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.
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.
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.