CHAPTER XXVIII. [i.e., xxvi.]
THE PLUNDERING OF OUR SHIP, AND OF OUR PEOPLE, AND THE DISTRESSES WE ENDURED.
THE victorious Englishman came on shore, where we had our tents and our houses just begun, and had our Captain searched for in all directions, saying that they wished to see our commissions; that this land belonged to them, and hence they had fallen upon us when they found us there; nevertheless, if we could show our good faith in the matter, and that we had come there under the authority of [238] our Prince, that they would show some regard for it, wishing in no wise to violate the alliance between our two Kings. But the trouble was, la Saussaye could not be found, and on this account the shrewd and cunning Englishman seized his trunks, skillfully picked the locks, and, having found therein our commissions and royal patents, took possession of them; then, putting everything back in its place, each article just as he had found it, nicely fastened the trunks again. The next day, la Saussaye having returned, the English Captain, who knew his lesson remarkably well, received him kindly and made his first inquiries with a fine show of courtesy; then he came to the point and demanded his commission, so there might be no doubt when the words and authority [239] of the King, our Sire, were actually seen and considered. La Saussaye answered that the letters were in his trunks. These were brought, and before he unlocked them he was advised to look closely to see if they had been tampered with, for, as to them, they were acting with all sincerity. La Saussaye found that all was in good order, but alas! he could not find the letters. Hereupon the English Captain changed his mien and his voice, and, frowning in the most proper manner, "How now (said he), are you imposing on us? You give us to understand that you have a commission from your King, and you cannot produce any evidence of it. You are Outlaws and Pirates, every one of you, and merit death." Then he set his soldiers to plundering, and in this the whole afternoon was consumed. From the shore we looked on at the pillage [240] of our property: for the English had left us on shore while they remained on the water, where they joined our vessels to theirs, for we had two, our ship and a barque constructed at this place and newly equipped. We were reduced to a pitiful state, but this was not the end. The next day they came on shore, and robbed us also of what we had there. Not all at one time, but at intervals, and whenever they came on shore, always appropriating some of our mantles, clothes, and other things. Once they maltreated and abused two of our men, which so frightened part of the others that they fled to the woods like poor hunted beasts, half-naked and without [241] food, not knowing what would become of them.
Venons aux Iesuites. Ie vous ay dit, que Gilbert du Thet fut outré d'vne mosquetade durant le combat. Les Anglois entrants dans le nauire le mirent[12] entre les mains de leur Chirurgien & luy, & tous les autres blessés. Ce Chirurgien estoit Catholique, & recognu pour tel; & personne fort charitable, & qui nous a faict mille bons offices. Or le P. Biard ayant sceu la blessure de Gilbert du Thet fit demander au Capitaine, que les blessés fussent portés à terre, ce qui fut accordé, & par ainsi ledit Gilbert eust le moyen de se confesser, & de benir & louër Dieu iuste, & misericordieux en la Compagnie de ses Freres, mourãt entre leurs mains. Ce qu'il fit auec grande constance, resignation, & deuotion, [242] vingt & quatre heures apres sa blessure, il eust son souhait, car au despart de Honfleur, en presence de tout l'equipage il auoit haussé les mains, & les yeux vers le Ciel priant Dieu, qu'il ne reuint iamais plus en France, ains qu'il mourust trauaillãt à la conqueste des ames, & au salut des Sauuages. Il fut enterré le mesme iour au pied d'vne grande Croix que nous auions dressée du commencement.
Let us speak of the Jesuits. I have told you that Gilbert du Thet was struck down by a musket ball during the fight. When the English boarded our ship, they put him, together with all the other wounded men, into the hands of their Surgeon. This Surgeon was a Catholic, and known as such. He was very charitable, and did us a thousand kind services. Now as soon as Father Biard learned about Gilbert du Thet's wound, he sent a request to the Captain to have all the wounded carried on shore; this was granted, and so the said Gilbert had an opportunity to confess, and to bless and praise a just God, full of mercy to the Society of his Brothers; and he died in their arms. He passed away with great steadfastness, resignation, and devotion, [242] twenty-four hours after he was wounded. He had his wish; for when leaving Honfleur, in the presence of the whole crew, he had raised his hands and eyes to Heaven, praying God that he might never again return to France, but that he might die working for the conquest of souls and for the salvation of the Savages. He was buried the same day at the foot of a large Cross which we had erected when we first went there.
