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.'

This accident destroyed all hope of exploration to the
southward until word came from France. At the time of De
Monts' departure the outlook had been so doubtful that
a provisional arrangement was made for the return of the
colonists to France should no ship arrive at Port Royal
by the middle of July. In this event Pontgrave was to
take his people to Cape Breton or Gaspe, where they would
find trading ships homeward bound. As neither De Monts
nor Poutrincourt had arrived by the middle of June, a
new barque was built to replace the one which had been
lost on April 10. A month later Pontgrave carried out
his part of the programme by putting aboard all the
inhabitants of Port Royal save two, who were induced by
promise of extra pay to remain in charge of the stores.

Thus sorrowfully the remnant of the colonists bade farewell
to the beautiful harbour and their new home. Four days
later they were nearly lost through the breaking of their
rudder in the midst of a tempest. Having been saved from
wreck by the skill of their shipmaster, Champdore, they