to North America. 17 



tniltes of Hurovs y who were converted to Chriftia- 

 fiity by the Jefuits, though with a great deal of 

 Reluftancy. The Villages of SiUm> and of Saut de 

 la Cbaudiere, are composed of three hundred Fami- 

 lies of Abenakis, who are likewise Chriftians, and 

 among whom the Jefuits have fetled Miffionaries. 

 I returned to Quebec time enough, and imbarqued 

 under the condud: of a Mafier, that would rather 

 have had a Ladening of Goods, than of Soldiers. The 

 North- Baft Winds wafted us infive or fix days toTrcis 

 Rivieres, which is the name of a fmall City, feated ac 

 the diftance of thirty Leagues from hence. That City 

 derives its name from three Rivers, that fpring from 

 one Channel, and after continuing their divifion for 

 foime fpace re-unite into a joynt Stream,that falls in- 

 to the River of St.- Laurence, about half a quarter of a 

 League below the Town. Had we fail'd all Night, the 

 Tides would have carry'd us thither in two days time j 

 but in regard that the River is full of Rocks and 

 Shelves^ we durft not venture upon it in the dark j fbj 

 we came to an Anchor every Night, which did notac • 

 all difpleafe me j for in thecourfe of thirty Leagues, 

 ( nocwithftanding the darknefs of the Night ) it 

 gave me an opportunity of viewing an infinite 

 number of Habitations on each fide of the River, 

 which are not above a Musket-Shot diftane one from 

 another. The Inhabitants that are fetled between 

 Quebec and fifteen Leagues higher, diverted me ve- 

 ry agreeably with thefifhirigof Eels. At low wa- 

 ter they ftretch out Hurdles to the I o weft Water- 

 Mark; and that fpace of ground being then dry 

 by the retreat of the Water, is covered over, and 

 fhut up by the Hurdles. Between the Hurdles they 

 place at certain diftances Inftruments call'd Ruches $ ^ 

 from the refemblance they bear to a Bee hive ; be- 

 fides Baskets and lfttte Nets belag'd upon a Pole^ 

 which chey call BotAteux^znd Bouts de Qukvres. Then 

 they let all ftand in this fafhion for three Months in 



