An Account of Monsieur de la Salle's last expedition and discoveries in North America presented to the French king, and published by the Chevalier Tonti, Governour of Fort St. Louis, in the province of Illinois ; made English from the Paris original ; also the adventures of the Sieur de Montauban, captain of the French buccaneers on the coast of Guinea, in the year 1695.

A NEW ACCOUNT OF THE Northern-America.

TRƲTH and Sincerity being the chief Qualities, which make a Book of this nature Valuable, the Author of this promiſes himſelf upon that account a favourable Reception from the Publick: and therefore thinks it would be ſuperfluous to make a longer Preface.

Monſieur Cavelier de La Salle, a Native of Roan in Normandy, the chief Undertaker of the Diſcoveries in the Northern America, which make the Subject-Matter of this Book, was a Man of extraordinary Parts, and undaunted Courage. He was the firſt that formed the Deſign of Travelling from the Lake of Frontenac in Canada, to the Gulph of Mexico, through a vaſt unknown Country, in order to bring the Inhabitants to the Knowledge of the Chriſtian Religion, and Extend the Dominions of the King of France. This Gentleman having duly weighed all the Difficulties that were like to croſs ſo Noble a Deſign, came to Court to acquaint his Majeſty with it, who was pleaſed not only to approve his Enterprize, but alſo to Encourage it, by the Liberal Aſſiſtance, and the Power he gave to M. La Salle, to diſpoſe of his New Diſcoveries as he ſhould think fit.

I was then at the Court of France to ſollicit ſome Employment, having ſerved his Majeſty both by Sea and Land, and loſt one Hand in Sicily by a Granado, and as M. La Salle was upon his departure, the Prince of Conti was pleaſed to recommend me to him, as fit to accompany him in his Undertaking, whereupon I was eaſily admitted, the Patronage of His Highneſs having been very uſeful to M. La Salle. Every thing being ready for our departure, we ſet ſail from Rochel, July 14. 1678. to the number of 30 Men, amongſt whom were Pilots, Carpenters, Smiths and other uſeful Artiſts, and arrived at Quebec upon the 15th of September following; we remained there ſome days, after which having taken our Leave of Count Frontenac Governor-General of Canada, we ſailed up the River St. Laurence to Fort Frontenac, where we landed.

That Fort lyes within 120 Leagues from Quebec, about the 44th Degree of Latitude, on the Mouth of a Lake called likewiſe Frontenac or Ontario, which is near 300 Leagues about, and has a communication with four other Lakes, much of the ſame extent. All thoſe Lakes are Navigable, and plentifully ſtored with Fiſh; The Mouth, or entrance of this Lake is defended by a Fort with four large Baſtions, which might protect a great number of Veſſels againſt the attempts of any Enemy. As M. La Salle had Erected this Fort, the King had given him the Propriety thereof, and of all the Lakes thereabouts with their dependencies. The Country about it is ſo Charming, that it is impoſſible to deſcribe its Beauties: The vaſt Meadows are intermixed with Woods and Foreſts, full of all ſorts of Fruit-Trees, and watered with fine Brooks and Rivers.

It was in this place that we prepared our ſelves for our great Voyage, and Glorious Undertaking, of which no body, I am ſure, can give a better account than my ſelf, not only becauſe I accompanied the ſaid M. La Salle, but alſo becauſe the chief Care and Burthen of that Perilous, tho' Glorious Enterprize, fell upon me by the untimely Death of that Gentleman. The Account which I offer now to the Publick, is extracted out of the Journal I kept, wherein I ſet down things as they appeared to me: 'Tis true, I am ſometimes obliged to take things upon Truſt, becauſe I could not be always with M. La Salle, but I am ſo fully convinced of the Probity and Honeſty of thoſe upon whoſe Evidence I have advanced any thing, that I may anſwer as well for their Obſervations as for my own. The Reader muſt not therefore expect here Noble and Pompous Deſcriptions, ſuch as Authors uſe to adorn their Works with, but a natural ſimplicity, and a rigid fidelity. If my Stile ſeems harſh and unpolite, I have no other Apology for it, but that I may have contracted ſome thing from the Commerce of the Savages of America, with whom I have ſo long converſed.

Whoſoever conſiders this Enterprize in it ſelf, the difficulties it was attended with, and the advantages that Europe may reap from the diſcovery of thoſe vaſt Countries, which are above eighteen hundred Leagues North and South, will I hope agree, that an exact account thereof is worthy of the Curioſity of the Reader.

The Fertility of the Soil.That large Country is now called by the name of Louiſiana, ſince the French took poſſeſſion thereof in the Name of Lewis the Great. The Soil is, generally ſpeaking, ſo fertile, that it produces Naturally without any Culture, thoſe Fruits that Nature and Art together have much ado to bring forth in Europe: They have two Crops every Year without any great fatigue; the Vines bring extraordinary Grapes, without the Care of the Husbandmen; and the Fruit-Trees need no Gardiners to look after them; the Air is every where temperate; the Country is watered with Navigable Rivers, and delicious Brooks and Rivulets, and diverſified with Foreſts and Meadows; it is ſtockt with all ſorts of Beaſts, as Bulls, Orignac's, Wolves, Lines, Wild Aſſes, Stags, Goats, Sheep, Foxes, Hares, Beavers, Otters, Dogs, and all ſorts of Fowls, which afford a plentiful Game for the Inhabitants. They have diſcovered Mines of Lead and Iron, and 'tis not doubted but there are alſo Mines of Gold and Silver, if they would give themſelves the trouble to look for them, but the Inhabitants of thoſe Countries valuing things only as far as they are neceſſary for Life, are yet unacquainted with the Fanciful Value we put upon thoſe Metals, and have not dig'd up the Earth to look for them.

The Manners of the Inhabitants,Thoſe Inhabitants have nothing of Man but the Shape and the Name; they live without any Laws, Religion, Superiority, or Subordination, Independency and Liberty being their Summum Bonum, or the ultimate end they propoſe to themſelves. Their Life is always wandering, having no ſetled Poſſeſſions; they take ſeveral Wives, if they pleaſe, whom they quit when they will, and leave them to others, juſt as they do their Habitations, for after having for ſome time cultivated a piece of Ground, they quit it without any occaſion to Cultivate another, and the firſt comer takes poſſeſſion thereof, ſo that they are perpetually changing their Habitations, and by this continual motion, every thing becomes in a manner common amongſt them: they know no Superiority, and think the World is made only for them.

Their Religion.I ſaid they have no Religion, tho' it ſeems they have an obſcure Idea of God, becauſe they live as if they thought there was none. They believe in general that there is a God, but who does not concern himſelf in what they do. Some Worſhip the Sun, and others fancy that the World is full of certain Spirits, who preſide over their Actions, and they are ſo extravagant as to believe, that every thing in the World has a Spirit, and that they are Good or Hurtful according to the Caprice of that Spirit. 'Tis upon this Principle that are grounded all the fooliſh Superſtitions of their Jugglers or Monitous, who are their Prieſts or Magicians.

I don't believe that they have carried their Reflections ſo far, as to think on the Nature of their Souls; tho' 'tis true, they ſeem to believe their Immortality, and a kind of Metempſychoſis, or Tranſmigration of Souls; but they have ſo many extravagant fancies upon this Subject, that it is in a manner impoſſible to diſcover their true Opinion. I may ſay in general, that they are ſo ſtupid in matters of Religion, that they are not convinced of their own Belief, nor of what others believe, and therefore Laugh at the Inſtructions of our Miſſionaries.

Their Good quali • ies.However, notwithſtanding that brutiſh temper, they have as good a Senſe as the reſt of Mankind, to know their true Intereſts, and therefore are capable of Negotiations, Commerce, and Counſel. They know how to weigh and conſider the Conſequences of an Enterprize, and take Juſt Meaſures to compaſs it. When they meet together to conſult about ſome great Deſign, they ſit in a private place, in a profound Silence, ſmoking Tobacco, and every one ſpeaks gravely in his turn. It is to be obſerved by the by, that they never make any Treaty, Convention or Agreement with any body, till they have firſt of all, mutually exchanged Preſents. They give commonly Collars as the Symbol of Union; they have a particular Kettle for Peace, and another for War. They proclaim Peace with the Calumet, and War by great Outcries, or rather dreadful Howlings.

Their Science in War.They know likewiſe how to Incamp, and Fortifie their Camps with Intrenchments and Palliſadoes. They obſerve alſo ſome Order in their Attacks.

Their Tillage.This Soil produces indifferently all ſorts of Corn and Plants, but as they have obſerved, that ſome among them are more proper for their Nouriſhment than others, they take care to Sow and Cultivate them, and therefore they have great Crops of Indian Corn, of which they make a ſort of very delicious and nouriſhing Pap. They Cultivate alſo what they call Touquo, of which they make their Caſſave, and Turneps, wherewith they make Caſſamite. Theſe are their own terms, which are not to be tranſlated.Their Phyſick. There are in their Country ſeveral ſorts of Trees, from which an excellent Balſam drops, the uſe whereof the Savages know very well, as alſo of ſeveral Plants againſt Wounds, and the venomous bitings or ſtinging of Serpents and other Creatures.

Their Aſtronomy.Their Knowledge is not circumſcribed within thoſe narrow bounds, they carry it as far as Heaven, and have obtained a ſufficient Knowledge of the Courſe of the Sun, Moon and Planets, and pretend thereby to foretel the changes of the Weather, Winds, Storms, and other things of this nature.

Their Dexterity.Beſides thoſe qualities already mentioned, they have a wonderful dexterity at ſeveral beautiful and uſeful Works: Some of them make extraordinary fine Mats for their Coverings, and adorning their Cabins; others have found the way to Dreſs Leather to make Waſtecoats and Shoes; but their greateſt dexterity appears, in my opinion, in the ſtructure of their Canoos which can never ſink. They make them with the Barks of Elm, Walnut-trees or Eldertrees, about 10 or 12 Foot long, the ſide being a little turned inward as Gondolas. Inſtead of Oars they make uſe of two pieces of Wood, like two Bakers Peals, and term Swimming what we call Rowing. As their Canoos draw very little Water, becauſe of their lightneſs, the Savages Swim with an extraordinary ſwiftneſs, even againſt the ſtream of Rivers, and undertake very long Voyages without fearing Rocks or Storms.

Their Travels by Land.Tho' there are neither Road nor Path in that Country, they Travel through theſe vaſt Foreſts and Wilderneſſes, with the help of certain Marks they make upon the Rind of Trees from place to place; and by theſe means, the Women and Children are able to find the Men when they go a Hunting, or upon any Expedition. They very ſeldome bring home what they kill, and it is the Office of their Wives to fetch it and dreſs it.

Their Cabins.I think fit to add, in this Place, a ſhort Account of their Cabins, Houſhold-Goods, and the like. Many of them are wandring in Woods, where they lie upon the Ground as Beaſts; but ſuch who live together, make Cabins, or Huts, with Branches of Trees driven into the ground, interlaced with others, and joined at the top as cloſe as poſſible, and covered with Reeds, or large Leaves of Trees. The inſide looks ſomewhat better, it is well-enough Matted, and moſt of them have a ſort of curious Floor.

Their Beds.Their Bedſteads are made up with ſome pieces of wood, upon which they lay skins full of Wool or Straw; but for their Covering, they uſe the fineſt ſort of Skins, or elſe Mats finely wrought.

Their Kitchin Ʋtenſils.They have Cellars, or rather Holes, to preſerve their Corn, their Wood, and other Proviſions; but all their Kitchin Utenſils conſiſts in ſome few pieces of Earthen-Ware, which they make with Clay, and harden it with the Dung of Bulls. They have no ſorts of Mills, but inſtead thereof, uſe to grind their Corn between two Stones, with a great deal of trouble. They make uſe of a ſort of ſharp Stones inſtead of Knives; but this muſt be underſtood of ſuch Savages, who never had any Commerce with Europeans.

Their Arms.They uſe Bows and Arrows with great dexterity, and the extremity of their Arrow is arm'd, inſtead of Iron, with a ſharp Stone, or the Tooth of ſome Animal. They have beſides heavy Clubs, or ſharp Sticks, inſtead of Swords or Halberds. They uſe alſo wooden Corſlets againſt Arrows, and make Bucklers with ſeveral skins ſtitched together.

Their Apparel.Moſt of them go ſtark Naked, and are ſo inured to Rain, and other Hardſhips, that their bodies are almoſt inſenſible; and the ſoles of their Feet ſo hard, as to reſiſt the ſharpneſs of Thorns and Stones. Their Women have ſtill preſerved a ſhadow of Modeſty, for they wear commonly about their waſte a large Girdle, from which hang two pieces of skin, which cover in ſome manner their Nakedneſs. I ſpeak of thoſe Savages who Inhabit a Temperate Climate, for thoſe who live to the Northward of Quebec, and other cold Countries, cover themſelves with skins of Bears, Stags, Ellends, and the like. I muſt obſerve alſo, that thoſe who Inhabit toward Mexico, ſeem more civillized than others; for tho' their Climate is pretty Hot, they cover themſelves with Mats finely wrought.

The care of the Family divided between the Husband & the Wife.The care of the Family lies equally upon the Husband and the Wife: The former goes a Fiſhing or Hunting for the Family; and the Wife Tills the ground, and gets in what ſhe has ſow'd. It is likewiſe her Duty to fetch Fruit, Herbs, and other things in the Woods. When the Savage is come back from Hunting, he takes firſt of all his Pipe, and as he ſmoaks, tells his Wife what he has done, and what he would have her to do, which ſhe muſt obey without any reluctancy.

Character of the Savages.One may obſerve in Men a great Gravity and Authority, and in Women an extraordinary Complaiſance for their Husbands, and as they follow their Natural Inſtinct in every thing they do, their Behaviour is always ſincere and without any affectation; and one may truly ſay, That the conjugal Union between them, is the effect of a Natural Inclination, which is common to Men and to Brutes, and not founded upon a true Friendſhip.

Of Women in particular.The Savages being perpetually in Action, they are free from ſeveral Diſeaſes that the Europeans are ſubject to, and 'tis obſervable, that theſe Women have not that natural Incommodity that ours are liable unto, and that, which is ſtill more to be wonder'd at, they bring forth without any Pain, or at leaſt without any ceremony as they go along, making no other Proviſion for it, than their own girdle, and ſome Skins to wrap up the Child into.

The Breeding of their Children.They have a very extraordinary way to bring up their Children, for though they have no Clouts or Swath-Bands, they have found a way to keep them very clean without any great Trouble. They provide themſelves with a good quantity of Duſt of rotten Wood, which is as ſoft as any Doun whatſoever, and is very good to preſerve them againſt Humidity. They lay their Children upon that Duſt, and wrap them into ſome good Furs, and tie them pretty faſt, and have nothing to do for dreſſing them, but to change that Duſt, by means whereof they keep them always clean, till they are able to walk about.

How they feed them.They Feed them with Pap, made with Indian Corn, and give them a Bow as ſoon as they can walk; ſo that they uſe themſelves to ſhoot, and follow their Parents into the Woods, learning thereby betimes the uſual Places for Hunting; and having no manner of Education, they are only guided by their Natural Inclination and Senſuality, as Beaſts.

I ſhould never make an End, ſhould I undertake to give a particular Account of all the Cuſtoms of the Savages; but I think that what I have ſaid is ſufficient to convince the Reader, that their Intelligence extends only to what is Neceſſary for ſupporting their Natural Life; and that if they have any Law amongſt them, it is to obſerve none at all. Born and bred up in Forreſts, Hunting is their greateſt Paſtime, to which I may add War, Quarrels, and Cruelty, which is ſuch, that they muſt turn their Arms againſt harmleſs Beaſts, when they want Pretences or Opportunities, to uſe them againſt Men.

Mr. La Salle undertakes with 30 Men to Travel through thoſe Nations.It was through thoſe Wild Nations that Mr. La Salle undertook to Travel, and diſcover a Way to the Gulph of Mexico; and whoſoever will impartially conſider that Enterpriſe, muſt agree, that this courageous Deſign can hardly be parallell'd. But this will appear the better, if they conſider what Preparations he made for that great Journey. He had only Thirty Men, as I have already ſaid, without any other Proviſions, but Powder and Shot, which were to ſupply him during his Voyage. We had firſt of all a Bark, and ſome Canoos, but we were ſoon deprived of that help, and forc'd to Travel by Land, and carry our Equipage, croſſing large Rivers upon Rafts, or Trees, having no other Guide through thoſe vaſt unknown Countries but a Compaſs, and the Genius of our Commander, who (according to the variation of the Needle, and the Knowledge he had in Aſtronomy) was able to gueſs at the Climate we were in, and what courſe we were to follow.

Theſe Difficulties, the Armies of Savages, which we were obliged to Fight to force our way, Hunger, Thirſt, and other Wants and Perils, were however ſurmounted by our Courage and Conſtancy, ſo that we arriv'd at the Gulph of Mexico, and after ſeveral Misfortunes returned Home. But before I proceed any further, I think fit to give an Account of the Four Lakes I have already mentioned.

The upper Lake, or ſuperior Lake.The Firſt lies above the 47 Degree of Latitude, and is called Ʋpper Lake, or of Frontenac, and may be 80 Leagues broad, and 300 in circuit. It has communication with the Lake Herie, or of Conti, by a Canal of above 20 Leagues long, interrupted by a Fall of 600 Foot high, known under the Name of Fall of Niagara. This Lake of Conti joins with another called The Lake of the Hurons, or of Orleans, by a Canal or ſtream which is very Rapid, and this laſt Lake has communication to the South with a Fourth, called, The Lake of the Iſlinois, or of the Dauphin: It joins alſo by the North-ſide with another Lake, larger than any of the reſt, called, The Lake of Conde; but we did not ſee it.

We Sail from Fort Frontenac. Having Refreſhed our ſelves about a Fortnight at Fort Frontenac, we embarqued on the 18th. of November, 1678. on Board a Veſſel of 40 Tunns, to croſs the firſt Lake I have mentioned, and this was the Firſt Ship that ever Sail'd upon this Freſh Water Sea. The Wind being very contrary, we ſpent a whole Month before we could arrive at a Village called St. Onnontouane, where Mr. La Salle ſent ſome Canoos to fetch Indian Corn for our ſubſiſtance; and from thence we continued our Courſe towards Niagara, but the Stream being too rapid, and the Wind contrary, we were obliged to caſt an Anchor about 9 Leagues from that Place, whither we went by Land. Niagara is a Village of the Iroquois, ſituated upon the Lake of Conti, near the wonderful Fall I have taken Notice of.

An Account of the Iroquois. This Nation, the moſt Warlike and Cruel of all the Americans, is poſſeſſed of a Tract of Land from Montreal, or rather from the place where the Two Rivers, which form that of St. Laurence, meet, to the further end of the Lake of Conti, which is about Two Hundred Leagues to the South. This Nation is very Ambitious to command their Neighbours; and when they hear of any other Nation which grows powerful, either by the Number of their fighting Men, or by the extent of their Poſſeſſions, they march to ſubdue them, and they make ſometimes Excurſions three or four hundred Leagues. They are indefatigable, undaunted in the greateſt danger; and of ſuch a fierce Courage and Conſtancy, as to be proof againſt the moſt exquiſite Torments, When taken by their Enemies, rather than betray the Deſigns of their Country-men: They never ask, and ſeldom give Quarter. They drink the Blood of their Enemies, and add to their great Cruelty, all the Stratagems, Subtilty and precaution, that one might expect from Experienc'd Soldiers.

They receive kindly the French.This Nation, tho' Fierce and Cruel, as I have repreſented them, receiv'd us very kindly. We laid one Night in their Village, and went the next Day to view a proper place, above. Three Leagues higher, to Build a Fort, and having found an advantagious Situation, M. De la Salle laid the Foundation of it, and ordered his Men to Work upon it with all imaginable Diligence; but the Jroquois taking ſome Jealouſie at it; it was thought fit to deſiſt, to avoid giving Offence to ſo dangerous an Enemy; and therefore we contented our ſelves to fortifie our Magazine with ſtrong Paliſadoes.

