They immeditely sprang into action, hurrying the women and children to safety of the woods, while their canoes were loaded with men from the community, to meet the interlopers, guessing that they were there in the interest of trade.
Reportedly, one of the men was none other than Membertou, the Mi'kmaq leader who would later assist the French in establishing a trading post at Port Royal.
Two groups took their position on the sandpoint, and in full view of the approaching ships, they beckoned the sailors to come ashore where they might conduct business.
And he continues..."we shot off two pieces amoung them, and they made haste to return to the saidpoint, and they made a wonderfully great noise, after which they began to return towards us as before and when they were close to our boat we shot two **squibs at them which passed amoung them and astonished them greatly- so that they took to flight in great haste, and followed us no more. "
There must have been a lot of discussion around the camp fires that evening, and I'm sure that many would have preferred to abandon their mission of trade with the 'white man' in exchange for their lives, but Cartier's log continues. "The next day a part of the said savages, with nine of their boats, came to the point and entrance to the creek, where we were at anchor with our ships, and we, being made known of their coming, went with our boats to the saidpoint and entrance where they were. But the moment they saw us they began to flee, making signs that they had come to trade with us, and showed us skins of little value, with which they clothe themselves. We made them signs likewise that we wished them no ill, and two of our men went on land to go to them to carry them knives and other iron wares and a red hat to give to their chief..."
** A type of firework that when thrown swiftly exploded like a rocket
ceremonies, -pouring the sea water on their heads with their hands (probably in gratitude to the waters that provided them with such bounty) and giving us everything they had so that they went back altogether naked without ,a single thing upon them, and they made signs to us that the next day they would come again with other skins. "
The Canadians in the area had actually been trading with European fishermen for many years, and were always glad to be visited; giving them an opportunity to purchase the iron tools and manufactured items that they were yet unable to get here.
Cartier though, now ready to abandon his mission and move on "Seeing that there was no passage we began to return. Making our way along the coast, we saw the said savages on the banks of a pond in low land where they were making many fires amid much smoke. We went thither, and found that there is a channel of the sea that enters into the said pond; and we placed our boats at one entrance of the said channel The natives came in one of their boats and brought us pieces of seal already cookes which they placed on pieces of wood; and withdrew, making signs to us that they gave them to us. We sent two men ashore with hatchets and knives, beads and other merchandise,at which they showed great joy. And then they came in a crowd in their boats to the shore where we were, with skins and whatever they had; to obtain our wares. They were in number men, women and children, more than three hundred of which a part of the women. who had crossed to the other coast where we were, came very friendly to us and rubbed our arms with their hands, and would lift the joined hands to heaven making many signs joy. And in such manner they reassured us, so that finally we traded hand to hand with them for all that they possessed; which is but of small value. We saw that they are people whom it would be easy to convert ...,
Jacques Cartier ended his story with descriptions of wild oats and corn and "peas as thick as if they had been sown and cultivated (which they no doubt were)...gooseberries, strawberries and raspberries, red roses and herbs of pleasing and abundant colour."
Though Jacques Cartier was not the first pirate, or privateer to visit the shores of North America, he was certainly one of the most dangerous and least honourable. However, his maps and written accounts did encourage future foreign trade.
