The first was, that our Boat, which hung at the Stern of the Ship run A-ground, was maliciously stav’d in the Night, so that we had none left but Monsieur de Beaujeu’s. The second, that the Wind blowing in from the Offing, made the Waves run high, which beating violently against the Ship, split her, and all the light Goods were carry’d out at the opening, by the Water. This last Misfortune happen’d also in the Night. Thus every Thing fell out most unhappily, for had that befallen in the Day, Abundance of Things might have been saved.
Whilst we were upon this melancholy Employment, about an hundred, or an hundred and twenty of the Natives came to our Camp, with their Bows and Arrows. Monsieur de la Sale order’d us to handle our Arms, and stand upon our Guard. About twenty of those Indians mix’d themselves among us, to observe what we had saved of the Shipwreck, upon which, there were several Sentinels,[59] to let none come near the Powder.
The rest of the Indians stood in Parcels, or Pelotons. Monsr. de la Sale, who was acquainted with their Ways, order’d us to observe their Behaviour, and to take Nothing from them, which nevertheless did not hinder some of our Men from receiving some Pieces of Meat. Some Time after, when the Indians were about departing, they made Signs to us to go a Hunting with them; but besides that, there was sufficient Cause to suspect them, we had enough other Business to do. However we ask’d, whether they would barter for any of their Canoes, which they agreed to. The Sieur Barbier went along with them, purchas’d two for Hatchets and brought them.
Some Days after, we perceiv’d a Fire in the Country, which spread it self and burnt the dry Weeds, still drawing towards us; whereupon, Monsr. de la Sale made all the Weeds and Herbs that were about us, be pull’d up, and particularly all about the Place where the Powder was. Being desirous to know the Occasion of that Fire, he took about twenty of us along with him, and we march’d that Way, and even beyond the Fire, without seeing any Body. We perceiv’d that it run towards the W. S. W. and judg’d it had begun about our first Camp, and at the Village next the Fire.[60]
Having spy’d a Cottage near the Bank of a Lake, we drew towards it, and found an old Woman in it, who fled as soon as she saw us; but having overtaken and given her to understand, that we would do her no Harm, she return’d to her Cottage, where we found some Pitchers of Water, of which we all drank. Some Time after we saw a Canoe coming, in which were two Women and a Boy, who being landed, and perceiving we had done the old Woman no Harm, came and imbraced us in a very particular Manner,Odd Salutation. blowing upon our Ears and making Signs to give us to understand, that their People were a hunting.
A few Minutes after, seven or eight of the Indians appeared, who, it is likely, had hid themselves among the Weeds when they saw us coming. Being come up they saluted us, after the same Manner, as the Women had done, which made us laugh. We staid there some Time with them. Some of our Men barter’d Knives for Goats Skins, after which we return’d to our Camp; Being come thither, Monsieur de la Sale made me go aboard the Bark la Belle, where he had imbark’d Part of the Powder, with positive Orders not to carry, or permit any Fire to be made there, having sufficient Cause to fear every thing, after what had hapned. For this Reason they carry’d me and all that were with me, our Meat every Day.
During this time it was that l’ Aimable opening in the Night, the next Morning we saw all the light Things that were come out of it floating about, and Monsieur de la Sale sent Men every Way, who gather’d up about 30 Casks of Wine and Brandy, and some of Flesh, Meal and Grain.
When we had gather’d all, as well what had been taken out of the Ship-wreck’d Vessel as what could be pick’d up in the Sea, the next Thing was to regulate the Provisions we had left proportionably to the Number of Men we were; and there being no more Bisket, Meal was deliver’d out, and with it we made Hasty Pudding with Water, which was none of the best; some large Beans and India Corn, part of which had taken wet; and every thing was distributed very discreetly. We were much incommoded for want of Kettles, but Monsieur de Beaujeu gave Monsieur de la Sale one, and he order’d another to be brought from the Bark la Belle, by which means we were well serv’d.
We were still in want of Canoes. Monsieur de la Sale sent to the Camp of the Indians to barter for some, and they who went thither observ’d, that those People had made their Advantage of our Ship-wreck, and had some Bales of Normandy Blankets, and they saw several Women had cut them in two and made Petticoats of them. They also saw Bits of Iron of the Ship that was cast away, and return’d immediately to make their Report to Monsieur de la Sale, who said we must endeavour to get some Canoes in Exchange, and resolv’d to send thither again the next Day. Monsieur du Hamel, Ensign to Monsr. de Beaujeu, offer’d to go up in his Boat, which Monsieur de la Sale agreed to, and order’d Messieurs Moranget, his Nephew, Desloges, Oris, Gayen, and some others to bear him Company.
No sooner were those Gentlemen, who were more Hot than Wise, landed, but they went up to the Camp of the Indians,Indiscretion of an Ensign. with their Arms in their Hands, as if they had intended to force them, whereupon several of those People fled. Going into the Cottages, they found others, to whom Monsieur du Hamel endeavor’d to signify by Signs, that he would have the Blankets they had found restor’d; but the Misfortune was, that none of them understood one another. The Indians thought it their best Way to withdraw, leaving behind them some Blankets and Skins of Beasts, which those Gentlemen took away, and finding some Canoes in their Return they seiz’d two, and got in, to bring them away.