CAETIEE'S COTJESE. 



165 



this observation we learn tliat the southern entrance to the gulf was absolutely unknown to 

 the Breton fishermen at this time, though the Island of Cape Breton is spoken of as a place 

 thoroughly well known. It is to be presumed that a man of Cartier's intelligence and 

 observation would have been aware of all the knowledge and traditions possessed by the 

 fishermen concerning these new lands, shores and bays frequented by them. This also goes 

 far to prove the falsehood of the pretended entry and exploration of the gulf from the south 

 by the Cabots. 



The Magdalen Islands. 



Four leagues from Brion Island they saw a beautiful cape, which Cartier named Cap 

 du Daulphin. This is the present Grosse Ile on the northeast bend of the Coffin Island of 

 the Magdalen group. On the 27tli of June (Saturday) he coasted along the northern shore 

 i)f the island, which lies east-northeast and west-northwest. This is exactly the direction 

 given in the " Pilot." As the water ofi^ shore is shoal and the bottom sandy, he kept some 

 distance away. The coast is lined with sand dunes (hatteroles de sables). During the day 

 he sailed about 15 leagues. The island or group from Northeast Cape to Amherst Island on 

 the southwest is about 35 miles, so that 



Mag 



W or G'-ecnwc^ 



DALEN 



Islands 



Isld 

 uersAUezay) 



Cartier must have been near the West 

 Cape of Amherst Island by evening. On 

 Sunday, 28th, he still continued to cruise 

 around the shore for another ton leagues. 

 His account here is very difficult to fol. 

 low. He does not give the courses and 

 distances with his usual exactness, though 

 b}' a careful study we can trace pretty 

 correctly his route. I deem it l)etter here 

 to transcribe the whole passage in the 

 original and then comment on it, which, 

 with the accompanying map, will, I hope, 

 make it clear. 



" Le landemain (i.e. Sunday, June 

 28th) rangeâmes icelle terre enuiron x 

 lieues, jusques a ung cap de terre rouge 

 qui est ung cap rogné au dedans duquel 

 ya une ainze qui s'abat au nort et poys 

 soume ; il \\\j a ung sillon et pcrroy 

 qui est entre la mer et ung estanc. D'icelluy cap de terre et estanc a ung aultre cap de terre 

 ya enuiron quatre lieues — ce tant la terre en demy cercle et tout rangé de Sablons faictz 

 comme ung fossé, par sur lequel et oultre yceluy, ya comme manière de marestz et estancq, 

 tant comme l'on peult voires. Et auparavant ariuez au premier cap ya deux petittez illes 

 assez prés de terre ; et a cinq lieires dudit second cap, ya une ille au surouaist qui est moult 

 haulte et pointue, qui par nous fut nommée Allezay, le premier cap fut nommée le Cap St. 

 Pierre, pour ce que le jour dudit sainct y ariuames." 



The first day (Saturday, June 27th) they ranged along outside the islands on the 

 northei'n side, giving them a wide berth, and making about 15 leagues. This would bring 



47 N 



^^■-. 





