what follows.

[146] Le sieur de Potrincourt appellant vn chacun de ces quatre l'vn apres l'autre leur fit recognoistre son fils pour vice-Admiral: puis leur demanda aide, remonstrant les necessités, ausquelles il auoit esté reduit l'Hyuer passé, promettant de les rembourser en France, chacun contribua. Mais Dieu pardoint aux Rochelois, car ils tromperent la Gabelle, donnant des barils de pain gasté pour du bon.

[146] Sieur de Potrincourt, calling up each one of these four vessels in succession, made them recognize his son as vice-Admiral: then he asked them for help, dwelling upon the dire necessity to which he had been reduced during the past Winter, and promising to reimburse them in France. Each one contributed. But God pardon the Rochelois, for they defrauded the Excise, giving spoiled bread for good.

Cependant que tout cecy se traffiquoit, le P. Biard188ouyt, que le ieune du Pont estoit à terre auec les Sauuages, que l'année prochainement passée il auoit esté faict prisonnier par le sieur de Potrincourt, d'où s'estant euadé subtilement, il auoit esté contrainct courir les bois en grande misere, & lors mesme il n'osoit aller à son nauire, de peur qu'il n'y fust saisi. Le P. Biard ouyant tous ces accidents, [147] supplia le sieur de Potrincourt d'auoir esgard aux grands merites du sieur du Pont le pere, & aux belles esperances qu'il y auoit du fils; adioustant que vrayement c'estoit bien estre malheureux, si les François courants au bout du monde pour conuertir les Sauuages, y venoyent perdre leurs propres concitoyens. Le sieur de Potrincourt se flechist à ces remonstrances, & permit audit P. Biard d'aller chercher le ieune homme auec promesse, que s'il pouuoit l'induire à venir librement, pour faire la reuerence audit sieur de Potrincourt, aucun mal ne luy seroit faict, & tout le passé seroit mis sous les pieds, & enseuely. Le Pere y alla, & fut heureux en sõ effort, car il amena ledit du Pont au sieur de Potrincourt, & paix, & reconciliation faicte, on tira le canon. Du Pont [148] en action de graces, & pour l'edification des François, & des Sauuages voulut se confesser le iour suiuant, & faire ses Pasques, car il ne les auoit point faictes de cest'année là. Aussi les fit-il auec fort bon exemple de tous, au bord de la mer, où se chantoit le seruice. Ses deuotions acheuées il supplia le sieur de Potrincourt de permettre que le P. Biard vinst disner à son nauire, ce qui luy fut accordé. Mais le pauure inuitãt ne sçauoit pas quelle desserte l'attẽdoit. Car ie ne sçay cõment son nauire luy fut saisi, & emmené. Lequel pour le faire court, luy fut rendu190à lasollicitation instante dudit P. Biard, qui en auoit le cœur tout transi. En quoy le sieur de Potrincourt se mõstra fort equitable. Et voulut obliger ledit Père, qui luy en sçaura gré à iamais.

While this business was going on, Father Biard learned that young du Pont was on shore, among the Savages; that the year before he had been made a prisoner by sieur de Potrincourt, and, having madehis escape from him, he had been forced to roam the woods in great distress, and even then did not dare go to his ship, lest he should be caught. Father Biard, hearing all these things, [147] begged sieur de Potrincourt to have some consideration for the great merits of sieur du Pont, the father, and to think of the high hopes he had entertained for his son: adding that it would indeed be a great misfortune, if the French, in running to the ends of the earth to convert the Savages, should happen to lose their own citizens there. Sieur de Potrincourt yielded to his remonstrances, and permitted Father Biard to go in search of this young man, with the promise that, if he could induce him to come freely and acknowledge the authority of the said sieur de Potrincourt, no harm would be done to him, and all the past would be put under foot and buried. The Father departed, and was successful in his efforts, for he brought du Pont to sieur de Potrincourt, and after peace and reconciliation were effected, they fired off the cannon. Du Pont, [148] as an act of thanksgiving, and for the edification of the French and Savages, wished to confess on the following day, and to receive his Easter Sacrament, for he had not done so that year. Accordingly, he performed these duties, to the great edification of all, on the shore of the sea, where the service was sung. His devotions finished, he begged sieur de Potrincourt to allow Father Biard to come and dine with him upon his ship, and his request was granted. But the poor host did not know what dessert was awaiting him, for somehow his ship had been seized and taken away; and, to make the story short, it was givenback to him at the earnest solicitation of Father Biard, whose heart was very heavy over this mishap. At this time sieur de Potrincourt showed how very just he was, by trying to oblige the said Father, who will always be grateful to him for it.

