was sending away the women and children, and that
the men only remained, which indicated some hostile
intentions, our captain gave a signal to his men who
immediately ran to his assistance, and laid hold on
Donnacona, Taignoagny, Domagaia, and two more of the
principal natives. On seeing their lord taken,
the Canadians immediately ran away, some crossing
the river towards Stadacona and others taking to the
woods; whereupon we retired within our bulwarks, and
placed the prisoners under a secure guard. During
the ensuing night great numbers of the natives came
to the river side near our ships, crying and howling
like so many wolves, and continually calling upon Agouhanna,
being the name of office or dignity of Donnacona,
whom they wished to speak with, but our captain would
not allow of this. Next day about noon the natives
indicated by signs that they supposed we had killed
their chief. About this time, the natives in
the neighbourhood of the ships were in prodigious
numbers, most of them skulking about the edge of the
forest, except some who continually called with a
loud voice on Donnacona to come and speak to them.
Our captain then commanded Donnacona to be brought
up on high to speak to his people, and desired him
to be merry, assuring him that when he had spoken
to the king of France, and told him all that he had
seen in Saguenay and other countries through which
he had travelled, that he should be sent back to his
own country in ten or twelve months with great rewards.
Donnacona rejoiced at this assurance, and communicated
the intelligence to his people, who made three loud
cheers in token of joy. After this Donnacona and
his people conversed together for a long time; but
for want of interpreters we could not know the subjects
of their discourse. Our captain then desired Donnacona
to make his people come over to our side of the river,
that they might talk together with more ease, and
desired him to assure them of being in perfect safety;
which Donnacona did accordingly, and a whole boatful
of the principal people came, over close to the ships,
where they renewed their conversation, giving great
praise to our captain, to whom they presented twenty-four
chains esurgney[60], as the most precious thing
they possess, and which they hold in higher estimation
than gold or silver. After a long talk, as Donnacona
saw that there were no means of avoiding the voyage
to France, he commanded his people to bring him some
victuals to serve him during the passage. At this
time our captain gave Donnacona two frying pans of
copper, eight hatchets, with several knives, strings
of beads, and other trifles, with which he seemed highly
pleased, and sent them to his wives and children.
Our captain also made similar presents to the chiefs
who had come to speak with Donnacona, who thanked
him for the gifts and retired to their town.