M. la Salle had given orders for Building a new Ship or great Bark, and our Men workt about it with all the diligence that the Seaſon of the Year could permit; but the cold was ſo exceſſive, that not only Rivers, but even thoſe vaſt Lakes were frozen all over, inſomuch that they look'd like a Plain pav'd with fine poliſh'd Marble. We traded in the mean time with the Natives, and got a great number of Furrs; but ſeveral things being wanting to continue our Voyage, this couragious Gentleman reſolv'd to return by Land to Fort Frontenac, and come back again in the Spring with a new ſupply of Ammunition and Merchandiſe, to trade with the Nations he intended to viſit. He ſent likewiſe fifteen Men further into the Country, with orders to endeavour to find out the Illinois, and left his Fort of Niagara, and fifteen Men under my command. One of the Recollects contineud with us.

The Winter being over, a Bark arrived from Fort Frontenac, with Ammunition and Merchandiſes, but it was ſtav'd to pieces againſt the Coaſt, by the fault of the Pilot, however moſt of the Effects were ſav'd; and ſoon after, M. la Salle arrived, who immediately renewed his Commerce with the Iroquois, and endeavoured to give them ſome Idea of the Power of the King, that they might have ſome reſpect for his Subjects. This new Ship being near finiſhed, he ſent me with five Men to view the Coaſt, and the Country to the North ſide of the Lake, above 120 Leagues from Niagara. We Embarked in our Canoos, and having rowed two days, or rather ſwom, to uſe the ſtile of the Savages, arrived to the ſtraight of the Lake Heriè.

Lake Heriè.This ſtraight or Canal, by which the Lake Heriè joins with that of the Hurons, is about Thirty Leagues long. I landed to the North ſide, and enquired for the Men M. la Salle had ſent before; but hearing they were gone higher, I advanced-into the Country in hopes to find them; and this gave me an opportunity to take an exact ſurvey of that delicious Peninſula, which has almoſt the form of an Heart, by reaſon of the three Lakes already mentioned.

Having made all the Obſervations I thought neceſſary both as to the Canal between the two Lakes, and the nature of the Soil, I returned to give an account thereof to M. la Salle, who, before my arrival, was gone back to Fort Frontenac with a conſiderable quantity of Furrs, from whence he returned to Niagara, on the Seventh of Auguſt, 1679, with a freſh ſupply of Ammunition and Proviſions, and three Recollects. The Spring and moſt part of the Summer were thus ſpent in frequent goings and comings, which however are abſolutely neceſſary in order to make a good and laſting Settlement.

Our Bark being finiſhed, and every thing ready for our departure, we ſail'd towards the middle of Auguſt, and having happily croſſed the Lake Heriè, got into that of the Hurons, which, as it has been already ſaid, is much larger than the other two. We met there with a dreadful Storm, as great as any that I ever heard of upon the Ocean, or any other Sea, but we had the good Fortune to find a good Road called Miſſilimachinac. It is an Iſthmus, or neck of Land about Twenty Leagues broad, and 120 long, between the Lake of the Hurons and that of the Illinois, which is one of the fineſt ſituations in the World; and beſides the prodigious fertility of the Soil, and all ſorts of Game, the Inhabitants have an extraordinary plenty of Fiſh.

Fall S. Mary. M. la Salle took an exact ſurvey of that fine Country, and having marked out a Fort for our ſecurity, ſent me, with ſome others, towards the North-Eaſt, to obſerve the Fall St. Mary, and endeavour to diſcover ſome of our Deſerters. This Fall forms two Canals, and a pretty large Iſland, which being re-united, make a very Rapid River, by which the Lake of the Hurons has communication with another much larger than all the reſt. I went a-ſhore upon the Northern Coaſt of the Lake Huron, and advanced through a moſt delicious Country, as fas as the River Onta, which coming out of that great Lake, runs about a Hundred Leagues, and falls into the River St. Laurence. The charming Proſpect of the Banks of that River, made the Fatigues I ſuffer'd very eaſie to me, tho I had no other Proviſions than what I could kill with my Gun. I ſpent Eight Days in my Journey, and from thence went into to the Southern Canal I have ſpoken of where I Landed. I diſcover'd there a large Plain between the Lake of the Hurons and that of the Illinois, and a fine Settlement belonging to the Jeſuits. I found there alſo our Deſerters, who appear'd, at firſt, very ſtubborn and diſaffected, but were at laſt perſwaded to return with me to Miſſilimachinac, where I underſtood that M. la Salle had Sailed from thence towards the end of September, for the Bay of Puans, where he arriv'd the 8th of October, as I have been informed ſince.

Bay of Puans. This Bay of Puans is formed by an overflowing of the Lake of the Illinois, occaſion'd by a great River, which falls into this Lake. This River call'd Oniſconcing comes from another Lake about 100 Leagues diſtant; from which comes another River, which falls into the Miſſiſſipi; and therefore this Lake may be lookt upon as a Communication between Canada and the Gulph of Mexico, as one may ſee by the Map.

M. la Salle being arrived in that Bay, took ſome new meaſures, and ſent back his Bark, laden with Furs, to Niagara, and embarked again in Canoos with ſeventeen Men and a Recollect, to go to the further end of the Lake of the Illinois, where he arrived the firſt of November, 1679, and landed at the Mouth of the River of the Miamis.

The Country of the Miamis. This Country lies between the 35 and 40 degrees of Latitude; is bounded to the Eaſt by Virginia and Florida; and on the other ſide by the Iroquois and the Illinois. The Soil is very fertile, and produces all ſorts of Corn and Fruit; it abounds alſo in Cattle and Fiſh. M. la Salle viſited the Inhabitants, and finding their Temper tractable, endeavoured to gain their Friendſhip by Preſents. They exchanged ſome Merchandiſes, and M. la Salle managed this Trade with ſo much prudence and dexterity, as to convince them, it would be a greater advantage for them to Trade with the French than with the Engliſh or the Iroquois.

However, as he obſerved that this Nation was inconſtant, and eaſily impoſed upon, he thought fit to build a Fort for his Security, and to make there a kind of Magazine for the execution of his further Deſigns, which was accordingly done with all convenient ſpeed, M. la Salle having choſen an advantagious Situation at the Mouth of the River.

The impatience I had to re-join M. la Salle with the fifteen Men I had brought back to their Duty, obliged me to make all the haſte poſſible, but the want of Proviſions, and the contrary Winds obliged us to land within Thirty Leagues of our Fort, where we found Acorns and ſome Staggs, wherewith we refreſhed our ſelves. My Men were ſo haraſſed, that I could never perſwade them to imbark again the ſame day, which obliged me to imbark alone with our Pilots, promiſing them to return ſpeedily. The Weather being very ſtormy, we ſpent ſix days before we could reach the Fort Miamis, where I gave an Account to M. la Salle of my Diſcoveries. He received me very kindly, but told me withal, that he had been better pleaſed to ſee me arrived with all his Men.

Theſe laſt words ſeem'd to me a Command, and therefore after having refreſhed my ſelf, I went again into my Canoo, but I was hardly Fifteen Leagues off, that I was met by a violent Storm, in which our Canoo was overturned and then ſet to rights again, and at laſt driven upon the ſhore, from whence we went over Land to meet our Men at the place appointed. We arrived there the next Morning, and having ſpent the reſt of the Day to get them together, embarked again, and came in leſs than one day to Fort Miamis.

M. la Salle was very glad to ſee his Men together, looking upon this Recruit as a neceſſary Supply to carry on his Deſigns, and yet theſe very Men diſappointed them, and ſome time after put an end to his Diſcoveries, and to his Life, ſo that the Men alone, upon whom he grounded his hopes, were the only cauſe of all the Misfortunes that befell him, and of the Tragical end of his Life.

M. la Salle having in leſs than two Months put his Fort in a good poſture of Defence, as well to protect his Barks, and Canoos, as to defend himſelf againſt the Natives on the Land ſide, and ingaged the chief of the Nation into his Intereſts, reſolved to advance as far as the Illinois, whoſe neareſt Habitation was above 100 Leagues from our Fort.

River of the Illinois. The only way to go to them, was to Embark upon a River, which ſpringing from a Hill within ſix Leagues of the Lake of the Illinois, becomes Navigable above Forty Leagues from our Fort, and falls into the Miſſiſſipi, after a courſe of 200 Leagues. We left our Fort and the Country of the Miamis in the begining of December, leaving only ten Men to ſecure our Magazines; and having carried our Canoos and Equipage over Land, arrived four days after upon the River of the Illinois, where we Embarked to the number of Forty four Perſons, without reckoning Three Recollects. We fell down the ſaid River, by eaſie Journeys, the better to obſerve that Countrey, and ſupply our ſelves with Proviſions. The Banks of that River are as charming to the Eye, as uſeful for Life. The Meadows, Fruit-Trees, and Foreſts, affording every thing that is neceſſary for Men and Beaſts, ſo that being amuſed by that agreeable variety, we ſpent ſix days from the Portage (that is the place where we Embarked) to the firſt Village of the Illinois, A Village of the Illinois called Pontdalamia, conſiſting of above 500 Cabins, where we found no Inhabitants. We went aſhore, and viewed their Cabbins or Cottages, which are made with great pieces of Timber, interlac'd with Branches, and cover'd with Bark. The inſide is more neat, the Walls or ſides, as well as the Floor, being finely matted. Every Cottage has two Appartments, wherein ſeveral Families might lodge, and under every one of them there is a Cave or Vault, wherein they preſerve their Indian-Corn, of which we took a ſufficient quantity, becauſe we wanted Proviſions.

We continued our Voyage, and above Thirty Leagues lower fell into a Lake or Pond above ſeven Leagues in Circuit, where we caught excellent Fiſh; and following the ſtream, fell again into the Channel of the River, and found our ſelves between two Bodies of Savages, who were Encamped on both ſides the River. They had no ſooner diſcovered us, but they run to their Arms,The Illinois put themſelves in order of Battel. and put themſelves in order of Battel, after having ſent their Wives and Children into the Woods. We put our ſelves likewiſe in good poſture, and brought our Canoos upon a Line, and advanced towards the Shore in that order. The Illinois obſerving our Countenance, and being naturally inclin'd to Peace, contented themſelves to ask us, who we were? We anſwered by our Interpreter, that we were Subjects to the King of France, and come to make them know the Maſter of Heaven and Earth, and offer them the Protection of our great Monarch; adding, that if they would put themſelves under his Protection, they ſhould live happily, and free from the Inſults of their Enemies. We told them beſides, that though their Country was plentiful, they wanted Induſtry to enjoy the Advantages of it, and therefore offer'd them our own, provided they would have Commerce with us. The Illinois having heard our Anſwer and Propoſals, received us not as Savages uſe to do,They accept our Propoſals. but as Men wellbred and civiliz'd. They expreſs'd as much as they could, their Veneration for our King; they preſented us the Calumet, the Signal or Badge of Peace among all thoſe Nations, as it has been already obſerved. They uſe the word of Singing or Dancing the Calumet. When they ſing it, they drive a Pole into the Ground, and every one brings in that place what he hath taken from the Enemy, of which they make a kind of Trophy, and ſing about it their Warlike Expeditions and glorious Feats. They call Dancing the Calumet, when they Dance about that Trophey after the Singing is over.

We anſwer'd their Ceremonies and Complements by all the demonſtrations of Joy we could think on, and ſome Preſents as tokens of our Friendſhip. We told them, that Neceſſity had forc'd us to take ſome Indian Corn out of their Village,They entertain us. for which we gave them ſome Toys and Brandy. This Convinc'd them of our Sincerity, and ſending for their Wives and Children, made preparations to entertain us with all the Solemnity and Magnificence they are capable of, with Beef and Stag, and all ſorts of Veniſon and Fowls. We were very liberal on our ſide of our Brandy; ſo that the Feaſt laſted three whole days; during which, we made ſeveral Diſcharges of our Arms, at which they were frighted, but our good Words and kind Expreſſions confirmed them in the good Opinion they had of us. The familiar Titles of Brothers, Friends, and Comrades were not forgotten; and even ſome of us were Adopted into the chief Families amongſt them; ſo that through the natural Inconſtancy of the Americans, we diſcover'd in the Illinois, a great Humanity, and a good diſpoſition to Civil Society.

Character of the Illinois. They are naturally Careſſing, Flatterers, and Complaiſant, but on the other ſide Cunning, and dexterous at all Exerciſes. They are generally ſpeaking well ſhaped, ſtrong, and of a brown or tawny Complexion. Hunting is their great Delight, which makes them indocible. They love Women with exceſs, and Boys above Women, ſo that they become by that horrid Vice, very effeminate. 'Tis obſervable however, that notwithſtanding that vitious Inclination, they have ſeveral Laws to puniſh that infamous Vice. For as ſoon as a Boy has proſtituted himſelf, he is degraded in a manner of his Sex, being forbidden to wear the Apparel or Name of Man, and to make any Office or Function fit for Men, even nor ſo much as to be ſuffered to go a Hunting. They are therefore look'd upon as Women, and confin'd to their Employments, of whom they are even more ſlighted and hated than by Men; inſomuch that theſe Wretches become, by their Crime, the ſcorn and contempt of both Sexes. Thus without any help but natural Reaſon, they are ſenſible of their Crime, and have made theſe Laws as a Bridle to maſter their brutiſh ſenſuality, tho', as I have ſaid before, they hate all manner of reſtraint; they marry ſeveral Wives, and to preſerve Peace and Union in their Families, they marry commonly Siſters or near Relations. They are very Jealous, and puniſh the Infidelity of their Wives with a great ſeverity. Hermaphrodite are very common amongſt them, but whether it be an effect of the Climate or no, I do not pretend to determine. Women, and the proſtituted Boys I have ſpoken of, work fine Mats for hanging their Cottages, while Men go a Hunting or till the Ground for ſowing of Indian Corn. Their Country is ſituated along the River, which bears their Name, and are diſperſed in ſeveral Villages. This contains about 1500 Souls, amongſt whom we computed 500 fighting Men.

M. La Salle being ſenſible of the ſtrength of this Nation, thought that nothing was to be neglected to keep them in amity with us; but at the ſame time that it was neceſſary to provide our ſelves againſt their Inconſtancy.A Fort built. Therefore he ordered a Fort to be built upon a riſing ground near the River, which was in a little time in a poſture of defence. However he was in great pain for his Bark which he had ſent back from the Bay of Puans to Niagara, of which he had no manner of News. This, together with the malice of ſome of our Men, made him ſo melancholy, that the Paleneſs of his Face betrayed the grief of his Heart; but as he was very Couragious, he concealed it as well as poſſible, contenting himſelf to manifeſt it by the Name of Crevecoeur (breaking Heart) which he gave to his Fort.

We had however hitherto no great cauſe of Complaint; we had happily carried on our Diſcovery to 500 Leagues beyond Fort Frontenac, and made ſeveral Forts for the Communication and Security of our Settlements. Moſt of the Savages were entred into our Alliance, and the fierceſt among them, had not ſo much as offer'd to ſtop our Progreſs, ſo that we found no Enemies but our ſelves, and our own Diviſions, which proved at laſt a fatal ſource of great Misfortunes and Miſeries.

Murmurings of the French. Moſt of our Men being diſcouraged by a long and tedious Voyage, the end whereof they could not ſee, and weary of a wandring Life in Foreſts and Deſarts, where they had no other Company but Brutes, and Savages, without out any Guide, Carriage, and Proviſions could not forbear murmuring againſt the Author of ſo tireſome and perillous an Enterpriſe. M. La Salle, whoſe penetration was extraordinary, diſcover'd immediately their diſſatisfaction, and try'd all poſſible means to prevent the conſequences thereof. The glory of the Enterpriſe, the exemple of the Spaniards, the hopes of a great Booty, and every thing elſe that may engage Men, we made uſe of to incourage them, and inſpire them with better Sentiments; but theſe Exhortations, like Oil poured upon Fire, ſerved only to increaſe their diſſatisfaction. What ſaid they? muſt we always be Slaves to his Caprichio's, and be continually bubbl'd by his Viſions, and fooliſh Expectations? and muſt the Fatigues we have hitherto undergone be uſed as an Argument to oblige us to go through more Perils, to gratifie the Ambition or Folly of a mercileſs Man, who upon fair pretences has tranſplanted us into this new World amongſt Brutes. We are very far from our Country, without Proviſions or any other help; but our caſe ſhall be ten times worſe, if we follow the wandring Inclinations of a Man, who is reſolved to go to the further end of the World. He has made himſelf Rich by our Perils, and to our own loſs; what then have we to do, but to put a ſtop, by his Death, to our further Miſeries, and take poſſeſſion of what he has gained by our Fatigues? Theſe were the Arguments theſe Villains uſed to incourage themſelves to the horrid Crime they had reſolved upon; but having, upon ſecond thoughts, conſidered the conſequences of their violent Deſigns, they thought it would be more ſafe to incite the Illinois againſt him, that he might periſh by their Hands.

The Artifices of the Malecontents.To compaſs that villainous Deſign, they made a ſhew of an extraordinary Friendſhip to the Savages, and let them know, that by reaſon of the good Entertainment they had received from them, they thought themſelves oblig'd to acquaint them with the dangers they were threatned with. They told them that M. La Salle was in a ſtrict Alliance with the Iroquois, their ancient and implacable Enemies; that he was advanced into their Country to diſcover their Situation and Strength; that the Fort he had built was to bridle them; and that the Voyage he pretended to make to Fort Frontenac, was in order to acquaint the Iroquois with their Condition, and conduct them into their Country, to deſtroy altogether their Nation, having agreed together to ſhare the Booty amongſt them; concluding, that having revealed to them the wicked Deſigns of their Commander, they left it to their own prudence, to take what meaſures they ſhould think neceſſary for their Security.

'Tis very eaſie to gueſs what impreſſion ſuch a Diſcovery wrought upon a Weak and Credulous People, who believed without any further Inquiry, whatever our Villains had told them. They broke off immediately their Society with us, and lookt upon us, but chiefly upon our Chief, as their greateſt Enemies, and reſolved upon our Ruin. M. La Salle ſuſpected the cauſe of their Miſtruſt, and was ſenſible of the danger he was expoſed to, but did not know from whence it came. His great Courage was not however caſt down, and truſting to his good Conſcience, went boldly to the Chief of the Savages, and told them, That he obſerved ſuch an alteration in their proceedings with him, that he could not but be concerned at it; and therefore deſir'd them to tell him the Motives of their Miſtruſt, and to conſider whether they were well grounded, or only an Artifice of their common Enemies, who were jealous of the good Correſpondence that was between them.

The Illinois could not refuſe that reaſonable Demand,And how they were diſcovered. and therefore told him, that his own Men had diſcover'd his Deſigns againſt them, in conjunction with the Iroquois. M. La Salle, tho' ſurpriz'd at the Perfidiouſneſs and Treachery of his Men, made uſe of ſuch convincing Arguments, to prove the Malice of his Accuſers and his Innocence, together with the impoſſibility of his League with a Cruel Nation, who is bound by no Law nor Senſe of Humanity; that the Illinois were perſwaded of the ſincerity of his Intentions, and of the Motive of his Enemies, and therefore we became Friends again.

