The next Day, the Weather clearing up, we fir’d some Cannon-shot and
the _Joly_ answer’d, and towards the Evening we perceiv’d her to the
Windward of us. We held on our Course, making several Trips till the
Fourth in the Evening, when being in Sight and within two Leagues of
the Land, we came to an Anchor to expect the _Joly_, for which we were
in Pain.
[Sidenote: _Monsieur_ Joutel _believes here was one of the Mouths of
the_ Missisipi. _See the Pref. and what follows._]
The Fifth, we set Sail and held on our Course _W. S. W._ keeping along
the Shore till about Six in the Evening, when we stood away to the
_Southward_ and anchor’d at Night in six Fathom Water. The Sixth, we
would have made ready to sail, but the Pilot perceiving, that the Sea
broke astern of us, and that there were some Shoals, it was thought
proper to continue at Anchor, till the Wind chang’d, and we accordingly
staid there the Sixth and all the Seventh. The Eighth the Wind veering
about, we stood out a little to Sea, to avoid those Shoals, which are
very dangerous, and anchor’d again a League from thence. Upon Advice,
that the Bark _la Belle_ had discover’d a small Island, which appear’d
between the two Points of a Bay, Monsieur _de la Sale_ sent a Man up
to the round Top, from whence both the one and the other were plainly
to be seen, and according to the Sea Charts we had with us, that was
suppos’d to be the Bay of the _Holy Ghost_.
The Ninth, Monsieur _de la Sale_, sent to view those Shoals. Those who
went reported there was a sort of Bank, which runs along the Coast;
that they had been in one Fathom Water and discover’d the little Island
beforemention’d, and as for the Sand Bank there is no such thing
mark’d down in the Charts. Monsieur _de la Sale_ having examin’d the
Recknings, was confirm’d in his Opinion, that we were in the Bay of
_Apalache_, and caus’d us to continue the same Course.
The Tenth, he took an Observation and found 29 Degrees 23 Minutes North
Latitude. The eleventh, we were becalm’d, and Monsieur _de la Sale_
resolv’d to go ashore, to endeavour to discover what he was looking
for; but as we were making ready, the Pilot began to mutter because
five or six of us were going with Monsieur _de la Sale_, who too
lightly alter’d his Design, to avoid giving Offence to brutish People.
In that Particular he committed an irretrieveable Error; for it is
the Opinion of Judicious Men, who, as well as I, saw the rest of that
Voyage, that the Mouth of one of the Branches of the _Missisipi_ River,
and the same whose Latitude Monsieur _de la Sale_ had taken, when he
travell’d to it from _Canada_, was not far from that Place, and that we
must of Necessity be near the Bay of the _Holy Ghost_.[49]
[Sidenote: _Monsieur_ de la Sale’s _Mistake_.]
It was Monsieur _de la Sale’s_ Design to find that Bay, and having
found it, he had resolv’d to have set ashore about thirty Men, who
were to have follow’d the Coast on the Right and Left, which would
infallibly have discover’d to him that fatal River, and have prevented
many Misfortunes; but Heaven refus’d him that Success, and even made
him regardless of an Affair of such Consequence, since he was satisfy’d
with sending thither the Pilot, with one of the Masters of the Bark
_la Belle_, who return’d without having seen any Thing, because a fog
happen’d to rise; only the Master of the Bark said he believ’d there
was a River opposite to those Shoals, which was very likely, and yet
Monsieur _de la Sale_ took no Notice of it, nor made any Account of
that Report.
The Twelfth, the Wind being come about we weigh’d and directed our
Course _S. W._ to get further from the Land. By an Observation found
25[50] Degrees 50 Minutes North Latitude, and the Wind shifting, and
the Currents, which set from the Seaward driving us ashore, it was
found convenient to anchor in four or five Fathom Water, where we spent
all the Night.
The Thirteenth, we perceiv’d our Water began to fall short, and
therefore it was requisite to go ashore to fill some Casks. Monsieur
_de la Sale_ propos’d it to me to go and see it perform’d, which I
accepted of, with six of our Gentlemen who offer’d their Service. We
went into the Boat, with our Arms, the Boat belonging to the Bark _la
Belle_ follow’d ours, with five or six Men, and we all made directly
for the Land.
