Voyages of Samuel de Champlain, vol 2 | Page 6

the Parliamentary Court of Rouen, a
vessel was sent there to recover them. [21] The directors of the
enterprise caught codfish near the island, the neighborhood of which
abounds in shoals.
On the 8th of the same month, we sighted Cap de la Hève, [22] to the
east of which is a bay, containing several islands covered with fir-trees.
On the main land are oaks, elms, and birches. It joins the coast of La
Cadie at the latitude of 44° 5', and at 16° 15' of the deflection of the
magnetic needle, distant east-north-east eighty-five leagues from Cape
Breton, of which we shall speak hereafter.
On the 12th of May, we entered another port, [23] five leagues from
Cap de la Hève, where we captured a vessel engaged in the fur-trade in
violation of the king's prohibition. The master's name was Rossignol,
whose name the port retained, which is in latitude 44° 15'.
* * * * *
CHAMPLAIN'S EXPLANATION OF THE ACCOMPANYING MAP.
PORT DE LA HÈVE.
The figures indicate fathoms of water.
A. The place where vessels anchor. B. A small river dry at low tide. C.
Places where the savages have their cabins.[Note: The letter C is
wanting, but the location of the cabins is obvious.] D. Shoal at the
entrance of the harbor. [Note: The letter D is also wanting, but the
figures sufficiently indicate the depth of the water.] E. A small island
covered with wood. [Note: The letter E appears twice by mistake.] F.
Cape de la Hève [Note: The letter F is likewise wanting. It has been
supposed to be represented by one of the E's on the small island, but

Cap de la Hève, to which it refers, was not on this island, but on the
main land. The F should have been, we think, on the west of the harbor,
where the elevation is indicated on the map. Vide note 22.]
* * * * *
On the 13th of May, we arrived at a very fine harbor, where there are
two little streams, called Port au Mouton, [24] which is seven leagues
distant from that of Rossignol. The land is very stony, and covered with
copse and heath. There are a great many rabbits, and a quantity of game
in consequence of the ponds there.
* * * * *
CHAMPLAIN'S EXPLANATION OF THE ACCOMPANYING MAP.
PORT DU ROSSIGNOL.
The figures indicate fathoms of water.
A. A river extending twenty-five leagues inland. B. The place where
vessels anchor. C. Place on the main land where the savages have their
dwellings. D. Roadstead where vessels anchor while waiting for the
tide. E. Place on the island where the savages have their cabins. F.
Channel dry at low tide. G. Shore of the main land. The dotted places
indicate the shoals.
NOTE. It would seem as if in the title Rossynol, on the map, the two
dots on the y instead of the n were placed there by mistake.
* * * * *
As Soon as we had disembarked, each one commenced making huts
after his fashion, on a point at the entrance of the harbor near two
fresh-water ponds. Sieur de Monts at the Same time despatched a
shallop, in which he sent one of us, with some savages as guides as
bearers of letters, along the coast of La Cadie, to search for Pont Gravé,
who had a portion of the necessary supplies for our winter sojourn. The

latter was found at the Bay of All-Isles, [25] very anxious about us (for
he knew nothing of the change of plan); and the letters were handed to
him. As soon as be had read them, he returned to his ship at Canseau,
where he seized some Basque vessels [26] engaged in the fur-trade,
notwithstanding the prohibition of his Majesty, and sent their masters
to Sieur de Monts, who meanwhile charged me to reconnoitre the coast
and the harbors suitable for the secure reception of our vessel.
With the purpose of carrying out his wishes, I set out from Port Mouton
on the 19th of May, in a barque of eight tons, accompanied by Sieur
Ralleau, his secretary, and ten men. Advancing along the coast, we
entered a harbor very convenient for vessels, at the end of which is a
small river, extending very far into the main land. This I called the Port
of Cape Negro, [27] from a rock whose distant view resembles a negro,
which rises out of the water near a cape passed by us the same day, four
leagues off and ten from Port Mouton. This cape is very dangerous, on
account of the rocks running out into the sea. The shores which I saw,
up to that point, are very low, and covered with such wood as