The arrival of Mauſolea. The Calm was hardly ſetled, but that it was diſturbed by a more dangerous ſtorm than the former, by the arrival of one Mauſolea, a ſecret Emiſſary of the Iroquois, of the neighbouring Nation of the Maſcontans, a Cunning Seditious and Eloquent Man. This pretended Embaſſador arriv'd in the Camp of the Illinois during the Night, and having gain'd the chief of them, the Council was called, where Mauſolea having diſplayed his Preſents, acquainted the Aſſembly with the motives of his Embaſſie. He told them that it was not the Intereſt alone of his Nation and theirs, but rather of all the Americans, His Diſcourſe. which had occaſion'd his Deputation, ſeeing that they were informed that the French were come with a Deſign to ſubdue the whole Country of the Northern America to the Gulph of Mexico; that to ſucceed therein, we pretended not only to make uſe of our own Forces, but likewiſe of the Americans themſelves; that in order thereunto, we had contracted a ſtrict Alliance with the Iroquois their common Enemies: That the Fort we had erected on their River, was the beginning of our Tyranny, and a place of Refuge 'till the arrival of our Confederates: That if they expected any longer, and gave us time to join together, their Miſeries ſhould be paſt remedy, and therefore adviſed them to prevent us, and deſtroy us whilſt it was in their power.

The crafty Contrivance of the Illinois. Theſe Calumnies of Mauſolea made a great impreſſion on the credulous Illinois, and ſo much the more, becauſe his Accuſation agreed exactly with what our own Men had told them. But doubtleſs the Reader expects an Account of the Reaſon that put the Iroquois upon this Villainous trick; and if we remember what has been already ſaid of the Character of that barbarous Nation, 'tis eaſie to diſcern, that they were afraid that the Illinois would grow too powerful by their Commerce with us, and be enabled by the uſe of Fire-arms, to make head againſt them, and therefore they made uſe of this Mauſolea to Accuſe us as he did, in order to incenſe the Illinois againſt our Nation, and prevent thereby our Settlement in the Country.

M. La Salle, who relyed upon the Faith of the late Reconciliation, knew nothing of this new Storm; and having no other Thoughts than to ſettle his Union with the Illinois, roſe very early, and went directly to the Camp of the Illinois with his beſt Friend, where he was mightily ſurpriz'd to ſee a general Uproar, and that no body would ſpeak with him. The Conjuncture was very nice, and therefore M. la Salle was in a great perplexity, and did not know what to do. Some were of Opinion to retire into the Fort 'till this new Treachery was diſcover'd, but he would not hearken to this Advice, leſt his Retreat ſhould confirm the Accuſation of his Enemies; and took a Reſolution more worthy of himſelf, tho' more dangerous. He went up boldly to the Aſſembly of the Chief of the Nation, and expreſſed himſelf as well as he could in their own Language, and much to this effect.

Friends,

Mr. la Salle's Speech to the Illinois. I Cannot but wonder at your Inconſtancy; we parted very good Friendſ laſt Night, and this Morning I find you almoſt in Arms againſt me; no body ſpeaks to me, and every body threatens me: What new Crime have I committed? or rather by what new Impoſtor have you been incenſed againſt me? I ſurrender my ſelf, and therefore if ever I have acted againſt the Intereſt of your Nation, you may do what you pleaſe, I am at your mercy. The Savages conſidering his Speech, and his Countenance, were almoſt perſwaded with his Innocence, and told him the Subject of the Embaſſie of Mauſolea, who was at that time preſent, whereupon M. la Salle directed his Speech to him in this manner. You accuſe me of an Alliance with a Barbarous and Treacherous Nation, but where are your Proofs? If you have any? ſpeak out; but if you have none, do you think the Illinois will believe your malicious Contrivances.

Mauſolea had certainly no Proof, but endeavoured to make out his Accuſation by ſome Circumſtances; as his former Commerce with the Iroquois; the Fort he had built upon the River of the Illinois; and his return to Fort Frontenac, concluding that though theſe were no direct Proofs, yet they were ſubſtantial Indications of his Deſign. It was very eaſie for M. la Salle to anſwer his Arguments, and to ſhew that the Iroquois, being jealous of their good Correſpondence, and ſenſible that their Union would enable them to make head againſt them; had hir'd this Emiſſary to create theſe Diviſions. He adviſed them to conſider every thing, and how the Iroquois had ſubdued, by their Artifices, the Miamis, the Quiaquons, and the Maſcoutans, who ſent this pretended Advice and therefore exhorted to weigh every thing, and enquire into the Embaſſie, for he ſuſpected Mauſolea was ſent by the Iroquois, and not by his own Nation; aſſuring them, in the mean time, that he was come to protect them againſt the Iroquois and their other Enemies.

The effect of his Diſcourſe.Theſe Reaſons being accompanied with the aſſuredneſs which a good Cauſe inſpires, had all the expected effect; inſomuch that Mauſolea himſelf; out of Fear, or remorſe of Conſcience, confeſs'd, that the Iroquois had ſpread thoſe Reports among the Maſcontans, on purpoſe to excite a general Inſurrection againſt us, and owned that the ſafety of the Illinois, and of his own Nation, depended on their Union with us; whereupon the Illinois made us all the Proteſtations in the World, that they would never renounce our Alliance, nor give ear any more to the Suggeſtions of our common Enemies.

M. la Salle divides his Men.This Peace and good Correſpondence being thus happily reſtor'd, M. la Salle turn'd all his Thoughts towards his Enterpriſe, and finding himſelf near the great River Miſſiſſipi, he reſolved to divide his Men to carry on at once his Diſcoveries to the North and to the South, by means of that River, reſerving for himſelf to fall down to the Sea, and to ſend ſome body elſe toward the ſource of the River. But as he was thus preparing himſelf, his Treacherous Men plotted to put a ſtop both to his Journey and to his Life, and to poiſon him and his beſt Friends at once. They pitched upon Chriſtmas-day for acting this Villainy, and found means to put ſome Poiſon into the Pot, to cut off at one blow, all ſuch as might have avenged the Death of their Captain, and likewiſe to remain the ſole Maſters of the Fort, and of all the Effects that were therein.

M. la Salle Poiſoned by his Men.The Dinner was hardly over, that M. la Salle and his Friends found themſelves very ill. They fell into Convulſions and other Symptoms, which diſcover'd the true cauſe of them; whereupon they took a Doſe of good Treacle, and by this quick remedy, prevented the effect of the Poiſon, inſomuch that all recover'd.

They run away.This was too plain to be denyed, and too horrid to be forgiven, therefore the Rogues ran away to avoid the juſt puniſhment they deſerv'd; and tho' M. la Salle ſent after them, it was not poſſible to overtake them, the thick Foreſts affording them a fair opportunity to make their eſcape. The deſertion of theſe Villains weaken'd our Band, but we were ſoon recruited by ſeveral young Savages, who engag'd themſelves into our Service, and likewiſe by ſome French Men who were diſpers'd and wandering in the Woods, ſo that our number was in a little time conſiderably increaſed.

Things being thus ſettl'd, M. la Salle apply'd himſelf to the execution of his Project,Mr. Dacan appointed for the diſcovery to the North. and appointed Mr. Dacan for the Diſcovery of the Country along the Miſſiſſipi, to the North-eaſt, with four French Men, two Savages, and Father Louis a Recollect, He gave 'em Arms, Ammunition, and ſome Merchandiſe to trade with the Nations. They Embarked on the 28th of February 1680, and fell down the River of the Illinois into the Miſſiſſipi, and from thence went up that great River for 450 Leagues together to the North, and came within ſeven Leagues of its Source, landing now and then on both ſides to view the Country, and by what Nation it was Inhabited.

The ſource of the Miſſiſſipi. The Miſſiſſipi. ſprings out of a Fountain on the top of a Hill in the Country of the Iſſati, about the 50 degree of Latitude: It receives ſo many Rivolets, that it becomes Navigable for Boats within ſix Leagues from its Source. The; Country along its Banks is Inhabited by ſeveral Nations, as the Hanetons, Iſſati's Oua, Tintonha, and Nadoueſtians, who received Mr. Dacan with all the kindneſs imaginable. He traded with them, and increaſed his number with ſeveral Savages, who offered to accompany him. He let up likewiſe the King's Arms about two Leagues from the ſource of the River, upon a great Tree in ſight of thoſe Nations, as a Mark that they became Subjects to his Maſter. He made alſo ſeveral Settlements, and one, among the reſt, among the Iſſati's where ſome French Men deſir'd to remain.

M. Dacan takes poſſeſſion of that Country.This Gentleman, charmed with the docility of theſe Nations, and engaged by the advantagious Trade that he met with there, advanced to the Lake of the Arſenipoits, which is about Thirty Leagues in Circuit. That Nation received our Men kindly, notwithſtanding their natural fierceneſs, and they founded there an Habitation, and another among the Chongaskabees, or Nations of Strong Men, who are Neighbours of the Arſenipoits.

M. la Salle takes leave of the Illinois. While Mr. Dacan was carrying on his Diſcoveries, M. la Salle took his leave of the Illinois, to return to Fort Frontenac, in order to get a new ſupply of Men and Ammunition, and likewiſe to view in what condition were his Forts, Magazines and Settlements, and haſten the building of a new Ship, which he had order'd to be made. He ſet out the 8th of November, 1680, and Three days after arrived to the Village of the Illinois, where he reſolved to build another Fort on a riſing ground, in order to command the Miamis, Outagamis, Kikapous, Aiſnous, and Maſcoutans; and to ſerve likewiſe for a Place of Refuge to the French. This Deſign, tho' prudent and advantagious, was however attended with ſome fatal Conſequences, as we ſhall ſee hereafter.

Having taken all the obſervations that he thought neceſſary;A Treachery of two of his Men. he continued his Journey, and met, about two Leagues from the Village of the Illinois, two of his Men, whom he had ſent two Months before to Miſſilimachinac, to endeavour to get Intelligence of his new Ship. Theſe Rogues pretended to have done their utmoſt, without having been able to Diſcover what was become of her, tho' they had burnt it themſelves, after having ſold the Effects that were on board to the Iroquois. M. la Salle ſuſpected preſently that it was loſt, but however, appeared as unconcern'd as before, and ſent me in a Letter a Draught of the Fort he had marked out, ordering me to work thereupon immediately.

Theſe V • llains, who had already ſold us to the Iroquois, made a great haſte, in order to improve the abſence of our Commander to their advantage, and deliver'd me the Letter of M. la Salle, which being very preſſing, I went immediately to the place I was commanded to, exhorting my Men to Peace and Union; and leaving the Fort under the Command of the moſt Faithful. The place M. la Salle had pitched upon, was a Rock very high, the top of which was even and of a convenient ſpace, ſo that it commanded the River, and the Country round about.Our Fort Plunder'd. I had already drawn ſome Lines, and made other preparations to build it, when I heard that theſe Villains had ſeduc'd and perverted moſt of our men, inſomuch that they had plundered our Fort, and carried away what was moſt valuable in it. I returned immediately, and found only ſeven or eight French Men in the Fort, who had been ſo honeſt as to deteſt the Villany of their Comrades, but not able to prevent it. I confeſs my Heart was almoſt broke, when I conſider'd the Condition we were in, without any help amongſt Savages; but having found a good quantity of Ammunition, with Arms left in the Fort, I thought the Cauſe was not altogether Deſperate, and encouraged my Men, by the hopes of a quick return of M. La Salle, and all other Arguments that I could think on, not forgetting the glory they had gained by their Fidelity, and the Reward they might expect, if they ſupported this Diſgrace with Courage. I took an exact Account of the Dammage we had ſuſtained, and ſent it to M. La Salle. I redoubled in the mean time my care and application to preſerve our Correſpondence with the Illinois, and by theſe means we put our ſelves very near in as good a poſture as before, the number of Men excepted.

M. La Salle having received theſe diſmal Tidings, made a great ſearch after thoſe Rogues, and purſued them ſo cloſely, that part of them ſurrendred themſelves, and the reſt were taken. He cauſed the moſt Seditious to be Hang'd, and pardon'd the reſt. He ſent the Meſſenger back to me, with a promiſe of a quick Supply, and Orders to tarry for him in the Fort. A whole Year however elapſed in this expectation, but our number being increaſed, by the arrival of ſome French Men, and the conjunction of ſome Savages, we would have wanted nothing at all, had not a ſad and unforeſeen Accident diſappointed our Meaſures.

Our loſs was hardly repaired, when we fell into a greater danger;The Iroquois come to attack the Illinois. for in the Month of September 1687, we diſcovered within a quarter of a League of the Camp of the Illinois, about 600 Iroquois armed with Bows, Swords, Halberds, and a great many of them with Fire-arms. This unexpected Army frighted the Illinois, and revived their ſuſpicion of our Correſpondence with their Enemies; and I muſt confeſs, I was in a great perplexity, knowing not what to do in ſo nice a juncture. However having determin'd my ſelf, I did whatever I could to encourage the Illinois, and told them that I would go to the Camp of the Iroquois, and endeavour to bring them to Terms; aſſuring them, that if I could not ſucceed, I would ſhare the danger they were in; but that they had no time to loſe, and therefore advis'd them to ſend their Women and Children away, and put themſelves in good poſture of defence. This Propoſal convinc'd them of the ſincerity of our Intentions, and therefore they gave me an Interpreter, and one of their chief Men to accompany me, and be Witneſs of my Negotiation.

The Army of the Iroquois divided into two Bodies, and commanded by Tagancourte, Chief of Tſonnontouans, and Agouſtot Chief of the Deſouatages, two experienc'd Generals. That of the Illinois was not 500 ſtrong, and we were not upward of 25 French Men amongſt them, divided in their Battalious, to incourage them by our Example, and keep them in the beſt order we could, I parted from our Army with my Interpreter, an Illinois, and two French Men, and advanced toward the Iroquois, whoſe Left Wing moved, at the ſame time, toward our Right, where our Men appeared very reſolute, and prepar'd to make a vigorous Defence.

A cuſtom obſerv'd amongſt the Savages.As ſoon as I came near them, they ſhot at us, but by chance none was wounded, whereupon I ſent back the Illinois, and the two French-men, taking upon my ſelf all the peril attending ſuch a Deputation. As ſoon as I came at a convenient diſtance, I ſhewed a Collar, it being the Cuſtom amongſt the Savages, to make all their Propoſals with Collars, the ſame being the Symbol of Peace, Union, and Alliance. I advanced upon the publick Faith of the Badge, but I was no ſooner in the Camp, but I was ſeized by thoſe Villains, one of whom took my Collar, whilſt another deſign'd to ſtab me with a Knife, but it pleaſed God, that the Knife ſlided along one of my Ribs, which ſaved my Life. The moſt Rational, or rather the leaſt Brutiſh of? em, reſcued me from their Hands, and after having ſtopt the Blood with a kind of Balſom, conducted me to the middle of their Camp, with my Interpreter; where they asked me the Subject of my coming.

My Deputation to the Iroquois. Tho' my ſtrength was conſiderably abated by the loſs of my Blood, my Courage was not caſt down, neither was I daunted by their Number and Threats. I complained therefore, firſt. of their unjuſt Proceedings, and violation of their Publick Faith; and then of their coming, without any provocation, to attack a Nation, which was in Confederacy, and under the Protection of the King of France, my Maſter; therefore I intreated them to return home, if they had any reſpect for that Prince; and that they would look upon the Illinois as their Friends, ſince they were ſo united with us, that whatſoever conſpired their Deſtruction, conſpir'd our own. I told them beſides, that they ought to conſider the danger of their Enterpriſe; the Illinois being about ſix Hundred men, and the French above 200; and that my Mediation and Exhortation to Peace, were not the effects of any Fear we had for them; concluding, that I intreated them to make Peace with the Illinois in the Name of our King, and of Count Frontenack their Father; and that I ſhould not complain of the loſs of my Blood, if t was ſo happy as to ſucceed in my Negotiation.

While I was thus arguing, the two Armies were skirmiſhing;The Succeſs of it. and ſome time after, an Iroquois came to give Advice to the General; that their Right Wing began to give ground, and that they had obſerved ſome French men among the Illinois, who had made a great fire upon them. This Advice came very unluckily for me; for the Savages were ſo incenſed againſt me, that they preſently talk'd of killing me. I was preparing my ſelf to ſuffer every thing, but obſerving a young raſh Iroquois ſtanding behind me with a Razor in his Hand, and knowing the Cuſtom of that Cruel Nation, which is to cut off their Enemies Head, and then take off the Hair and Skin like a Cap, which is amongſt them the greateſt Trophy, I did not doubt hue this young Warrior had a great fancy to my Hair, which he touch'd now and then, and leſt he ſhould do it too ſoon, I told him, that he ought, at leaſt, to expect the Orders of his Maſters. Tagancourte would have me put to death, but Agouſtot being a particular Friend of M. La Salle, oppoſed the other General, and by a kind of Miracle, Mercy perhaps, for the firſt time, prevail'd with this Barbarous Nation; and it was reſolved to ſend me back to the Illinois, and tell them they were diſpoſed to a ſincere Peace and Union, giving me a fine Collar of Porcelain, as a Token of their ſincerity. They proteſted that they would for the future, live in Peace with the Illinois, and look upon them as Brethren, ſince they were Children of the Governour of Canada, which they did not know before.

The conſideration of the danger I had eſcaped, Cured me almoſt of my Wound, and gave me ſufficient ſtrength to return to our Camp. I met about half the Way, Father Gabriel de la Ribonde, and Father Zenoble Membrè, who almoſt diſpaired of ſeeing me any more, and therefore could hardly expreſs the joy they had for my happy return. We went together to the Illinois, to whom I deliver'd the Meſſage of the Iroquois, but advis'd them withal not to truſt too much to their Words and Preſents; for I could not perſwade my ſelf, that ſo Cruel and Ambitious a Nation would return Home without any other Advantage, but that of having made Peace with the Illinois, whom they pretended to ſubdue; which was ra •••• a diſhonour, and therefore I lookt upon all their Proteſtations as an Artifice to ſurprize their Enemies.

The Reſolution of the Illinois, upon my return, and their Deſertion.The Illinois were fully perſwaded with what I told them, of the Infidelity of the Iroquois; and yet they reſolv'd to return the Preſent by an Embaſſie. They called, in the mean time, a Council, to take the neceſſary meaſures for their Defence; but their young Warriors being ſatisfy'd with the Glory they had gained in the firſt: Attack, wherein they repulſed their Enemies, would not venture a ſecond Fight, and moſt of them left their Camp. The others being thus weakened by their Deſertion, ran away upon the approach of the Iroquois, who plundered their Camp.

Being thus forſaken by our new Confederates, we retir'd into our Fort, but the Illinois being re-inforced by freſh Men, appeared again two days after, upon a riſing ground in good Order, and reſolved to fight; whereupon the Iroquois thinking they were more numerous than at firſt, and having tryed their Valour in the former Attack, defir'd me to interpoſe my mediation for a Peace, which I accepted; and they gave me one of their Chiefs as an Hoſtage. I went to the Illinois with Father Zenoble, Both Parties accept my mediation. and told them the Propoſals of the Iroquois; and that I had brought one of their Chiefs for Hoſtage. The Illinois were very well pleaſed with my Meſſage, and aſſured me that they were ſincerely diſpoſed to make Peace with the. Iroquois; then they gave me a full Power to make it upon what Terms I ſhould pleaſe, and promis'd to ſend immediately an Hoſtage for confirming what I ſhould ſay. Both Parties being ſo well diſpoſed, I took ſome refreſhment, and returned to the Iroquois, whom I told that I was empowered to treat with them, and deſir'd that we might immediately enter upon the Treaty.

Imprudence of an Illinois. They were pleaſed with it, and the Hoſtage of the Illinois being arrived at the ſame time, confirmed every thing that I had ſaid, ſo that the Treaty would have been concluded in few Hours, had not the Imprudence of this Illinois broken all my meaſures. This inconſiderate Fellow began to praiſe the Valour of his own Nation, and their Generals; but owned, that being hardly 400 Men, they lookt upon their Propoſals of Peace as a favour, which they would acknowledge by ſome Preſents of Beavers and Slaves. This fooliſh Confeſſion undeceived the Iroquois, who having believed what I had told them of the number of the Illinois, were glad to make Peace, and in ſome fear of their Enemies. They began then to ſpeak very big, and complained in very hard words, I had deluded them, and done them a great injury, ſaying that they would have got a conſiderable Booty, if they had not believed me.

