bites that they could scarcely see. The barricade being finished, Sieur de
Monts sent his barque to notify the rest of our party, who were with our
vessel in the bay of St. Mary, to come to St. Croix. This was promptly
done, and while awaiting them we spent our time very pleasantly.

Some days after, our vessels having arrived and anchored, all disembarked.
Then, without losing time, Sieur de Monts proceeded to employ the workmen
in building houses for our abode, and allowed me to determine the
arrangement of our settlement. After Sieur de Monts had determined the
place for the storehouse, which is nine fathoms long, three wide, and
twelve feet high, he adopted the plan for his own house, which he had
promptly built by good workmen, and then assigned to each one his location.
Straightway, the men began to gather together by fives and sixes, each
according to his desire. Then all set to work to clear up the island, to go
to the woods, to make the frame work, to carry earth and other things
necessary for the buildings.

* * * * *

CHAMPLAIN'S DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING MAP.

HABITATION DE L'ISLE STE. CROIX.

_The figures indicate fathoms of water_.

_A_. Dwelling of Sieur de Monts.
_B_. Public building where we spent our time when it rained.
_C_. The storehouse.
_D_. Dwelling of the guard.
_E_. The blacksmith shop.