cross and making signs, the chief gave it to be understood
that the country belonged to him and his people. He and
his followers were, however, easily pacified by a few
gifts and with the explanation, conveyed by signs, that
the cross was erected to mark the entrance of the bay.
The French entertained their guests bountifully with food
and drink, and, having gaily decked out two sons of the
chief in French shirts and red caps, they invited these
young savages to remain on the ship and to sail with
Cartier. They did so, and the chief and the others departed
rejoicing. The next day the ships weighed anchor, surrounded
by boat-loads of savages who shouted and gesticulated
their farewells to those on board.

Cartier now turned his ships to the north-east. Westward
on his left hand, had he known it, was the opening of
the St Lawrence. From the trend of the land he supposed,
however, that, by sailing in an easterly direction, he
was again crossing one of the great bays of the coast.
This conjecture seemed to be correct, as the coastline
of the island of Anticosti presently appeared on the
horizon. From July 27 until August 5 the explorers made
their way along the shores of Anticosti, which they almost
circumnavigated. Sailing first to the east they passed
a low-lying country, almost bare of forests, but with
verdant and inviting meadows. The shore ended at East
Cape, named by Cartier Cape St Louis, and at this point
the ships turned and made their way north-westward, along
the upper shore of the island. On August 1, as they
advanced, they came in sight of the mainland of the