Page:Joutel's journal of La Salle's last voyage, 1684-7 (IA joutelsjournalof00jout).pdf/91

 Monsieur de Beaujeu held the same Course, as had been agreed, he had not been separated from us.

There were afterwards several Disputes between the Captains and the Pilots, as well Aboard Monsieur de la Sale, as Aboard Monsieur de Beaujeu, when those Gentlemen return'd, about settling exactly the Place we were in, and the Course we were to steer; some positively affirming we were farther than we imagin'd, and that the Currents had carry'd us away; and others, that we were near the Magdalen River.

The former of those Notions prevail'd, whence, upon Reflection, Monsieur de la Sale concluded, that he must be past his River, which was but too true; for that River emptying it self in the Sea by two Channels, it follow'd that one of the Mouths fell about the Shoals we had observ'd the sixth of the Month; and the rather because those Shoals were very near the Latitude that Monsieur de la Sale had observ'd, when he came by the way of Canada to discover the Mouth of that River, as he told me several Times.

This Consideration prevail'd with Monsieur de la Sale to propose his Design of returning towards those Shoals. He gave his Reasons for so doing and exposed his Doubts; but his ill Fortune made him not be regarded. Our Passage had taken up more Time than had been expected, by Reason of the Calms; there was a considerable Number of Men aboard the Joly, and Provisions grew short, insomuch that they said it would not hold out to return, if our Departure were delay'd. For this Reason Monsieur de Beaujeu demanded Provisions of Monsieur de la Sale; but he asking enough for a long Time, Monsieur de la Sale answer'd, he could only give him enough for a Fortnight, which was more Time than was requisite to reach the Place he intended to return to; and that besides he could not give him more Provisions, without rummaging all the Stores to the Bottom of the Hold, which would endanger his being cast away. Thus nothing was concluded, and Monsieur de Beaujeu return'd to his own Ship.