was no European settlement at the
spot, and but very few native inhabitants, though all the natives were
friendly.

In a few days two of the vessels which had been separated from the Joli
by the storm, entered the bay, having probably learned from the
natives, as they coasted along the shore, where the ship was. The whole
of the eastern portion of the island was then held by Spain. As the
three vessels were sailing along, two large boats, filled with armed
Spaniards, pushed out from the shore and seized the smallest of the
vessels--the St. Francis--and carried it off as a prize, with all its
crew. This was a very heavy loss, as it deprived the expedition of
supplies of which it stood greatly in need. The chagrin of La Salle was
increased by the reflection that had Beaujeu obeyed orders and entered
Port de Paix, the fleet would have rendezvoused there in perfect
safety. The governor very loudly expressed his indignation, in view of
the conduct of Captain Beaujeu.

The state of mind of the captain may be inferred from the following
extracts from a letter to the French minister, which he wrote at that
place:

"Were it not the sickness of Chevalier La Salle, I should have no
occasion to write to you, as I am charged only with the navigation
and he with the secret. We have arrived here almost all sick. La
Salle has been attacked by a violent fever, which affects not more
his body than his mind. His brother requested me to take charge of
his affairs. I excused myself because I know that when restored to
health he would not approve of what I had done.

"It is said that the Spaniards have, in these seas, six men-of-war,
each carrying sixty guns. It is true that if the Chevalier de la
Salle should not recover, I shall pursue different measures from
those which he has adopted, which I do not approve. I cannot
comprehend how a man should dream of settling a country surrounded
by Spaniards and Indians, with a company of workmen and women,
without soldiers.

"If you will permit me to express my opinion, the Chevalier de la
Salle should have contented himself with the discovery of his
river, without attempting to conduct three vessels and troops
across the ocean through seas utterly unknown to him. He is a man
of great learning, who has read much, and has some knowledge of
navigation. But there is a great difference between theory and
practice.