[149] CHAPITRE XVI. [i.e., xv.]LE RETOUR DU SIEUR DE POTRINCOURT EN FRANCE, & LA DIFFICULTÉ D'APPRENDRE LA LANGUE DES SAUUAGES.192NOVS auons expliqué cy deuant la necessité, laquelle pressoit le sieur de Potrincourt de renuoyer tost ses gẽs en Frãce. Orievoulut les reconduire luy mesme en personne, à fin de plus efficacement donner ordre à toutes choses, & principalement à vn prochain rauitaillement: car sans iceluy ceux, qu'il delaissoit à Port Royal, estoyent sans moyen de passer l'Hyuer, en manifeste danger d'estre troussés par la famine. Pour ceste cause donc il partit enuiron la my-Iuillet de la mesme annee 1611. & arriua en France sur la fin du mois d'Auost prochain [150] suiuãt: il laissa son fils en sa place, le sieur de Biencourt auec vingt & deux personnes, en contant les deux Iesuites, lesquels voyants que pour la conuersion de Payens la langue du païs leur estoit totalement necessaire, se resolurent d'y vaquer en toute diligence. Mais on ne sçauroit croire les grandesdifficulés, qu'ils y rencontrerent: parce principalement, qu'ils n'auoyent aucuns interpretes, ni maistres. Le sieur de Biẽcourt, & quelques autres y sçauoyẽt bien quelque peu, & assez pour la trocque, & affaires communes; mais quand il estoit questiõ de parler de Dieu, & des affaires de religion; là estoit le saut, là le cap-nõ. Partant ils estoyent contraints d'apprendre le lãgage d'eux mesmes, s'enquestãts194des sauuages commeilappelloyẽt chasque chose. Et la besongne n'ẽ estoit point fort penible, tandis [151] que ce qu'on demandoit se pouuoit toucher ou monstrer à l'œil; vne pierre, vne riuiere, vne maison; frapper, sauter, rire, s'asseoir. Mais aux actions interieures, & spirituelles, qui ne peuuent se demonstrer aux sens, & aux mots, qu'on appelle abstracts, & vniuersels; comme croire, douter, esperer, discourir, apprehender, vn animal, vn corps, vne substance, vn esprit, vertu, vice, peché, raison, iustice, &c. En cela il falloit ahanner, & suer, là estoyent les tranchées de leur enfantemẽt. Ils ne sçauoyent par quel endroit le prendre, & si en tentoyent plus de cent; il n'y auoit geste, qui exprimast suffisamment leur conception, & si ils en employoyent dix mille. Cependant nos messers de Sauuages à fin de se donner du passetemps, se mocquoyent liberalement d'eux; tousiours quelque [152] sornette. Et à fin que la mocquerie fust encores profitable, si vous auiés vostre papier, & plume pour escrire, il falloit qu'ils eussent deuant eux le plat remply, & la seruiette dessous. Car a tel trepier se rendent les bons oracles: hors de là, & Apollon & Mercure leur defaillent: encores se faschoyent-ils, & s'en alloyent quãd on les vouloit retenir vn peu long temps. Qu'eussiez vous faict là dessus? Car de vray ce trauail ne peut estre apprehendé, que par ceux, qui l'experimentent. En apres comme ces Sauuages n'ont ny Religion formée, ny police, ny villes, ny artifices, les mots aussi, & les paroles propres à tout cela leur manquent; Sainct, Bien-heureux, Ange, Grace, Mystere, Sacrement, Tentation, Foy, Loy, Prudence, Subiection, Gouuernement, &c. D'où recouurerés [153] vous tout cela196qui leur manque? Ou cõme vous en passerez vous? O Dieu que nous deuisons bien à nostr'aise en France. Et le beau estoit, qu'après qu'on s'estoit rompu le cerueau à force de demandes, & recherches, comme lon se pensoit en fin d'auoir bien rencõtré la pierre philosophale; on trouuoit neantmoins puis apres, que lon auoit pris le phantosme pour le corps, & l'ombre pour le solide: & que tout ce precieux Elixir s'en alloit en fumée. Souuent on s'estoit mocqué de nous au lieu de nous enseigner, & aucunesfois on nous auoit supposé des paroles des-honnestes, que nous allions innocemment preschotãt pour belles sentences de l'Euangile. Dieu sçait, qui estoyent les suggesteurs de tels sacrileges.