We were very near the Shoar, when we discover’d a number of naked Men
marching along the Banks, whom we suppos’d to be native Savages. We
drew within two Musket Shots of the Land, and the Shore being flat,
the Wind setting from the Offing, and the Sea running high, dropt our
Anchors, for Fear of staving our Boats.[51]
[Sidenote: _Savages came to the Boat._]
When the Savages perceiv’d we had stopp’d, they made Signs to us with
Skins, to go to them, shew’d us their Bows, which they laid down upon
the Ground, and drew near to the Edge of the Shore; but because we
could not get Ashore, and still they continued their Signals, I put my
Handkerchief on the End of my Firelock, after the Manner of a Flag, and
made Signs to them to come to us. They were some Time considering of
it, and at last some of them ran into the Water up to their Shoulders,
till perceiving that the Waves overwhelm’d them, they went out again,
fetch’d a large Piece of Timber, which they threw into the Sea, plac’d
themselves along both Sides of it, holding fast to it with one Arm, and
swimming with the other; and in that Manner they drew near to our Boat.
[Sidenote: _Carryed Aboard._]
Being in Hopes that Monsr. _de la Sale_, might get some Information
from those Savages, we made no Difficulty of taking them into our Boat,
one after another, on each Side, to the Number of five, and then made
Signs to the rest to go to the other Boat, which they did, and we
carry’d them on Board.
Monsieur _de la Sale_ was very well pleas’d to see them, imagining
they might give him some Account of the River he sought after; but to
no Purpose, for he spoke to them in several of the Languages of the
Savages, which he knew, and made many Signs to them, but still they
understood not what he meant, or if they did comprehend any thing, they
made Signs, that they knew nothing of what he ask’d; so that having
made them smoak and eat, we shewed them our Arms and the Ship, and when
they saw at one End of it some Sheep, Swine, Hens and Turkeys, and the
Hide of a Cow we had kill’d, they made Signs that they had of all those
Sorts of Creatures among them.
[Sidenote: _Return Ashore with Gifts._]
We gave them some Knives and Strings of Beads, after which, they were
dismiss’d, and the Waves hindring us from coming too near the Shore,
they were oblig’d to leap into the Water, after we had made fast about
their Necks, or to the Tuft of Hair they have on the Top of the Head,
the Knives and other small Presents Monsieur _de la Sale_ had given
them.
They went and join’d the others who expected them, and were making
Signs to us to go to them; but not being able to make the Shore, we
stood off again and return’d to our Ship. It is to be observed, that
when we were carrying them back, they made some Signs to us, by which
we conceiv’d they would signify to us that there was a great River that
Way we were pass’d, and that it occasion’d the Shoals we had seen.
The Wind changing, the same Day, we weigh’d Anchor and stood to the
Southward, to get into the Offing, till the 14th in the Morning, when
we were becalm’d. At Noon, we were in 28 Degrees 51 Minutes of North
Latitude. The Wind freshned, and in the Evening we held on our Course,
but only for a short Time, because the Wind setting us towards the
Shore, we were obliged to anchor again, whereupon Monsieur _de la
Sale_ again resolved to send Ashore, and the same Persons imbark’d in
the same Boats to that effect.
[Sidenote: _Goats and Bullocks._]
We met with the same Obstacles, that had hinder’d us the Day before,
that is, the High-Sea, which would not permit us to come near the
Shore, and were obliged to drop Anchor in fourteen Foot Water.[52] The
Sight of Abundance of Goats and Bullocks, differing in Shape, from
ours, and running along the Coast, heighten’d our Earnestness to be
Ashore. We therefore sounded to see whether we might get to Land by
Stripping, and found we were on a Flat, which had four Foot Water, but
that beyond it there was a deep Channel. Whilst we were consulting what
to do, a Storm arose, which oblig’d Monsieur _de la Sale_ to fire a Gun
for us to return Aboard, which we did against our Inclination.
Monsieur _de la Sale_ was pleas’d with the Report we made him, and by
it, several were encouraged to go Ashore to hunt, that we might have
some fresh Meat. We spent all that Night, till the next Morning, in
Hopes of returning soon to that Place; but the Wind changing, forc’d us
to weigh and sail till the Evening, when we drop’d Anchor in six Fathom
Water. The Land which we never departed from very far, appear’d to us
very pleasant, and having lain there till the 16th, that Morning we
sail’d _W. S. W._ We weather’d a Point, keeping a large Offing, because
of the Sea’s beating upon it, and stood to the Southward. At Noon,
we were in 28 Degrees 20 Minutes of North Latitude, and consequently
found the Latitude declin’d, by which we were sensible, that the Coast
tendered to the Southward. At Night we anchor’d in six Fathom Water.
The 17th, the Wind continuing the same, we held on our Course _S. W._
and having about Ten discover’d a Sort of River, Monsieur _de la Sale_
caus’d Ten of us to go into a Boat, to take a View of that Coast, and
see whether there was not some Place to land. He order’d me, in Case we
found any convenient Place, to give him Notice either by Fire or Smoke.
