Page:Joutel's journal of La Salle's last voyage, 1684-7 (IA joutelsjournalof00jout).pdf/82

 *grees 14 Minutes, and both by the Latitude and Estimation it was judg'd, that we were not far from Land.

The Bark call'd la Belle was sent out to discover and keep before, sounding all the Way; and half an Hour before Sun-set, we saw the Vessel la Belle put out her Colours and lie by for us. Being come up with her, the Master told us, he had found an Owzy Bottom at thirty two Fathom Water. At eight of the Clock we sounded also, and found forty Fathom, and at ten, but twenty five. About Midnight, le Belle sounding again, found only seventeen, which being a Demonstration of the Nearness of the Land, we lay by for the Joly, to know what Monsieur de Beaujeu design'd, who being come up, lay by with us.

The 27th, Monsieur de Beaujeu sent the Chevalier d'Aire, his Lieutenant, and two Pilots to Monsieur de la Sale, to conclude upon the Course we were to steer, and it was agreed we should stand West North West till we came into six Fathom Water; that then we should run West, and when we had discover'd the Land, Boats should be sent to view the Country. Matters being thus agreed on, we sail'd again, sounding all the Way for the more Security, and about ten, were in ten or eleven Fathom Water, the Bottom fine greyish Sand and owzy. At Noon, were in 26 Degrees 37 Minutes of North Latitude.

The 28th, being in eight or nine Fathom Water, we perceiv'd the Bark la Belle, which kept a Head of us, put out her Colours, which was the Signal of her having discover'd Something. A Sailor was sent up to the Main-Top, who descry'd the Land, to the N. E. not above six Leagues Distance from us, which being told to Monsieur de Beaujeu, he thought fit to come to an Anchor.

There being no Man among us who had any Knowledge of that Bay, where we had been told the Currents were strong, and sate swiftly to the Eastward, it made us sus-*