THE SECOND VOYAGE--WINTER AT STADACONA On returning to his anchorage before Quebec, Cartier found that his companions whom he had left there had not been idle.

The ships, it will be remembered, lay moored close to the shore at the mouth of the little river Lairet, a branch of the St Charles.

On the bank of the river, during their leader's absence, the men had erected a solid fortification or rampart.

Heavy sticks of lumber had been set up on end and joined firmly together, while at intervals cannon, taken from the ships, had been placed in such a way as to command the approach in all directions.

The sequel showed that it was well, indeed, for the French that they placed so little reliance on the friendship of the savages.
Donnacona was not long in putting in an appearance.