[Sidenote: _Second landing._]
We set out, and found the Shoals obstructed our Descent. One of our Men
went naked into the Water to sound that Sand Bank, which lay between us
and the Land; and having shewn us a Place where we might Pass, we, with
much Difficulty, forc’d our Boat into the Channel, and six or seven
of us landed, after ordering the Boat to go up into that which had
appeared to us to be a River, to see whether any fresh Water could be
found.
As soon as we were landed, I made a Smoke to give Notice to Monsieur
_de la Sale_, and then we advanc’d both Ways, without straggling too
far, that we might be ready to receive Monsr. _de la Sale_, who was
to come, as he did, soon after, but finding the Surges run high, he
return’d, and our Boat finding no fresh Water, came back and anchor’d
to wait for us.
We walked about every Way, and found a dry Soil, tho’ it seem’d to be
overflow’d at some Times; great Lakes of salt Water, little Grass, the
Track of Goats, on the Sand, and saw Herds of them, but could not come
near them, however we kill’d some Ducks and Bustards. In the Evening,
as we were returning, we miss’d an English Seaman, fir’d several Shots
to give him Notice, searched all about, waited till after Sunset, and
at last hearing no Tidings of him, we went into the Boat to return
Aboard.
I gave Monsieur _de la Sale_ an Account of what we had seen, which
would have pleas’d him, had the River we discover’d, afforded fresh
Water: He was also uneasy for the lost Man; but about Midnight we saw a
Fire Ashore, in the Place we came from, which we suppos’d to be made by
our Man, and the Boat went for him as soon as it was day on the 18th.
After that, we made several Trips, still steering towards the _S. W._
and then ensued a Calm, which oblig’d us to come to an Anchor. Want
of Water made us think of returning towards the River, where we had
been the Day before. Monsr. _de la Sale_ resolved to set a considerable
Number of Men Ashore, with sufficient Ammunition, and to go with them
himself, to discover and take Cognizance of that Country, and order’d
me to follow him. Accordingly we sail’d back, and came to an Anchor in
the same Place.
All things necessary for that end being order’d on the 19th, Part of
the Men were put into a Boat;[53] but a very thick Fog rising, and
taking away the Sight of Land, the Compass was made use of, and the
fog dispersing as we drew near the Land, we perceiv’d a Ship making
directly towards us, and that it was the _Joly_, where Monsr. _de
Beaujeu_ commanded, which rejoic’d us, but our Satisfaction was not
lasting, and it will appear by the Sequel, that it were to have been
wished, that Monsieur _de Beaujeu_ had not joyn’d us again, but that he
had rather gone away for _France_, without ever seeing of us.
His Arrival disconcerted the Execution of our Enterprize. Monsr. _de
la Sale_, who was already on his Way, and those who were gone before
him, return’d Aboard, and some Hours after, Monsr. _de Beaujeu_ sent
his Lieutenant, Monsr. _de Aire_, attended by several Persons, as well
Clergymen as others, among whom was the Sieur _Gabaret_, second Pilot
of the _Joly_.
[Sidenote: _Commanders at Variance._]
Monsieur _d’ Aire_ complain’d grievously to Monsieur _de la Sale_, in
the Name of Monsr. _de Beaujeu_, for that said he, we had left him
designedly; which was not true, for as I have said, the _Joly_ lay at
Anchor A-head of us, when we were separated from her; we fired a Gun to
give her Notice of our Departure, as had been concerted, and Monsr. _de
Beaujeu_ answer’d it; besides that, if we had intended to separate from
him, we should not have always held our Course in Sight of Land, as we
had done, and that had Monsieur _de Beaujeu_ held the same Course, as
had been agreed, he had not been separated from us.
There were afterwards several Disputes between the Captains and the
Pilots, as well Aboard Monsieur _de la Sale_, as Aboard Monsieur _de
Beaujeu_, when those Gentlemen return’d, about settling exactly the
Place we were in, and the Course we were to steer; some positively
affirming we were farther than we imagin’d, and that the Currents had
carry’d us away; and others, that we were near the _Magdalen_ River.
[Sidenote: _They pass the Mouth of the_ Missisipi.]
The former of those Notions prevail’d, whence, upon Reflection,
Monsieur _de la Sale_ concluded, that he must be past his River, which
was but too true; for that River emptying it self in the Sea by two
Channels, it follow’d that one of the Mouths fell about the Shoals
we had observ’d the sixth of the Month; and the rather because those
Shoals were very near the Latitude that Monsieur _de la Sale_ had
observ’d, when he came by the way of _Canada_ to discover the Mouth of
that River, as he told me several Times.
