CHAPTER XXI. [i.e., xx.]

CHAPTER XXI. [i.e., xx.][193] THE BEGINNING OF THE DISPUTES BETWEEN SIEUR DE BIENCOURT AND THE JESUITS, AND THE CAUSES THEREOF; THE ACCUSATION MADE AGAINST GILBERT DU THET, AND HIS DEFENSE.GREAT was the rejoicing over the relief afforded by the arrival of this ship, on account of the severe straits to which the colonists had been reduced, and the dread which they felt for the future. But this joy did not last long, sieur de Biencour being ill at ease on account of the news brought by Simon Imbert about the partnership formed with the Marquise de Guercheville. Now the Jesuit, Gilbert du Thet, being in the ship, although he had not meddled with affairs, nevertheless [194] had not been so blind of one eye (as the saying is) that he had not always kept watch with the other, as he had been charged and commanded to do. Now in order to acquit himself of his duty, and to uphold the right, he went to see sieur de Biencourt; and, in the presence of Father Biard, he said to him: That he was very much surprised that, as Simon Imbert had had the management of the entire embarkation, nevertheless he had not brought any list of the ship's company, nor charter party,44nor invoice of what had been shipped, nor statement of where or how the money of Madame la Marquise de Guercheville had been spent. That he ought to have done this at least for the vindication of his own honesty and good faith, since he hadbrought a great deal of merchandise which he claimed belonged to him, and which it would be suspected he had appropriated [195] to the detriment of the said Lady, and of themselves. That they did not wish to accuse him before having found him guilty; nevertheless, before admitting his innocence, there was a great deal to investigate in the whole matter, and especially in regard to his having sold at Dieppe wheat which had been given him to be shipped—an act which would prove to be a great disadvantage to the settlement, which was in need of provisions more than of anything else. Also, that he counted seven barrels of Sea-biscuits dispensed during the voyage, and he did not say that of these seven, two were furnished by a certain Robert de Roüen as his share; so, for this reason, seven barrels should not have been charged to the company, but only five. That the sieur was entreated to investigate the whole affair prudently, [196] and to conduct himself always in the matter as we ought to do in all things, with charity and dignity. Such was the simple remonstrance that was made to him by the Jesuit; and sieur de Biencourt has often testified since then, that this matter could not have been called to his attention with greater delicacy than it was. But, instead of doing what he was requested, and what he was bound to do, he went and reported the whole affair to Simon Imbert, adding that the Jesuit lay brother had accused him.

GREAT was the rejoicing over the relief afforded by the arrival of this ship, on account of the severe straits to which the colonists had been reduced, and the dread which they felt for the future. But this joy did not last long, sieur de Biencour being ill at ease on account of the news brought by Simon Imbert about the partnership formed with the Marquise de Guercheville. Now the Jesuit, Gilbert du Thet, being in the ship, although he had not meddled with affairs, nevertheless [194] had not been so blind of one eye (as the saying is) that he had not always kept watch with the other, as he had been charged and commanded to do. Now in order to acquit himself of his duty, and to uphold the right, he went to see sieur de Biencourt; and, in the presence of Father Biard, he said to him: That he was very much surprised that, as Simon Imbert had had the management of the entire embarkation, nevertheless he had not brought any list of the ship's company, nor charter party,44nor invoice of what had been shipped, nor statement of where or how the money of Madame la Marquise de Guercheville had been spent. That he ought to have done this at least for the vindication of his own honesty and good faith, since he hadbrought a great deal of merchandise which he claimed belonged to him, and which it would be suspected he had appropriated [195] to the detriment of the said Lady, and of themselves. That they did not wish to accuse him before having found him guilty; nevertheless, before admitting his innocence, there was a great deal to investigate in the whole matter, and especially in regard to his having sold at Dieppe wheat which had been given him to be shipped—an act which would prove to be a great disadvantage to the settlement, which was in need of provisions more than of anything else. Also, that he counted seven barrels of Sea-biscuits dispensed during the voyage, and he did not say that of these seven, two were furnished by a certain Robert de Roüen as his share; so, for this reason, seven barrels should not have been charged to the company, but only five. That the sieur was entreated to investigate the whole affair prudently, [196] and to conduct himself always in the matter as we ought to do in all things, with charity and dignity. Such was the simple remonstrance that was made to him by the Jesuit; and sieur de Biencourt has often testified since then, that this matter could not have been called to his attention with greater delicacy than it was. But, instead of doing what he was requested, and what he was bound to do, he went and reported the whole affair to Simon Imbert, adding that the Jesuit lay brother had accused him.

Or quels conseils furent prins là dessus, & quelles menées, ou pretensions, ie n'en sçay rien. Tant y a, que comme de petites exhalaisons & vapeurs, qui au commencement ne sont rien, s'esleuent d'espaisses nuees, vents furieux, & horribles tempestes qui à traict de temps s'effarouchent & [197] gastent les cãpagnes & moissons: Ainsi de ce peu de cause par242l'agitation de l'esprit malin se grossit en vn tourbillon malencontreux de discorde, qui a dissipé, & rauagé tous les fruicts, & les esperances de ce premier essartemẽt. Car Imbert luy depeignit l'association faicte auec la Dame Marquise de de Guercheuille comm'vn moyen inuenté par les Iesuites, à fin de l'expulser hors de ses amples Seigneuries de Canada.

Now what counsels were held thereupon, and what underhand dealings or claims, I know not. However, as from little exhalations and vapors, which at first amount to nothing, arise dense clouds, furious winds, and horrible tempests, which suddenly sweepover and [197] destroy fields and harvests; so from this slight cause, through the agitation of the evil spirit, the trouble increased to a mischievous whirlwind of discord, which has scattered and ravaged all the fruits and hopes of this first clearing. For Imbert represented to him that the partnership formed with Madame la Marquise de Guercheville was a means invented by the Jesuits to drive him out of his broad Seigneuries of Canada.

