When he reached the vicinity of the modern Quebec,[5] and his Amerindian interpreters found themselves at their actual home (for they were far away from home on a fishing expedition when he caught them in Gaspe Bay) there was great rejoicing; for they were able to tell their relations of the wonderful country to which they had been across the ocean.

Cartier was delighted with the surroundings of "Canada" (Quebec), near which at that time was a large settlement (Stadacona) of Huron Indians under a chief named Donnacona.

He decided to lay up his ships here for the winter, and to pursue the rest of his western explorations in his boats.
[Footnote 5: Then called "Canada".

The word Quebec (pronounced _Kebek_) means the narrow part of a river.] But the Amerindians for some reason were not willing that he should go any farther, and attempted to scare him from his projects by arranging for three of their number to come down river in a canoe, dressed in dogs' skins, with their faces blackened, and with bisons' horns fastened to their heads.

These devils pretended to take no notice of the French, but to die suddenly as they reached the shore, while the rest of the natives gave vent to howlings of despair and consternation.