I muſt confeſs I was put to a plunge, but having recovered my ſelf, I anſwer'd, That what I had ſaid before, and what, the Illinois ſaid then was true, for the Illinois were above 600 Men upon their Arrival, and at the firſt fight, but that a great number having deſerted ſince that time, it may be that their Number was reduced to 400. That I had no other intention but to bring both Parties to a right underſtanding: That they were Maſters of the Camp of their Enemies, and might impoſe upon them what Conditions they pleaſed, ſince they offer'd themſelves to buye the Peace. They approved, or at leaſt ſeemed to approve my Reaſons, and ſent back the Illinois, to acquaint the Chiefs of his Nation; that they deſir'd to ſee them the next day in their Camp, to conclude the Treaty.

The intereſt between the Iroroquois. and the Illinois. They came accordingly the next Morning, with a great quantity of Beavers Skins, and ſeveral Slaves, which they preſented to the Iroquois, who receiv'd them very kindly, and promis'd to reſtore them their Camp and Habitations, which they confirmed by ſome Preſents of three Collars of Porcelain and Furrs. The firſt Collar ſignifying that they begged Pardon of the Governour of Canada, for having attacked a Nation who was under his Protection; the ſecond ſignifying the ſame civility to M. La Salle; and by the Third, the Iroquois ſwore an eternal Alliance with the Illinois. Theſe Preſents being mutually exchanged, both Parties retired.

The Treachery of the Iroquois. Whilſt theſe two Nations were giving each other mutual Marks of a ſincere reconciliation, I diſcover'd that the Iroquois were ſecretly making Canoos, to follow the Illinois along the River, and exterminate them; and being asked by one of the Chiefs of the Illinois, what I thought of their Reconciliation? I told him very frankly, that the Promiſes and words of that treacherous Nation were not to be relyed upon; that I did not doubt but that the Canoos which they were getting ready with ſo much ſecrecy, were deſigned againſt them; that therefore I advis'd them to retire into another Country with their Families, and fortifie themſelves in ſome advantagious Poſt, 'till the Iroquois were gone away. The Illinois approved of my Advice, and went back to his Nation, and I retired into our Fort.

The Iroquois make Preſents to the French. The Iroquois having conſider'd how they had uſed me, thought fit to give us ſome ſatisfaction, and therefore on the 10th of September, eight days after their arrival, they deſir'd me and Father Zenoble to come to their Council, where being ſat, they brought ſix Packs of Bever-skins, and told me, that their Nation offer'd us thoſe Preſents, and deſir'd us to give the two firſt Packs, in their Name to Count Frontenac their Father, and aſſure him that they would trouble no more the Illinois, knowing they were his Children; that they gave me the third to ſerve me as a Plaiſter for my Wound; that the fourth was Oil to rub our Legs during our Voyage: By the fifth, they exhorted us to Worſhip the Sun; and by the laſt, they required us to march away the next day, and retire to our French Habitations.

Their Anſwer.I returned them our thanks, in the Name of our Nation, for the reſpects they had expreſſed for the Count de Frontenac, and Mr. la Salle, and for their good Entertainment, and likewiſe for their Oil and Plaiſter, but I thought fit to ask them when they themſelves deſigned to march away, and when they would reſtore that Camp to the Illinois, according to their Promiſe. This Queſtion did not pleaſe them, and after a general grumbling, they told me, that ſince I was ſo curious, they would ſatisfie me, and that they would depart, after having devour'd ſome of our Brethren, or elſe ſome of the Illinois. As ſoon as I understood this Anſwer, I thruſted back their Preſent with my Foot, and told them, that ſeeing they had ſuch a Deſign, I would accept none, adding withal, that I would march away without their. Order or Leave, when I ſhould think fit. The Chiefs of the Iroquois having heard my reply, ſtood up, and told us that we might retire. There was amongſt them one Abenaguis, with whom I had been acquainted, who told me, that they were very much angry with me, and advis'd us to retire with all the haſte we could to our Fort; which we did accordingly, and ſtood all the Night long upon our Guard, being reſolved to defend our ſelves to the utmoſt extremity.

When we ſaw our ſelves ſafe, Father Zenoble and I made ſeveral Reflections, on the Diſſimulation and Infidelity of that Nation, and likewiſe on the dangers we had been expoſed to in their Council; and I remember that that good Father blam'd my proceedings; and ſaid, That in thoſe nice occaſions, we ought to be more pliant, in hopes to find a more favourable opportunity. I agreed with him in general, but inſiſted, that this Principle admitted of ſome exceptions, and that aſſuredneſs and vigour were more prevailing upon barbarous men, than a more prudent way. In the mean time we adviſed what was fit to be done in this juncture;The French quit the Fort. and being unable to defend us againſt ſo many Enemies, we reſolved to quit the Fort the next day. I Embarked the next Morning with two Recollects and five French men; the others who were in the Fort, having choſen to go and live among the Illinois rather than to return home.

Having equally divided our Arms, Ammunition, and Goods, we Embarked the Eleventh of September 1687, very early, and about Five Leagues from the Fort, we went aſhore to repair our Canoo, and dry ſome Furs, which the Water would have ſpoiled. As we were buſie about it, Father Gabriel told me that he would take a walk along the Shore;Father Gabriel murthered by the Savages. and I adviſed him to keep in our ſight, be cauſe we were ſurrounded with Enemies; but the charming Proſpect of that Country ingaged him a little too far, ſo that ſeeing he did not return, we began to miſtruſt that he was fallen into the Hands of the Savages. Father Zenoble and I advanced into the Woods to look for him, but could not diſcover what was become of him, notwithſtanding we fir'd our Arms, and made all the Night long a great Fire to give him notice of the place where we expected him. We underſtood ſince, that he was met by a Band of Savages called Quicapous, who murthered him, and ſold, ſome time after, his Breviary to a Jeſuit, from whom we learned theſe particulars. Thus dyed this Holy Man, in the ſeventieth Year of his Age, by the Hands of thoſe very Men for the ſake of whom he had left his Native Country, and ſuffer'd ſo many Fatigues.

We waited for him 'till the next day about Noon, but having no hopes of his Return, we Embarked again, and after one Months Navigation, landed within two days Journey of the Lake of the Illinois, into which we carried over Land our Equipage. We embarked again on the 20th of October, and ten days after, were forced to land, by contrary Winds, within 20 Leagues of a great Village, called Potavalamia, where we found no other Proviſions but Acorns.

I was ſick of an Ague, and my legs were ſo ſwoln, that we could not reach the Village I have ſpoken of 'till the 10th of November. We found no body in it, nor any Proviſions, but having, by good chance, advanced into the Country, we met with a good quantity of Indian Corn, which enabled us to Imbark again. The Winds were ſo croſs, that we were oblig'd to come a, Shore few days, after, where having found ſome freſh foot-ſteps, we, followed the Track, and came to another Village of the Pontoualamis, which was likewiſe abandoned, but however afforded us ſome Proviſions, which were ſufficient to maintain us 'till our arrival at the Buy of Puans, which; was towards the latter end of November.

Having already deſcribed this Bay, I need not repeat it now, but I muſt add, that there is a Creek in it called the Creek of the Sturgeons, becauſe of the prodigious quantity of that, ſort of Fiſh that is catch'd in it. We refreſhed our ſelves in that place for ſeveral days with the Pontoualamis, who entertained us with ſcorched Beeſ and Stagg. We diverted alſo our ſelves in Hunting of Beavers, which afforded us a great ſatisfaction.

The Country about the Bay, being watered by an infinite number of Rivulets, lined with great Trees, and the Woods being full of Aſpen-trees, the Branches and Leaves whereof are the dainty food of Beavers. Thoſe Creatures are very numerous in thoſe Parts.

An Accouns of Beavers.The Beavers are, as every body knows, Amphibious, Creatures, who cannot live without Air, Water, and Land. They are near as big as Sheep, but not so tall, their legs being very ſhort, but ſo nimble, that they come nothing ſhort of Apes for dexterity. They have a Muzzle or Noſe, and ſtrong Teeth; their Body is covered with thick Hair, and pretty fine, but their Tail is made up of a kind of twiſted Hair, Which forms a figure like that of a Triangle, and ſerves them as a Trowel to beat the ſoft Earth they make uſe of to build their Habitations.

The Inſtinct or Induſtry of thoſe Creatures is almoſt incredible, and therefore I am ſenſible that many will queſtion the Truth of what I have to ſay about it, however, I may aſſure the Reader that I do not Romance in the leaſt. When they have a mind to make a new Settlement or Habitation, and have found a proper place for it, which is commonly in the Channel of a: River, provided it be not too deep, or too broad, they look for a Tree on the Bank of the ſaid River, leaning a little towards the Water. They meet together in a Circle, and becauſe their number is always odd, it ſeems that they hold a Council, to know what is fit to be done. The firſt thing to be done, is to cut down the Tree they have pitched upon, but not horizontaly, but in ſuch a manner that it may fall into the very place they have a mind to, that is croſs the River, to ſtop, or at lead to abate the Rapidity of the ſtream. If the Branches hinder the body of the Tree to lye in die Water. they cut them likewiſe, and then make a perfect Dike or Bank with Mud and Gravel together, leaving now and then ſome places open for the Water, leſt the River ſhould overflow their Bank. If the Tree cannot reach the other Shore, they fell another Tree over againſt it to join that, and make a perfect Cauſey or Bridge. This Work being compleated, they build their Habitations or Caves near that place, and employ nothing but mud in the following manner; they lay a Lay of it, and beat it very hard with their Tails, and then another, and ſo on ſucceſſively, 'till it is about three Foot high; they Arch it and Poliſh it very handſomly, and divide it into three ſeveral Apartmentſ, which have communication one with the other; one of them is to lie in, the ſecond for their Proviſions, and the third ſerves them for a neceſſary Houſe. They make a Canal or ſubterranean Aqueduct from the River to one of their Apartments, in which they have a kind of Pond, wherein they hold their Tail, for otherwiſe they could not live. This Canal ſerves alſo for another uſe, for when they hear any noiſe, they make their eſcape through that place into the River. Every one is obliged to work, but if any one has his Tail excoriated or other wiſe hurt, he lays it flat upon his back, to ſhew that he is unable to work.

How they Hunt Beavers.When the Savages go a Hunting, they follow the Rivers, and as ſoon as they diſcover any Cauſey, Bridge or Bank, they may be ſure that the Beavers are not far off. They come as near as they can, but as ſoon as the Beavers ſee or hear them, they run through their Canal into the River; but as they muſt breath from time to time, the Savages ſoon ſhoot them, if it be in Summer time; for in Winter they uſe another Art to catch them. They make holes in the Ice and having beat out the Beavers from their Habitations into the River, they muſt come to breath through thoſe Holes, and then the Savages catch them alive by the Tail.

Having refreſhed our ſelves above Ten Days in this place, and taken in Proviſions, we Embarked again on the Seventeenth of December for Miſſilimachinac, but eight days after were foreed back by a contrary Wind. The Savages were gone away, but had left ſome Proviſions, which we wanted very much; for the Ice and the malady of our Men obliged us to continue in that place, where we ſuffer'd very much. Finding our ſelves in that extremity, I advanced into the Woods to endeavour to find ſome relief, and it pleaſed God that I met with two Savages, of the Nation of the Outnovas, who conducted me to a Village belonging to the Pontoualamis, where we met ſeveral French-men ſetled in that place, by whom we were kindly receiv'd, as alſo by the Savages. Father Zenoble underſtanding that the Jeſuits had a Settlement in the bottom of the Bay, thought it was more becoming his Character, to paſs the Winter amongſt them, than in company of the Savages, and went thither two days after our arrival; but we continued 'till the next Spring in that place, and liv'd very comfortably.

We diverted bur ſelves at Hunting wild Bulls in the beginning of March, How they Hunt Bulls. the Graſs being already grown. Thoſe Bulls are near twice as big as ours, the Hair looks like a fine Fleece, and is very long; their Horns are bent backwards, and extraordinary long; their Eyes are likewiſe larger and bigger than thoſe of our European Bulls, which make them look terrible. They go always by Droves of three or four Hundred in each. When the Savages go a Hunting, they encompaſs a Drove of theſe Bulls, and one of them comes creeping as near as he can, and then ſtands up, making an Out-cry, which frightens away the whole Drove; the Savages being in a Circle, they cannot eſcape without being ſhot; but as they become very fierce and dangerous when they are wounded, the Savages ſhoot them in the Thigh or the Shoulder, to prevent their coming upon them, and when they are down, they break their Heads with Clubs. As they are excellent Markſmen, they never miſs, and twenty Men will ſometimes kill Forty and Fifty Bulls.

That which is wonderful in this, is the havock, which the Shot ſent by the Savages makes; for beſides the exactneſs and ſwiftneſs of the Stroke, the force of it is very ſurprizing, and ſo much the rather, becauſe it is nothing elſe but a Stone, or a Bone, or ſometimes a piece of very hard Wood, pointed and faſtned to the end of an Arrow with ſome Fiſhes-glue, that cauſes this terrible effect. When the Savages go to War, they poiſon the Point, or extremity of their Dart, ſo that if that remains in the Body, Death follows of neceſſity; the only Remedy in this caſe, is to draw out the Arrow through the other ſide of the Wound; if it goes quite thorough, or if not, to make an aperture on the other ſide, and ſo to draw it through; after which they know by inſtinct, certain Herbs, the application of which both draws out the Venom, and Cures 'em.

I ſtayed all the Month of March in this place: Father Zenoble came back to me at Spring, and we re-embarking at the Creek we had left, came to Land at Miſſilimachinac in the begining of April, with a deſign to ſtay there for M. de la Salle. From the 11th of September, 1681, when we took our leaves of the Illinois, to the 1ſt of April, Seven Months were ſlipt away; during which time, M. de la Salle, upon the Advice that I had given him by my Letter, was come down to the Illinois with a good Recruit, with intention to help us. The Iroquois having Advice of his Deſcent, and being afraid of being hemm'd in between two Armies, were retired, and, the Illinois were again entred into their Poſſeſſions. However M. de la Salle found but ſome few, the reſt being gone to winter in the Woods; he exhorted thoſe that remained, to call their Country-men, aſſuring them he would build a Fort that ſhould ſhelter them from the Invaſion of their Enemies;The Fort of Crevecoeur he viſited the Fort of Crevecoeur, which was ſtrill in the ſame condition, and placed therein a ſmall Garriſon of Fifteen or Sixteen French, and a Commander, with Ammunition and Arms. After this, he went again up the River to the great Village, whither many Families of the Illinois were returned; he laboured hard upon the incloſure of his New Fort, and having underſtood by ſome Scouts, that I had taken my way towards Miſſilimachinac, he ſet forward again to join me, having left ſome Soldiers and Pioneers at the intended Fort, to continue his Work and defend that Poſt.

He came not to Miſſilimachinac 'till about the Fifteenth of Auguſt, in the Year 1682. There we took new meaſures to perfect the Diſcovery we had begun. We muſt needs think forthwith of making ſome new Proviſion for ſo long a Voyage. It was with this Deſign, that after Six Days reſt, M. de la Salle ſet out in a Canoo for Frontenac, Father Zenoble and I going along with him; haying ſailed happily the firſt day, we landed at a Village called Trejagou, belonging to the Iroquois. M. de la Salle Traficked there with ſome Skins, and having ordered me to ſtay for him there, with Father Zenoble, he went on board the Canoo Frontenac. There he found his Bark ready, and ſtored her with abundance of Ammunition and Proviſions; he liſted there ſome new Souldiers, and eight days after, lent me his Bark laden with freſh Men, good Merchandiſe, and ſuch things as were moſt neceſſary. The Father and I went on board, and landed the firſt Day at Niagara, below the Fall of the River: There we were forced to put our Baggage and Merchandiſe upon Sledges, and ſo conduct them to the Lake Heriè, where we re-embark'd in a Canoo to the number of Twenty Perſons, as well Souldiers as Mariners, together with our beſt Merchandiſe. After Three days Sail, we landed at the ſide of the River of the Miamis, where having lodg'd our ſelves in Huts, I had time to reaſſemble there ſome French and ſome Savages, Abenaguis, Loups, Quicapous, and others. There I augmented our Proviſions by Hunting, and I barter'd ſome of our Commodities for Indian Corn.

There it was that M. de la Salle came to rejoin us towards the end of November; the day of his Arrival we, fell down the River of the Miamis in a Canoo, to the Mouth of another River named Chicacou; and we went up it again to a ſmall Harbour, which is but a League from the great River of the Illinois. Having put on Shore in this place, we paſſed the Night with a very great Fire; for the Cold was ſo ſharp, that the next day the Rivers were froze and unnavigable. We were obliged then to have recourſe to the Sledge, to carry our Baggage to the Village of the Illinois, where we found things in the ſame ſtate that M. de la Salle had left them; only the Village was better Peopled; which gave us opportunity to defer our Intrigues a little, and to renew our Proviſions.

The Rivers being ſtill block'd up with Ice, we found our ſelves oblig'd to begin again our Journey by Land; the Third day of January, 1683. we had puſht on our way to Thirty Leagues below. There the Weather grew mild, and the Ice melted, ſo that Navigation appearing commodious, we went on Board a Canoo, the Twenty Fourth of January, and fell down the River or the Illinois, to the River Miſſiſſipi, where we arrived the ſecond of February.

The River of the Illinois. The River of the Illinois, reckoning from its firſt Carriage to its diſemboguing into the River, is at leaſt 160 Leagues Navigable. The adjacent parts are as pleaſant as fruitful; one, ſees there Animals of all ſorts, Stags, Hinds, Linces, Wild Bulls, Goats, Sheep, Hares, and infinite more, but few Beavers. As to the Trees, they are nothing but Foreſts of High Trees, with great Walks, which ſeem drawn by a Line; beſides Elms, Beech, Plane-trees, Cedars, Walnut and Cheſnut-trees; one ſees there whole Plains cover'd over with Pomgranate-trees, Orange-trees, and Lemmon-trees; and in one word, with all kind of Fruit-trees.

In many places there are to be ſeen large Vines, whole tendrels being twiſted about the Branches of huge Trees, bear Bunches of Grapes of an extraordinary bigneſs.

Being Embarked upon the Miſſiſſipi, we followed the Courſe of this great River; ſix Leagues from the Mouth of the River Illinois, we met with that of the Ozages, Of the Ozages. the Banks of which, and places thereabouts, are no leſs agreeable and Fertile; 'tis true, its Water carries ſo great a quantity of Mud along with it, as to change that of Miſſiſſipi, and make it all Muddy for more than Twenty Leagues. Its Brinks are bordered with great Walnut-trees; one ſees there an infinite number of Foot-ſteps made by the Beavers; and the Hunting for them there is very great and common. Going up towards its Source, its Banks are inhabited by Savages, who trade much in Skins; we paſſed one Night at the Mouth of this River.

The next day, after we had ſailed Ten Leagues, we came to the Village of the Tamaoas, where we met with no body at all, the Savages being retired into the Woods to Winter; we made there however ſome Marks to let 'em know that we had paſs'd by. After that, continuing our Voyage, we arrived, after a Courſe of 3 Days, at the Mouth of the River of the Ouabachi, that comes from the Eaſt, The River of the Ouabachi. and throws it ſelf into the Miſſiſſipi, Eighty Leagues from that of the Illinois: It is by this River that the Iroquois come to make War upon the Nations of the South. In this place we lay in Huts one Night, and after a Courſe of Sixty League, following ſtill out great River, we came to land at a Bank Inhabited by Savages, who are called Chicacha. Here it was that we loſt a French-man of our Company, named Preudhomme. The ſearch we made for him during Nine days, gave us an opportunity of diſcovering ſeveral Nations, and of Building a Fort in this place, to ſerve as a Reſt and Habitation for the French in that fine Country.

