to his mind the existence of an opening between the south of Newfoundland and Cape Breton.*

Towards the end of June the islands and mainland of the north-west part of the territory now called New Brunswick came in sight, and, as land was approached, Cartier began at once to search for a passage through which he might sail farther westward.

The ships' boats were several times lowered, and the crews made to row close in shore in the bays and inlets, for the purpose of discovering an opening. On these occasions natives were sometimes seen upon the beach, or moving about in bark canoes, with whom the French contrived to establish a friendly intercourse and traffic, by means of signs and presents of hatchets, knives, small crucifixes, beads, and toys. On one occasion they had in sight from forty to fifty canoes full of savages, of which seven paddled close up to the French boats, so as to surround them, and were driven away only by demonstrations of force. Cartier learned afterwards that it was customary for these savages to come down from parts more inland, in great numbers, to the coast, during the fishing season, and that this was the cause of his finding so many of them at that time. On the 7th day of the month a considerable body of the same savages came about the ships, and some traffic occurred. Gifts, consisting of knives, hatchets, and

*This proves Cartier's sagacity, since the outlet from the Gulf of St Lawrence into the Atlantic, between Cape Ray and Cape North, was of course, unknown to him. Portions of the coast of Cape Breton had, however, been visited by the French fishermen of those days. The following words are those in which Cartier himself refers to the idea of the passage in question:-" Aux environ d'icelles illes y a de grandes marées, qui portent comment Suest et Norouaist. Je présume mielx que autrement, à ce que j'ay vew, qu'il luy aict aulcun passaige entre la Terre Neuffue et la terre des Bretons. Si ainsi estoit, se seroit une grande abreuiacion, tant pour le temps que pour le chemyn, se trouve parfection en ce voyage."

toys, along with a red cap for their head chief, caused them to depart in great joy.

3. Early in July, Cartier found that he was in a considerable bay, which he named "La Baie des Chaleurs." He continued to employ his boats in the examination of the smaller inlets and mouths of the rivers flowing into the bay, hoping that an opening might be discovered similar to that by which, a month before, he had passed round the north of Newfoundland into the Gulf. After the 16th the weather was boisterous, and the ships were anchored for shelter close to the shore several days. During this time the savages came there to fish for mackerel, which were abundant, and held friendly intercourse with Cartier and his people. They were very poor and miserably clad in old skins, and sang and danced to testify their pleasure on receiving the presents which the French distributed among them.

Sailing eastward and northward, the vessels next passed along the coast of Gaspé, upon which the French landed and held intercourse with the natives. Cartier resolved to take formal possession of the country, and to indicate, in a conspicuous manner, that he did so in the name of the King, his master, and in the interests of religion. With these objects in view, on Friday, the 24th of July, a huge wooden cross, thirty feet in height, was constructed, and was raised with much ceremony, in sight of many of the Indians, close to the entrance of the harbour; three fleurs de lys being carved under the cross, and an inscription, "Vive le Roy de France." The French formed a circle on their knees around it, and made signs to attract the attention of the savages, pointing up to the heavens, "as if to show that by the cross came their redemption." These ceremonies being ended, Cartier and his people went on board, followed from the shore by

many of the Indians. Among these the principal chief, with his brother and three sons, in one canoe, came near Cartier's ship. He made an oration, in course of which he pointed towards the high cross, and then to the surrounding territory, as much as to say that it all belonged to him, and that the French ought not to have planted it there without his permission. The sight of hatchets and knives displayed before him, in such a manner as to show a desire to trade with him, made him approach nearer, and, at the same time, several sailors, entering his canoe, easily induced him and his companions to pass into the ship. Cartier, by signs, endeavoured to persuade the chief that the cross had been erected as a beacon to mark the way into the harbour; that he would revisit the place and bring hatchets, knives, and other things made of iron; and that he desired the friendship of his people. Food and drink were offered, of which they partook freely, when Cartier made known to the chief his wish to take two of his sons away with him for a time. The chief and his sons appear to have readily assented. at once put on coloured garments, supplied by Cartier, throwing out their old clothing to others near the ship. The chief, with his brother and remaining son, were then dismissed with presents. About midday, however, just as the ships were about to move farther from shore, six canoes, full of Indians, came to them, bringing presents of fish, and to enable the friends of the chief's sons to bid them adieu. Cartier took occasion to enjoin upon the savages the necessity of guarding the cross which had been erected, upon which the Indians replied in unintelligible language.* Next day, July 25, the vessels left the

The young men

*The account here given of Cartier's intercourse with the savages of Gaspé, and of the method pursued in order to obtain possession of two of their young men, whom he designed to train as interpreters, as well as to

harbour with a fair wind, making sail northward to lat. 50°. It was intended to prosecute the voyage farther westward, if possible; but adverse winds, and the appearance of the distant headlands, discouraged Cartier's hopes so much, that on Wednesday, August 5, after taking counsel with his officers and pilots, he decided that it was not safe to attempt more that season. The little squadron, therefore, bore off towards the east and north-east, and made Blanc Sablon on the 9th. Continuing thence their passage into the Atlantic, they were favoured with fair winds, which carried them to the middle of the ocean, between Newfoundland and Bretagne. They then encountered storms and adverse winds, respecting which Cartier piously remarks: "We suffered and endured these with the aid of God, and after that we had good weather and arrived at the harbour of St Malo, whence we had set out, on September 5, 1534." Thus ended Jacques Cartier's first trip to Canada. As a French-Canadian historian of Canada has observed, this first expedition was not "sterile in results;" for, in addition to the other notable incidents of the voyage, the two natives whom he carried with him to France are understood to have been the first to inform him of the existence of the great river St Lawrence, which he was destined to discover the following year.

It is not certainly known how nearly he advanced to the mouth of that river on his passage from Gaspé Bay. But it is believed that he passed round the western point of Anticosti, subsequently named by him Isle de l'Assumption, and that he then turned to the east, leaving behind the entrance into the great river, which he then supposed instruct them in religion and the habits of civilised life, places his conduct in a very favourable light as compared with the proceedings of eminent navigators in some other parts of the world. Some authors have strongly condemned Cartier as having practised cruelty and treachery on this occasion; but the facts here recorded disprove the accusation.

to be an extensive bay, and, coasting along the shore of Labrador, came to the river Natachquoin, near Mount Joli, whence, as already stated, he passed eastward and northward to Blanc Sablon.

CHAPTER II.

CARTIER'S SECOND VOYAGE-THE RIVER ST LAWRENCE— TOWNS, STADACONA, HOCHELAGA- CARTIER

INDIAN

WINTERS IN CANADA.

4. CARTIER and his companions were favourably received on their return to France. The expectations of his employers had been to a certain extent realised, while the narrative of the voyage, and the prospects which this afforded of greater results in future, inspired such feelings of hope and confidence that there seems to have been no hesitation in furnishing means for the equipment of another expedition. The Indians who had been brought to France were instructed in the French language, and served also as specimens of the people inhabiting his Majesty's western dominions. During the winter the necessary preparations were made.

5. On the 19th of May 1535, Cartier took his departure from St Malo on his second expedition. It was in

A.D. 1535. every way better equipped than that of the preced

ing year, and consisted of three ships, manned by one hundred and ten sailors. A number of gentlemen volunteers from France accompanied it. Cartier himself embarked on board the largest vessel, which was named "La Grand Hermine,” along with his two interpreters. Adverse winds lengthened