Some Days after, we perceiv’d a Fire in the Country, which spread it self and burnt the dry Weeds, still drawing towards us; whereupon, Monsr. _de la Sale_ made all the Weeds and Herbs that were about us, be pull’d up, and particularly all about the Place where the Powder was. Being desirous to know the Occasion of that Fire, he took about twenty of us along with him, and we march’d that Way, and even beyond the Fire, without seeing any Body. We perceiv’d that it run towards the _W. S. W._ and judg’d it had begun about our first Camp, and at the Village next the Fire.[60]
Having spy’d a Cottage near the Bank of a Lake, we drew towards it, and found an old Woman in it, who fled as soon as she saw us; but having overtaken and given her to understand, that we would do her no Harm, she return’d to her Cottage, where we found some Pitchers of Water, of which we all drank. Some Time after we saw a Canoe coming, in which were two Women and a Boy, who being landed, and perceiving we had done the old Woman no Harm, came and imbraced us in a very particular Manner, blowing upon our Ears and making Signs to give us to understand, that their People were a hunting.
A few Minutes after, seven or eight of the _Indians_ appeared, who, it is likely, had hid themselves among the Weeds when they saw us coming. Being come up they saluted us, after the same Manner, as the Women had done, which made us laugh. We staid there some Time with them. Some of our Men barter’d Knives for Goats Skins, after which we return’d to our Camp; Being come thither, Monsieur _de la Sale_ made me go aboard the Bark _la Belle_, where he had imbark’d Part of the Powder, with positive Orders not to carry, or permit any Fire to be made there, having sufficient Cause to fear every thing, after what had hapned. For this Reason they carry’d me and all that were with me, our Meat every Day.
During this time it was that _l’ Aimable_ opening in the Night, the next Morning we saw all the light Things that were come out of it floating about, and Monsieur _de la Sale_ sent Men every Way, who gather’d up about 30 Casks of Wine and Brandy, and some of Flesh, Meal and Grain.
When we had gather’d all, as well what had been taken out of the Ship-wreck’d Vessel as what could be pick’d up in the Sea, the next Thing was to regulate the Provisions we had left proportionably to the Number of Men we were; and there being no more Bisket, Meal was deliver’d out, and with it we made Hasty Pudding with Water, which was none of the best; some large Beans and _India_ Corn, part of which had taken wet; and every thing was distributed very discreetly. We were much incommoded for want of Kettles, but Monsieur _de Beaujeu_ gave Monsieur _de la Sale_ one, and he order’d another to be brought from the Bark _la Belle_, by which means we were well serv’d.