Or les Iesuites n'estants point aises de se voir loger en si ioly predicament, par deux fois en presence du sieur de Biencourt, & de toute l'habitation conuainquirent de fausseté ledit Imbert par les tesmoins mesmes qu'il alleguoit; & en la secõde le presserent tellement qu'il fut contrainct de dire qu'il auoit esté yure quand il auoit ainsi parlé. Desquelles verités [198] & innocence, y a bons & authentiques actes, & tesmoignages faicts & rendus iuridiquemẽt à Dieppe par deuant le Magistrat, apres le retour du nauire.

Now the Jesuits, not pleased at seeing themselves placed in such a pretty predicament, twice in the presence of sieur de Biencourt and of the whole settlement, convicted the said Imbert of duplicity, by the very same witnesses which he had put forward; and the second time they pressed him so hard that he was compelled to say he had been drunk when he had spoken thus. Of their truth [198] and innocence in this, there are good and authentic records and proofs, made and rendered according to law at Dieppe, before the Magistrate, after the return of the ship.

CHAPITRE XXIII. [i.e., xxi.]VN VOYAGE DU PERE ENEMOND MASSÉ & VN AUTRE DU P. BIARD.244LA reconciliation ayant esté faicte du depuis, & toutes choses pacifiées, les Iesuites se r'adonnans à l'estude, & apprentissage du langage Sauuaginois, estimerent vn bon moyen de s'y cõtraindre, & d'apprendre mieux les vs, façons, & vie du pays, s'ils alloyent, & demeuroyent auec les naturels, errants, & courants auec eux par monts & vallées; & viuants à leur mode quant au ciuil, [199] & corporel. Ils s'offrirent à Louys Membertou, pour en ceste façon demeurer auec luy, s'il luy plaisoit l'agréer: ce qu'il accepta fort volontiers. Le P. Enemond Massé, comm'il est courageux, voulut que cest'entreprinse fust pour luy; aussi fut-il iugé plus propre à cela par la cõmune voix de ceux de l'habitation, à cause de son industrie, & engin practic, idoine de trouuer tous remedes à tous inconueniens. Il s'en alla dõc auec Louys Membertou, & sa famille, au delà de la Baye Françoise à la riuiere S. Iean, & commença son nouitiat de ceste vie Nomadique, bien aspre de vray, & de fort essay.

244LA reconciliation ayant esté faicte du depuis, & toutes choses pacifiées, les Iesuites se r'adonnans à l'estude, & apprentissage du langage Sauuaginois, estimerent vn bon moyen de s'y cõtraindre, & d'apprendre mieux les vs, façons, & vie du pays, s'ils alloyent, & demeuroyent auec les naturels, errants, & courants auec eux par monts & vallées; & viuants à leur mode quant au ciuil, [199] & corporel. Ils s'offrirent à Louys Membertou, pour en ceste façon demeurer auec luy, s'il luy plaisoit l'agréer: ce qu'il accepta fort volontiers. Le P. Enemond Massé, comm'il est courageux, voulut que cest'entreprinse fust pour luy; aussi fut-il iugé plus propre à cela par la cõmune voix de ceux de l'habitation, à cause de son industrie, & engin practic, idoine de trouuer tous remedes à tous inconueniens. Il s'en alla dõc auec Louys Membertou, & sa famille, au delà de la Baye Françoise à la riuiere S. Iean, & commença son nouitiat de ceste vie Nomadique, bien aspre de vray, & de fort essay.

CHAPTER XXIII. [i.e., xxi.]A JOURNEY MADE BY FATHER ENEMOND MASSÉ, AND ANOTHER BY FATHER BIARD.A RECONCILIATION was effected afterward, and everything calmed down. The Jesuits, devoting themselves to the study and apprenticeship of the Savage language, thought a good way to force themselves to this, and to better learn the usages, habits and life of the country, would be to go away and live with the natives, wandering and roving about as they did through mountains and valleys, and adopting their ways, civil [199] as well as physical. They offered themselves to Louys Membertou, to live with him in that way, if he were pleased to receive them: he agreed to do so very willingly. Father Enemond Massé, as he was full of courage, desired that this enterprise should fall to him; also he was judged more suitable for it by the common voice of the settlement, on account of his industry and practical ingenuity, ready to find a remedy for every inconvenience. He went away then, with Louys Membertou and his family, beyond French Bay to St. John river, and began his novitiate in this Nomadic life, truly a very hard and trying ordeal.

A RECONCILIATION was effected afterward, and everything calmed down. The Jesuits, devoting themselves to the study and apprenticeship of the Savage language, thought a good way to force themselves to this, and to better learn the usages, habits and life of the country, would be to go away and live with the natives, wandering and roving about as they did through mountains and valleys, and adopting their ways, civil [199] as well as physical. They offered themselves to Louys Membertou, to live with him in that way, if he were pleased to receive them: he agreed to do so very willingly. Father Enemond Massé, as he was full of courage, desired that this enterprise should fall to him; also he was judged more suitable for it by the common voice of the settlement, on account of his industry and practical ingenuity, ready to find a remedy for every inconvenience. He went away then, with Louys Membertou and his family, beyond French Bay to St. John river, and began his novitiate in this Nomadic life, truly a very hard and trying ordeal.