192NOVS auons expliqué cy deuant la necessité, laquelle pressoit le sieur de Potrincourt de renuoyer tost ses gẽs en Frãce. Orievoulut les reconduire luy mesme en personne, à fin de plus efficacement donner ordre à toutes choses, & principalement à vn prochain rauitaillement: car sans iceluy ceux, qu'il delaissoit à Port Royal, estoyent sans moyen de passer l'Hyuer, en manifeste danger d'estre troussés par la famine. Pour ceste cause donc il partit enuiron la my-Iuillet de la mesme annee 1611. & arriua en France sur la fin du mois d'Auost prochain [150] suiuãt: il laissa son fils en sa place, le sieur de Biencourt auec vingt & deux personnes, en contant les deux Iesuites, lesquels voyants que pour la conuersion de Payens la langue du païs leur estoit totalement necessaire, se resolurent d'y vaquer en toute diligence. Mais on ne sçauroit croire les grandesdifficulés, qu'ils y rencontrerent: parce principalement, qu'ils n'auoyent aucuns interpretes, ni maistres. Le sieur de Biẽcourt, & quelques autres y sçauoyẽt bien quelque peu, & assez pour la trocque, & affaires communes; mais quand il estoit questiõ de parler de Dieu, & des affaires de religion; là estoit le saut, là le cap-nõ. Partant ils estoyent contraints d'apprendre le lãgage d'eux mesmes, s'enquestãts194des sauuages commeilappelloyẽt chasque chose. Et la besongne n'ẽ estoit point fort penible, tandis [151] que ce qu'on demandoit se pouuoit toucher ou monstrer à l'œil; vne pierre, vne riuiere, vne maison; frapper, sauter, rire, s'asseoir. Mais aux actions interieures, & spirituelles, qui ne peuuent se demonstrer aux sens, & aux mots, qu'on appelle abstracts, & vniuersels; comme croire, douter, esperer, discourir, apprehender, vn animal, vn corps, vne substance, vn esprit, vertu, vice, peché, raison, iustice, &c. En cela il falloit ahanner, & suer, là estoyent les tranchées de leur enfantemẽt. Ils ne sçauoyent par quel endroit le prendre, & si en tentoyent plus de cent; il n'y auoit geste, qui exprimast suffisamment leur conception, & si ils en employoyent dix mille. Cependant nos messers de Sauuages à fin de se donner du passetemps, se mocquoyent liberalement d'eux; tousiours quelque [152] sornette. Et à fin que la mocquerie fust encores profitable, si vous auiés vostre papier, & plume pour escrire, il falloit qu'ils eussent deuant eux le plat remply, & la seruiette dessous. Car a tel trepier se rendent les bons oracles: hors de là, & Apollon & Mercure leur defaillent: encores se faschoyent-ils, & s'en alloyent quãd on les vouloit retenir vn peu long temps. Qu'eussiez vous faict là dessus? Car de vray ce trauail ne peut estre apprehendé, que par ceux, qui l'experimentent. En apres comme ces Sauuages n'ont ny Religion formée, ny police, ny villes, ny artifices, les mots aussi, & les paroles propres à tout cela leur manquent; Sainct, Bien-heureux, Ange, Grace, Mystere, Sacrement, Tentation, Foy, Loy, Prudence, Subiection, Gouuernement, &c. D'où recouurerés [153] vous tout cela196qui leur manque? Ou cõme vous en passerez vous? O Dieu que nous deuisons bien à nostr'aise en France. Et le beau estoit, qu'après qu'on s'estoit rompu le cerueau à force de demandes, & recherches, comme lon se pensoit en fin d'auoir bien rencõtré la pierre philosophale; on trouuoit neantmoins puis apres, que lon auoit pris le phantosme pour le corps, & l'ombre pour le solide: & que tout ce precieux Elixir s'en alloit en fumée. Souuent on s'estoit mocqué de nous au lieu de nous enseigner, & aucunesfois on nous auoit supposé des paroles des-honnestes, que nous allions innocemment preschotãt pour belles sentences de l'Euangile. Dieu sçait, qui estoyent les suggesteurs de tels sacrileges.

[149] CHAPTER XVI. [i.e., xv.]SIEUR DE POTRINCOURT'S RETURN TO FRANCE, AND THE DIFFICULTY OF LEARNING THE LANGUAGE OF THE SAVAGES.WE have heretofore explained the necessity which was urging sieur de Potrincourt to send his people back to France without delay. Now he wished to take them there himself, to more efficiently arrange all the affairs and especially to procure an immediate supply of provisions: for unless he did this, those whom he was leaving at Port Royal would be without means of passing the Winter, in evident danger of being carried off by famine. For this reason then, he departed about the middle of July of the same year, 1611, and arrived in France at the end of the following month of [150] August; he left his son, sieur de Biencourt, in his place, with twenty-two persons, counting the two Jesuits, who, seeing that for the conversion of the Pagans the language of the country was absolutely necessary, resolved to apply themselves to it with all diligence. But it would be hard to understand the great difficulties which they here encountered: the principal one being, that they had neither interpreter nor teacher. To be sure sieur de Biencourt, and some of the others, knew a little of it very well, enough for trade and ordinary affairs; but when there was a question of speaking about God and religious matters, there was the difficulty, there, the "not understand." Therefore, they were obliged tolearn the language by themselves, inquiring of the savages how they called each thing. And the task was not so very wearisome as long [151] as what was asked about could be touched or seen: a stone, a river, a house; to strike, to jump, to laugh, to sit down. But when it came to internal and spiritual acts, which cannot be demonstrated to the senses, and in regard to words which are called abstract and universal, such as, to believe, to doubt, to hope, to discourse, to apprehend, an animal, a body, a substance, a spirit, virtue, vice, sin, reason, justice, etc.,—for these things they had to labor and sweat; in these were the pains of travail. They did not know by what route to reach them, although they tried more than a hundred; there were no gestures which would sufficiently express their ideas, not if they would use ten thousand of them. Meanwhile our gentlemen Savages, to pass away the time, made abundant sport of their pupils, always telling them a lot of [152] nonsense. And yet if you wanted to take advantage of this fun, if you had your paper and pencil ready to write, you had to set before them a full plate with a napkin underneath. For to such tripods do good oracles yield; without this incentive, both Apollo and Mercury would fail them; as it was, they even became angry and went away, if we wished to detain them a little. What would you have done under the circumstances? For in truth, this work cannot be understood except by those who have tried it. Besides, as these Savages have no formulated Religion, government, towns, nor trades, so the words and proper phrases for all those things are lacking; Holy, Blessed, Angel, Grace, Mystery, Sacrament, Temptation, Faith, Law, Prudence, Subjection,Authority, etc. Where will [153] you get all these things that they lack? Or, how will you do without them? O God, with what ease we make our plans in France! And the beauty of it is, that, after having racked our brains by dint of questions and researches, and after thinking that we have at last found the philosopher's stone, we find only that a ghost has been taken for a body, a shadow for a substance, and that all this precious Elixir has gone up in smoke! They often ridiculed, instead of teaching us, and sometimes palmed off on us indecent words, which we went about innocently preaching for beautiful sentences from the Gospels. God knows who were the instigators of such sacrileges.