Hunters well received of the Savages in Chicacha. During this Interval, Two of our Hunters met with two of the Savages Chicacha, who offer'd to conduct 'em into their Village. Our Men, led by a Spirit of Curioſity, follow'd them; they were very well received, and after laden with Preſents, and were intreated by the Principal among them, to procure that our Commander will honour them with a Viſit. Our People being very well ſatisfied with their reception, made their report of it to M. de la Salle, who the next day went himſelf with Ten of his Company; he received there all the good treatment that could be expected from People the moſt civiliz'd; and had no trouble to inſpire 'em with Sentiments of ſubmiſſion and Obedience to the King. Theſe Ravages alſo contented freely to the finiſhing of our Fort.

This Nation is very numerous, and is able to furniſh out Two Thouſand Men;The Nation of the Chicacha. they have all Faces flat like Plates, which is reckoned among them for a ſtroke of Beauty; it is for this Reaſon they take care to make the Viſage of their Children flat with tablets of, Wood, which they apply to their Foreheads, and gird very, hard with Bands: All theſe Nations to the Sea Shore give themſelves this Figure. Every thing is very plentiful with them; Corn, Fruits, Grapes, Olives, tame Hens, Indian Hens, Buſtards, &c. M. de la Salle having received ſuch good Refreshment there, and having made 'em, by way of acknowledgement, a Preſent of ſome Knives and Hatchets, he returned to his own People. At laſt, after Nine days expectation, Preudhomme, who had loſt himſelf in the Woods, where he had lived upon nothing but Wild Fowl, found us again; Preudhom me leſt in the Woods, rej • in the French. M. de la Salle entruſted him with the care of finiſhing the Fort, which he called after his Name, and gave him the Command of it; after which he took his Courſe upon the ſame River towards the end of the Month of February.

We were three Days without diſembarking:An Alarm cauſed by a Drum. The fourth after having made Fifty Leagues, we came to a Village of the Cappa: We had ſcarce ſet foot on Land, but we heard a Drum beat; forthwith fancying we ſaw the Enemy at our Heels, we threw our ſelves into our Canoos, and went over to the other ſide; and ſo we immediately made a Redoubt to ſecure our ſelves from any ſurprize.

The Savages came to view us in a Canoo;The good treatment which the Savages Cappa gave the French. we ſent ſome of our Men to 'em, to preſent them with the Calumet; they accepted it freely, and at the ſame time offered themſelves to conduct us to their Habitations, and promiſed us all manner of aſſiſtance. M. de la Salle was very ready to go thither; in the mean time one of the two Savages went before, to give notice of our arrival to thoſe of his own Nation. Their Prince, accompanied with ſome of the chief of 'em, came forward to receive us. As ſoon as he ſaw M. de la Salle, he ſaluted him in a very grave and reſpectful manner; offer'd him any thing that depended upon him or his Nation, and taking him by the Hand, led him towards his Cottage. M. de la Salle walking along with him, teſtified to him how ſenſible he was of his Civilities, and let him underſtand his Deſign and Intentions, which tended to nothing elſe but the glory of the true God, and to make known to him the Power of the French King. Being arrived at the Village, we ſaw a very great multitude of People, in the midſt of whom were ſome Archers drawn up in a Line. The Prince making a little halt, declared to all the Aſſembly, that we were ſent by the King of France, to Diſcover North America, and to receive its People under his Protection. Then there follow'd a general Acclamation, by which the People ſeem'd to teſtifie their Joy: As ſoon as the Prince had aſſur'd M. de la Salle, of the perfect ſubmiſſion of all his People to the Orders of the King, he conducted him into his Cottage, and gave him, and thoſe of his Company, all the good treatment poſſible. Beſides this, he made him very conſiderable Preſents, namely, abundance of Indian Corn, and other neceſſary Proviſions, with which M. de la Salle was very well ſatisfied, as well as with all his other Civilities. This Nation was ſcarce any thing of Savage;The Manners and Cuſtoms of the Cappa. they give Judgment according to their Laws and Cuſtoms; every one there enjoys his own Goods in particular.

The Nation of the Akancéas. Eight Leagues from hence are the Akancéas, whoſe Land is above ſixty Leagues over: They are divided into ſeveral Villages, almoſt at equal diſtances. The Cappa gave us two Guides to carry us to the Firſt, which they call Togengan; it ſtands upon the Bank of a River, and there we were very well received. Two Leagues from this Town, we fell down in a Canoo to that of Torimant; and ſix Leagues from this laſt, to another called Ozotoni. We were equally well received in every place; and as our arrival had already made a noiſe in all the Country, we found a very numerous Aſſembly of People in this place, which cauſed M. de la Salle to ſet up the Arms of the King, with a Shot of our Artillery.The Arms of the King ſet up at the noiſe of the Artillery. The Noiſe and Fire of our Arms impreſs'd ſuch a reſpect upon all the Multitude, and threw 'em into ſuch a Conſternation, that the Prince, on the part of his Nation,The Climate of this Country. ſwore to us an inviolable Alliance This Climate and that of the Cappa is the ſame; it is about the 34th Degree of Latitude. The Country throughout does generally abound in Grain, Fruits, and Wild Fowl of all ſorts. The temperature of the Air is wonderful, there is never any Snow to be ſeen, and but very little Ice: Their Cottages are built of Cedar,The Religion of its Inhabitants all matted within: They have no determin'd Worſhip; they Adore all ſorts of Animals, or rather they Worſhip but one Divinity, which diſcovers its ſelf in a certain Animal, ſuch as it ſhall pleaſe their Jongleur, or Prieſt, to pitch upon; ſo that it will be ſometimes an Ox, ſometimes a Dog, or ſome other. When this viſible God is dead, there is an univerſal Mourning; but which is preſently changed into a great Joy, by the choice they make of a new Mortal Deity, which is always taken from amongſt the Brutes.

About Sixty Leagues below this Nation,Taercas, are the Taencas, a People that give place to none in America, either for Force or Beauty of Climate. The Akanceas gave us Guides to conduct us thither, and going on Board a Canoo, we ſtill follow'd the Courſe of the great River.Crocodiles in great numbers. After our firſt days Voyage, we began to ſee ſome Crocodiles along the brink; They are in a very great number upon theſe Banks, and of a prodigious bigneſs, ſome being Twenty or Thirty Foot long. To ſee ſo monſtrous an Animal, who would believe that it comes into the World but like a Chicken, being hatched of an Egg! only it is oſerved, that it grows as long, as it lives. We took notice that they fled when we purſu'd 'em, and that when we fled they, purſued us; we diſperſed them with our Fuſees, and killed ſome of 'em. The day following being arriv'd over againſt the firſt Village of the Taencas, M. de. la Salle ſent me to the Prince, to give him notice of his Arrival, and gave me two Guides of the Akancéas, and two Abenaguis to be my Interpreters.

As this Village ſtands on the other ſide of a Lake, which is Eight Leagues in Circumference, and half a League over, we were forced to take a Canoo to croſs it, which we perform'd in two Hours. As ſoon as we landed, I was ſurpriz'd to ſee the Grandure of the Village, and the Order of the Cottages; they are plac'd in divers rows, and in a ſtreight Line, round about a large ſpace, being all made of Earth, and coveted over with Mats of Cane:The Grandure and Order of the fine Village of the Savages. We preſently took notice of two fairer than the reſt, one was the Princes Palace, the other the Temple; each of them was about forty Foot ſquare, the Walls ten Foot high, and two Foot thick; the Roof, in the form of a Cupilo, was cover'd with a Mat of divers Colours: Before the Prince's Palace ſtood a Dozen Men Armed with Half-pikes. As ſoon as we came up, an Old Man addreſſed himſelf to me, and taking me by the Hand, led me into a great ſquare Hall, the Floor and ſides of which were covered with a very fine Mat; at the further end of the Hall, over againſt the Entrance, was a very handſome Bed, with Curtains of a fine Stuff, made and woven of the Bark of Mulberry-trees.The Prince of the Taencas. We ſaw the Prince of this People upon this Bed, as upon his Throne, in the middle of four handſome Women, and encompaſſed with above Sixty Old Men, Armed with Bows and Arrows; they were all Cloath'd with very fine White Garments; that of the Prince was adorned with certain Tufts of Wool of different Colours;A Deſcription of the Women of theſe Savages. the reſt were all plain. The Prince had upon his Head a Diadem of woven Ruſhes, very curiouſly wrought, and enriched with large Pearls, and rais'd with a Plume of various Feathers; all that were about him were bare-headed: The Women were dreſs'd in Cloaths of the ſame Stuff; they had upon their Heads little Ruſh Hats, adorned with ſeveral Feathers, and had all Necklaces of Pearl, and fine Ear-Pendants of the ſame; they had Bracelets of woven Hair, and ſeveral other Jewels which ſet off their Attire: They were not quite Black, but Brown, their Viſages ſomething flat, their Eyes Black, ſparkling, and pretty large; their Shape line and free; and they all appear'd to me of a ſmiling and very pleaſant Air.

Being ſurpriz'd, or rather charm'd, with the Beauties of this Savage Court, I addreſs'd my Speech to the venerable Prince,A Diſcourſe addreſs'd to the Prince of theſe Savages. and ſpoke to him in the Name of M. de la Salle. That having the Honour to be ſent by the King of France, the moſt potent of all the Kings upon Earth, to make a Diſcovery of all the Nations of America, and to invite them to live under the Government of ſo great a Prince; we came to offer them our Friendſhip and Protection; to which the upper Countries had all freely ſubmitted: That if we did pretend to ſettle our ſelves in the Country, it was not ſo much to bring them under a rigorous Yoke, as to maintain for them, by the power of our Arms, what was already in their Poſſeſſion; and to impart to them our rareſt Arts and our Wealth: Not ſo much to ſpoil them of their Treaſures, as to teach them a more advantagious way of uſing them. Not to Uſurp their Territories, but put them in a way to Cultivate and Improve them, and to inſtruct them in our Commerce. In ſhort, not to become their Lords and Matters, but to Eſtabliſh a Brotherly Friendſhip with them.

The Prince all this while hearken'd with great Attention, (and one of our Abenaguis having given him to underſtand what I ſaid) embraced me, and with a ſmiling Countenance, told me, That after the Account I had given him of our great Monarch, he could not but conceive the greateſt Reſpect and Veneration for him; that he ſhould the next day ſee M. de la Salle, and that he would give him more particular aſſurances of it. Whereupon I preſented him in M. de la Salle's Name, with a Sword inlaid with Gold and Silver, ſome Caſes of Razors, Cizars, and Knives, and ſome Bottles of Aqua vitae. I cannot expreſs the Joy and ſatisfaction he receiv'd theſe ſmall Preſents with. But I took notice at the ſame time, that one of his Wives, who had a pair of the Cizars in her Hand, admir'd very much the neatneſs of the Work, and would now and then give me a Smile, which I fancied might be a modeſt way of asking me for a pair too. I took an opportunity to draw near to her, and pulling out of my Pocket a ſmall ſteel Caſe of Filligreen-work, wherein was a pair of Cizars, and a little Tortoiſe-ſhell Knife, and pretending to admire the whiteneſs and fineneſs of her Garment, I ſlipt the Caſe into her Hand, and ſhe received it, ſqueezing my Hand pretty hard. Which gave me reaſon to think, that theſe Women have not Hearts altogether ſo Savage, but that they might eaſily be tamed by us, and taught the Politer Arts of Converſation. Another of the Company, who was not leſs pretty, and neatly accoutred, drawing nearer to us, gave me to underſtand by the Thorns ſhe ſhewed me, which ſhe made uſe of to faſten her Train, that ſome Pins would be very acceptable to her. I gave her a paper of 'em, together with a Caſe of Needles and a Silver Thimble. Theſe little Trinkets ſhe received with a wonderful joy; and then I gave as much to the two others. She who was the fineſt and the moſt agreeable of 'em, having taken notice that I admir'd a Collar of large Pearl that ſhe had about her Neck, took it off, and made an Offer of it to me, with abundance of civility. I refus'd it a good while, but reflecting upon the plenty of Pearls that is among them, and that the fiſhing for 'em was in the Seas thereabouts, I made no further difficulty, and after a few more offers, I accepted of it. But, in return, I gave her ten Yards of Blew Ribbon, which ſhe valued, at leaſt, at as high a rate.

The Night now drawing on, I was going to take my leave of the Prince, but he very earneſtly deſired me to ſtay 'till the next day, and gave the charge of me to an Officer, to let me want for nothing. I did not want much Courtſhip, and the deſire I had to ſee a little of their Manners and Behaviour, made me readily enough accept of the kind offer. I was conducted into an Apartment furniſhed much after the rate of that the Prince was in. There they brought me a Collation of Wild-fowl, and Fruit, and ſome Liquors, of which I taſted. All that while there was an Old Gentleman with me, who was very good Company, and eſpecially becauſe he reſolved me all the Queſtions I put to him. As for what concerns their Politicks, he inform'd me, that they were intirely govern'd by their Prince's Abſolute Will. That they obey'd him as their Soveraign; that they own'd his Children his lawful Succeſſors; that when he died, they ſacrificed his firſt or Chief Wife, the firſt Steward and twenty Men of his Nation, to be his Retinue and wait upon him in the other World. That during his Life, no Man drunk in his Cup, nor eat out of his Diſh, or walk'd as he was paſſing by; that care was always taken, not only to clean the Way for him, but alſo to ſtrew it with ſweet Herbs and Flowers. I obſerv'd in that little time I was in his Preſence, that when he ſpoke to any body, they made a loud kind of humming before they anſwer'd him; and I'begg'd this Old Gentleman to tell me the Reaſon of it: He told me that this was lookt upon as a token of admiration and reſpect. As to their Religion, he told me that they Worſhip the Sun; that they had their Temples, their Altars, and their Prieſts. That in that Temple, there was a Fire which burnt perpetually, as the proper Emblem of the Sun. That at the Decreaſe of the Moon, they carried a great Diſh of their greateſt Dainties to the Door of the Temple, as an Oblatory Sacrifice; which the Prieſts offer'd to their God, and then they carried it home, and feaſted themſelves with it.

As to their Cuſtoms, every Spring they go in a Body to ſome retir'd place, and there turn up a large ſpace of Land, which they do with the Drums beating all the while. After this, they take care to call it the Deſart, or the Field of the Spirit. And thither they go in good earneſt, when they are in their Enthuſiaſtick Fits, and there wait for Inſpiration from their pretended Deity. In the mean while, as they do this every Year, it proves of no ſmall advantage to them, for by this means they turn up all their Land inſenſibly, and it becomes abundantly more fruitful. In Autumn they gather their Indian Corn, and they keep it in great Baskets 'till the New Moon in the next Month of June: Then the Families get together, and every one invites his Friends and Neighbours, to come and eat Cakes, and ſome Meat they get likewiſe; and thus they ſpend the Day in Feaſting.

This is all I could learn that Day of their Religion, their Government and Cuſtoms. The next Day I had the Curioſity of ſeeing their Temple, and the Old Gentleman had me thither. The Structure of it was exactly the ſame with that of the Prince's Houſe. As to the out-ſide, it is encompaſſed with a great high Wall, the ſpace betwixt that and the Temple forming a kind of Court, where People may walk. On the top of the Wall are ſeveral Pikes to be ſeen, upon which are ſtuck the Heads of their own moſt notorious Criminals, or of their Enemies. On the top of the Frontiſpiece, there is a great Knob raiſed, all covered round with Hair, and above that, an heap of Scalps in form of a Trophy.

The inſide of the Temple is only a Nave, painted on all ſides, at top with all ſorts of Figures; in the midſt of it is an Hearth inſtead of an Altar, upon which there is continually three great Billets burning, ſtanding up on end; and two Prieſts dreſt in White Veſtments, are ever looking after it, to make up the Fire and ſupply it. It is round this that all the People come to ſay their Prayers, with ſtrange kind of Hummings. The Prayers are three times a Day; at Sun riſe, at Noon, and at Sun ſet. They made me take notice of a ſort of Cloſet cut out of the Wall, the inſide of which was very fine: I could ſee only the Roof of it, on the top of which there hung a couple of ſpread Eagles, which look'd towards the Sun. I wanted to go into it; but they told me that it was the Tabernacle of their God, and that it was permitted to none but their High Prieſt to go into it. And I was told that this was the Repoſitory of their Wealth and Treaſures; as Pearls, Gold and Silver, precious Stones, and ſome Goods that came out of Europe, which they had from their Neighbours.

After I had ſeen all theſe Curioſities, I took my leave of all thoſe that were with me, and went back with my two Interpreters, to M. de la Salle; to whom I gave a faithful Account of the good Entertainment I had received from the Prince of the Tacucas; of his Magnificence, and eſpecially of his good Inclinations to acknowledge the King's Authority. Some time after we ſaw him coming towards us, in a very magnificent Barge, with Drums beating, and the Women that attended him playing on ſeveral Inſtruments: Some of them were in his own Barge, ſome in others that went along by the ſide of it. M. de la Salle received him in a reſpectful manner, and yet with that gravity as beſt became him, conſidering the Character he bore. He thanked him for the honour he did him, and told him he did not receive it but in the Name of the Prince his Maſter; and that as he did not doubt but he was willing to acknowledge his Power, ſo he might ſafely aſſure him of his Royal Friendſhip and Protection. The Prince of the Tacuca's made Anſwer, That what he had heard of the Grandure of the 〈1 page missing〉 King, and of the Valour of his Subjects, would not permit him to heſitate, in paying him in Perſon the Hommage which he was perſwaded was due to him whom he repreſented; and that tho' he was a Soveraign, he chearfully ſubmitted to our great King's Power; and that he ſhould be glad to merit our Alliance and Protection by his Services. After theſe mutual Proteſtations of Friendſhip, they made each other their Preſents. M. de la Salle preſented him with two pieces of Ribbon, and ſome Trinkets for his Wives. The Prince gave him ſix of his richeſt Robes, a Collar of Pearl, a Piroque or Barge filled with Ammunition and Proviſion; after which, there was brought a Dozen of Bottles of Aqua vitae, prepar'd with Sugar and Almonds, and Apricock Kernels. Then the King's Health was drunk, with a diſcharge of all our Guns, after that of the Prince of the Tacuca's in like manner; after which he went again into his Piroque, and went away very well ſatisfied.

We continued all that Day on that Shore, where we took the Altitude, and found our ſelves at the 25th Degree of Latitude, the next day being the 22d of March 1693, we went and lay ten Leagues off

M. de la Salle perceiving a Piroque, that made up towards us, to ſee what we were, gave me orders to chaſe it; which I did; but as I was juſt going to lay hold of her, above a Hundred Men ſtraight appeared on the Shore, with their Bows ready to ſhoot us. M. de la Salle, with loud calling after me, made me ſtop; and being come back to his Company again, we went all and ſtood over againſt them with our Muskets ready preſented. This poſture of ours frighted them, and made them lay down their Arms; and I was immediately ordered to go and carry them the Calumet. Being come up to them, I offer'd them the Collar of Peace; they accepted it very civilly; they embraced me, and gave me to underſtand, that they would be Friends with us. M. de la Salle ſeeing in what an obliging manner they had received me, came to join us on the ſame Shore; and as ſoon as thoſe Savages perceived him to be our Chief, they paid him all kind, of Honours and Reſpect. He told them that he did not require any thing from them, but a chearful Acknowledgment and Submiſſion to our great King's Orders; to which he added, for their encouragement, the Example of the other greater Nations, and made uſe of the Arguments he before uſed on like occaſions. They anſwer'd him, that they had their Prince, and that they could determine nothing without his Orders, and offer'd either to bring him to us, or to conduct, us to his Dwelling. M. de la Salle, who was always glad of an Opportunity of ſeeing the Situation, Manners, and Faculty of thoſe Nations, choſe the latter. Their Village was four great Leagues off from the Shore. We were no ſooner come into it, but the Prince came to receive us; he had us into his Cottage, where he treated us very handſomly, it was the Prince of the Nation of the Naches. This People is divided into two Provinces; this was the leaſt of the two. Their Territories are ſeldom above Twenty Leagues compaſs, and their greateſt Revenues is the Pearl Fiſhery which they have in the Sea about them.

