He
was struck by the fact that his two Indian interpreters,
who had rejoined the ranks of their countrymen, seemed
now to receive him with a sullen distrust, and refused
his repeated invitations to re-enter his ships. He asked
them whether they were still willing to go on with him
to Hochelaga, of which they had told him, and which it
was his purpose to visit. The two Indians assented, but
their manner was equivocal and inspired Cartier with
distrust.
The day after this a great concourse of Indians came
again to the river bank to see the strangers, but Donnacona
and his immediate followers, including Taignoagny and
Domagaya, stood apart under a point of land on the river
bank sullenly watching the movements of the French, who
were busied in setting out buoys and harbour-marks for
their anchorage. Cartier, noticing this, took a few of
his sailors, fully armed, and marched straight to where
the chief stood. Taignoagny, the interpreter, came forward
and entered upon a voluble harangue, telling the French
captain that Donnacona was grieved to see him and his
men so fully armed, while he and his people bore no
weapons in their hands. Cartier told Taignoagny, who had
been in France, that to carry arms was the custom of his
country, and that he knew it.
Pages:
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72