Ceste vie est sans ordre, & sans ordinaire, sans pain, sans sel, & bien souuent auec rien; tousiours en courses, & changements, au vent, à l'air, & mauuais temps; [200] pour toict, vne meschante cabane: pour246reposoir, la terre: pour repos les crys, & chants odieux: pour remedes, la faim, & le trauail. C'estoit à la verité, vne regle bien forte. Ledit P. Enemond à fin de garder par tout l'honnesteté religieuse auoit amené auec soy vn ieune garçõ François biẽ gaillard, qui l'aidoit, luy assistoit par tout, & luy seruoit à laMesse. Mais & maistre & seruiteur tous deux se trouuerent bien tost rudement examinés par vne diete si distemperée; tout leur en-bon-point decheut; leurs forces, couleur, & gaillardise; les iambes leur deuindrent grosses & pesantes, les esprits assopis, & succeda vne fieure lente: laquelle toutesfois se passa bien tost: & depuis peu à peu ils prindrent ply, & reuindrent aucunement à leur vigueur. Le Pere Enemond y pensa perdre la veuë [201] sans aucun mal des yeux: L'atrophie à mon aduis causoit ceste debilité de sens, & des esprits.

This life is without order and without daily fare, without bread, without salt, and often without anything; always moving on and changing, in the wind, in the air, and in bad weather; [200] for roof, a wretched cabin; for couch, the earth; for rest andquiet, odious cries and songs; for medicine, hunger, and hard work. It was, in truth, a very painful mode of living. Father Enemond, in order to everywhere preserve a religious propriety, had taken with him a young and vigorous French boy, who helped him, attended him wherever he went, and assisted him at the Mass. But both master and servant soon found themselves in a bad condition through such irregular diet: they became thin, and lost their strength, color, and cheerfulness; their legs grew big and heavy, their minds were dulled, and a low fever set in; however, this soon passed away, and then little by little they regained their usual appearance, and each was restored to his customary vigor. Father Enemond thought he was going to lose his sight, [201] without any disease of the eyes; atrophy, it seems to me, caused this debility of the senses and of the mind.

Ce temps pendant, le P. Biard demeuroit à Port Royal, ayant pris auec soy vn Sauuage, lequel il nourrissoit, & s'en seruoit comme de maistre en langue Sauuagine. Il le nourrissoit, dis-je, de ce qu'il auoit peu espargner de son ordinaire, & mesme le seruoit, parce que les Sauuages, ou de paresse, ou plustost de hautaineté de courage ne se daigneroyent faire aucuns seruice, comme d'aller à l'eau, au bois, à la cuisine, &c. d'autant que, disent-ils, cela appartient aux femmes. Il entretint donc ce Sauuage, & fut son apprẽtif au lãgage trois semaines durant, mais il ne peut plus long temps, faute d'auoir dequoy le nourrir, ce qui luy fut fort grief, parce que le Sauuage estoit de [202] bon naturel, & demeuroit auec luy bien volontiers.

During this time, Father Biard remained at Port Royal, having with him a Savage whom he fed and made use of as a master in the Savage tongue. He fed him, I say, from what he had been able to save from his own daily fare, and even waited on him; for the Savages, either from laziness, or from lofty courage, do not deign to do any work, such as going for water, for wood, to the kitchen, etc., for they say that belongs to the women. So he entertained this Savage, and was his apprentice in the language for three weeks, but he could keep it up no longer, for want of something to give him to eat; this grieved him exceedingly, for the Savage was [202] good-natured, and willing to live with him.

Or tandis que le P. Enemond estoit malade entre les Sauuages, arriua vn plaisant rencontre. Ledit248Pere s'estant cabané à part pour cause de sa maladie, Loys Membertou le vint trouuer fort en peine (comm'il monstroit,) & luy dit: Escoute Pere. Tu t'en vas mourir, ie le deuine. Escry donc à Biencourt, & à ton frere, que tu es mort de maladie, & que nous ne t'auons pas tué. Ie m'en garderay bien (dit le P. Enemond:) car possible apres que i'aurois escrit la lettre, tu me tuerois, cependant tu porterois ta lettre d'innocence, que tu ne m'aurois pas tué. Icy le Sauuage reuint à soy, & se recogneut (car il n'est pas lourd:) & se prenant à rire. Bien donc (dit-il,) prie Iesus que tu ne meure pas, à fin qu'on ne nous accuse de t'auoir [203] faict mourir. Aussi fais-je, dit le P. Enemond, n'aye peur, ie ne mourray pas.

Now while Father Enemond was sick among the Savages, an amusing incident occurred. As the Father was in a cabin, apart from the others on accountof his illness, Loys Membertou, apparently in great trouble came to see him, and said to him: "Listen, Father. Thou art going to die; I predict it. Write now to Biencourt and to thy brother, that thou hast died of disease, and that we did not kill thee." "I shall take care not to do that" (said Father Enemond), "for possibly after I had written this letter, thou wouldst kill me, and then thou wouldst take there thy innocent letter, saying thou hadst not killed me." Here the Savage, seeing what was meant (for he is not dull) and recovering his equanimity began to laugh. "Well then" (said he), "pray Jesus that thou mayest not die, so they will not accuse us of having [203] killed thee." "Indeed, I am doing so," said Father Enemond; "do not fear, I shall not die."

Sur la fin d'Aoust d'icell'année 1612. le sieur de Biencourt voulut aller à la Baye des Mines à 21. ou 22. lieuës de Port Royal: de vray il y alloit bien mal en conche, dans vne pietre chaloupe, n'ayant que pour huict iours de viures, & manquant de toutes autres prouisions. Le P. Biard neantmoins s'offrit à l'accompagner, parce que ledit sieur promettoit de s'enquester, & rechercher nouuelles du P. Enemond, duquel ja dés deux mois nous n'auions rien ouy, & nous nous craignions fort, qu'il ne fust tombé en quelque inconuenient, ou maladie.

Towards the end of August of this year, 1612, sieur de Biencourt wished to go to the Bay of Mines, 21 or 22 leagues from Port Royal: he was certainly ill-prepared to go there, in a wretched boat, having food for only eight days, and lacking all other provisions. Father Biard, however, offered to accompany him, because the sieur promised to inquire about and seek news of Father Enemond, of whom we had heard nothing for two months, and who, we greatly feared, had fallen into some trouble or sickness.

