[From Lescarbot’s map, showing Quebec (Kebec) and Tadoussac at the mouth of the Saguenay.—ED.]]
During the winter Champlain had learned from the Indians who came to the settlement that far to the southwest there existed a large lake, whose waters were dotted with beautiful islands, and whose shores were surrounded by lofty mountains and fertile valleys. An opportunity to explore this lake and the river by which its waters were drained into the St. Lawrence was eagerly coveted by Champlain. This region occupied a peculiar relation to the hostile tribes on the north and those on the south of the St. Lawrence. It was the battle-field, or war-path, where they had for many generations, on each returning summer, met in bloody conflict. The territory between these contending tribes was neutral ground. Mutual fear had kept it open and uninhabited. The Montagnais in the neighborhood of Quebec were quite ready to conduct Champlain on this exploration, but it was nevertheless on the condition that he should assist them in an attack upon these enemies if encountered on the lake. To this he acceded without hesitation. It is possible that he did not appreciate the consequences of assuming such a hostile attitude toward the Iroquois; but it is probable that he was influenced by a broad national policy, to which we shall revert in the sequel.
[Champlain’s, in his edition of 1613. Key: _A_, storehouse; _B_, dovecote; _C_, armory and workmen’s lodging; _D_, workmen’s lodging; _E_, dial; _F_, blacksmith shop and mechanics’ lodging; _G_, galleries all about the dwellings; _H_, Champlain’s house; _I_, gate and drawbridge; _L_, promenade, ten feet wide; _M_, moat; _N_, platform for cannon; _O_, Champlain’s garden; _P_, kitchen; _Q_, open space; _R_, St. Lawrence River. This print is also reproduced in Lemoine’s _Quebec Past and Present_, Quebec, 1876, and in _Voyages de Découverte au Canada_, published by the Literary and Historical Society of Quebec in 1843.—ED.]]
On the 18th day of June Champlain left Quebec for this exploration. His escort of Montagnais was subsequently augmented by delegations from their allies, the Hurons and the Algonquins.
[This follows the Hamel painting after the Moncornet portrait, as given in Dr. Shea’s _Charlevoix_, vol. ii., and _Le Clercq_, i. 65. Cf. Slafter’s _Champlain_, vol. i., for a statement regarding the portraits of Champlain. Mr. Slafter prefers a woodcut by Roujat, and thinks that Hamel worked upon a sketch made from the Moncornet picture, which failed to preserve the strength of the original. The autograph of Champlain is rare. Dufossé in 1883 advertised a manuscript contract signed by him and his wife for 190 francs.—ED.]]