Page:Joutel's journal of La Salle's last voyage, 1684-7 (IA joutelsjournalof00jout).pdf/71

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the Sieur Aigron, and laden with all the Effects Monsieur de la Sale had thought necessary for his Settlement, and a small Ketch, on which Monsieur de la Sale had imbark'd thirty Tuns of Ammunition, and some Commodities design'd for Santo Domingo.

All the Fleet, being under the Command of Monsieur de Beaujeu, was order'd to keep together as far as Cape Finisterre, whence each was to follow his own Course; but this was prevented by an unexpected Accident. We were come into 45 Degrees 23 Minutes of North Latitude, and about 50 Leagues from Rochel, when the Boltsprit of our Ship, the Joly, on a sudden, broke short, which oblig'd us to strike all our other Sails, and cut all the Rigging the broken Boltsprit hung by.

Every man reflected on this Accident according to his Inclination. Some were of Opinion it was a Contrivance; and it was debated in Council, Whether we should proceed to Portugal, or return to Rochel, or Rochfort; but the latter Resolution prevail'd. The other Ships design'd for the Islands and Canada, parted from us, and held on their Course. We made back for the River of Rochfort, whither the other three Vessels follow'd us, and a Boat was sent in, to acquaint the Intendant with this Accident. The Boat returned some Hours after, towing along a Boltsprit, which was soon set in its Place, and after Monsieur de la Sale had confer'd with the Intendant, he left that Place on the first of August, 1684.

We sail'd again, steering W. and by S. and on the 8th of the same Month weather'd Cape Finisterre, which is in 43 Degrees of North Latitude, without meeting any Thing remarkable. The 12th, we were in the Latitude of Lisbon, or about 39 Degrees North. The 16th, we were in 36 Degrees, the Latitude of the Streights, and the 20th, discover'd the Island Madera, which is in 32 Degrees, and where