WE have heretofore explained the necessity which was urging sieur de Potrincourt to send his people back to France without delay. Now he wished to take them there himself, to more efficiently arrange all the affairs and especially to procure an immediate supply of provisions: for unless he did this, those whom he was leaving at Port Royal would be without means of passing the Winter, in evident danger of being carried off by famine. For this reason then, he departed about the middle of July of the same year, 1611, and arrived in France at the end of the following month of [150] August; he left his son, sieur de Biencourt, in his place, with twenty-two persons, counting the two Jesuits, who, seeing that for the conversion of the Pagans the language of the country was absolutely necessary, resolved to apply themselves to it with all diligence. But it would be hard to understand the great difficulties which they here encountered: the principal one being, that they had neither interpreter nor teacher. To be sure sieur de Biencourt, and some of the others, knew a little of it very well, enough for trade and ordinary affairs; but when there was a question of speaking about God and religious matters, there was the difficulty, there, the "not understand." Therefore, they were obliged tolearn the language by themselves, inquiring of the savages how they called each thing. And the task was not so very wearisome as long [151] as what was asked about could be touched or seen: a stone, a river, a house; to strike, to jump, to laugh, to sit down. But when it came to internal and spiritual acts, which cannot be demonstrated to the senses, and in regard to words which are called abstract and universal, such as, to believe, to doubt, to hope, to discourse, to apprehend, an animal, a body, a substance, a spirit, virtue, vice, sin, reason, justice, etc.,—for these things they had to labor and sweat; in these were the pains of travail. They did not know by what route to reach them, although they tried more than a hundred; there were no gestures which would sufficiently express their ideas, not if they would use ten thousand of them. Meanwhile our gentlemen Savages, to pass away the time, made abundant sport of their pupils, always telling them a lot of [152] nonsense. And yet if you wanted to take advantage of this fun, if you had your paper and pencil ready to write, you had to set before them a full plate with a napkin underneath. For to such tripods do good oracles yield; without this incentive, both Apollo and Mercury would fail them; as it was, they even became angry and went away, if we wished to detain them a little. What would you have done under the circumstances? For in truth, this work cannot be understood except by those who have tried it. Besides, as these Savages have no formulated Religion, government, towns, nor trades, so the words and proper phrases for all those things are lacking; Holy, Blessed, Angel, Grace, Mystery, Sacrament, Temptation, Faith, Law, Prudence, Subjection,Authority, etc. Where will [153] you get all these things that they lack? Or, how will you do without them? O God, with what ease we make our plans in France! And the beauty of it is, that, after having racked our brains by dint of questions and researches, and after thinking that we have at last found the philosopher's stone, we find only that a ghost has been taken for a body, a shadow for a substance, and that all this precious Elixir has gone up in smoke! They often ridiculed, instead of teaching us, and sometimes palmed off on us indecent words, which we went about innocently preaching for beautiful sentences from the Gospels. God knows who were the instigators of such sacrileges.

Vn expedient se presenta aux Iesuites pour se depestrer heureusement [154] de ces embroüillements, & entraues. C'estoit d'aller trouuer le ieune du Pont duquel on apportoit nouuelle, qu'il s'estoit resolu d'hyuerner à la riuiere S. Ieã, à quelques dix-huict, où vingt lieuës de PortRoyal. Car d'autãt que ledit du Pont auoit ja long temps vescu au pays, & mesmes à la Syluatique parmy les Originaires, on disoit de luy, qu'il entendoit fort biẽ la lãgue. Et ne falloit point douter, qu'au moins il sçauroit propremẽt expliquer les demandes pour tirer des sauuages la response à propos: ce qui estoit necessaire pour coucher par escrit vn petit Catechisme, & instruction Chrestienne. Le P. Biard donc se resolut d'aller chercher ledit du Pont, se determinant de plustost passer la Baye Françoise dans vn cauot, deuant que de ne se seruir de ceste occasion de bien faire. [155] Mais le sieur de Biencourt s'opposa fort à ceste deliberation, entrant à ceste occasion en de grãds ombrages, ausquels il fallut ceder, pour auoir paix.

An expedient presented itself to the Jesuits, by which they could extricate themselves happily [154] from these perplexities and obstacles. It was to go and find young du Pont, who, we had heard, had made up his mind to pass the winter on the St. John river, some eighteen or twenty leagues from Port Royal. For since this du Pont had already lived a long time in the country, even leading the life of a Sylvan among the Natives, it was said of him that he understood the language very well, and there was no doubt that he could at least properly explain the questions so as to get from the savages suitable answers; these were necessary in order to write down a little Catechism, and some Christian instruction. Father Biard then decided to go and look for du Pont, deciding to cross French Bay in a canoe, rather than not to avail himself of this opportunity of doing good. [155] But sieur de Biencourt was very much opposed to this decision, taking great offense at it; and we had to yield to him, to have peace.

