We were still advancing into the Village, when he heard a Cannon Shot, the Noise whereof struck such a Dread among the Savages, that they all fell flat upon the Ground; but Monsieur _de la Sale_ and we were too sensible it was a Signal that our Ship was aground, which was confirm’d by seeing them furl their Sails; However we were gone too far to return; our Men must be had, and to that Purpose, we must proceed to the Hut of the Commander in Chief.[57]
As soon as we arrived there, Monsr. _de la Sale_ was introduc’d; many of the _Indian_ Women came in, they were very deform’d[58] and all naked, excepting a Skin girt about them, which hung down to their Knees. They would have led us to their Cottages, but Monsr. _de la Sale_ had order’d us not to part, and to observe whether the _Indians_ did not draw together, so that we kept together, standing upon our Guard, and I was always with him.
They brought us some Pieces of Beef, both fresh and dry’d in the Air and Smoke, and Pieces of Porpois, which they cut with a Sort of Knife, made of Stone, setting one Foot upon it, and holding with one Hand, whilst they cut with the other. We saw nothing of Iron among them. They had given our Men, that came with them, to eat, and Monsr. _de la Sale_ being extraordinary uneasy, we soon took Leave of them to return. At our going out, we observ’d about forty Canoes, some of them like those Monsr. _de la Sale_ had seen on the _Missisipi_, which made him conclude he was not far from it.
We soon arrived at our Camp, and found the Misfortune, Monsr. _de la Sale_ had apprehended, was but too 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.