pleased with their first Acadian summer. So far had
construction work advanced by the beginning of autumn
that De Monts decided to send an exploration party farther
along the coast to the south-west. 'And,' says Champlain,
'he entrusted me with this work, which I found very
agreeable.'

The date of departure from St Croix was September 2, so
that no very ambitious programme of discovery could be
undertaken before bad weather began. In a boat of eighteen
tons, with twelve sailors and two Indian guides, Champlain
threaded the maze of islands which lies between
Passamaquoddy Bay and the mouth of the Penobscot. The
most striking part of the coast was Mount Desert, 'very
high and notched in places, so that there is the appearance
to one at sea as of seven or eight mountains extending
along near each other.' To this island and the Isle au
Haut Champlain gave the names they have since borne.
Thence advancing, with his hand ever on the lead, he
reached the mouth of the Penobscot, despite those 'islands,
rocks, shoals, banks, and breakers which are so numerous
on all sides that it is marvellous to behold.' Having
satisfied himself that the Penobscot was none other than
the great river Norumbega, referred to largely on hearsay
by earlier geographers, he followed it up almost to
Bangor. On regaining the sea he endeavoured to reach the
mouth of the Kennebec, but when within a few miles of it
was driven back to St Croix by want of food. In closing
the story of this voyage, which had occupied a month,
Champlain says with his usual directness: 'The above is