The Indians had with them furs which they offered gladly in exchange for the knives and iron tools given them by the sailors.

Cartier presented them also with 'a red hat to give unto their captain.' The Indians seemed delighted with the exchange.

They danced about on the shore, went through strange ceremonies in pantomime and threw seawater over their heads.

'They gave us,' wrote Cartier, 'whatsoever they had, not keeping anything, so that they were constrained to go back again naked, and made us signs that the next day they would come again and bring more skins with them.' Four more days Cartier lingered in the bay.

Again he sent boats from the ships in the hope of finding the westward passage, but to his great disappointment and grief the search was fruitless.