Or quoy que si mal prouisionnés, toutesfois nous n'allasmes pas seulement à la Baye des Mines: ains aussi à Chinictou; Champlain [204] appelle ceste Baye, la Baye de Genes. A ce Chinictou y a de fort belles, & grandes prairies à perte de veuë, plusieurs riuieres se deschargent dans ladicte Baye, & par aucunes d'icelles on monte bien haut pour aller à Gachepé. Les Sauuages de cest endroit peuuent monter à250soixante, ou quatre vingts ames, & ne sont point si vagabons, que les autres, soit pource que le lieu est plus retiré, soit qu'il est plus abondant en chasse, n'estant point de besoin d'en sortir pour viure. Le pays est pour la pluspart agreable; & à mon aduis, de grande fertilité s'il estoit cultiué. Il est dans le quarente six degré d'eleuation polaire.

Now although so badly provisioned, nevertheless we went not only to the Bay of Mines, but also to Chinictou; Champlain [204] calls this Bay, the Baye de Genes. At this Chinictou there are many large and beautiful meadows, extending farther than the eye can reach; many rivers discharge their waters into it, through some of which one can sail quite far up on the route to Gachepé.45The Savages of this place may number sixty or eighty souls, and they are not sonomadic as the others, either because the place is more retired, or because game is more abundant, there being no need of their going out to seek food. The country is, for the most part, agreeable, and, in my opinion, would be very fertile if it were cultivated. It is within the forty-sixth degree of north latitude.

A nostre retour de la dicte Baye Dieu nous preserua euidemment deux fois emmy la tempeste. Et la troisiesme fut celle que [205] ie m'en vais raconter. Nous n'auions apporté que pour huit iours de viures, & ja y en auoit quinze de nostre despart. Le mauuais temps nous tenoit au delà de la Baye des mines, du costé de la riuiere S. Iean, si le contrastre ou contrarieté de vents eust duré, c'en estoit fait, il falloit mourir de faim, car nous n'auions rien. La nuict venuë le P. Biard persuada à la compagnie de faire vn vœu à nostre Seigneur, & à sa benoiste Mere, que s'il leur plaisoit nous donner vent propice, les quatre Sauuages qui estoyent auec nous se feroyent Chrestiens. Les Sauuages en furent bien contans, & ainsi le vœu fut faict. Le matin venu le vent fut esueillé tel qu'il le nous falloit, & à son ayde nous trauersasmes la dicte Baye, qui est de huict lieües de large. Or arriuez à terre du costé de Port Royal [206] le vent nous manqua. Et si auions marée contre nous & quinze lieües iusques à Port Royal.

Upon our return from this Bay, God manifestly preserved us twice in the midst of the tempest. And the third escape is that which [205] I am going to describe. We had carried with us food for only eight days and it had already been fifteen since our departure. Bad weather kept us beyond the Bay of mines, on the St. John river side; and, if the contrary or adverse winds had continued, it would have been all over with us, as we would have had to die of hunger, for we had nothing. When night came, Father Biard persuaded the company to make a vow to our Lord, and to his blessed Mother, that if it pleased them, to send propitious winds, the four Savages who were with us would become Christians. The Savages were willing to do this, and the vow was made. In the morning the wind arose, such a one as we were in need of, and by its aid we crossed the Bay, which is eight leagues wide. Now when we reached shore on the Port Royal side, [206] the wind failed us; also we had the tide against us, and we were fifteen leagues from Port Royal.

A ceste cause le sieur de Biencourt nous quitta, aymant mieux s'en aller à pied auec les Sauuages: Mais il fut trompé, car aussi tost, qu'il nous eust delaissez, le bon temps nous reuint a l'aide duquel, & du bon courage des compagnons, nous arriuasmes ce mesme iour à Port Royal; là où ledit sieur n'y reuint, que252trois iours apres ayant prou paty. Or les Sauuages estoyent prests à receuoir le S. Baptesme, mais on n'auoit pas dequoy les nourrir quatre ou cinq iours, qu'il eust fallu pour les Catechiser. Car tout nous manquoit. On les differa iusques à ce que le nauire sut venu qu'on attendoit de iour à autre. Mais l'attente fut vayne, ainsi qu'ouïrez. Et ainsi l'occasion de ce bien se perdit à [207] nostre grand regret.

For this reason sieur de Biencourt left us, preferring to go on foot with the Savages: but he made a mistake, for immediately after his departure, good weather returned, by the aid of which, and owing to the good courage of our companions, we arrived the same day at Port Royal; whereas the sieur did not get there until three days later, after much suffering.Now the Savages were ready to receive Holy Baptism, but there was nothing for them to eat during the four or five days in which they would have to be Catechized. For we were in need of everything. It was put off until the coming of the ship, which was expected from day to day; but the expectation was vain, as you will hear. And thus the opportunity for this good deed was lost, to [207] our great regret.

Or le P. Biard reuenu à la maison comme il estoit bien aise d'auoir si merueilleusement euadé la mort, la faim & les orages; Aussi estoit-il en tristesse fort grande pour n'auoir sceu nouuelles aucunes de son cher Confrere le P. Enemond, qu'il aymoit vniquement. Mais Dieu le resiouyt plenierement ce mesme iour. Car comme si le rendez-vous leur eust esté donné à mesme assignation, il arriua ce mesme iour sur le vespre, sain & sauue, & chargé de merites & bonnes œuures: tant pour auoir beaucoup paty, comme pour auoir mis au Paradis quelques ames, qui estoyentpasséesaussi tost apres le S. Baptesme. De vray ils eurent tous deux grande occasion de benir d'vn grand cœur leur bon Dieu, & Seigneur, qui les cõsoloit si paternellement, [208] & si oculairement les protegeoit en tout, & par tout.

