Page:Joutel's journal of La Salle's last voyage, 1684-7 (IA joutelsjournalof00jout).pdf/99

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certain. The Ship was stranded on the Shoals. The ill Management of the Captain, or of the Pilot, who had not steer'd by the Stakes placed for that Purpose; the Cries of a Sailor posted on the Main-top, who cry'd amain, Loof, which was to steer towards the Passage marked out, whilst the wicked Captain cry'd, Come no nearer, which was to steer the contrary Course; the same Captain's Carelesness in not dropping his Anchor, as soon as the Ship touch'd, which would have prevented her sticking aground; the Folly of lowering his Main-Sheet and hoisting out his Sprit-Sail, the better to fall into the Wind, and secure the Shipwreck; the Captain's refusing to admit the Pilot of the Bark la Belle, whom Monsieur de la Sale had sent to assist him; the sounding upon the Shoals to no Purpose, and several other Circumstances reported by the Ship's Crew and those who saw the Management, were infallible Tokens and Proofs, that the Mischief had been done designedly and adviseably, which was one of the blackest and most detestable Actions that Man could be guilty of.

This Misfortune was so much the greater, because that Vessel contain'd almost all the Ammunition, Utensils, Tools and other Necessaries for Monsr. de la Sale's Enterprize and Settlement. He had need of all his Resolution to bear up against it; but his Intrepidity did not forsake him, and he apply'd himself, without grieving, to Remedy what might be. All the Men were taken out of the Ship; he desir'd Monsieur de Beaujeu to lend him his long Boat, to help save as much as might be. We began with Powder and Meal. About thirty Hogsheads of Wine and Brandy were saved, and Fortune being incens'd against us, two Things contributed to the total Loss of all the rest:

The first was, that our Boat, which hung at the Stern of the Ship run A-ground, was maliciously stav'd in the Night, so that we had none left but Monsieur de Beaujeu's. The second, that the Wind blowing in from the Offing, made the Waves run high, which beating violently against the Ship, split her, and all the light Goods were carry'd out