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, que [252] trois 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 estoyent passées aussi 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.
[254] LE 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.