Now Father Biard, being again at home, although he was very happy at having so wonderfully escaped death, famine, and tempest; nevertheless was exceedingly cast down at not having heard any news of his dear Brother, Father Enemond, for whom he had a singular attachment. But God completely relieved his fears that very day. For, as if the rendezvous had been assigned them at this very place, he arrived the same day, safe and sound, and loaded with merit and good works: as much for having suffered so greatly, as for having placed in Paradise some souls, which had passed away immediately after Holy Baptism. In truth they both had reason to bless with full hearts their good God and Lord, who comforted them like a father, [208] and so visibly protected them in all things, and everywhere.

CHAPITRE XXIV. [i.e., xxii.]CE QU'ARRIUA L'HYUER, & LE PRINTEMPS SUIUANT, DE L'AN 1613.254LE sieur de Biencourt s'attendoit totalement de receuoir secours de France auant l'Hyuer, voyre mesme on auoit dit qu'il y auoit trois, ou quatre nauires en chemin, & ja recherchoit-on, où l'on pourroit loger tant & tant de biens, qui venoyent en flotte. Sur ceste confiance le sieur de Biencourt auoit trocqué quasi tout. Et partant se vit bien esbahy, quand à la Toussaincts il se trouua hors de tout espoir de secours pour ceste année là.

254LE sieur de Biencourt s'attendoit totalement de receuoir secours de France auant l'Hyuer, voyre mesme on auoit dit qu'il y auoit trois, ou quatre nauires en chemin, & ja recherchoit-on, où l'on pourroit loger tant & tant de biens, qui venoyent en flotte. Sur ceste confiance le sieur de Biencourt auoit trocqué quasi tout. Et partant se vit bien esbahy, quand à la Toussaincts il se trouua hors de tout espoir de secours pour ceste année là.

CHAPTER XXIV. [i.e., xxii.]WHAT HAPPENED DURING THE WINTER AND SPRING FOLLOWING, OF THE YEAR 1613.Sieur de Biencourt fully expected to receive help from France before Winter, especially as it had been said that there were three or four ships on the way, and already we were looking about to see where we could store so many things as were coming in this fleet. Trusting in this, sieur de Biencourt had traded almost everything. He was therefore very much astonished, when on All Saints' day, he found himself without hope of any relief that year.

Sieur de Biencourt fully expected to receive help from France before Winter, especially as it had been said that there were three or four ships on the way, and already we were looking about to see where we could store so many things as were coming in this fleet. Trusting in this, sieur de Biencourt had traded almost everything. He was therefore very much astonished, when on All Saints' day, he found himself without hope of any relief that year.

[209] Or les Iesuites, qui n'auoyent point mis cuire (comme l'on dit) sur ces imaginatiues attentes, auoyent reserué dans leur magasin cinq grands poinçons de bled; quatre de pur froment, & vn d'orge qu'on leur auoit enuoyé de France pour leur particulier. Tout cela faisoit quatorze barils de bon grain. Eux donc voyants la necessité du sieur de Biencourt, l'allerent trouuer, & luy offrirent leurs moyens de bonne volonté, & qu'il prinst tout leur bled, hors seulement deux barrils de froment, & vn d'orge, qu'ils se desiroyent reseruer pour diuers accidents de necessitez, & maladies tant d'eux, que des autres. Quant au reste, qu'on n'innoueroit rien, ains à leur accoustumée ils receuroyent la distribution quotidienne à l'egal des autres. Le sieur de Biencourt accepta l'offre, & les [210] conditiõs, & selon icelles on commença de viure.

[209] Now the Jesuits, who had not built much (as the saying is) upon these visionary expectations, had reserved in their storeroom five large puncheons of grain, four of pure wheat and one of barley, which had been sent from France for their own use. It made in all fourteen barrels of good grain. Now, when they saw sieur de Biencourt's necessity, they went to him and cheerfully offered him their means, saying that he should take all their grain with the sole exception of two barrels of wheat and one of barley, which they wished to reserve for various emergencies of want and sickness, both for themselves and the others. As to the remainder, they would not touch it, except to receive as usual their daily portion like the others. Sieur de Biencourt accepted the offer, and its [210] conditions, and according to these we began to live.

Ce pendant les Iesuites ayants Dieu pour appuy, ne256perdoyent point courage, ains selon la lumiere, & l'engin, que leur estoit donné, pouruoyoyent à l'aduenir. Partant ils s'auiserent de bastir vne chaloupe, tandis que les autres demeuroyent au pres du feu à leur aise sans trauailler. Car ils preuoyoyent, que sans bateau, il leur conuiendroit mourir de faim apres deux mois que leur pourroit durer leur orge, parce qu'ils ne pourroyent aller sans bateau ny au gland, ny aux coques, ny aux racines, ny à la pesche, ny autre part, où seroit quelque esperance de queste. Parce queleschemins de ce païs là sont les riuieres, & la mer.

Meanwhile the Jesuits, with God as their support, did not lose heart, but, according to the light and ingenuity given them, provided for the future. Thus they decided to construct a boat while the others were sitting around the fire doing nothing. For they foresaw that, without this, they would surely die of hunger after the two months in which their barley would last; and, having no boat, they could not go for acorns, shells, roots, or fish, nor to any place where there would be hope of finding something. For the roads in that country are the rivers and the sea.

