The early days of the French settlement at Quebec were distinguished by nothing remarkable.  During the first winter scurvy and dysentery claimed many victims.  Natel, the locksmith, died towards the end of November, and some time after Bonnerme, the doctor, was attacked and succumbed.  Eighteen others also suffered from scurvy of whom ten died, and there were five deaths from dysentery, so that by the spring there were only eight men living, and Champlain himself was seriously indisposed.  This was the third time that the founder of Quebec had had to experience the effects of this terrible disease, and although he was beginning to understand its causes, he was still unaware of a specific.  “I am confident,” he says, “that, with good bread and fresh meat, a person would not be liable to it.”

Many trials had been experienced by the settlers during their first winter of 1608-09, and they welcomed the return of spring.  Des Marets[10] arrived at Quebec at this time, with tidings that Pont-Grave, his father-in-law, had arrived at Tadousac on May 28th.  Champlain at once repaired to Tadousac, where he received a letter from de Monts requesting him to return to France to acquaint him with the progress which he had made in the colony, and with the result of his explorations.  Champlain returned to Quebec, and immediately fitted out an expedition to visit the country of the Iroquois, in the company of a party of Montagnais.

The Montagnais were anxious to carry on war against their ancient enemies, and although the wars had no attraction for Champlain, he hoped to be able to further his discoveries during the journey.  Taking with him the twenty men placed at his disposal by Pont-Grave, Champlain sailed from Quebec on June 18th, 1609.  The command of the habitation was given to Pont-Grave in the meantime.  The expedition proceeded towards the island of St. Eloi, near the shores of which two or three hundred savages were encamped in tents.  They proved to be Hurons and Algonquins who were on their way to Quebec to join Champlain’s expedition to the territory of the Iroquois.  Their chiefs were named Iroquet and Ochateguin, and Champlain explained to them the object of his voyage.  The next day the two chiefs paid a visit to Champlain and remained silent for some time, meditating and smoking.  After some reflection the chiefs began to harangue their companions on the banks of the river.  They spoke for a long time in loud tones, and the substance of their remarks has been summed up in these words:—­

“Ten moons ago Champlain had declared that he desired to assist them against their enemies, with whom they had been for a long time at warfare, on account of many cruel acts committed by them against their tribe, under colour of friendship.  Having ever since longed for vengeance, they had solicited all the savages whom they had seen on the banks of the river to come and make an alliance.  They had no children with them but men versed in war and full of courage, and well acquainted with the country and the rivers of the land of the Iroquois.  They wanted to go to Quebec in order that they might see the French houses, but after three days they would return to engage in the war.  As a token of firm friendship and joy, Champlain should have muskets and arquebuses fired.”