A Book of American ExplorersHigginson, Thomas Wentworth
History
A Book of American Explorers
Higginson, Thomas Wentworth
America -- Discovery and exploration; United States -- History -- Colonial period, ca. 1600-1775
us, holding their hands upward, joined together, carrying their hats
under their upper garment, showing a great admiration. And Taignoagny,
looking up to heaven, cried three times, “Jesus, Jesus, Jesus!” and
Domagaia, doing as his fellow had done before, cried, “Jesus Maria,
James Cartier.”
Our captain, hearing them, and seeing their gestures and ceremonies,
asked of them what they ailed, and what was happened or chanced anew.
They answered, that there were very ill tidings befallen, saying in
French, “_Nenni est il bon_;” that is to say, it was not good. Our
captain asked them again what it was. Then answered they, that their
god Cudruaigny had spoken in Hochelaga; and that he had sent those
three men to show unto them that there was so much ice and snow in that
country, that whosoever went thither should die; which words when we
heard, we laughed and mocked them, saying, that their god Cudruaigny
was but a fool and a noddy; for he knew not what he did or said. Then
bade we them show his messengers from us, that Christ would defend
them from all cold, if they would believe in him. Then did they ask
of our captain if he had spoken with Jesus. He answered, No; but that
his priests had, and that he had told them he should have fair weather;
which words when they had heard, they thanked our captain, and departed
toward the wood to tell those news unto their fellows, who suddenly
came, all rushing out of the wood, seeming to be very glad for those
words that our captain had spoken. And to show that thereby they had
had and felt great joy, so soon as they were before our ships, they all
together gave out three great shrieks, and thereupon began to sing and
dance as they were wont to do. But, for a resolution[116] of the matter,
Taignoagny and Domagaia told our captain that their Lord Donnacona
would by no means that any of them should go with him to Hochelaga,
unless he would leave him some hostage to stay with him. Our captain
answered them, that, if they would not go with him with a good will,
they should stay; and that for all them he would not leave off his
journey thither.
V.――HOW CARTIER REACHED HOCHELAGA, NOW MONTREAL, AT LAST.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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