The ability to transport canoes through lakes and rivers
is very different from that which is required to conduct vessels
and troops over remote seas."

After a short delay in this lonely harbor, the fleet, now consisting of
but three vessels, again spread its sails. It was agreed to direct
their course to Cape St. Antoine, about nine hundred miles distant, at
the extreme western point of the island of Cuba. Should the vessels be
separated by a storm, they were to rendevous at that place.

As the Aimable, a heavily laden merchantman, was the slowest sailer, it
was decided that she should take the lead, the other two following. La
Salle, with his brother, Father Membre, and some others, transferred
their quarters from the Joli to the Aimable. This movement was also
probably influenced by La Salle's desire to escape from the uncongenial
companionship of Captain Beaujeu. It was on the 25th of November, 1684,
that the voyage was resumed.

Two days' sail brought the fleet within sight of the magnificent island
of Cuba. They ran along its southern shore, generally in sight of its
towering mountains and its luxuriant foliage, but having the enchanting
scenery occasionally veiled from their view by dense fogs. On the 1st
of December they caught sight, far away in the south, of the grand
island of Cayman. On the 4th of December, they cast anchor in a
sheltered bay of the beautiful Island of Pines, but a few miles south
of the Cuban coast.

La Salle, with his companions, took a boat and went on shore. Several
of the ship's crew rowed the boat. As they approached the sandy beach,
they saw an immense crocodile, apparently asleep, enjoying the blaze of
a tropical sun. The boatmen drew near as noiselessly as they could. La
Salle took deliberate aim and fired. Fortunately the bullet struck a
vulnerable point. The monster, after a few convulsive struggles, was
dead. The sailors, eager for a taste of fresh meat, kindled a fire and
roasted the flesh, which they found tender and palatable. There were no
inhabitants at that point. The party separated in small groups, and
wandered in all directions, lured by the beauty of the region, and
feasting upon the rich tropical fruits which grew in spontaneous
abundance.

When about to reembark, two of the sailors were missing. Several guns
were fired as signals for the lost men, but in vain. The boat returned
to the ship. The next morning, at sunrise, a boat's crew of thirty men
was