Champlain was now in a position to do something toward forwarding his own
plans through the good-will and assistance of the Hurons and Algonquins.
To extend the knowledge of the country westward, and to find out a
passage through the continent to China, were to him as much objects of
desire as they had been to Cartier before him. The Indian chiefs promised
to furnish all the facilities he required; and they placed in his care a
young Huron, whom he afterward took to Paris. At the same time a young
Frenchman was intrusted to a chief named Iroquet, for the purpose of
learning the Algonquin language, and of visiting the lakes, rivers, and
mines which were stated to exist in the interior of the country. When
these arrangements had been made Champlain and his allies parted. On
arriving at Quebec he learned the sad intelligence of the death of his
powerful friend and patron, King Henry IV, who had been assassinated
three months before in the streets of Paris. Although the season was not
far advanced he immediately took his departure for France, accompanied by
Pontegrave.
In the spring of 1611 Champlain returned to Canada.[1] During the winter,
although it was now impossible to recover the exclusive privileges which
had formerly been accorded to his company, he and Pontegrave had again
succeeded in procuring the means of equipping several vessels.
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