CHAPITRE XVII. [i.e., xvi.]VN VOYAGE FAICT À LA RIUIERE DE S. CROIX, & LA MORT DU SAGAMO MEMBERTOU.198SVR la fin du moys d'Aoust de la mesme année 1611. le sieur de Biencourt ayant eu nouuelles, que le nauire du Capitaine Plastrier de la ville de Honfleur faisoit pescherie au Port aux Coquilles, à vingt vne lieuë de Port Royal vers l'Ouest: il se delibera de l'aller trouuer, à celle fin de luy recommander vn de ses gens, qu'il renuoyoit en France auec lettres, [156] pour presser le secours attendu, & representer l'estat pitoyable auquel on estoit. Le P. Biard l'accompagna; & ils rencontrerent ce nauire tant à propos, que s'ils eussent tardé d'vn demy quart d'heure, la commodité en estoit perduë: car ja il faisoit voyle pour reuenir en France. Estans dedans, nous apprinsmes que le Capitaine Platrier s'estoit resolu de passer l'Hyuer en l'Isle saincte Croix, & qu'il y estoit resté luy cinquiesme. Ceste nouuelle fit prendre resolution au sieur de Biencourt d'aller à Saincte Croix de ceste mesme tirade, auant que le Capitaine Platrier eust moyẽ de se fortifier: car il vouloit tirer de luy le Quint de toutes ses marchandises, & traicte, parce qu'il hyuernoit sur le pays. L'Isle Saincte Croix est à six lieües du Port aux Coquilles, au milieu d'vne riuiere.

198SVR la fin du moys d'Aoust de la mesme année 1611. le sieur de Biencourt ayant eu nouuelles, que le nauire du Capitaine Plastrier de la ville de Honfleur faisoit pescherie au Port aux Coquilles, à vingt vne lieuë de Port Royal vers l'Ouest: il se delibera de l'aller trouuer, à celle fin de luy recommander vn de ses gens, qu'il renuoyoit en France auec lettres, [156] pour presser le secours attendu, & representer l'estat pitoyable auquel on estoit. Le P. Biard l'accompagna; & ils rencontrerent ce nauire tant à propos, que s'ils eussent tardé d'vn demy quart d'heure, la commodité en estoit perduë: car ja il faisoit voyle pour reuenir en France. Estans dedans, nous apprinsmes que le Capitaine Platrier s'estoit resolu de passer l'Hyuer en l'Isle saincte Croix, & qu'il y estoit resté luy cinquiesme. Ceste nouuelle fit prendre resolution au sieur de Biencourt d'aller à Saincte Croix de ceste mesme tirade, auant que le Capitaine Platrier eust moyẽ de se fortifier: car il vouloit tirer de luy le Quint de toutes ses marchandises, & traicte, parce qu'il hyuernoit sur le pays. L'Isle Saincte Croix est à six lieües du Port aux Coquilles, au milieu d'vne riuiere.

CHAPTER XVII. [i.e., xvi.]A VOYAGE MADE TO THE STE. CROIX RIVER, AND THE DEATH OF THE SAGAMORE, MEMBERTOU.TOWARD the end of the month of August of the same year, 1611, sieur de Biencourt having heard that the ship of Captain Plastrier, from the town of Honfleur, was engaged in fishing at the Port aux Coquilles,36twenty-one leagues Westward from Port Royal, decided to go and find him, to recommend to him one of his men, whom he wished to send back to France with letters, [156] to urge the expected help, and to represent their pitiable condition. Father Biard accompanied him, and they encountered this ship so opportunely, that if they had been eight minutes later, their chance would have been lost; for already it was unfurling its sails to return to France. When we had boarded it, we learned that Captain Platrier had decided to pass the Winter on the Island of sainte Croix, and that he [Sieur de Biencourt] would get his fifth therefrom. This news made sieur de Biencourt resolve to go to Sainte Croix at once, before Captain Platrier had means of fortifying himself: for he wished to collect from him the Fifth of all his merchandise and trade, for wintering in the country. The Island of Sainte Croix is six leagues from Port aux Coquilles, in the middle of a river.

TOWARD the end of the month of August of the same year, 1611, sieur de Biencourt having heard that the ship of Captain Plastrier, from the town of Honfleur, was engaged in fishing at the Port aux Coquilles,36twenty-one leagues Westward from Port Royal, decided to go and find him, to recommend to him one of his men, whom he wished to send back to France with letters, [156] to urge the expected help, and to represent their pitiable condition. Father Biard accompanied him, and they encountered this ship so opportunely, that if they had been eight minutes later, their chance would have been lost; for already it was unfurling its sails to return to France. When we had boarded it, we learned that Captain Platrier had decided to pass the Winter on the Island of sainte Croix, and that he [Sieur de Biencourt] would get his fifth therefrom. This news made sieur de Biencourt resolve to go to Sainte Croix at once, before Captain Platrier had means of fortifying himself: for he wished to collect from him the Fifth of all his merchandise and trade, for wintering in the country. The Island of Sainte Croix is six leagues from Port aux Coquilles, in the middle of a river.

[157] Doncques le sieur de Biencourt y vint, accompagné de huict personnes, & y entra en armes, ayant200laissé le P. Biard en vn bout de l'Isle, sur des roches attendant l'euenement, parce que ledict Pere auoit conuenu auec ledict sieur, qu'en cas d'aucune inuasion, ou actes de guerre, ou force contre les François, il seroit delaissé en quelque lieu à l'escart, en telle façon, qu'vn chacun peust sçauoir, qu'il estoit amy de tous les deux partys, & qu'il s'entremettroit fort volontiers pour accorder les differents, mais nullement pour estre partialiste.