Au commencements de ceste leur entreprinse de bastir vne [211] chaloupe, on se mocquoit deux: car le cõducteur de l'œuure estoit leur garçon, qui n'en sçauoit pas plus qu'vn apprentif: ses aides estoyent deux Prestres, qui iamais n'auoyent faict tel mestier. Neãtmoins (disoit-on) le P. Enemond sçait tout faire, & au besoin il se trouuera bon Scieur d'ais, bon calfeutreur, & bõ Architecte. Mais le P. Biard dequoy seruira-il à cela? Ne sçais-tu pas, (disoit l'autre,) que quand la chaloupe sera faicte, il luy donnera la benediction. Ainsi causoyent-ils, & en auoyent beau loisir, aupres du feu. Mais les Iesuites ne perdoyent point de temps à scier planches, à raboter ais, rechercher courbes, à faire estoupes des bouts de cordages qu'ils recouuroyent, à courir les bois pour amasser de la resine. Que voulez-vous? A la my-Mars leur gaillarde chaloupe fut [212] dans l'eau equippée, parée, accommodée brauement auec l'admiration de ceux qui s'en estoyent moquez: & tout au contraire, le sieur de Biencourt, qui au commencement de l'Hyuer auoit eu trois bonnes chaloupes, à la fin ne s'en trouua du tout point, & fut contraint du bris d'icelles258faire rauauder vn malotru bateau pour trois personnes au plus, qui n'eust sceu faire trois lieües continuellement en mer, qu'il ne fust pery, tant il faisoit d'eau.

When they began to carry out this plan of constructing a [211] boat they were both laughed at; for the master of the work was their servant, who knew nothing more about it than an apprentice; his assistants were two Priests, who had never followed this trade. "Nevertheless" (some one said) "Father Enemond can do anything; and in case of need he will be found to be a good Sawyer of planks, a good caulker, and a good Architect. But of what use will Father Biard be in such work?" "Dost thou not know" (answered the other) "that when the boat is done he will give it his blessing?" Thus they chattered, and talked it over leisurely around the fire. But the Jesuits lost no time in sawing planks, planing boards, seeking bent wood, making oakum out of bits of rope which they found, and tramping over the woods in search of resin. What came of it? In the middle of March their jolly-boat was [212] upon the water equipped, adorned and fitted up bravely, to the admiration of those who had sneered at it: and on the other hand, sieur de Biencourt, who in the beginning of Winter had had three good shallops, at the end did not have any at all; and he was obliged, out of thewrecks of these, to patch up a clumsy boat large enough for three people at the most, which leaked so badly that it could not go three continuous leagues upon the sea, without sinking.

Or la chaloupe estant preste, & appareillée, le P. Biard s'en alla premierement en haut contre la riuiere auec leur seruiteur, & vn tiers qui se ioignist à eux, appellé Iean Baptiste Charpẽtier. Ils allerent à la queste du gland, & des racines. Ces racines sont appellées en SauuageoisChiquebi, & s'engendrent volontiers aupres [213] des chesnes. Elles sont comme des truffes, mais meilleures, & croissent sous terre enfilées l'vne à l'autre en forme de chapelet. Il y en a beaucoup en certains endroits. Vray est qu'il est bien difficile d'aller aucune part où les Sauuages n'ayent de ja foüillé, par ainsi on n'en trouue guieres que des bien petites. Et encores faut-il bien trauailler pour en viure vn iour.

Now the boat being ready and under sail, Father Biard, with the servant and another who had joined them, named Jean Baptiste Charpentier, first made a trip up the river. They went in search of acorns and roots. These roots in the Savage language are calledChiquebi,46and grow readily near [213] oak trees. They are like truffles, but better, and grow under the ground strung to each other like a rosary. There are many of them in certain places, yet it is very difficult to find any place where the Savages have not already been digging, and thus only very small ones are to be found. Also we must work hard to get enough of them for a day's food.

Apres auoir couru en haut contre la riuiere pour les glands, & racines, il s'en alla à l'Eplan. Eplan ou Epelã est vn petit poisson cõme les sardines deRoüẽ, qui venãt de la mer, fraye contre certains ruisseaux sur le commencement d'Auril. Il y en a vn à quatre lieües de l'habitation de Port Royal, qui aucunesfois en fourmille tout en ce temps là. Pour ceste cause les Sauuages aussi s'y vont cabaner, & en viuent.

After having gone to the upper part of the river for acorns and roots, he went to get some Smelts. The Eplan or Epelan is a little fish like the sardine of Roüen, which, coming from the sea, spawns in certain brooks toward the beginning of April. There is one of these brooks four leagues from Port Royal, which sometimes completely swarms with them at that season. For this reason the Savages also go there to camp and live.

[214] Apres l'Eplan succedent les Harencs, qui frayent de mesme en vn autre riuiere. Le P. Enemond Massé entreprit ceste pesche des harencs, & apres celle-cy celle de molües, ja le mois de May estant venu. En ceste façon nous boutames le temps (comme l'on dit) auec les espaules; ou plus tost auec les pieds & bras, trainants nostre miserable vie iusques à ce que le nauire arriua. Le voyage, & route duquel il nous faut reprendre de plus haut.

[214] After the Smelts come the Herrings, which in like manner spawn in another river. Father Enemond Massé engaged in this fishing for herring, and later for cod, until the coming of the month of May. And thus we were butting against time (as the saying is) with our shoulders, or rather with our hands and feet, dragging on our miserable lives until the arrival of the ship, whose voyage and route we must take up from farther back.

CHAPITRE XXV. [i.e., xxiii.]L'ARRIUÉE DE LA SAUSSAYE À PORT ROYAL,& &DE LÀ, À S. SAUUEUR.260ON dressoit en France vn equipage pour retirer les Iesuites de Port Royal, & fonder [215] vne nouuelle habitation de François en vn autre lieu plus commode.

260ON dressoit en France vn equipage pour retirer les Iesuites de Port Royal, & fonder [215] vne nouuelle habitation de François en vn autre lieu plus commode.

CHAPTER XXV. [i.e., xxiii.]LA SAUSSAYE'S ARRIVAL AT PORT ROYAL, AND AFTERWARDS, AT ST. SAUVEUR.THEY fitted up a ship in France to take the Jesuits away from Port Royal, and to found [215] a new French settlement in a more suitable place.

THEY fitted up a ship in France to take the Jesuits away from Port Royal, and to found [215] a new French settlement in a more suitable place.

