That same Day, Monsr. _de la Sale_ came Ashoar to view the Place and examine the Entrance into the River, which he found to be very good. Having consider’d all Particulars, he resolv’d to send in the Bark _la Belle_ and _l’ Aimable_, that they might be under Shelter, to which Purpose, he order’d to sound, and to know whether those two Vessels could both come in that same Day. Monsieur _de Beaujeu_ caus’d also the Place to be sounded, and lay Ashoar on the other Side of the River, where he took Notice there were Vines which run up the Trees, like our Wall Vines, some Woods and the Carcasses of Bullocks, which he supposed to have died with Thirst.
The 16th, the Pilots of the _Joly_, _l’ Aimable_ and _la Belle_, went again to sound, they found the Entrance easy, and gave it under their Hands. The 17th, they fix’d Stakes to mark out the Way, that the Vessels might come safe in. All Things seem’d to promise a happy Event.
The 18th, the Chevalier _d’ Aire_ came ashore, to confer with Monsieur _de la Sale_, who being desirous to have the Fly-boat _l’ Aimable_ come in that Day, order’d the most weighty Things in her to be unloaded, as the Cannon, the Iron and some other Things. It was my good Fortune that my Chest stood in the Way, and was also unloaded, but that Unlading could not be done till the next Day, being the 19th. That being perform’d, the Captain affirm’d it would go in at 8 Foot Water.
The 20th, Monsieur _de la Sale_ sent Orders to that Captain to draw near the Bar, and to come in at high Water, of which a Signal should be given him; he also order’d the Pilot of the Bark _la Belle_ to go aboard the Flyboat, to be assisting when it came in. The Captain would not receive him aboard, saying, he could carry in his Ship without his Help. All these Precautions prov’d of no Use; Monsieur _de la Sale_ could not avert his ill Fate. He having taken Notice of a large Tree on the Bank of the River, which he judg’d fit to make a Canoe, sent 7 or 8 Workmen to hew it down, two of whom return’d some Time after, in a great Fright, and told him, they had narrowly escap’d being taken by a Company of Savages, and that they believ’d the others had fallen into their Hands. Monsieur _de la Sale_ order’d us immediately to handle our Arms, and to march with Drums beating towards the Savages, who seeing us in that Posture, fac’d about and went off.