[157] Accordingly sieur de Biencourt went to this place, accompanied by eight people, and, well-armed,marched into the place, having left Father Biard in one end of the Island upon the rocks, awaiting the outcome; because the Father had arranged with the sieur, that in case of any invasion, or warlike act or force against the French, he should be left in some place apart, so that every one might know that he was a friend of both parties, and that he would very willingly interpose to make peace between those at variance, but under no circumstances would he take sides with either.

Dieu mercy, tout passa heureusement: Platrier nous traicta le mieux qu'il peut: Et à son ayde le sieur de Biencourt recouura vne barque, laquelle estoit à Port aux Coquilles, auec laquelle il s'en retourna à Port Royal, où [158] on trouua nouuelle besongne: car Henry Membertou, le Sagamo de Sauuages, qui premier d'iceux auoit receu le S. Baptesme, estoit venu de la Baye saincte Marie, pour se faire penser d'vne maladie, qui l'auoit surprins. Le pere Enemond Massé l'auoit logé dans sa petite Cabane, au lict mesme du P. Biard, & là le seruoit comme vn sien pere & domestique. Le P. Biard trouuant ce malade dans son lict, fut bien ayse de l'occasion de charité, que Dieu luy enuoyoit: Et tous deux se mirent à le seruit de iour, & de nuict, sans qu'autre quelconque les y soulageast, hors l'ApoticaireHebert, qui apportoit des medecines, & viandes qu'il luy falloit dõner. Vne de leurs plus grandes peines estoit de tãt couper & aporter de bois qu'il en falloit pour le iour, & la nuict: Car la nuict commençoit à estre [159] bien frilleuse, & tousiours il falloit bon feu, à cause de la mauuaise senteur, d'autant que c'estoit la dysenterie. Au bout de cinq, ou six iours de tel seruice, la femme, & la fille dudict Membertou vindrent à luy, à cause202dequoy le P. Biard pria le sieur de Biencourt de faire changer le malade en quelque autre des cabanes de l'habitation, puis qu'il y en auoit deux ou trois vuides; parce qu'il n'estoit ny beau, ny bien seant que des femmes fussent iour, & nuict en leur cabane: & moins encores qu'elles n'y fussent, estans la femme, & la fille du malade. D'autre part, la cabane estoit si petite, que quand on y estoit quatre assemblez, lon ne s'y pouuoit tourner.

Thank God, all passed off happily: Platrier treated us as well as he could: and with his aid, sieur de Biencourt recovered a barque, which was at Port aux Coquilles, with which he returned to Port Royal, where [158] a new duty awaited them: for Henry Membertou, the Sagamore of the Savages who was the first to receive Holy Baptism, had come from the Baye sainte Marie to have himself treated for a disease which had overtaken him. Father Enemond Massé had put him in his little Cabin, even in Father Biard's bed, and was there taking care of him like a father and servant. Father Biard, finding the patient in his bed, was very glad of this opportunity for charity, which God had sent him; and both set to work to attend him day and night, without any one else to relieve them in the work, except the Apothecary Hebert,37who brought medicines and food which were to be given him. One of their greatest hardships was to cut and carry all the wood that was needed day and night: for the nights began to be [159] quite chilly, and there always had to be a good fire on account of the bad odor, for the disease was dysentery. At the end of five or six days of such service, the wife and daughter of Membertou came to stay with him,and so Father Biard begged sieur de Biencourt to have the invalid moved to some of the other cabins of the settlement, since there were two or three of them empty; for it was neither good nor quite seemly that there should be women in the cabin day and night; and still less that they should not be there, being the wife and daughter of the sick man. On the other hand, the cabin was so small, that when four persons were in it; they could not turn around.