There is a great many Divers of that Nation, who dive to the bottom of the Water, and fetch up theſe precious Shells from the lowermoſt part of the Rocks. On a fair day you may ſee the Shells on the Rocks open themſelves to receive the Dew of Heaven. Which Dew breeds the firſt Seeds of the Pearl within the Shells, which appear like little white Grain that ſticks faſt to the Shell. Theſe ſmall ſoft Grains do in time become hard and white, as we ſee they are. It is obſerved that the Pearls which are fetch'd from the bottom of the Sea, are fairer than thoſe which are found on the Rocks, becauſe the Sun tarniſhes theſe, and the Thunder is deſtructive to their Seeds.

This little Prince preſented M. de la Salle with ſome Dozens of 'em, of a conſiderable bigneſs; and in return, we gave him a Hatchet, a Kettle, and ſome Knives. They gave us beſides theſe, ſome Proviſions; and having ſtaid there the whole Day, we went away the next very well ſatisfied with each other. They gave us a couple of Guides, to ſhew us the way into the other Nation of the ſame Name, which is Ten Leagues farther in the Country. In the mean time M. de la Salle ſent two of our Men to carry ſome freſh Proviſions to thoſe that waited for us by the Water ſide, together with Orders to fall Ten Leagues lower down the River, and to ſtay for him there.

Thus we went under the Conduct of our Guides, and came that Night to the great Village of Naches. This Nation is able to ſet out Three Thouſand Men in any time of War. Their Land is very well Cultivated, and bears Indian Corn, all ſorts of Fruit-Trees, Olive-trees, and Vines. There are vaſt Meadows to be ſeen there; vaſt Foreſts and all ſorts of Cattle; Fiſhing and Hunting being all their Employment and their Wealth.

The Prince received us with a great deal of Joy; made us a great many Preſents both of Pearl and Proviſions, and treated us very generouſly. The next day we planted there the King's Arms, giving a Volley of Shot; after which we took our leaves of the Prince, who aſſured us of his intire Submiſſion; and we went to meet our Men with new Proviſions.

Being got aboard our Canoos, we went forward, and about Eight Leagues off, we came to the Village Coroas, where the Prince receiv'd us as the reſt had done, and paid Homage.

The next day being the 27th of March, 1683. we planted our Huts at the Mouth of a great River, which comes from the Weſt, and is called La Sablonniere; Ten Leagues from hence, as we continued our Courſe, we found the River divide it ſelf into three Channels; I took the Right-hand-ſtream, M. de la Foreſt took the left, and M. de la Salle the middle way; we followed each our Courſe for about Ten Leagues, and in a little time after, we ſound our ſelves re-join'd by the uniting of the Three Streams again into one. We were hardly got together again, and gone forward Five or Six Leagues, but we eſpied ſome Fiſher-men by the Water-ſide, who were Quinipiſſa's. As ſoon as they ſaw us come near, they allarmed all the teſt of their Men, and ſtraight the Drum fell a beating, and the Shore was in an inſtant lined with Savages, all armed with Bows and Arrows; we were willing to ſend Four French Men to treat with 'em, but they were ſeverely ſent back by a ſhole of Arows; after which, four of our Savages offer'd to go to ſee what they could do, but they were uſed in like manner; in ſo much that M. de la Salle, not willing to run any further riſque here, he bid us leave them in quiet, and trouble our ſelves no further with them.

Twelve Leagues from the Quinipiſſa's, we fell to the Right, on the Village call'd Tangibao; we found it pillag'd, ſack'd, and a great Heap of dead Bodies one upon another. This ſight ſtruck a mighty honour in us, and concluding that it was not good ſtaying there, we went on; and about Ten Leagues further, we begun to find the Water brackiſh; the Shore ſeemed ſomewhat more extended, and all ſtrewed with Shells of different ſhape and figure, ſome like drinking Cups, ſome like Snails ending in a ſpiral point, and all of a moſt agreeable variety of Colours. We kept on ſtill, and alter an Hours failing, we put our ſelves into a Canoo, and kept along the Coaſt, the better to take our Obſervation of the Shore, and ſo came back to land at the River's Mouth.

This was on the Seventh of April, 1683. The firſt thing we then took care to do, was to return our humble thanks to Almighty God, for our good Succeſs, and for that he had carried us in ſafety to the end of our Voyage, after more than Eight Hundred Leagues, ſailing and rowing with ſo ſmall a handful of Men, and ſo little Ammunition; and that through ſo many barbarous Nations, which we had not only diſcover'd, but in ſome meaſure made ſubject to us. We Sung the Te Deam; after which, taking our Canoos, and our Equipage upon Sledges, we went and planted our Huts a little above the Shore, to be out of the reach of the Sea, which wholly overflows it, after ſix Hours Ebb, during which it's left quite dry.

Having pitched here our New Camp, we ſaſtned a Croſs to the top of a large Tree, and ſet up the Arms of France: After which we raiſed three or four Huts more, and Entrenched our ſelves there. Then M. de la Salle took the Altitude, to know where the Mouth of the Miſſiſſipi was. The Spaniards, who had attempted to find it out, tho' in vain, had already given it the Name of Del Rio Aſcondido. According to M. de la Salle's Calculation, it is between the Twenty ſecond and Twenty third Degree of Latitude; that it throws it ſelf into the Gulph of Mexico, with a large Channel which is Twenty Leagues wide, and very deep and Navigable.

M. de la Salle would be a little acquainted with its Shores, before he would leave them. It is certain that they are not fit to be inhabited, by reaſon of the frequent Inundations by the Spring-Tides, and the Barrenneſs of the Shore; there is nothing but Canes and Reeds, and Woods overthrown. But about a League and a half within the Country, it is the moſt pleaſant in the World, fine large Meadows, fair Woods full of Mulberry-trees, Nut-trees, and Cheſnut-trees. The Fields are covered with all ſorts of Fruit-Trees, as Orange, Lemmon, Pomegranate, and the ſides of the Hills with Vines, and the Fields bear Indian Corn twice a Year. We ſaw in all their ponds and Rivers vaſt quantities of Water-Fowl, Geeſe, Ducks, and Teal, Moor-hens, &c. and in the Woods and Fields, Partridges, Pheaſants, Quails, and other kind of Fowl; of four Footed Creatures all ſorts, eſpecially one large ſort of Oxen, which they call Cibola's; theſe are much larger than any hath been mention'd, and are raiſed like a Cammel from the Chine to the middle of the Back; they feed among the Canes, and go together ſometimes no leſs in number than Fifteen Hundred. They Hunt them them after a particular manner. When they are in the midſt of theſe Canes, where there is no coming at them, the Savages get round about them, and ſet fire to 'em in ſeveral places, eſpecially when the Wind is ſomething high, which makes at firſt a mighty ſmoke, which turns all of a ſudden into a Flame, and this ſtrikes ſo great a terrour into the Herd, that they all diſperſe themſelves, and the Savages, who lie in wait upon Trees, ſhoot ſome with Arrows, ſome with Bullets, and make an incredible Slaughter among them. By good Fortune, the Savages Tangibao, Quinipiſſas, and Naches, had been a Hunting when we were there (for they always join when they Hunt them) and they left us three fine large ones, which we ſeiz'd, and having dreſt them, they feaſted us all for three Days, and we had ſome left the day we went away from thence.

M. de la Salle, having a mind to go and give an Account of his Diſcoveries to Count Frontenac, and to confirm the Nations he had gone through in the good eſteem of us, reſolved to go up the ſame River back again to the IIlinois, and thence for the Lakes, in order to get to Quebeck, and from thence ſet Sail for France, and give the Court a true account of his Succeſs.

The Eleventh of April of the ſame Year 1683, we got in a Canoo on the ſaid River; we were about Sixty of us. As this River divides it ſelf into three Channels, about Fifty Leagues from the Sea, we came the firſt day to the place where they met together, and in Six days after that, to the Point where it divides it ſelf: There our Victuals failing, it was highly neceſſary to look about us. The firſt Relief we met with, were ſome Crocodils; we kill'd two of 'em in a little while, that were pretty large: The fleſh of them is good, white, firm, and very well taſted. It is as firm as Tunny, and near in taſte to Salmon, and we feaſted on it for ſome days. The Stream of our River began now to grow ſtronger againſt us, ſo that we were forced to get on Shore, and uſe our Sledges, as far as Quinipiſſa's. As this People had given us a ſcurvey welcome as we came down, we were forced to conſult how we ſhould do to make them a little more tractable, wherefore we ſent two Abenaguis, and two Loups towards them. They met with four Women only, which they brought to us that Night. This Prize pleaſed us very well, hoping that by their means, we ſhould beſt compaſs our Deſigns. We uſed thoſe Women with all the Civility and Prudence imaginable; and being come near to their Village, the next morning we ſent one of them home with ſome ſmall Preſents, to ſhew that we did not come in an Hoſtile manner, only wanted their Friendſhip, and what was chiefly neceſſary, ſome Recruits of our Proviſions. She ſhewed them all the little Gewgaws we had given her, and related to them what good Entertainment ſhe had received from us, and what Deſigns we came upon. Immediately they ſent four of the Chief of their Nation to us, who brought along with them ſome Proviſions, and invited us to come and be merry with them. We then reſtored the Three Women into their Hands, and we came nearer to them, but ſtill ſtanding upon our Guard. When we were come into their Village, they preſented us ſome of their Fruits, and ſome Water-Fowl pretty well dreſt. After this Refreſhment, we retired about a Hundred Paces from them, and lodged in our Huts that Night, between the Village and the River. By break of Day theſe treacherous Rogues ſurrounded, and attacked us: But they miſt of their aim; for we had ſet Sentinels, all that Night, and with their firſt Approach, we were prepared to receive them. We killed five or ſix the very firſt blow, upon which the reſt fled; and we purſued them a little way, and having killed three or four more, we thought that was enough, and we took their Scalps with us to ſerve for a Trophy.

From thence we went forward to the Naches; we had hid ſome Indian Corn there, as we went down, and we found it again in very good condition. The Prince came ſtraightway to receive us; M. de la Salle, after the firſt Compliments paſs'd, preſented him with the Scalps of the Quinipiſſa's we had brought with us, who were his greateſt Enemies. Which made it the more grateful, and ſerved to ſhew him that we were not Men to be fool'd with.

The firſt thing he did, was to give order for ſomething to be fetch'd to refreſh us; which we freely accepted of. All this while we obſerved that we ſaw no Women in the Village, which made us ſuſpect ſome Roguery. Notwithſtanding we kept eating and drinking, and never ſeem'd to take any notice of any thing, but we kept our Arms all the while. A little while after we ſpied a great number of Men in Arms drawing towards us, and we in an inſtant put our ſelves in a poſture of defence. But the Prince bid us fear nothing, and aſſured us that we never needed to entertain any ſuſpicion of them; he went up to 'em and commanded them to halt. After which, he told us, that it was a Party of his Men who had been againſt the Iroquois, but that they for their own part were reſolved ever to maintain a firm Friendſhip with us. His words he confirmed by ſome Preſents that followed, as alſo ſome Proviſions, which we heartily and thankfully received, leaving them, by way of return, ſome of our Canoos, which indeed were but cumberſome to us; and that we came off ſafe and ſound, but we attributed our ſafety to our care and watchfulneſs.

After this, we continued our Courſe toward the Tacuca's, and the Akancéa's, who received us very handſomly at our Landing.

Thus, paſſing through ſo many different Nations, we made tryal of the faithfulneſs of ſome, and the treachery of others; and by a due mixture of mildneſs and ſeverity, and a conſtant care, we did not only fruſtrate their Deſigns, and avoid their Ambuſh, but we brought them to Terms, and made them ſubmit to us.

On the Twelfth of May, 1683, we left the Akancéa's, and puſhed forward to the Mouth of the River of the Illinois; after which we went on along the Shore, quite up to the Fort Preudhomme, where M. de la Salle fell dangerouſly ill. Father Gabriel ſtaid with him, with a good many of his Men; and I was commanded to go with Twenty of his Men to Miſſilamachinac, to look after his Affairs. I left him there the Fifteenth of May.

I went the firſt Day to lie at Ouabaches; where I was made very welcome.

Twenty Leagues further, I met with ſome Iroquois. Theſe Savages, who are the moſt barbarous of all others, are ſneakingly ſubmiſſive when their Party is the weakeſt, but moſt unmerciful when they have an advantage. There was but Five of them that met us; and they told us we ſhould not go far e're we ſhould meet a Company of above Four Hundred Men well Armed. This Advice made us take care to ſtand upon our Guard, for truly it is not very ſafe to fall into the Hands of theſe Barbarous People when they march in a Body. We had not gone a quarter of a League, but we ſpied a little Army, which we took at firſt to be Iroquois, but they were Tavaroa's who had joined themſelves with ſome Illinois. They ſeeing our Fire-Arms, took us for Iroquois, and were going to ſurround us, with a Deſign to burn us, for that is the uſual way of dealing with thoſe barbarous Fellows, whenſoeever they get any of them; ſo great is the abhorrence which all Nations have againſt them. But the Illinois having diſcover'd who we were, they unbent their Bows, and gave us part of their Proviſions. We purſued our Road to the River Chicacou, and after Twenty Days Journey, we at length arrived at Miſſilimachinac, in the begining of July; where we ſtaid for M. de la Salle, who came and joined us in September the ſame Year. He ſtayed there but three Days, to give ſome neceſſary Orders. He gave me the command of Fort St. Louis, with orders to ſee it finiſhed, and a full power to diſpoſe of the Lands adjacent, and left all his Men under me, except ſix French Men he took with him to Quebeck. We went away the ſame Day, he for Canada, I for the Illinois.

I went directly to Miamis, at the head of Forty Men, French and Savages. I came to it on the 6th of January, 1684, and viſited the Fort, which was in a very good condition. There I left Ten of my Men well Armed, and purſuing my Journey, I got, by the end of the Month, to Fort St. Louis. I ſet Men at work about it immediately, and in leſs than two Months time I compleated it. Preſently after this, I invited all the Neighbouring Nations to come to it.

There needed no great pains or Art to get them thither. The beauty of the Country, the fruitfulneſs of the Land, the conveniency of a fine Navigable River; the nearneſs of about a Hundred different Nations, and of thoſe little Lakes, or rather little Seas, which make it a fit Seat of Commerce for all North America; and reach from the River St. Laurent to the Gulf of Mexico. In ſhort, the advantagious Scituation of this Fort, which was deſign'd as a Bulwark for all the Nations that ſhould come to ſettle there, againſt Nations, was a ſufficient Invitation and Inducement to them to come and dwell there. So that in a little time, there was above Five Hundred Huts made up, and in leſs than two Months, there was a wonderful great concourſe of People of all Nations. By this it is eaſie to be ſeen, with how little difficulty the Savages might be tamed, and poliſhed, by planting here and there ſome Colonies of Europeans. For how few ſoever they be, they are, as it were a oiment of Concord and civil Society amongſt the moſt barbarous Nations.

In the mean while M. de la Salle being arriv'd at Quebec, had the diſſatisfaction not to meet with M. la Comte de Frontenac; for he had been re-manded to France by an Order from Court, and was gone thither. After his Arrival, he did not fail to acquaint all the City with the Diſcoveries he had made, and with the News of ſo many Nations yielding themſelves ſubject to the King's Power. The Te Deum was ſung, as an acknowledgment of this happy Addition of glory and Honour to the Crown. The earneſt deſire which M. de la Salle had, to go to give the King and his Miniſters an Account of the ſucceſs of his Travels, made him haſten his Departure. He went from Canada in the beginning of October, 1684. But before he ſet Sail, he ſent the Chevalier de Bogia to me, as a Perſon that had been highly recommended to him. He came to me to St. Louis's Fort. I received him as well as I could, and gave him the beſt Entertainment that my Condition would permit me.

On the Twentieth of March, in the ſame Year; having received Advice, that the Iroquois, being jealous of our new Eſtabliſhment, were coming againſt us with conſiderable Forces; I ſent an Expreſs to M. de la Durontai, Governour of the Fort Miſſilimachinac, for ſome aſſiſtance. In the mean while I raiſed new Fortifications, and by means of good Ditches, Rampires, and other Works, I put the Village into a good poſture of Defence. They came on the 28th of March, and lay before us, to the number of Five Hundred; we beat them back bravely in their very firſt Attacks; at laſt, after Six Weeks, we raiſed the Siege, and forced them to retire with the loſs of Fourſcore of theirs, and not of one of ours. They took a few Slaves in the Neighbourhood, that they might have ſomething to Brag of, and might not be thought to come back empty; but as they were juſt a going to flea their Scalps, the poor Wretches were happily ſo cunning as to get away, and came to us in our Fort.

About the 15th of April, M. de la Durontai, and Father de Loy a Jeſuit, with Sixty French came to aſſiſt me, but it was needleſs then. In the mean, while M. de la Barre was come to Quebeck, to ſucceed the Count de Frontenac. This Change was a dreadful blow to New France in general, which look'd upon Count de Frontenac as their Patron. But it proved no leſs ſevere, in reſpect to my own particular. For no ſooner was this new Governour come over, who was a Friend and Relation of the Chevalier de Bogia, but he gave him the command of St. Louis's Fort; the riſe and perfection of which were all owing to me. He directed his Orders to M. de la Durontai, to deliver to me; who informed me with the new Governour's Orders, to give up my Command of the place, and to inveſt the Chevalier therewith. I could do no other but obey the Orders. I left ſome conſiderable Effects in the Fort, whereof I made an Inventory, which the Chevalier was ſo kind as to ſet his Hand to; and I left the place the ſame day, taking with me what was of moſt moment and uſe. I firſt took the Road of Montreal, and thence went to Quebeck, where I arriv'd in the beginning of July. I could do no leſs than go and wait on the Governour, and give him a faithful Account of the Condition and Importance of the place, which I had left by his Order, and of the ſtate of the Country in general. He he heard me very courteouſly, and very civilly offer'd me any other Poſt I ſhould deſire in America. I thanked him for his kind Offers, and told him, I was not willing to take any Employment until M. de la Salle came back; and ſo we parted.

As ſoon as I arriv'd, I did not fail to write to M. de la Salle, and give him an Account how I was ſerved, and how I thought my ſelf wronged, by being thus put out of the Command he had given me. Adding, that I really thought there might be ſome Danger of the Peoples ſitting uneaſie under a new Governour, and forſaking their new Habitations, or committing ſome Diſorder. I writ beſides to M. de la Foreſt, a Friend of mine, to ſupport my Intereſts with our common Protector. Theſe Letters had all the good effect I could wiſh or hope for. I received an Anſwer to my Buſineſs by M. de la Foreſt himſelf, who came back to Quebeck in the latter end of July 1684. I had the ſatisfaction to learn from him what a gracious reception M. de la Salle had met with at Court, and what conſiderable Forces the King had granted him to ſettle the Colonies in the New-found-lands; and withal that he was imbark'd for the Gulf of Mexico; but what compleated my joy was, that I triumphed over mine Enemies, by my reſtitution to St. Louis's Fort, in the Quality of Governour, and Captain; for which this Gentleman brought me the Letters which M. de la Salle had obtain'd from the King in my favour.

