Now it is impossible to imagine the anxiety we endured at that time, for we knew not which way to turn. From the English, we expected only death or at least slavery; but to remain in this country, and for so many men to live among the Savages in their way for a whole year, looked to us like a long and miserable death. These good Savages, having heard about our misfortune, came and offered to do their best for us, promising to feed us during the Winter, and showing a great deal of sympathy for us. But we could hope for nothing better [248] than they had; also we could see no prospect of finding any other expedients in such a desert. Now see how God provided for us. CHAPITRE XXIX. [i.e., xxvii.] LES EXPEDIENTS TROUUEZ POUR REUENIR EN FRANCE, & COMME TRENTE DE NOS GENS Y ARRIUERENT APRES PLUSIEURS TRAUAUX. LE Capitaine Anglois appellé Samuel Argal, & son Lieutenant, dit Guillaume Turnel, commencerent à traicter de nostre retour selon leur promesse auec nostre Capitaine la Saussaye. Les Anglois offroyent des conditions bien iniques, mais pour le faire court, la conclusion fut qu'vne [249] chaloupe nous restant de deux, [~q] nous en auions, ils nous en l'aisseroyent vne, & qu'auec icelle nous allassions où Dieu nous conduiroit. Le Capitaine Anglois, cauteleux qu'il est; voulut auoir vn escrit, signé de la main de la Saussaye, par lequel il tesmoignast, que c'estoit de son choix, que ce parti auoit esté prins. CHAPTER XXIX. [i.e., xxvii.] THE MEANS WHICH WERE FOUND TO RETURN TO FRANCE, AND HOW THIRTY OF OUR PEOPLE ARRIVED THERE AFTER MANY TRIALS. THE English Captain, whose name was Samuel Argal, and his Lieutenant, William Turnel,[3] began, as they had promised, to treat with our Captain la Saussaye about our return. The English offered some very unfair conditions, but to make the story short, the conclusion was that as one [249] boat remained to us of the two we had had, they would leave it for us, and with it we could go where God directed us. The English Captain, crafty as he was, wished to have a written acknowledgement signed by la Saussaye, in which he should testify that it was by his own choice that this course had been taken.