This Consideration prevail’d with Monsieur _de la Sale_ to propose
his Design of returning towards those Shoals. He gave his Reasons for
so doing and exposed his Doubts; but his ill Fortune made him not be
regarded. Our Passage had taken up more Time than had been expected,
by Reason of the Calms; there was a considerable Number of Men aboard
the _Joly_, and Provisions grew short, insomuch that they said it would
not hold out to return, if our Departure were delay’d. For this Reason
Monsieur _de Beaujeu_ demanded Provisions of Monsieur _de la Sale_;
but he asking enough for a long Time, Monsieur _de la Sale_ answer’d,
he could only give him enough for a Fortnight, which was more Time
than was requisite to reach the Place he intended to return to; and
that besides he could not give him more Provisions, without rummaging
all the Stores to the Bottom of the Hold, which would endanger his
being cast away. Thus nothing was concluded, and Monsieur _de Beaujeu_
return’d to his own Ship.
[Sidenote: _Third Landing._]
In the mean Time, Want of Water began to pinch us, and Monsieur _de
la Sale_ resolv’d to send to look for some about the next River.
Accordingly he order’d the two Boats that had been made ready the Day
before, to go off. He was aboard one of them himself, and directed me
to follow him. Monsieur _de Beaujeu_ also commanded his Boat to go
for Wood. By the Way we met the said Sieur _de Beaujeu_ in his Yaul,
returning from Land, with the Sieur _Minet_, an Ingenier, who told us,
they had been in a Sort of salt Pool, two or three Leagues from the
Place where the Ships were at Anchor, we held on our Way and landed.
One of our Boats, which was gone ahead of us, had been a League and a
half up the River, without finding any fresh Water in its Channel; but
some Men wandering about to the right and left, had met with divers
Rivulets[54] of very good Water, wherewith many Casks were fill’d.
We lay ashore, and our Hunters having that Day kill’d good Store of
Ducks, Bustards and Teal, and the next Day two Goats, Monsieur _de la
Sale_ sent Monsieur _de Beaujeu_ Part. We feasted upon the rest, and
that good Sport put several Gentlemen that were then aboard Monsieur
_de Beaujeu_, among whom were Monsieur _du Hamel_, the Ensign and the
King’s Clerk, upon coming ashore to partake of the Diversion; but they
took much Pains and were not successful in their Sport.
In the mean Time many Casks were fill’d with Water, as well for our
Ship as for Monsieur _de Beaujeu’s_. Some Days after Monsieur _d’
Aire_ the Lieutenant, came ashore to confer with Monsieur _de la
Sale_, and to know how he would manage about the Provisions; but both
of them persisting in their first Proposals and Monsieur _de la Sale_
perceiving that Monsieur _de Beaujeu_ would not be satisfied with
Provisions for 15 Days, which he thought sufficient to go to the Place
where he expected to find one of the Branches of the _Missisipi_,
which he with good Reason believ’d to be about the Shoals, I have
before spoken of, nothing was concluded as to that Affair. Monsieur
_d’ Aire_ return’d to his Captain, and Monsieur _de la Sale_ resolv’d
to land his Men; which could not be done for some Days, because of the
foul Weather; but in the mean Time we kill’d much Game.
During this little Interval, Monsieur _de la Sale_ being impatient to
get some Intelligence of what he sought after, resolv’d to go himself
upon Discovery, and to seek out some more useful and commodious River
than that where they were. To this Purpose he took five or six of us
along with him. We set out one Morning in so thick a Fog, that the
hindmost could not perceive the Track of the foremost, so that we lost
Monsieur _de la Sale_ for some Time.
[Sidenote: _Account of the Country._]
We travel’d till about three in the Afternoon, finding the Country
for the most Part Sandy, little Grass, no fresh Water, unless in some
Sloughs,[55] the Track of abundance of wild Goats, Lakes full of Ducks,
Teals, Water-Hens, and having taken much Pains return’d without Success.
The next Morning, Monsieur _de la Sale’s_ _Indian_, going about to find
wild Goats, came to a Lake, which had a little Ice upon it, the Weather
being cold, and Abundance of Fish dying about the Edges of it. He came
to inform us, we went to make our Provision of them, there were some of
a prodigious Magnitude, and among the rest extraordinary large Trouts,
or else they were some Sort of Fish very like them. We caused some of
each of a Sort to be boil’d in salt Water, and found them very good.
Thus having Plenty of Fish and Flesh, we began to use ourselves to eat
them both, without Bread.