Ces raisons estoient par trop euidentes, mais ledict sieur ne fut pas d'aduis, qu'on remuast le malade en aucune des cabanes de [160] l'habitation, ains luy en fit dresser vne au dehors, où le malade fut transporté. Ce changement ne luy profita point: car il deteriora déslors manifestement, & mourut quatre ou cinq iours apres. Ce neantmoins les Iesuites ne mãquerẽt iamais de l'aider, & assister, luy fournissants toutes choses à leur possible: & le seruants iusques à sa mort. Ce bon Sauuage s'estant confessé, & receu l'extreme-onction dit au sieur de Biencourt, qu'il vouloit estre enterré auec ses peres & progeniteurs. Le P. Biard resista fort à ceste proposition, l'admonestant ne luy estre loisible estant Chrestien de vouloir estre enterré auec des Payẽs damnés; veu mesmes qu'en cela il bailleroit vn grand scandale, d'autant que les Sauuages oyants, & voyants qu'il n'auroit voulu estre enterré auecques nous; facilemẽt [161] entreroyent en soupçon qu'il n'auroit esté Chrestien, que par apparence. En tout cas, que tout cela sembleroit tousiours vn mespris de la sepulture Chrestienne, &c. Le sieur de Biencourt repliqua pour Membertou qu'on feroit benir le lieu, & qu'on l'auoit ainsi promis audit Membertou. Le P. Biard respondit,204que cela ne se pouuoit faire: d'autant que pour benir ledit lieu il faudroit deterrer les Payens y enseuelis, ce qui seroit pour se faire abominer de tous les Sauuages, & sentiroit par trop son impieté. Les raisons ne seruoyent de rien, parce que le malade estimant que le sieur de Biencourt fust de son costé, persistoit en sa deliberation. Le P. Biard pour leur donner à entendre que cest affaire estoit plus important, qu'ils ne pensoyent, leur denonça, que cest enterrement se feroit [162] sans luy, & qu'il le leur donnoit à entendre dés lors, protestant qu'il renonçoit à tous tels conseils, & resolutions, & sur ce s'en alla. Toutesfois, à ce que le malade ne pensast, que ce qu'estoit deuoir & charité ne fust cholere; il reuint en moins d'vn' heure apres, & retourna seruir le malade comm' au parauant. Dieu fauorisa son bon dessein, car le matin suiuant le Sauuage de soy mesme changea d'aduis, & dit vouloir estre enterré au commun cemetiere des Chrestiens, à fin de tesmoigner à tous sa foy, & pouuoir estre participãt des prieres, qu'il y auoit veu faire. Il mourut en fort bõ Chrestien, & son decés contrista fort les Iesuites, car ils l'aimoyent, & estoyent aimés de luy reciproquement. Souuent il leur disoit: Apprenés tost nostre langage: car quand vous l'aurés apprins vous [163] m'enseignerez, & moy enseigné deuiendray prescheur cõme vous autres, nous conuertirons tout le pays. Les Sauuages n'ont pas memoire d'auoir eu iamais vn plus grand Sagamo ny plus autorisé. Il estoit barbu comm'vn François. Et pleust à Dieu, que tous les Frãçois fussent autãt auisés & discrets comm'il estoit. Tel est le recit veritable de la maladie, & mort de Membertou. Sur lequel ie ne m'amuseray pas plus206long temps à refuter les calomnies du factieux; estant assez & icy, & par tout conuaincu. Parquoy ie raconte la verité du faict sans perdre le temps à combattre les larues.

These considerations were only too evident, but the sieur was not inclined to have the patient removed to any of the cabins of [160] the settlement; but he had one put up outside, where the invalid was taken. This change did not do him any good, for he became evidently worse from that time on, and died four or five days later. Nevertheless, the Jesuits never failed to aid and attend him, furnishing everything they could, and waiting on him up to the time of his death. This good Savage, having confessed and received extreme unction, told sieur de Biencourt that he wished to be buried with his fathers and ancestors. Father Biard was very much opposed to this proposition, admonishing him that it was not lawful for him, a Christian, to wish to be buried with Heathen whose souls were to be lost; especially as in doing so he would cause great scandal, inasmuch as, when the Savages heard and saw that he had not wanted to be buried with us, they would readily [161] entertain the suspicion that he had been a Christian only in appearance. In any case, that all this would always seem like contempt for Christian burial, etc. Sieur de Biencourt replied for Membertou that they would have the burial place blessed, and that such a promise had been made toMembertou. Father Biard answered that that would not do; for, in order to bless the said place, they would have to disinter the Pagans who were buried there, which would cause them to be abominated by all the Savages, and would savor too much of impiety. These reasons did not avail, because the sick man, believing that sieur de Biencourt was on his side, persisted in his determination. In order to make them understand that this affair was of greater importance than they thought, Father Biard informed them that the interment would take place [162] without him, and he wanted them to understand it from that time on, protesting that he would have nothing to do with any such counsels and decisions, and thereupon he departed. However, so the sick man would not think that what was mere duty and charity was anger, he returned less than an hour afterwards, and began again to wait upon him as before. God looked kindly upon his good intention, for the next morning the Savage, of his own free will, changed his mind, and said that he wanted to be buried in the common burying ground of the Christians, to prove his faith to all, and to be able to participate in the prayers which he had there seen offered. He died a very good Christian, and his death greatly saddened the Jesuits, for they loved him, and were loved by him in return. He often said to them; "Learn our language quickly, for when you have learned it, you [163] will teach me; and when I am taught I will become a preacher like you, and we will convert the whole country." The Savages have no recollection of ever having had a greater or more powerful Sagamore. He was bearded like a Frenchman; and would to God that all the French were as circumspectand prudent as he was. Such is the true story of the sickness and death of Membertou. With it I shall no longer waste time in refuting the calumnies of the factionist, he being sufficiently convicted both here and elsewhere. Therefore I tell the truth of the thing, without losing time in fighting larvæ.38

CHAPITRE XVIII. [i.e., xvii.][164] LE VOYAGE À LA RIUIERE S. IEAN: & LA QUERELLE QUI Y SURUINT.208I'AY dict cy deuant que le sieur de Biencourt auoit amené vne barque du Port aux Coquilles, à fin qu'auec icelle il peust faire vn voyage iusques aux Armouchiquois. Ainsi lon appelle les peuples, qui sont dés le quarentetroisiesme degré en bas vers le Sur-oüest. Leur commencemẽt est dés Chouacoët, & à ce qu'on dit, ils sont en grand nombre. La disette pressoit le sieur de Biencourt à ce voyage; parce que ces peuples labourãts, & faisants prouision de grains, il esperoit par le moyen de la trocque, ou autrement tirer d'eux quelque secours pour se munir contre la famine [165] qui nous attendoit au pas de l'Hiuer. Sa barque fut trop tard equippée pour vne si longue traicte: car nous ne fusmes prests qu'au troisiesme d'Octobre; & encores voulust-il aller à la riuiere Sainct Iean auant que de prẽdre ceste route.

