There is a large extent of open country along the shore before reaching the woods, which are very attractive and beautiful. We anchored off the coast, and saw some savages, towards whom four of our company proceeded. Making their way upon a sand-bank, they observed something like a bay, and cabins bordering it on all sides. When they were about a league and a half from us, there came to them a savage dancing all over, as they expressed it. He had come down from the high shore, but turned about shortly after to inform his fellow inhabitants of our arrival. The next day, the 20th of the month, we went to the place which our men had seen, and which we found a very dangerous harbor in consequence of the shoals and banks, where we saw breakers in all directions. It was almost low tide when we entered, and there were only four feet of water in the northern passage; at high tide, there are two fathoms. After we had entered, we found the place very spacious, being perhaps three or four leagues in circuit, entirely surrounded by little houses, around each one of which there was as much land as the occupant needed for his support. A small river enters here, which is very pretty, and in which at low tide there are some three and a half feet of water. There are also two or three brooks bordered by meadows. It would be a very fine place, if the harbor were good. I took the altitude, and found the latitude 42°, and the deflection of the magnetic needle 18° 40'. Many savages, men and women, visited us, and ran up on all sides dancing. We named this place Port de Mallebarre. [167] * * * * * CHAMPLAIN'S EXPLANATION OF THE ACCOMPANYING MAP. MALLEBARRE. _The figures indicate fathoms of water_. _A_. The two entrances to the harbor. _B_. Sandy downs where the savages killed a sailor belonging to the barque of Sieur de Monts. _C_. Places in the harbor where the barque of Sieur de Monts was. _D_. Spring on the shore of the harbor. _E_. A river flowing into the harbor. _F_. A brook. _G_. A small river where quantities of fish are caught. _H_. Sandy downs with low shrubs and many vines. _I_. Island at the point of the downs. _L_. Houses and dwelling-places of the savages that till the land. _M_. Shoals and sand-banks at the entrance and inside of the harbor. _O_. Sandy downs. _P_. Sea-coast, _q_. Barque of Sieur de Poutrincourt when he visited the place two years after Sieur de Monts. _R_. Landing of the party of Sieur de Poutrincourt.