Les Iesuites n'estoyent iusques alors recognus des Anglois, sinon que pour Prestres. Or le P. Biard & le P. Enemond Massé s'en allerẽt au nauire parler au Capitaine Anglois, & luy expliquerẽt ouuertement comm'ils estoyẽt Iesuites, venus en ces quartiers-là pour la cõuersiõ des Sauuages, puis le supplierent par le sang de celuy, qu'il recognoissoit pour Sauueur, & [243] par les misericordes qu'il en attendoit, qu'il luy pleust auoir pitié de ces pauures François, sur lesquels Dieu luy auoit dõné puissance, & qu'en leur misere il recognust combien les affaires de ce monde varient: qu'il luy pleust leur donner & leur moyenner retour en leur pays de France. Le Capitaine les ouyt fort paisiblement, & leur respondit auec pareil [14] honneur: mais (dit-il) dissimulant, ie m'estonne fort comme vous autres Iesuites, lesquels on tient communement pour gens de conscience, & de Religion, vous vous retrouuiez icy, neantmoins en la compagnie des forbans, & picoreurs, gens sans adueu & sans loy, ny honneur. Le P. Biard respondit & preuua auec tant d'arguments, que toute leur troupe estoit de gens de bien, & recommandés par sa Majesté [244] tres-Chrestienne: & refuta si peremptoirement toutes objections contraires, que le Capitaine Anglois fut contrainct de faire semblant, qu'il s'y accordoit, vaincu par ses raisons. Certes (adiousta-il) il y a bien eu de la faute, à ce que ie voy, d'ainsi perdre vos lettres. Neantmoins ie traicteray de vostre retour auec vostre Capitaine, & dés lors iusques au depart, il fit tousiours manger à sa table lesdits deux Peres, leur mõstrant beaucoup de respect & hõnesteté. Or il auoit vn'espine au pied, qui le tourmentoit; c'estoit le Pilote, & les Matelots, qui estoyent euadés, & desquels il ne pouuoit sçauoir nouuelles. Ce Pilote appellé le Bailleur, de la ville de Roüen, s'en estant allé pour recognoistre (ainsi que vous a esté dit) ne peut point retourner à temps au nauire pour le defẽdre, [245] & partant il retira sa chaloupe à l'escart, & la nuit venuë print encores auec soy les autres Matelots, & se mit en sauueté hors la veuë, & le pouuoir des Anglois. De nuict il nous venoit trouuer pour auiser auecques nous ce qui seroit de faire. Il fit en particulier ce bon office aux Iesuites: car il vint trouuer le P. Biard, & le prenant par la main le coniura de ne se point meffier de luy, pource qu'il estoit de la Pretenduë, l'asseurant qu'il ne manqueroit ny à luy, ny a aucun des Peres: & qu'il supplioit Dieu, que tout [16] ainsi il ne l'abandonnast point, comm'il le disoit de cœur syncere. Le P. Biard le remercia de bonne affection, & luy promit de se souuenir de ceste si bonne volonté: il luy dit neantmoins qu'il ne vouloit encores penser à soy, iusques à ce qu'il vit tous les autres en beau [246] chemin. Que lors il deuiendroit ce qu'à Dieu plairoit, admonnestant ledit Pilote de se garder de tomber és mains des Anglois: parce que le Capitaine buttoit fort à le pouuoir attraper. Ledit Pilote fit sagement son profit de cest aduertissement, & de celuy des autres. Car de là à deux ou trois iours, il passa à la barbe des Anglois, comme se sauuant, & s'en allant chercher nauire, & leur disant que ce n'estoit pas pour ceste fois là, qu'il le falloit attẽdre. Mais il se retira seulement derriere quelques Isles non loin de là pour y estre aux escoutes & considerer quelle fortune nous arriueroit. Cela fit à mon aduis, que le Capitaine Anglois se resolut plustost à ne nous pas faire pis, toutesfois il en auoit quelque volõté, ce que ie ne sçay. De vray par les coniectures de ce que nous auons experimẽté [247] despuis, il estoit bien Capitaine fort sage & rusé, mais neãtmoins gentil-homme ayant le courage noble: ses gents aussi n'estoyẽt point inhumains, ny cruels contre personne de nous.
