La Salle and the discovery of the great West - North Central ...

372 THE VOYAGE. [1684.While Beaujeu was complaining of La Salle, hisfollowers were deserting him. It was necessary tosend them on board ship, and keep them there ; forthere were French buccaneers at Petit Goave, whopainted the promised land in such dismal colors thatmany of the adventurers completely lost heartSome, too, were dying. "The air of this place isbad," says Joutel; "so are the fruits; and there areplenty of women worse than either." 1It was near the end of November before La Sallecould resume the voyage. He was told that Beaujeuhad said that he would not wait longer for the storeship"Aimable, r and that she might follow as shecould. 2 Moreover, La Salle was on ill terms withAigron, her captain, who had declared that he wouldhave nothing more to do with him. 3Fearing, therefore,that some mishap might befall her, he resolvedto embark inher himself, with his brother Cavelier,Mernbre*, Douay, and others, the trustiest of hisfollowers. On the twenty-fifth they set sail; the"Joly" and the little frigate "Belle" following.They coasted the shore of Cuba, and landed at theIsle of Pines, where La Salle shot an alligator,whichthe soldiers ate; and the hunter brought in a wildpig, half of which he sent to Beaujeu. Then theyadvanced to Cape St. Antoine, where bad weatherand contrary winds long detained them. A load of1 Relation de Henri Joutel (Margry, iii. 105).9Memoire autographe de I'Abbe Jean Cavelier.8 Lettre de Beaujeu au Ministre, 20 Oct., 1684.