Page:Joutel's journal of La Salle's last voyage, 1684-7 (IA joutelsjournalof00jout).pdf/77

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in Mind, than he was in his Body, and yet his Patience and Resolution surmounted all those Difficulties. He pitch'd upon Monsieur le Gros and me to act for him, caus'd some Commodities he had Aboard the Ships to be sold, to raise Money; and through our Care, and the excellent Constitution of his Body, he recover'd Health.

Whilst he was in that Condition, two of our Ships, which had been separated from us on the 18th of September, by the stormy Winds, arriv'd at Petit Gouave on the 2d of October. The Joy conceiv'd on Account of their Arrival, was much allay'd by the News they brought of the Loss of the Ketch, taken by two Spanish Piraguas; and that Loss was the more grievous, because that Vessel was laden with Provisions, Ammunition, Utensils and proper Tools for the setling of our new Colonies; a Misfortune which would not have happen'd, had Monsieur de Beaujeu put into Port de Paix, and Messieurs de St. Laurent, de Cussy, and Begon who arrived at the same Time, to see Monsieur de la Sale did not spare to signify as much to him, and to complain of that Miscarriage.

Monsieur de la Sale being recover'd had several Conferences with these Gentlemen, relating to his Voyage. A Consult of Pilots was called to resolve where he should touch before we came upon the Coast of America, and it was resolved to steer directly for the Western Point of the Island of Cuba, or for Cape St. Antony, distant about 300 Leagues from Hispaniola, there to expect the proper Season, and a fair Wind to enter the Gulph or Bay, which is but Two hundred Leagues over.

The next Care was to lay in Store of other Provisions, in the Room of those which were lost, and Monsieur de la Sale was the more pressing for us to imbark, because most of his Men deserted, or were debauch'd by the Inhabitants of the Place; and the Vessel call'd l' Aimable, being the worst Sailer of our little Squadron, it was resolv'd that should carry the Light, and the others to follow it. Monsieur