Others have it that the boats were halted at the foot of St Mary's current, and others again that Nun Island was the probable place of landing.

What is certain is that the French brought their boats to shore among a great crowd of assembled savages,--a thousand persons, Cartier says,--and that they were received with tumultuous joy.

The Indians leaped and sang, their familiar mode of celebrating welcome.

They offered to the explorers great quantities of fish and of the bread which they baked from the ripened corn.

They brought little children in their arms, making signs for Cartier and his companions to touch them.
As the twilight gathered, the French withdrew to their boats, while the savages, who were loath to leave the spot, lighted huge bonfires on the shore.