8 The French in Prince Edward Island

Apart from maps the next description of Isle Saint Jean, that has come down to us, is that of Nicholas Denys, who in his Description and Natural History of Acadia writes of it as follows:

Returning to our Islands of Brion and Magdeleine, these are only rocks, and upon them are Firs inter- mingled with little Birches. At eight or ten leagues therefrom one meets with Isle Saint Jean, upon the route to Isle Percee. One passes in view of it (or not) according to the direction of the winds. It is necessary not to approach near to it, for all the coast on this side of the Bay is nothing but sand, which forms flats for more than a league out to sea. This island has all of twenty-five or thirty leagues of length, and one league of breadth in the middle. It is almost the shape of a crescent, and pointed at the two ends. The side which is opposite the mainland is bordered with rocks. There are two coves, through which two rivers pass to discharge into the sea. Longboats are able to enter, for within are a kind of small harbours. On this side the woods are very fine. Such land as it has seems rather good. This island is covered with almost nothing but Firs mingled with some Beeches and Birches. On the side which faces the Great Bay there are also two harbours, from which issue two little streams, but the entrances are very shal- low, (though) there is water enough within. I once entered that which is nearest to the point of Miscou. I have seen there three large Basque vessels, but, in order to enter, it was necessary to discharge them of everything in the roadstead, to carry everything on shore, and to leave only the ballast to sustain the vessel. Then it was necessary to lay her upon her side as though she was careened, then to tow her inside with the