Le chef de cet equipage estoit le Capitaine la Saussaye ayant trente personnes, qui deuoyent hyuerner sur le pays, en contant les deux Iesuites, & leur seruiteur qu'il deuoit prendre à Port Royal. Il auoit de plus auec soy deux autres Iesuites, le Pere Quantin, & Gilbert du Thet qu'il conduisoit: mais ils deuoyent reuenir en France au cas que les deux de Port Royal ne fussent pas morts, de quoy on se doutoit. Tout l'equipage en contant les Matelots, montoit à 48. personnes. Le maistre du nauire estoit Charles Flory de Habbe-ville, homme iudicieux, hardy & paisible. La Royne de sa grace auoit cõtribué aux despenses quatre tentes ou pauillons du Roy, & quelques munitions [216] de guerres. Le sieur Simon le Maistre auoit vacqué serieusement à tout l'affretement & auitaillement. Et Gilbert du Thet, Iesuite coadiuteur, homme fort industrieux, ne s'y estoit point espargné, de maniere qu'on estoit richement prouisionné de toutes choses pour plus d'vn an. Outre les cheuaux, & cheures qu'on y conduisoit ja pour commencemẽt de mesnage. Le nauire estoit de cent tonneaux.

The chief of this expedition was Captain la Saussaye, who was to winter in the country with thirty persons, counting in the two Jesuits and their servant, whom he was to take up at Port Royal. He had with him, besides, two other Jesuits, Father Quantin and Gilbert du Thet, whom he was to take there; but they were to return to France in case the two at Port Royal were not dead, of which there was some doubt. The entire company, counting the Sailors, numbered 48 persons. The master of the ship was Charles Flory of Habbe-ville, a discreet, hardy and peaceable man. The Queen in her goodness had contributed four of the King's tents or pavilions, and some munitions [216] of war. Sieur Simon le Maistre had devoted himself earnestly to the freighting and provisioning, and Gilbert du Thet, the Jesuit lay brother, a very industrious man, had not spared himself; so they were amply provided with everything for more than a year, besides the horses and goats which were being taken over for domestic purposes. The ship was of a hundred tons burthen.

262Cest equipage ainsi ordonné partit de Honfleur le 12. de Mars, l'an 1613. & territ premierement au Cap de la Heue en la coste de l'Acadie, le 16. de May ayant consumé en son traiect deux mois entiers. Au Cap de la Heue ils dirent Messe, & dresserẽt vne Croix, y apposants les armoiries de Madame la Marquise de Guercheuille, pour marque de possession [217] prinse en son nom. De là se remettans en mer, ils vindrent à Port Royal.

This expedition, thus fitted out, departed fromHonfleur on the 12th of March, 1613, and landed first at Cap de la Heve on the coast of Acadie, on the 16th of May, having consumed two entire months in the passage. At Cap de la Heve Mass was said, and a Cross erected, upon which was placed the coat of arms of Madame la Marquise de Guercheville, as a sign of having taken [217] possession of it in her name. Thence putting to sea again, they came to Port Royal.

A Port Royal ils ne trouuerent que cinq personnes, sçauoir est, les deux Iesuites, leur seruiteur, l'Apothicaire Herbert, & vn autre. Le sieur de Biẽcourt & ses autres gens estoyent tous bien loin, qui çà, qui là. Or parce que Hebert tenoit la place dudit sieur: on luy presenta les lettres de la Royne, par lesquelles iussion estoit faicte de relacher les Iesuites, & leur permettre d'aller, où bon leur sẽbleroit: ainsi les Iesuites retirerent leurs hardes en bonne paix. Et tant ce iour-là, que le suiuant on fit la meilleur chere qu'on peut à Hebert, & à son compagnon, à fin que ceste venuë ne leur fust point triste. Au depart (quoy qu'ils ne fussẽt point en disette:) on leur laissa vn barril de pain, & quelques [218] flaccons de vin, à ce que l'Adieu fust pareillement de bonne grace.

At Port Royal they only found five persons; namely, the two Jesuits, their servant, the Apothecary Herbert,37and another. Sieur de Biencourt and the rest of his people were all quite far away, some here, some there. Now because Hebert was taking the place of the sieur, they presented to him the Queen's letters, which contained the royal command to release the Jesuits and to let them go wherever they pleased; so the Jesuits took away their property in great peace. And on that day as well as on the following, they made it as pleasant for Hebert and his company as they could, so that this arrival would not be a cause of sadness to them. At their departure, (although they were not in need of anything) they left them a barrel of bread and some [218] bottles of wine, that the Farewell might be received with equally good grace.

La contrarieté des vents nous retint enuiron cinq iours à Port Royal, d'où s'esleuant vn prospere Nordest, nous partimes, en intention d'aller à la riuiere de Pentegoet, au lieu appelléKadesquit, lieu qu'on auoit destiné pour la nouuelle habitation, & ayant à tel effect beaucoup de grãds auãtages. Mais Dieu en disposa autrement. Car comme nous fusmes au Suest de l'Isle de Menauo, le temps se change, & suruint en mer vne si espaisse brume, que nous n'y voyons264non plus de iour que de nuict. Nous apprehendions grandement ce danger, pourtãt qu'en cest endroit y a beaucoup de brisants, & rochers, contre lesquels nous craignions de donner parmy les tenebres; le vent ne nous [219] permettant point de nous tirer hors, & nous mettre au large. Nous demeurasmes en ceste façõ deux iours & deux nuicts, virants tantost d'vn costé, tantost de l'autre comme Dieu nous inspiroit. L'affliction nous esmeut de faire prieres & vœux à Dieu à ce qu'il luy pleust nous deliurer du peril, & nous adresser à quelque bon lieu pour sa gloire. De sa bonté il nous exauça, car au soir nous cõmençames à voir des estoiles, & auec le matin les brouëes se dissiperent. Nous nous recogneusmes estre au deuant desMonts deserts, Isle que les Sauuages appellentPemetiq. Le Pilote adressa au costé Oriental de l'Isle, où il nous logea en vn beau, & grand port, & nous y rendismes nos vœus, esleuants vne Croix, & chantans à Dieu ses loüanges auec le sacrifice de la saincte Messe. Nous appellasmes [220] ce lieu & port Sainct Sauueur.