I equipp'd my ſelf ſtraightway with Arms and all Materials neceſſary, as well for the Fortification of the place, as for the raiſing of my Company. And after we had ſpent ſome days together at Quebeck M. de la Foreſt and I, went away together the Firſt of Novebmer, he for Frontenac, of which place he was going Governour, and I for the Illinois.

The Ice putting a ſtop to our Voyage on the River of St. Laurence, we were forced to ſtay and Winter at Montreal, until the next Spring, in 1685.

In the beginning of April, we got up the River again as far as the Fort Frontenac, where I took my leave of M. la Foreſt. I went in a Canoos on the firſt Lake to Magara, where after I had ſhot the fall of the River, I got to Miſſilimachinac, and then to Miamis, and being come to the Mouth of the River of the Illinois, I went to Fort St. Louis, about June 15 in the ſame Year.

The Chevalier de Bogia, immediately entertain'd me with all poſſible marks of Joy, Friendſhip, and Reſpect; and I endeavour'd to make a ſuitable return to his Kindneſs; but at laſt, after having inform'd him of M. de la Salle's Embarking, and of all other News then ſtirring; I found my ſelf oblig'd to ſhew him the Letters Patents, to be Commander in Chief, and Governour of Fort St. Louis, with which the King thought ſit to honour me. He receiv'd this Order with a great deal of ſubmiſſion, and put me again in poſſeſſion of the place, with all the Effects with which I had entruſted him, aſſuring me, at the ſame time, that nevertheleſs he ſhould ſtill be ready to do me ſervice upon all occaſions, and always to perform the Office of a faithful Friend. We ſpent the reſt of the day together in amicable Converſation, and the next Morning he departed a third time for the Town of Quebeck.

In the mean while the Miamis and the Illinois, neighbouring Nations and our Allies, being at variance about, certain trivial pretenſions; I endeavour'd to reconcile them; having, receiv'd from both Parties Hoſtages and Pledges of their Fidelity. In the beginning of Auguſt, being much diſturb'd that I had heard no News of M. de la Salle, I paſs'd over to Miſſilimachinac, to make ſome Enquiry after him. There I was inform'd that the Marqueſs d'Enonville ſucceeded M. de la Barre, M. D' Enonville nominated in the place of M. de la Barre. in quality of Governour of New France; and I had alſo the Honour to receive a Letter from him; in which he was pleas'd to expreſs his deſire of entring into a Conference with me, about the Deſign he had to make War with the Iroquois; at the ſame time he gave me to underſtand, that M. de la Salle, having been for a long time at Sea, had, without doubt, already enter'd the Gulf with four tight Ships, given him by the King, and that apparently he muſt needs have arriv'd at the Mouth of the River Miſſiſſipi, or in ſome other Port.

This Letter ſerv'd only to increaſe the Earneſt deſire I had to meet him, inſomuch that I immediately took care to provide what Supplies I could for him; fitted out Twenty Canadians, and returning to the Illinois, with my new Recruits; I arriv'd within a Month, at St. Louis's Fort: Where, after having given neceſſary Orders, I left the Command of the Place to the Sieur de Bellefontaine; and ſet forward with Forty Men for the Gulf of Mexico. Thus we paſs'd down our River into the great one of Miſſiſſipi, follow'd its Courſe to the Sea, and ſpent about two Months in performing this Voyage.

Upon our Arrival on the Sea ſhore, not meeting with what I ſought for, nor any Perſon who could give me any Information about the matter, I ſent out two Boats, viz. one to the Eaſty and the other to the South-weſt, to endeavour to make ſome Diſcovery: They row'd up and down about Twenty Leagues from one ſide to another, along the Coaſt, and having deſcry'd nothing, were oblig'd to ſtand in for ſome Port for want of Freſh Water, and return'd to join our Fleet, after a Courſe of two days; without being able to get any notice of what I expected. All that I received from them by way of Conſolation, was only a Porpoiſe, and ſome very ſine Shells of Mother of Pearl, which they took on a Rock.

Therefore perceiving that it would be to no purpoſe to wait there any longer, I advis'd with the moſt prudent Men of our Company, about the Courſe we ought to ſteer at our return. I was inclin'd to follow the Coaſt as far as Menada, hoping by that means, continually to diſcover ſome new Country, or to take ſome good Prize: But the moſt part were of the contrary Opinion; affirming it was ſafer to keep a known Road, rather than to take one that was not ſo, and which otherwiſe could not but be of very difficult paſſage; as well by reaſon of the High Lands along the Coaſts, as for the great number of Rivers that unload themſelves into the Sea; ſo that we were oblig'd to take a Reſolution to return the ſame way that we came.

Before our Departure, having obſerv'd, that the Tree on which M. de la Salle had caus'd a Croſs, with the Kings Arms to be ſet up, was ready to be thrown down by the boiſtrouſneſs of the Winds and Waves, we got up a little higher, where having Erected a large Pillar, we fixt a Croſs upon it, and underneath the Arms of France. We lodg'd that Night in the ſame place, but the next Morning being Eaſter Monday, A. D. 1685. we ſet forward on our Journey, travelling by Land along the Banks of the River Miſſiſſipi.

On the Sixth day, being arriv'd in the Country of the Qinipiſſa's; The Quinipiſſa's reconciled with the French. their Commander in Chief came to meet us, and having offer'd us the Calumet, begg'd pardon for their ill uſage of us, during our laſt Voyage; entreating us that we would vouchſafe to admit 'em into the number of our Allies. However we anſwer'd their ſubmiſſive Addreſſes very magiſterially, and having refreſh'd our ſelves a little among 'em, we purſu'd our Journey. Four Leagues above, we diſcover'd in the Country a certain Nation, Ouma's a Savage People. that had eſcap'd from us at our firſt Deſcent, I mean that of the Ouma's, who are the moſt valiant of all the Savages; altho' it be true indeed, that as ſoon as they ſaw us and our Arms, they were ſtruck with a kind of Aſtoniſhment, accompanied with a panick Fear, that quite curb'd their fierceneſs, and oblig'd them to promiſe an entire Obedience to our Injunctions: They offer'd us ſome new Refreſhments, and to ſerve us to the utmoſt of their power.A ſtrange Beaſt. In thoſe Territories we obſerv'd an extraordinary rare Animal, that partakes of the nature of a Wolf and a Lion; as having the Head and ſize of a large Wolf, but the Tail and Claws of a Lion: He devours all ſorts of Beaſts, yet never ſets upon Men: He ſometimes carries his Prey on his Back, eats part of it, and hides the reſt under the Leaves of Trees; but the other Animals have ſo great an Antipathy againſt this Beaſt, which is call'd Michibichi, that they never touch what he leaves.

Akanceas a Nation.After the Oumas we met with the Akanceas. Indeed all theſe Countries are ſo pleaſant, and ſo extremely enrich'd with the Productions of Nature, that we could not ſufficiently admire 'em: The Trees in the Woods, which are of an extraordinary heigth, ſeem'd to be artificially planted in Rows: The Soil brings forth good Grain, with great variety of Fruit-Trees, and the Fields are every where ſtor'd with all ſorts of Game, both for Hawk and Hound; but there is alſo abundance of huge wild Cats, which devour every thing that they can find. Our French Men charm'd with the Beauty of this Climate, deſir'd leave of me to ſettle there; and foraſmuch as our Intention was to civilize the Savages, and to render 'em ſociable by our Converſation, I readily conſented to their Requeſt. Whereupon I made the Draught of a Houſe for my ſelf among the Akanceas, and left Ten French Men of my Retinue with Four Savages, to carry on the Building of it; granting 'em a Licenſe to lodge there themſelves, and to cultivate as much Land as they could grub up, and clear of Trees: Inſomuch, that this ſmall Colony was in Proceſs of Time ſo extremely increas'd and improv'd, that it ſerves as a Place of Rendez-vous to the French, who travel into theſe Parts.

From thence I continu'd my Courſe along the River of the Iſlinois, and after Three Days Journey arriv'd at St. Lewis's Fort, on the Feſtival of St. John, being leſs tir'd with the Fatigues of my Travels, than perplexed about the Uncertainty of M. De La Salle's Deſtiny. Foraſmuch as I had not as yet paid my Reſpects to our new Governour; after having paſs'd ſome Days in refreſhing my ſelf, I left the Iſlinois in the end of the Month of June, and arriv'd at Montreal, July 15. Then I went forthwith to ſalute the Gevernour,War declar'd againſt the Iroquois. and receiv'd Orders from him to cauſe the War againſt the Iroquois to be declar'd amongſt our Allies, and to ſummon 'em to appear at St. Lewis's Fort, to carry on ſuch an Expedition.

Having receiv'd this Commiſſion, I ſoon took leave of Monſieur D' Enonville, and arriv'd in the Country of the Iſlinois, Septemb. 4. from whence I ſpeedily diſpatch'd divers Couriers from all Parts, to give notice to the Neighbouring Nations of our Deſign, and to exhort 'em to appear betimes at the place of Rendez-vous. Whereupon all the People met together in the end of the Month of March, A. D. 1686. as well Iſlinois, as Chianous and Niamis. The whole Multitude conſiſted of about 400 Men; to whom I joyn'd 60 French Men of my Company, leaving 40 in the Fort under the Command of M. De Bellefontaine. This ſmall Army encamp'd within a quarter of a League of the Village; where having cauſed the whole Body to ſtand to their Arms, I declar'd to 'em the King's Pleaſure, and the Governour's Orders; exhorting 'em to ſignalize their Valour, and to exert their utmoſt Force, to repreſs the Inſolence of the Iroquois, our common Enemies.

This Speech was follow'd with the general Acclamations of all the People; whereupon I immediately put my ſelf at the Head of 'em, and began to march to the Canal that joyns the two Lakes of the Suvrons and the Iſlinois. In that Place ſtands a Fort that bears the Name of St. Joſeph, St. Joſeph's Fort. and which ſerves to defend thoſe ſmall Seas. Monſieur De la Durontay was the Commander of it, to whom I ſent one of our French-Men to give him notice of our Arrival. Upon which Information he immediately commanded his Lieutenant to meet me with 30 Men, and the next day he himſelf led up the like number. Then we encamped on the Banks of that Streight, and Proviſions were brought to us thither from all Parts. Two Days after M. de la Foret, Governour of the Fort of Frontenac, and M. de Lude, Commander of that of the Miamis, each at the Head of his Company march'd to joyn our Army. All the Forces being thus aſſembled, we held a Council of War, to conſult what Meaſures ought to be taken, and it was determin'd, to divide the Army into two Bodies, one of which ſhould be commanded by the Sieurs de la Durontay, and de Lude, to ſecure the Avenues of Miſſilimachinac, and to defend the Coaſts of the Lake Herie, as far as Niagara; where we deſign'd to erect a Fort, which was already begun to be built, to curb the Iroquois, who always made ſome Oppoſition on that ſide: And that M. de la Foret and my ſelf ſhould be Commanders of the other Body, to invade the Enemies Country.

The management of Affairs being thus diſpos'd of, M. de la Durontay march'd along the Coaſts of Miſſilimachinac, and met with a conſiderable Party of the Enemies, compos'd of above 500 Men, as well Engliſh as Iroquois, (here it may be obſerv'd by the way, that thoſe two Nations maintain a ſtrict mutual Amity,The Engliſh and Iroquois are united to make War with the French. when engag'd together againſt the French) and attack'd 'em ſo vigorouſly, that above half of 'em were kill'd on the ſpot; ſome Priſoners were taken; and the reſt were put to flight.

On our ſide, at the diſtance of 20 Leagues from Niagara, we found Means to meet with a numerous Party of Engliſh, Iroquois, and Ouabaches, who under the Conduct of Major Gregory, were conveying a great quantity of Brandy, Proviſions, Ammunition, and Merchandizes, to the Inhabitants of the Iroquois. We fell upon 'em; and after having kill'd the greateſt part of the Iroquois, and of the other Savages, we ſeiz'd on their Baggages and Merchandizes, took a great number of Slaves, and carry'd away above 25 Engliſh Men Priſoners. After this ſmall Victory we continued our March to Niagara, where we compleated the Building of the Fort in ſight of the Iroquois, and even at the very Foot of their Habitations.

The proſperous Succeſs of our Arms in the beginning oblig'd us to ſend a Meſſenger to the Governour, to give him an Account of every thing that had paſs'd, and M. de la Foret, who was very deſirous to accept of this Commiſſion, ſet forward with all poſſible ſpeed. M. D'Enonville receiv'd the Information with a great deal of Satisfaction; caus'd it to be communicated to the whole Continent of Canada; and ſent us freſh Supplies of Hurons, Plononteaus and Ouatoua's; who came to meet us at the Riſe of the Cataract, with a Bark very well mann'd.

Thus being re-enforc'd with theſe new Recruits, I march'd further into the Territories of the Enemies; but we entertain'd in our Camp a certain Iroquois, who feigning to be diſguſted at the Proceedings of his own Nation, ſeem'd to be extremely well affected to ours; nevertheleſs this treacherous Renegado took an Opportunity to abandon us to return w the Enemies Army, and gave 'em notice of our March, as alſo of the Marks of bur Savages, ſo as they might be certainly diſcover'd. Thus as we were continually advancing forward, we arriv'd on the other ſide of a Moraſs, at the diſtance of Three Leagues from the Camp of the Iroquois; where ſome of 'em lay in Ambuſh, expecting our Approach, and kill'd Seven of our Men, among whom was my Sub-Lieutenant: However we ſoon rally'd, repuls'd 'em vigorouſly, and after having cut off above Thirty of their Party, purſu'd 'em to the Woods; but not being able to come up with 'em, and not judging it ſafe to advance any further, leſt we ſhould fall into another Ambuſcade, we contented our ſelves to plunder their Villages, where we put to the Edge of the Sword every one whom we met in our way.

We encamped for ſome Days in that Place, and the Army under the Command of M. de Lude and M. de la Durontay came to joyn ours. The next day after their Arrival we did not ſtay a moment, e're we took a Reſolution to force the Enemies Camp; who being inform'd of bur Deſign, by their Spies, did not think fit to wait for our Approach, but decamp'd with great Precipitation. We found in their Camp ſome Remainders of Indian Corn, and other Proviſions, which we made uſe of to our Advantage, and we ſpent the Night in their Tents, or rather Huts; the Seaſon being already very far advanc'd. The next Morning we ſent back all our Allies to their ſeveral Territories, with Orders to meet together again upon the firſt Summons; while the Sieurs de la Lude and de la Durontay repair'd to their Reſpective Stations.

As I was marching to mine, I met with certain Hurons, who gave me to underſtand, that I was ready to be ſurrounded with the whole Army of the Iroquois. There was no longer any Means to have recourſe to M. de Lude, and de la Durontay, who were already embark'd in Canoos on the Lakes; inſomuch, that I was oblig'd to cauſe my ſmall Band of Men to halt, and inſtantly to diſpatch a Courier to Niagara to demand ſpeedy Succours of the Commander of the new Fort. It happen'd accidentally, that M. de la Valromè, the Governour of it, ſuppoſing us to be engag'd with the Iroquois, was leading up Fifty Fuſileers to our Relief, and in the mean while the Meſſenger whom I ſent, having met with him, inform'd him of our preſent Diſtreſs, which caus'd him to haſten his March: His Arrival inſpir'd us with new Courage, ſo that the Enemies appearing, we ſet our ſmall Army in Battel-array; yet when we had advanced towards 'em within Musket-ſhot, they had not the Courage to ſtay for our coming up, but ſuddenly turn'd their Backs upon us: Whereupon we purſued 'em for ſome time, till about 100 of them periſh'd on the ſpot, and the reſt found Means to eſcape into the Woods. Then I immediately caus'd a Retreat to be founded; and having convoy'd M. de Valromè on part of his way, I judg'd it expedient to take up our Winter-Quarters at Miſſilimachinac, and to reſide there till the next Campaign, in caſe the War ſhould continue.

The Iroquois forc'd to ſubmit.The Scene of Affairs began now to be chang'd; for the Iroquois reſign'd to us their Habitations that were near Niagara; made a Preſent of their beſt Skins to the Governour; and engag'd that for the future they ſhould not diſturb the Tranquillity of the Nations that were under our Protection, and who were our Allies. A Treaty of Peace being thus concluded, I ſet forward in my Journey to the Country of the Iſlinois in the Month of April, 1687. and ſhould have been very well ſatisfied with the Succeſs of the Campaign, if I had not been continually troubled, by reaſon of M. De la Salle's long Abſence, not knowing what might have befallen him: For he for out from America, A. D. 1683. and we did ſo in 1687. ſo that Four Years were almoſt paſt, without having any other News of him, than that of his re-embarking or his Departure from Rochel for the Gulph of Mexico, but without getting the leaſt Information concerning his Return Indeed I knew not what to think. Did he not periſh (ſaid I to my ſelf) by Shipwreck, or rather did he not land on ſome Coaſt, inhabited by Barbarians, who perhaps might have diſpatch'd him out of the way? Thus being perplex'd with ſuch diſtracting Thoughts, I could take no Reſt, nerther could I Steer any certain Courſe, but ſuffering my ſelf to be conducted by my Attendants, rather than leading 'em my ſelf, I arriv'd as St. Lemis's Fort in the end of the Month of May.

As ſoon as I enter'd my Houſe, I was extremely ſurpriz'd, there to meet with M. Cavelier, M. De La Sall's sown Brother, and indeed, I did not diſcern in his Countenance that free and ſprightly Air, which uſually appears at the firſt Meeting of two Friends, after a long Interval of Separation: However, the firſt Tranſports of my Joy, not permitting me to make long Reflections, I incontinently embrac'd him, and at the ſame time enquir'd of him about his Brother's Welfare. Upon this Addreſs, he appear'd to be altogether put to a ſtand; ſo that a ſad Look up to Heaven, a deep Sigh, and a certain Effort, which he ſeem'd to make within himſelf, were taken by me as ſo many ill Omens; I earneſtly entreated him to conceal nothing from me, and after he had recover'd himſelf a little, he told me very poſitively, That M. de la Salle his Brother was in perfect Health; but that the ill Succeſs of his Navigation had ſo far pull'd down his Spirits, that he had ſcarce Courage to continue his Courſe; that in returning by ſmall Voyages, he took delight in trading with the different Nations, whom he met with; and that having charg'd him to go before, to give me notice of his Arrival, he determin'd ſtill to reſide among the Naches and Akanceas for ſome time, to purchaſe certain Merchandizes of both thoſe Nations.

The Aſſurance, with which he ſpoke to me, joyn'd with a Shew of downright Integrity, which was natural to him, beſides the Deference due to a Perſon of his Character; for he was a Prieſt, would not ſuffer me in the leaſt to call in Queſtion the veracity of his Relation, and ſerv'd a little to encourage me againſt my ſad Preſages. Therefore I entreated him to give me an Account of his Voyage, and to let me know when they re-embark'd, and at what time they landed. Since then I gave him a great deal of Scope, to deliver his Mind ingenuouſly, and without Conſtraint, he began to relate the particular Circumſtances with ſo much the more Freedom.

He told me at firſt, That the whole Court of France, being charm'd with the great Diſcoveries made by M. de la Salle, the King made no ſcruple at all to grant him the Supplies he deſir'd; not to mention the Titles of Honour, that procur'd him greater Authority in his new Plantations: That they ſet out from France, July 24. A. D. 1684. with four Veſſels, very well provided of all things neceſſary, and above 200 Men, as well Soldiers as Artificers of all ſorts of Trades, and that nevertheleſs by a Complication of Misfortunes, their whole Fleet was reduc'd to a few Boats, and that great number of Perſons, to Seven or Eight French Men, who ſerv'd as a Convoy to his Brother during his Return.

