s I did not wish any
of their chowder, which they prepare in a very dirty manner, I asked
them for some fish and meat, that I might prepare it my own way, which
they gave me. For drink we had fine, clear water. Tessouaet, who gave
the _tabagie_, entertained us without eating himself, according to
their custom.

The _tabagie_ being over, the young men, who are not present at the
harangues and councils, and who during the _tabagie_ remain at the door
of the cabins, withdrew, when all who remained began to fill their
pipes, one and another offering me one. We then spent a full half-hour
in this occupation, not a word being spoken, as is their custom.

{103}

But for the dexterous arrangement by which Champlain managed to cook
his own food, the _tabagie_ would have been more dangerous to health
than the portage. In any case, it was an ordeal that could not be
avoided, for feasting meant friendly intercourse, and only through
friendly intercourse could Champlain gain knowledge of that vast
wilderness which he must pierce before reaching his long-sought goal,
the sea beyond which lay China.

As for Vignau, his punishment was to make full confession before all
the French who had assembled at the Sault St Louis to traffic with the
Indians. When Champlain reached this rendezvous on June 17, he
informed the traders of all that had happened, including

the malice of my liar, at which they were greatly amazed. I then
begged them to assemble in order that in their presence, and that of
the savages and his companions, he might make declaration of his
maliciousness; which they gladly did. Being thus assembled, they
summoned him and asked him why he had not shown me the sea of the
north, as he had promised me at his departure. He replied that he had
promised something impossible for him, since he had never seen the sea,
and that the desire of making the journey had led him to say what he
did, also that he did not suppose that I would undertake it; and he
begged them to be pleased to pardon him, as he also {104} begged me
again, confessing that he had greatly offended, and if I would leave
him in the country he would by his efforts repair the offence and see
this sea, and bring back trustworthy intelligence concerning it the
following year; and in view of certain considerations I pardoned him on
this condition.

Vignau's public confession was followed by the annual barter with the
Indians, after which Champlain r