Unfavorable winds kept us about five days at Port Royal, and then a propitious Northeaster arising, we departed, intending to go to the river Pentegoet, to the place calledKadesquit,47the site destined for the new colony, and having many great advantages for such a purpose. But God ordained otherwise. For when we were to the Southeast of the Island of Menauo,48the weather changed, and there came uponthe sea such a dense fog that we could see no more by day than by night. We had serious misgivings in this time of danger, because in this place there are breakers and rocks, against which we were afraid of striking in the darkness; the wind not [219] permitting us to draw away and stand out to sea. We continued thus two days and two nights, veering now to one side, now to the other, as God inspired us. We were moved by our affliction to offer prayers and vows to God, that he might be pleased to deliver us from the danger, and direct us to some good place for his glory. In his goodness he hearkened to us, for when evening came on we began to see the stars, and by morning the fogs had all disappeared. We recognized that we were opposite Mount desert, an Island, which the Savages callPemetiq.49The pilot turned to the Eastern shore of the Island, and there located us in a large and beautiful port, where we made our thanksgiving to God, raising a Cross and singing to God his praises with the sacrifice of the holy Mass. We called [220] this place and port Saint Sauveur.

CHAPITRE XXVI. [i.e., xxiv.]A QUELLE OCCASION NOUS NOUS ARRESTAMES À SAINCT SAUUEUR, LA BONTÉ DU LIEU.266OR en ce Port icy de S. Sauueur grande contention s'esleua entre les Matelots, & nostre equipage ou nous autres passagers. La cause en estoit, parce que la charte partie, & l'accord passé en France portants, que lesdits Matelots seroyent tenus anchrer en vn Port de l'Acadie, que nous leur nommerions; & là seiourner l'espace de trois mois: Lesdits Matelots se maintenoyẽt estre arriués en vn Port de l'Acadie, & que partant ledit terme de trois mois deuoit courir dés cest'arriuée. On leur repliquoit [221] que le Port n'estoit point celuy qu'on leur auoit nomméKadesquit, & partant, que le temps ne courroit point auant qu'ils y fussent. Le Pilote s'opiniastroit là cõtre, maintenant, que iamais nauire n'estoit allé iusques àKadesquit, & qu'il ne vouloit point se faire vn descouureur de nouuelles routes: il y auoit aussi faute, au nom de l'Acadie, pour dire la Norambegue, ce qui augmentoit la dispute: raisons deçà, raisons delà. Rien que plaidoyerie, mauuais augure de l'aduenir.

266OR en ce Port icy de S. Sauueur grande contention s'esleua entre les Matelots, & nostre equipage ou nous autres passagers. La cause en estoit, parce que la charte partie, & l'accord passé en France portants, que lesdits Matelots seroyent tenus anchrer en vn Port de l'Acadie, que nous leur nommerions; & là seiourner l'espace de trois mois: Lesdits Matelots se maintenoyẽt estre arriués en vn Port de l'Acadie, & que partant ledit terme de trois mois deuoit courir dés cest'arriuée. On leur repliquoit [221] que le Port n'estoit point celuy qu'on leur auoit nomméKadesquit, & partant, que le temps ne courroit point auant qu'ils y fussent. Le Pilote s'opiniastroit là cõtre, maintenant, que iamais nauire n'estoit allé iusques àKadesquit, & qu'il ne vouloit point se faire vn descouureur de nouuelles routes: il y auoit aussi faute, au nom de l'Acadie, pour dire la Norambegue, ce qui augmentoit la dispute: raisons deçà, raisons delà. Rien que plaidoyerie, mauuais augure de l'aduenir.

CHAPTER XXVI. [i.e., xxiv.]WHY WE STAYED AT SAINT SAUVEUR; THE GOOD QUALITIES OF THE PLACE.NOW here in this Port of St. Sauveur a great contention arose between the Sailors and our company, or us other passengers, because the charter party and contract, drawn up in France, stipulated that the Sailors should be held at anchor in a Port of Acadie, which we should name to them, and should remain there for the space of three months; the sailors maintained that they had arrived at a Port of Acadie, and that therefore the said term of three months should begin to run from the time of this arrival. It was explained to them [221] that the Port was not the one that had been designated to them by the name ofKadesquit, and therefore the time would not begin to be counted until they were there. The Pilot obstinately opposed this, maintaining that a ship had never gone as far asKadesquit, and that he had no intention of becoming a discoverer of new routes; there was also some mistake about the name Acadie meaning Norambegue,8which strengthened the dispute; reasons here, reasons there; nothing but argument, a bad augury for the future.

NOW here in this Port of St. Sauveur a great contention arose between the Sailors and our company, or us other passengers, because the charter party and contract, drawn up in France, stipulated that the Sailors should be held at anchor in a Port of Acadie, which we should name to them, and should remain there for the space of three months; the sailors maintained that they had arrived at a Port of Acadie, and that therefore the said term of three months should begin to run from the time of this arrival. It was explained to them [221] that the Port was not the one that had been designated to them by the name ofKadesquit, and therefore the time would not begin to be counted until they were there. The Pilot obstinately opposed this, maintaining that a ship had never gone as far asKadesquit, and that he had no intention of becoming a discoverer of new routes; there was also some mistake about the name Acadie meaning Norambegue,8which strengthened the dispute; reasons here, reasons there; nothing but argument, a bad augury for the future.

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