Page:Joutel's journal of La Salle's last voyage, 1684-7 (IA joutelsjournalof00jout).pdf/88

 again, whereupon Monsieur de la Sale again resolved to send Ashore, and the same Persons imbark'd in the same Boats to that effect.

We met with the same Obstacles, that had hinder'd us the Day before, that is, the High-Sea, which would not permit us to come near the Shore, and were obliged to drop Anchor in fourteen Foot Water. The Sight of Abundance of Goats and Bullocks, differing in Shape, from ours, and running along the Coast, heighten'd our Earnestness to be Ashore. We therefore sounded to see whether we might get to Land by Stripping, and found we were on a Flat, which had four Foot Water, but that beyond it there was a deep Channel. Whilst we were consulting what to do, a Storm arose, which oblig'd Monsieur de la Sale to fire a Gun for us to return Aboard, which we did against our Inclination.

Monsieur de la Sale was pleas'd with the Report we made him, and by it, several were encouraged to go Ashore to hunt, that we might have some fresh Meat. We spent all that Night, till the next Morning, in Hopes of returning soon to that Place; but the Wind changing, forc'd us to weigh and sail till the Evening, when we drop'd Anchor in six Fathom Water. The Land which we never departed from very far, appear'd to us very pleasant, and having lain there till the 16th, that Morning we sail'd W. S. W. We weather'd a Point, keeping a large Offing, because of the Sea's beating upon it, and stood to the Southward. At Noon, we were in 28 Degrees 20 Minutes of North Latitude, and consequently found the Latitude declin'd, by which we were sensible, that the Coast tendred to the Southward. At Night we anchor'd in six Fathom Water.

The 17th, the Wind continuing the same, we held on our Course S. W. and having about Ten discover'd a Sort of River, Monsieur de la Sale caus'd Ten of us to go into a