During the autumn they began to make gardens.  ‘I also,’ says Champlain, ’for the sake of occupying my time made one, which was surrounded with ditches full of water, in which I placed some fine trout, and into which flowed three brooks of very fine running water, from which the greater part of our settlement was supplied.  I made also a little sluice-way towards the shore, in order to draw off the water when I wished.  This spot was entirely surrounded by meadows, where I constructed a summer-house, with some fine trees, as a resort for enjoying the fresh air.  I made there, also, a little reservoir for holding salt-water fish, which we took out as we wanted them.  I took especial pleasure in it and planted there some seeds which turned out well.  But much work had to be laid out in preparation.  We resorted often to this place as a pastime; and it seemed as if the little birds round took pleasure in it, for they gathered there in large numbers, warbling and chirping so pleasantly that I think I have never heard the like.’

After a busy and cheerful autumn came a mild winter.  The snow did not fall till December 20, and there was much rain.  Scurvy still caused trouble; but though twelve died, the mortality was not so high as at St Croix.  Everything considered, Port Royal enjoyed good fortune—­according to the colonial standards of the period, when a winter death-rate of twenty-six per cent was below the average.

At the beginning of March 1606 Pontgrave fitted out a barque of eighteen tons in order to undertake ’a voyage of discovery along the coast of Florida’; and on the 16th of the month a start was made.  Favoured by good weather, he and Champlain would have reached the Hudson three years before the Dutch.  But, short of drowning, every possible mischance happened.  They had hardly set out when a storm cast them ashore near Grand Manan.  Having repaired the damage they made for St Croix, where fog and contrary winds held them back eight days.  Then Pontgrave decided to return to Port Royal ’to see in what condition our companions were whom we had left there sick.’  On their arrival Pontgrave himself was taken ill, but soon re-embarked, though still unwell.  Their second start was followed by immediate disaster.  Leaving the mouth of the harbour, two leagues distant from Port Royal, they were carried out of the channel by the tide and went aground.  ’At the first blow of our boat upon the rocks the rudder broke, a part of the keel and three or four planks were smashed and some ribs stove in, which frightened us, for our barque filled immediately; and all that we could do was to wait until the sea fell, so that we might get ashore...  Our barque, all shattered as she was, went to pieces at the return of the tide.  But we, most happy at having saved our lives, returned to our settlement with our poor savages; and we praised God for having rescued us from this shipwreck, from which we had not expected to escape so easily.’