Plate VII
The French Left in Fort Charles Suffer from Scarcity of Provisions
Not long after captain Ribaut's departure from Florida, the French whom he left at Charlesfort began to suffer from lack of provisions. After considering how best to overcome this, they decided the best plan would be to turn for help to King Ovadé and his brother Covexis. They delegated a certain number among themselves to go off in an Indian canoe. After travelling about ten miles they discovered a beautiful river of fresh water where they noticed numerous crocodiles, much larger than those of the Nile. The banks of this river were covered with lofty cypresses. After a short stop they continued further and found Chief Ovadé who received them with great kindness. They explained their predicament to him and begged him not to abandon them in their need. Chief Ovadé was friendly and understanding and sent to his brother, requesting beans and maize. Covexis responded promptly and Ovadé's messengers, on their return next morning, carried the provisions to the boat. The French, grateful for the king's generosity, wished to take leave of him but he would not allow it and detained them with him that day, entertaining them kindly. The next day he showed them his fields and said that they would not want for grain while his crop lasted. After leaving the king the French retuned by the same way they had come.
All transcriptions are taken from Discovering the New World, Based on the Works of Theodore de Bry, edited by Michael Alexander (New York: Harper & Row, 1976).
