by name, visited the French ships. The ceremonial was
appropriate to his rank. Twelve canoes filled with Indian
warriors appeared upon the stream. As they neared the
ships, at a command from Donnacona, all fell back except
two, which came close alongside the Emerillon. Donnacona
then delivered a powerful and lengthy harangue, accompanied
by wondrous gesticulations of body and limbs. The canoes
then moved down to the side of the Grande Hermine, where
Donnacona spoke with Cartier's guides. As these savages
told him of the wonders they had seen in France, he was
apparently moved to very transports of joy. Nothing would
satisfy him but that Cartier should step down into the
canoe, that the chief might put his arms about his neck
in sign of welcome. Cartier, unable to rival Donnacona's
oratory, made up for it by causing the sailors hand down
food and wine, to the keen delight of the Indians. This
being done, the visitors departed with every expression
of good-will.

Waiting only for a favourable tide, the ships left their
anchorage, and, sailing past the Island of Orleans, cast
anchor in the St Charles river, where it flows into the
St Lawrence near Quebec. The Emerillon was left at anchor
out in the St Lawrence, in readiness for the continuance
of the journey, but the two larger vessels were moored
at the point where a rivulet, the Lairet, runs into the
St Charles. It was on the left bank of the Lairet that
Cartier's fort was presently constructed for his winter
occupancy. Some distance across from it, on the other
side of the St Charles, was Stadacona itself. Its site