208I'AY dict cy deuant que le sieur de Biencourt auoit amené vne barque du Port aux Coquilles, à fin qu'auec icelle il peust faire vn voyage iusques aux Armouchiquois. Ainsi lon appelle les peuples, qui sont dés le quarentetroisiesme degré en bas vers le Sur-oüest. Leur commencemẽt est dés Chouacoët, & à ce qu'on dit, ils sont en grand nombre. La disette pressoit le sieur de Biencourt à ce voyage; parce que ces peuples labourãts, & faisants prouision de grains, il esperoit par le moyen de la trocque, ou autrement tirer d'eux quelque secours pour se munir contre la famine [165] qui nous attendoit au pas de l'Hiuer. Sa barque fut trop tard equippée pour vne si longue traicte: car nous ne fusmes prests qu'au troisiesme d'Octobre; & encores voulust-il aller à la riuiere Sainct Iean auant que de prẽdre ceste route.

CHAPTER XVIII. [i.e., xvii.][164] THE VOYAGE TO THE ST. JOHN RIVER: AND THE QUARREL WHICH OCCURRED THERE.I SAID above that sieur de Biencourt took a barque away from Port aux Coquilles, that he might make a journey therewith to the Armouchiquois.39This is the name of the people who live below the forty-third parallel, toward the Southwest. They begin at Chouacoët, and are said to be very numerous. Lack of provisions urged sieur de Biencourt to make this voyage, because, as these people till the soil and put away stores of grain, he hoped, by means of trade or in some other way, to get help from them to provide against the famine [165] which awaited us in the course of the Winter. His barque was equipped too late for such a long journey, for we were not ready until the third of October, and he still wanted to go to the Saint John river before making this voyage.

I SAID above that sieur de Biencourt took a barque away from Port aux Coquilles, that he might make a journey therewith to the Armouchiquois.39This is the name of the people who live below the forty-third parallel, toward the Southwest. They begin at Chouacoët, and are said to be very numerous. Lack of provisions urged sieur de Biencourt to make this voyage, because, as these people till the soil and put away stores of grain, he hoped, by means of trade or in some other way, to get help from them to provide against the famine [165] which awaited us in the course of the Winter. His barque was equipped too late for such a long journey, for we were not ready until the third of October, and he still wanted to go to the Saint John river before making this voyage.

La riuiere de sainct Iean est au Noroüest de Port Royal, y ayant entre-deux la Baye Françoise, large de 14. lieuës. L'entrée de ceste riuiere est fort estroicte, & tres-dangereuse: car il faut passer au milieu de deux roches, desquelles l'vne iette sur l'autre le courant de la marée, estãt entre deux aussi viste qu'vn traict. Apres les roches suit vn affreux, & horrible precipice, lequel si vous ne passez à propos, & quand il est comblé doucemẽt, de cent mille barques210vn poil n'eschapperoit pas, que corps & biens tout ne perist.

The river saint John is to the Northwest of Port Royal, the intermediate space being occupied by French Bay, 14 leagues wide. The entrance to this river is very narrow and very dangerous: for the ship has to pass between two rocks where the current of the tide is tossed from one to the other, flashing between them as swift as an arrow. Beyond these rocks lies a frightful and horrible precipice, and if you do not pass over it at the proper moment, and when the water is smoothly heaped up, of a hundred thousand barques not an atom would escape, but men and goods would all perish.

Le ieune du Pont & le Capitaine [166] Merueille s'estoyent allé loger à quelques six lieuës auant dedans ceste riuiere S. Iean, n'estants en tout que sept ou huict, tous Maloüins. Le sieur de Biencourt vouloit exiger d'eux le Quint de toutes leurs marchandises, pource qu'ils residoyent dans le pays, cõme il a esté dict, à ceste cause il auoit entreprins ce voyage. Nous estions en tout seize François & deux Sauuages, qui nous conduisoyent.

Young du Pont and Captain [166] Merveille had gone to stay some six leagues up this river St. John, with a company of not more than seven or eight, all Maloüins. Sieur de Biencourt wished to exact from them the Fifth of all their merchandise, because they were residents of the country, as has been said; it was for this purpose he undertook this voyage. We were in all sixteen Frenchmen, and two Savages, who conducted us.

Or comme nous nauigions cõtremont, estants ja presque à vne lieuë & demy de l'habitation des Maloüins sur le commencement de la nuict; vn signacle nous apparut, qui nous espouuanta. Car le ciel rougist extraordinairement à costé de l'habitation desdits Maloüins, & puis la rougeur se decoupant en longs fuseaux, & lances s'en alla fondre droit dessus ceste [167] maison. Cela se fit par deux fois. Nos Sauuages voyants ce prodige crierẽt en leur langage.Gara gara: Maredo.Nous aurons guerre, il y aura du sang. Les Frãçois faisoyẽt aussi des Almanachs là dessus chacun selon son sens. Nous arriuasmes au deuant de leur habitation ja la nuict toute close, & ny eust autre chose pour lors, sinon que nous les saluames d'vn coup de fauconneau, & ils nous respondirent d'vn coup de pierrier.

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