[Sidenote: _Feb. 1685_]
Whilst we liv’d thus easy enough, Monsieur _de la Sale_ expected with
Impatience to know what Resolution Monsieur _de Beaujeu_ would take;
that he might either go to the Place, where he expected to find the
_Missisipi_, or follow some other Course; but at last, perceiving
that his Affairs did not advance, he resolv’d to put his own Design in
Execution, the Purport whereof was to land one hundred and twenty, or
one hundred and thirty Men to go along the Coast and continue it, till
they had found some other River, and that at the same Time the Bark
_la Belle_ should hold the same Course at Sea, still keeping along the
Coast, to relieve those Ashore in Time of Need.
He gave me and Monsieur _Moranget_, his Nephew, the Command of that
small Company, he furnish’d us with all Sorts of Provisions for eight,
or ten Days, as also Arms, Tools and Utensils we might have Occasion
for, of which every Man made his Bundle. He also gave us written
Instructions of what we were to do, the Signals we were to make; and
thus we set out on the Fourth of _February_.
[Sidenote: _Men sent by Land to discover._]
We took our Way along the Shore. Our first Day’s Journey was not long,
we encamp’d on a little rising Ground, heard a Cannon shot, which made
us uneasy, made the Signals that had been appointed, and the next Day,
being the 5th, we held on our March, Monsieur _Moranget_ bringing up
the Rear, and I leading the Van.
I will not spend Time in relating several personal Accidents,
inconsiderable in themselves, or of no Consequence, the most
considerable of them being the Want of fresh Water; but will proceed
to say, that after three Days March we found a great River, where we
halted and made the Signals agreed on, encamping on a commodious Spot
of Ground till we could hear of the Boat, which was to follow us, or of
our Ships.
But our Provisions beginning to fall short, and none of our Ships
appearing, being besides apprehensive of some unlucky Accident
occasion’d by the Disagreement between Monsieur _de la Sale_ and
Monsr. _de Beaujeu_, the Chief of our Company came together to know
what Resolution we should take. It was agreed, that we should spare
our Provisions to endeavour to go on to some Place where we might
find Bullocks; but it was requisite to cross the River, and we knew
not how, because we were too many of us, and therefore it was decreed
to set some Carpenters there were among-us at Work to build a little
Boat,[56] which took them up the eleventh and twelfth of _February_.
The 13th, we were put out of our Pain by two Vessels we discover’d at
Sea, which we knew to be the _Joly_ and _la Belle_, to whom we made
our Signals with Smoke. They came not in then, because it was late,
but the next Day being the 14th in the Morning, the Boat, with the
Sieur _Barbier_ and the Pilot of the Bark _la Belle_ come up, and both
sounded the Mouth of the River.
[Sidenote: _A fine River._]
They found on the Bar, from ten to twelve Foot Water, and within it
from five to six Fathom; the Breadth of the River being about half a
Quarter of a League. They sounded near the Island, which lies between
the two Points of the Bay, and found the same Depth. The Boat of
the _Joly_ came and sounded on the other Side of the Channel, and
particularly along the Shoals, I know not to what Purpose. The same
Day, Monsieur _de la Sale_, for whom we were much in Pain, came also,
and as soon as he arrived, he caus’d the Boat to be laden with such
Provisions as we stood in Need of, but the Wind being contrary, it
could not come to us till the next Day, being the 15th.
That same Day, Monsr. _de la Sale_ came Ashoar to view the Place and
examine the Entrance into the River, which he found to be very good.
Having consider’d all Particulars, he resolv’d to send in the Bark _la
Belle_ and _l’ Aimable_, that they might be under Shelter, to which
Purpose, he order’d to sound, and to know whether those two Vessels
could both come in that same Day. Monsieur _de Beaujeu_ caus’d also the
Place to be sounded, and lay Ashoar on the other Side of the River,
where he took Notice there were Vines which run up the Trees, like
our Wall Vines, some Woods and the Carcasses of Bullocks, which he
supposed to have died with Thirst.
The 16th, the Pilots of the _Joly_, _l’ Aimable_ and _la Belle_, went
again to sound, they found the Entrance easy, and gave it under their
Hands. The 17th, they fix’d Stakes to mark out the Way, that the
Vessels might come safe in. All Things seem’d to promise a happy Event.
The 18th, the Chevalier _d’ Aire_ came ashore, to confer with Monsieur
_de la Sale_, who being desirous to have the Fly-boat _l’ Aimable_ come
in that Day, order’d the most weighty Things in her to be unloaded, as
the Cannon, the Iron and some other Things. It was my good Fortune that
my Chest stood in the Way, and was also unloaded, but that Unlading
could not be done till the next Day, being the 19th. That being
perform’d, the Captain affirm’d it would go in at 8 Foot Water.
[Sidenote: _A Company of Savages._]