he King of France with this
inscription: The year of salvation 1669, Clement IX. being seated in
St. Peter's chair, Louis XIV. reigning in France, M. de Courcelle
being governor of New France, and M. Talon being intendant therein
for the King, there arrived in this place two missionaries from
Montreal accompanied by seven other Frenchmen, who, the first of all
European peoples, have wintered on this lake, of which, as of a
territory not occupied, they have taken possession in the name of
their King by the apposition of his arms, which they have attached
to the foot of this cross. In witness whereof we have signed the
present certificate."

"FRANCOIS DOLLIER,
Priest of the Diocese of Nantes in Brittany.
DE GALINEE,
Deacon of the Diocese of Rennes in Brittany."

[6] Galinee's map is reproduced in Faillon's Histoire de la
Colonie Francaise.

Galinee grows enthusiastic over the abundance of game and wild fruits
opposite Long Point. The grapes were as large and as sweet as the finest
in France. The wine made from them was as good as _vin de grave_. He
admires the profusion of walnuts, chestnuts, wild apples and plums.
Bears were fatter and better to the palate than the most "savory" pigs
in France. Deer wandered in herds of 50 to 100. Sometimes even 200 would
be seen feeding together. In his enthusiasm the good priest calls this
region "the terrestrial paradise of Canada."

Fortunately for the explorers, the winter was as mild at Port Dover as
it was severe at Montreal. Patterson's Creek was however still frozen
over on the 26th March, when, having portaged their goods and canoes to
the lake, they embarked to resume their westward journey. They had to
pass two streams before they arrived at the sand beach which connected
Long Point with the mainland. To effect the first crossing they walked
four leagues inland before they found a satisfactory spot. To cross Big
Creek, they were obliged to spend a whole day constructing a raft. They
were further delayed by a prolonged snow storm and a strong north wind.
On the west bank was a meadow more than 200 paces wide, in passing over
which they were immersed to their girdles in mud and slash. Arriving at
the sandy ridge which then connected Long Point with the mainland, they
found the lake on the other side full of floating ice, and concluded
that their companions had not ventured to proceed in their frail
barque