Up to this time the Jesuits had not been recognized by the English, except as Priests. Now Father Biard and Father Enemond Massé went to the ship to speak with the English Captain, and explained to him openly that they were Jesuits, who had come to these regions to convert the Savages; then they implored him, by the blood of him whom he acknowledged as his Savior, and [243] by the mercy which he expected from him, that he might be pleased to have pity upon these poor French, over whom God had given him power; and that in their wretched condition he might see how changeable are the affairs of this world, allow them to return to France, their native country, and furnish them means therefor. The Captain listened to them very kindly, and answered them with like courtesy: "But," (said he) dissembling, "I am very much astonished at you Jesuits, who are generally regarded as conscientious and Religious men, being here, nevertheless, in the company of pirates, marauders, and idle wanderers, who are men without calling, without law, and without honor." Father Biard answered, and proved by many arguments, that their whole company were honest people and were recommended by his most Christian [244] Majesty, and so summarily refuted all opposing arguments, that the English Captain had to seem to agree with him, conquered by his logic. "Certainly (he added) there has been indeed some fault, as far as I can see, in thus losing your letters. Nevertheless, I shall consider the matter of your return with your Captain." And from that time until our departure, he always had the two Fathers eat at his table, showing them great respect and courtesy. Now he had a thorn in his side, which caused him much uneasiness; it was the Pilot and Sailors who had escaped, and of whom he could get no news. This pilot,[1] called "le Bailleur," from the city of Roüen, had gone out to reconnoitre (as has been stated), and could not return to the ship in time to defend it; [245] therefore he turned his boat aside, and when night came took in with him the other Sailors, and withdrew to a place of safety, out of sight of the English and beyond their power. At night he came to see us and to talk over with us what was to be done. He performed this kind act especially for the Jesuits; for he came to Father Biard and taking him by the hand implored him not to mistrust him because he was of the Pretended[2] Religion, assuring him that he would not fail him, nor any of the Fathers, and that he should pray God not to forsake him also, as he was speaking from a sincere heart. Father Biard thanked him very affectionately, and on his part promised to remember his good will; he told him, however, that he did not wish to think of himself, until he saw all the others on a safe [246] road, and then, let happen to him what God willed. He admonished the Pilot to be careful not to fall into the hands of the English, for the Captain was trying very hard to catch him. The Pilot wisely profited by this advice, and by that of the others. For, during the next two or three days, he went about in defiance of the English, as if making his escape and going for a ship, seeming to say to them that they need not count upon him this time. But he only withdrew behind some Islands not far off, to be on the lookout and to see what fortune might befall us. I believe this made the English Captain decide not to subject us to any worse treatment, however much he might have wished to do so, in regard to which I know nothing. Certainly, judging from what we experienced [247] afterwards, he was indeed a very shrewd and cunning Captain, but nevertheless a gentleman of truly noble courage; nor were his men inhuman or cruel to any of us.
Or ne sçauroit-on croire les angoisses ausquelles nous estions en ce temps, car nous ne sçauions où donner de la teste. Du costé des Anglois, nous n'attendions que la mort, ou du moins la seruitude: aussi d'arrester sur le pays, & viure parmi les Sauuages a leur façon tout vn an entier, & tant de gens, nous sembloit estre vne mort bien longue & miserable. [18]Ces bons Sauuages ayants ouy nostre desastre s'en vindrent à nous, & nous offroyent leur possible, promettants de nous alimenter durant l'Hyuer, & monstrants vne grande cõpassion. Mais nous ne pouuions pas esperer mieux, [248] qu'ils n'ont. Aussi de trouuer autres expedients en vn tel desert: nous n'en voyons point. Voicy en fin comme Dieu nous pourueut.
Now it is impossible to imagine the anxiety we endured at that time, for we knew not which way to turn. From the English, we expected only death or at least slavery; but to remain in this country, and for so many men to live among the Savages in their way for a whole year, looked to us like a long and miserable death. These good Savages, having heard about our misfortune, came and offered to do their best for us, promising to feed us during the Winter, and showing a great deal of sympathy for us. But we could hope for nothing better [248] than they had; also we could see no prospect of finding any other expedients in such a desert. Now see how God provided for us.