These statements are supported by the testimony of the Baron La Hontan, who relates that, after the reorganization of the troops in Canada, "several ships were sent hither from France with a cargo of women of ordinary reputation, under the direction of some old stale nuns, who ranged them in three classes. The vestal virgins were heaped up (if I may so speak), one above another, in three different apartments, where the bridegrooms singled out their brides just as a butcher does ewes from among a flock of sheep. The sparks that wanted to be married made their addresses to the above-mentioned governesses, to whom they were obliged to give an account of their goods and estates before they were allowed to make their choice in the seraglio." After the selection was made, the marriage was concluded on the spot, in presence of a priest and a notary, the governor-general usually presenting the happy couple with some domestic animals with which to begin life anew. When the number of historical precedents is taken into account, the superstition long current among mariners with regard to setting sail on Friday seems unaccountable. Columbus sailed from Spain on Friday, discovered land on Friday, and returned to Palos on Friday. Cabot discovered the American continent on Friday. Gosnold sailed from England on Friday, made land on Friday, and came to anchor on Friday at Exmouth. These coincidences might, it would seem, dispel, with American mariners at least, something of the dread with which a voyage begun on that day has long been regarded. [Illustration] FOOTNOTES: [1] "Et que passé cette rivière la côte tourne à l'Ouest et Ouest-Norouest plus de deux cens cinquante lieues," etc. [2] The monk André Thevet, who professes to have visited Norumbega River in 1556, says it was called by the natives "Agoncy." [3] According to the Abbé Maurault, Pentagoët, in the Indian vocabulary, signifies "a place in a river where there are rapids." On the authority of the "History of the Abenaquis," Penobscot is, "where the land is stony, or covered with rocks." [4] It is curious that three Italians--Columbus, Cabot, and Verrazani--should lead all others in the discoveries of the American continent. [5] Giambetta Ramusio, the Venetian. [6] Champlain's map of 1612 is entitled "CARTE GEOGRAPHIQVE DE LA NOVVELLE FRANCE FAICTTE PAR LE SIEVR DE CHAMPLAIN SAINT TONGOIS, CAPPITAINE ORDINAIRE POVR LE ROY EN LA MARINE. _Faict len_ 1612." All the territory from Labrador to Cape Cod is embraced in this very curious map. Some of its details will be introduced in successive chapters as occasion may demand. There is another map of Champlain of 1632, _fort detaillé_, but of less rarity than the first. [7] By Ben Perley Poore and John Romeyn Brodhead. [8] "Massachusetts Archives, French Documents," vol. i., p. 269. [9] Rev. B. F. De Costa's "Northmen in Maine." [10] "Mass. Archives, French Documents." [11] Ibid. [Illustration: MOUNT DESERT, FROM BLUE HILL BAY.]