considerably the height of the Rideau Falls and is not
very exact in his calculation of latitude.

The hardships of this journey were greatly and unnecessarily
increased by Vignau, whose only hope was to discourage
his leader. In. the end it proved that 'our liar' (as
Champlain repeatedly calls him) had hoped to secure a
reward for his alleged discovery, believing that no one
would follow him long, even if an attempt were made to
confirm the accuracy of his report. But Champlain,
undeterred by portages and mosquitoes, kept on. Some
savages who joined him said that Vignau was a liar, and
on their advice Champlain left the Ottawa a short distance
above the mouth of the Madawaska. Holding westward at
some distance from the south shore, he advanced past
Muskrat Lake, and after a hard march came out again on
the Ottawa at Lake Allumette.

This was the end of Champlain's route in 1613. From the
Algonquins on Allumette Island he learned that Vignau
had wintered with them at the time he swore he was
discovering salt seas. Finally, the impostor confessed
his fraud and, falling on his knees, asked for mercy.
The Indians would gladly have killed him outright, but
Champlain spared his life, though how deeply he was moved
can be seen from these words: 'Overcome with wrath I had
him removed, being unable to endure him any longer in my
presence.' After his confession there was nothing for it
but to return by the same route. An astrolabe found some
years ago near Muskrat Lake may have been dropped from