Foraſmuch as theſe Remarkable Croſſes afforded Matter of Wonder, I could not chooſe but be very deſirous to be inform'd of all the Particulars of their Adventures: Whereupon M. Cavelier reſuming his former Narrative from the beginning of their Navigation, told me, That after a Calm which continued for ſome Days, in the Latitude of St. Domingo, they were ſuddenly ſurpriz'd with a violent Storm; inſomuch, that one of their Ships, laden with Merchandizes, to the value of above Thirty Thouſand Livres, was hurry'd away with a furious Blaſt of Wind, and afterwards taken by certain Spaniſh Piroques. Rovers: That the reſt of the Fleet caſt Anchor before the ſame Iſland, where they were ſoon refitted, and ſupply'd with freſh Proviſions, which with the Merchandizes there bought, ſerv'd for the Cargo of theſe Veſſels, but that the greateſt part of the Mariners, by living ſomewhat too licentiouſly, contracted very dangerous Diſeaſes.

That they cruis'd about from thence towards the Iſlands of Caimant, and took in freſh Water on that of Cuba; where, having found many Tuns of Canary, good Brandy, Sugar, and Indian Corn left unguarded, they ſeiz'd on the whole Cargo, and got ſuch Repriſals as were ſufficient to make 'em amends for the loſs of every thing that the Spaniards had taken from them before: That afterwards being ſupply'd with all manner of Proviſions, they ſet Sail again; and that having always had a favourable Gale of Wind, they would have enter'd the Gulph of Mexico; but that perceiving the Currents to be very rapid, and the Shelves to be numerous, they were oblig'd to ſtand off from the Shoar, which hinder'd M. de la Salle from lighting on the exact degree of Latitude, for the Mouth of the River Miſſiſſipi; inſomuch, that to avoid the expoſing of the Men to greater Dangers, he order'd 'em to land at the Bay of Spiritu Santo, 50 Leagues below the River they ſought for: But two Days after, hoping to diſcover it, they got on Board their Ships again, and always taking care to ſteer into the Main, to ſhun the Rocks and Shelves, they at laſt arriv'd a great deal higher in a Bay, afterwards known by the name of St. Lewis. This Bay is of a very convenient Depth for a Harbour; but 'tis dangerous landing there, as well by reaſon of the Shelves of Sand that encompaſs it; as for the Rocks with which 'tis beſet on all ſides.

Indeed the miſſing of the Entrance of the River (continued he) would have been no great Detriment to us; for after having once arriv'd ſo near its Mouth, it would have been difficult to deſcry it, at leaſt by Land; afterwards to convey our Ships thither; to form a kind of Harbour, to prevent Miſtakes for the future; and even to build a regular Port; but ill Luck would have it, that after M. de Beaujeu, who commanded one of the three Veſſels, was come on Board our Ship; the two others were loſt, as well by the ill Management of the Pilot, as by the Careleſneſs of the Mariners; for the firſt ran upon a ſhelf of Sand in the Mouth of the Bay, from whence it was impoſſible to get her off, notwithſtanding our utmoſt Endeavours; altho' indeed we were ſo fortunate as to ſave the Men, and the beſt of our Effects. The other Ship was daſh'd in pieces againſt a Rock, even in the very Harbour, with the loſs of the moſt part of the Mariners; but we had luckily unloaded it of all our Proviſions and Merchandizes: Beſides, that the greateſt part of our Company and Goods were ſet aſhoar by M. de Beaujeu, who after having been a Witneſs of our Misfortunes, ſet Sail to return for France.

M. Cavelier having thus related the Diſaſters that befel their Fleet, proceeded to give the following Narration of the other Adventures and Occurrences that happen'd during their Voyage. To reckon (ſaid he) from July 24. A. D. 1684. the Day of our Departure from Rochel, to Feb. 18. in the next Year 1685. when we diſimbark'd at St. Lewis's Bay, about Seven Months were paſs'd; at what time my Brother having gather'd together the Fragments of our Veſſels, and after having diſcover'd the advantageous Situation of the Country at the Mouth of a very fine River,The River of Cows. call'd the River of Cows, in the midſt of many others that fall into the ſame Bay, with a great number of populous Nations, and the delightful Proſpects caus'd by the enamell'd Verdure of the Lands, the Abundance of Fruit, and the numerous Herds of Cattle, was ſoon induc'd to cauſe a fine Seat to be built for himſelf in thoſe Parts; having at firſt made the Draught of a Fort, and delineated the Compaſs of it; giving Orders at the ſame time for putting his Deſign in Execution: And indeed, the neceſſity of building ſome Apartments for Lodging, and the conveniency of procuring Timber and Morter contributed ſo far to the carrying on of the Work, that it was entirely compleated within the ſpace of Two Months.

In the mean while, M. de la Salle growing more impatient than ever to recover the River of Miſſiſſipi, made Incurſions on all ſides to deſcry it. Foraſmuch as that whole. Country is divided by a great number of Rivers that empty themſelves at divers Intervals into the Bay; he ſometimes travell'd by Land, and ſometimes in a Canoo, accompanied with Ten or Twelve French Men, arm'd with good Fuſees: At every one of thoſe Diſtances he met with ſeveral Habitations of the Savages, and every where abundance of all ſorts of neceſſary Proviſions, even ſo much as tame Fowl.

At laſt after Fifteen Days ſearch he met with a ſpacious River, and follow'd the Courſe of it for Seven or Eight Leagues to the Place, where it rolls into the Sea, and perceiv'd it to be really that which he had ſo long ſought for, and the Mouth of which he was not able to diſcover: Therefore he took an Obſervation of its Latitude again, that he might not miſs it, in caſe he ſhould have occaſion to paſs thro' the Gulph at any other time. Thus being well ſatisfied with this Diſcovery, and yet more delighted with the Fruitfulneſs of the adjacent Territories, he return'd to his new Colony, but as an addition to his former Misfortunes, he ſoon found that ſome of his Men died, quite worn our with thoſe lingering Diſeaſes, which they had contracted at St. Domingo, and that above Forty of them were aſſaſſinated by the Savages. He was extremely afflicted at ſo great a loſ • ; but having fortify'd himſelf againſt immoderate Grief, he ſummon'd thoſe that were left (the number of whom did not amount to 100) encourag'd 'em, and exhorted 'em to take care that by the Means of their Labour, mutual Concord, Induſtry and good Correſpondence with the Barbarians, they might make Advantage of the Riches that Nature afforded 'em, in great Abundance.

Since the newly diſcover'd Countries appear'd to M. de la Salle, to be ſo many conquer'd Provinces; and in regard that all the Loſſes he might ſuſtain ſeem'd to him to be of no account, in compariſon of one Nation, that was voluntarily ſubdu'd; he endeavour'd to comfort himſelf with the Hopes of better Succeſs in the Undertaking of ſome other Voyages, and thus having taken a new Reſolution, he determin'd to diſcover thoſe vaſt Territories which are ſituated between the River Miſſiſſipi, and the Gulph of Mexico, to the South-eaſt. On the 22d. Day of April, 1685. he ſet out from St. Lewis's Bay for this new Voyage, taking along with him only Twenty Perſons, among whom were our two Nephews, Cavelier and De Moranget, a Father of the Order of Recolet and my ſelf. Our whole Equipage conſiſted only in two Canoos, and as many Sledges to carry our Proviſions and Merchandizes.

On the firſt Day we paſs'd above 20 Rivers, the Territories lying round about which, appear'd to us to be as it were an inchanted Country, and converſed with a very obliging ſort of People, who deny'd us nothing. 'Tis alſo remarkable that in thoſe Parts among the horned Beaſts, in the Meadows we ſaw a great number of Horſes: but ſo wild, that one cannot come near 'em.

On the ſecond Day, we began to get our living by hunting; we kill'd a Roe-Buck, and lay that Night, in the open Fields, in the middle of a ſmall Retrenchment: Ever ſince that time we made an Agreement to uſe the like Precaution in every Place, where we ſhould have occaſion to take up our Lodging.

The Meeting of four Booted Horſemen. On the third Day, about Noon, we met with Four Booted Horſe-men, who accoſted us in a very reſpectful manner, asking us who we were, and where we were going? We declar'd to 'em, that we were French Men, and we were only Travelling through thoſe Countries, with a Deſign to diſcover the ſeveral Nations of America, and to offer 'em the Protection of the King of the French, one of the greateſt Monarchs in the Univerſe: And that if they were willing to ſubmit to his Power, they ſhould ſoon be ſenſible of the Effects of his Favour, by the means of his numerous Fleet: They on the other ſide immediately entreated us to accept of a Lodging in their Cottages, and to accompany 'em to their Village: We readily conſented to their Requeſt, and were very kindly entertain'd by them.

Quoaquis a Nation of the Savages.This was the Nation of the Quoaquisor Mahis: The Men are of a very ſwarthy Complexion, neither are the Women more fair; they have very fine black Hair; their Eyes being alſo black, their Face and Noſe flat, and their Teeth very white: Otherwiſe, their Carriage is free and unaffected. The Men in thoſe Parts are cloath'd with Corſlets of double Leather, which are Arrow-proof; wearing from the Waſte to the Knees a kind of Pantaloon Breeches, made of the Skin of a Bear, Stag, or Wolf, and their Head is cover'd with a ſort of Turban of the ſame Skins: They have alſo Boots or Buskins of the Skins of an Ox, Elk or Horſe, very artificially dreſs'd. For the Horſe-Furniture, beſides their Corſlets, Buskins and Bucklers, cover'd with the hardeſt Skins; they have Saddles made of many pieces of Leather, fitted and glu'd one upon another; as alſo Wooden Stirrups; Bridles like ours, and Bits made of the Teeth of a Bear or Wolf.Their Women. As for their Women, they wear inſtead of a Bonnet a Contexture of Ruſhes or Reeds, of divers Colours; their Hair being ſometimes braided, and ſometimes tied in Knots: Their Body is cover'd with a Veſt of very fine Wool, reaching half way down their Thighs: They are ſhod almoſt after the ſame manner as the Men, and wear Buskins on their Legs.

We only lodg'd with 'em one Night, but always ſtood upon our Guard, watching by Turns from time to time. The next day, the chief Commander came to meet us with certain Preſents, as Indian Corn, and to aſſure us, &c. That they ſhould be always very willing to keep an amicable Correſpondence with us, and to live under the Laws of that Prince, whom we acknowledged: On the other ſide we made 'em a Preſent of ſome Knives, with Glaſſes, and other Toys, for their Wives; after which we took Leave of 'em, and continu'd our Journey.

About Two Leagues from thence we found our ſelves on the Banks of a very fine River, which we call'd Riber from one of our Retinue, Riber River, why ſo call'd. ſo nam'd, who was drown'd therein. There were numerous Herds of Cibolas, feeding along the ſides of this River, of which we inſtantly kill'd three, and caus'd 'em to beBoucanez. ſalted, to ſerve for our Proviſion. At the diſtance of a League from the ſame River we got up another, that is more rapid, and on which we impoſed the name of Hieus, The River Hieus. that of a certain German of our Company, who continued Three Days loſt thereabouts, having ventured to go too far into the Woods, by reaſon of the great Delight he took in hunting.

Biſcatonges, a Nation of the Savages, ſirnamed Weepers. Thus in purſuing our Journey, ſometimes in the Plains, and ſometimes acroſs the Torrents and Rivers which we paſs'd in our Canoos, we arriv'd in the midſt of a very extraordinary Nation, call'd the Biſcatonges, to whom we gave the Name of Weepers, in regard that upon the firſt Approach of Strangers, all theſe People, as well Men as Women, uſually fall a weeping bitterly: The reaſon of their Practice is very particular; for theſe poor People imagining that their Relations or Friends deceaſed are gone a Journey, and continually expecting their return; the remembrance of 'em is reviv'd upon the Arrival of new Paſſengers; but foraſmuch as they do not find in their Perſons thoſe whoſe Loſs they lament, it ſerves only to encreaſe their Grief. That which is yet more remarkable, and perhaps even very reaſonable in that Cuſtom, is, that they weep much more at the Birth of their Children, than at their Death; becauſe the latter is eſteem'd only by 'em as it were a Journey or Voyage, from whence they may return after the Expiration of a certain time; but they look upon their Nativity, as an Inlet into an Ocean of Dangers and Misfortunes. Let the caſe be how it will, this firſt Torrent of Tears being once over, nothing was to be ſeen among the whole Multitude of theſe People, but a ſerene Aſpect, and an engaging Air, full of Kindneſs and Reſpect: They conducted us into their Huts that were neatly matted, where they offer'd us ſome powder'd Beef and Veniſon, with ſome Sagavite, Sagavite, a ſort of Bread. their ordinary Bread; which they make with a certain Root, call'd Toquo, being a kind of Bramble. After having waſh'd, dry'd, and beaten it to Powder, they make it up into a Paſte; which being bak'd, is of a very good taſte, but of an Aſtringent Quality. We added to their Treat a little of our Brandy, and gave 'em a Couple of Bottles full of that Liquor: Whereupon they made us a Preſent of divers Skins, well dreſs'd, which ſerv'd to make us good Shoes. Theſe People worſhip no other Deity but the Sun, and that is the peculiar God of almoſt all thoſe Nations: Upon which occaſion we told 'em, That our Prince was the Sun of other Kings; that his Luſtre was ſpread abroad throughout the whole Continent of Europe, and even in divers Parts of America: That if they would ſubmit to his Authority, they ſhould ere long be ſenſible of ſome of the Effects of his Grandeur and Generoſity. Whereupon they readily ſubmitted, and took an Oath to maintain a mutual Friendſhip with us for ever.

Having ſpent two Days among that weeping Nation, we ſet forward again in our Journey. On the firſt Day we travell'd Ten large Leagues, almoſt continually in the Woods, and afterwards we arriv'd within ſight of a great Village, in the entrance of which we eſpy a huge Roe-Buck, which a Chaouanous of our Retinue, aim'd at, and kill'd with one Fuſee-ſhot. The Report of the Gun,A Fuſee let off, ſtrikes a Terror into the Minds of the Savages. and the Flame that accompany'd it appear'd ſo dreadful to thoſe Inhabitants, that at the very ſight of our Company and Arms, they were all extremely terrify'd, and betook themſelves to flight. The chief Commander, and three of his Sons, having ſhew'd more Reſolution, brought 'em out of their Panick Fear; ſo that they advanc'd towards us, to offer us ſome Refreſhment; and the uſe of ſome of their Huts for our Lodging, during the Night. But my Brother not judging it convenient to truſt 'em, we took up our Quarters a little further off, according to our uſual Cuſtom. It was well for us that we were ſo cautious; for the next Morning, at break of day, we diſcern'd a great number of that Rabble, lying in Ambuſh among the Reeds, and arm'd with Bows and Arrows. M. De la Salle immediately caus'd 'em to be rudely attack'd, and oblig'd 'em to call for Quarter. But they were releaſed for a certain quantity of Indian Corn, which the Son of their Commander brought to us, and we immediately took a reſolution to decamp.

At the diſtance of ſix Leagues from thence we came to another Village, conſiſting of above 300 Huts, inhabited by the Chinonoas, The Chinonoas know how to diſtinguiſh the French from the Spaniards. who receiv'd us very favourably. All theſe Countries are ſituated almoſt on the Eaſtern Coaſt of the Sea of Mexico; ſo that the Spainards frequently make Inrodes into them, and abuſe the Natives after a moſt outragious manner: Inſomuch that theſe Savages knew how to diſtinguiſh us from them, by the Air of our Countenance, our Language and Deportment; and the Antipathy they had againſt all thoſe of that Nation, ſerv'd only to encreaſe their Friendſhip and Kindneſs towards us.

We ſoon gave 'em to underſtand, that there was no manner of Correſpondence between the Spaniards and us, and that they were our declar'd Enemies: Whereupon having offer'd us every thing that was in their Poſſeſſion, they entreated us to unite with them, in order to maintain a vigorous War againſt the Spaniſh Nation: We reply'd, That we were not at preſent in a condition to do it, but that we would ſpeedily return, with greater numbers to aſſiſt 'em, inſomuch, that having ſpent the Night very peaceably among thoſe People, we departed the next day, laden with a great deal of Indian Corn, and very fine Skins.

We had ſcarce march'd League on the Road, when a certain Perſon of our Company found himſelf ſtung by a Viper,A Man ſtung by a Viper. and ſuddenly made a hideous Outcry: Within leſs ſpace than half a quarter of an Hour, his Body ſwell'd prodigiouſly, and became all over livid. We immediately made large Inciſions on the part affected, bathing it with Brandy and Salt of Vipers, and gave him ſome Orvietan; ſo that after Two Days he was perfectly cur'd.

The Paſſage over a rapid River. Then we continu'd our Journey, and after Two Days march we arriv'd on the Banks of a very rapid River: It was requiſite to paſs it, and we were then deſtitute of Canoos; for thoſe we made uſe of before were ſo leaky, that they took in Water on all ſides, and we were forc'd to leave 'em, as being no longer ſerviceable to us. Therefore we could find no other Expedient, but to make aCaie • little Boat of Canes, and many Twigs of Trees, twiſted one within another, and cover'd with our beſt Skins. My Brother and our two Nephews firſt went on board with two Savages to ſteer it, whilſt I ſtay'd with the reſt of our Company on the ſide of the River. They were ſcarce got into the middle of the Current, when the Swiftneſs of the Stream hurry'd 'em away in a moment, and took 'em out of our ſight: But by ſingular good Luck the Boat was ſtopt about half a large League from thence, by a great Tree that floated on the Water, being half pluck'd up by the Roots; ſo that grappling the Branches, by the means of certain Poles, they at laſt made a ſhift to get over to the other ſide, otherwiſe the extreme Swiftneſs of the River would undoubtedly have carry'd 'em into the Sea.

In the mean while, we were very ſollicitous to know what was become of 'em; we inceſſantly follow'd the Courſe of our Bank, looking forward as far as poſſibly we could, and crying out with all our force to endeavour to recall, or to diſcover 'em. We ſpent a whole Day and a Night in this Anxiety, and the next Day we began the ſame Toil again, till at laſt they anſwer'd us, and we deſcry'd 'em on the other ſide. 'Twas abſolutely neceſſary to joyn 'em, and to that end we were forc'd to expoſe our ſelves to the ſame Danger. Therefore we ſet about the making of a new Boat, (for the firſt was unjoynted, and no longer capable of holding any thing) and having provided ſtrong Poles, we all paſs'd over at ſeveral times, with as much ſafety as could be wiſh'd for. Our whole Company being thus re▪united, we purſu'd our Courſe under the Conduct of my Brother, who had no other Compaſs to ſteer by than his Genius. In the mean while one of our Hunters ſtragling to follow the Game, we loſt him a whole Day. But the next Morning, we ſaw him again laden with two Roe-Bucks: He had alſo kill'd another at the ſame time, and left it at the Diſtance of half a quarter of a League: Therefore, after having given us the two, he went back, attended with an Abenaguis, to fetch the other, and having brought it, we feaſted our ſelves with part of his Veniſon, and kept the reſt for our Proviſion.

A Savage on Horſe-back demands who we are. Having paſs'd from thence into the moſt delightful and moſt populous Countries of all the others, after a March of Six of Seven Leagues, we ſaw making up towards us a certain Savage on Horſe-back, with his Wife behind him, attended with four Slaves, who were well mounted. This Man accoſting us, enquir'd who we were, and what we ſought for in that Country? My Brother gave him to underſtand, as well by his own Mouth, as by that of the Savages of his Retinue, that we were French Men, and that our Deſign was only to offer to all the People of their Continent, as far as the Gulph of Mexico our Alliance, and the Protection of the King of France. Whereupon the ſame Savage immediately alighted, preſented his Horſe to my Brother, and even conſtrain'd him by his earneſt Entreaties to accept of it, and to go to the Place of their Habitation; aſſuring him, that he ſhould be very welcome, and that his Propoſals ſhould be favourably heard. My Brother, after having return'd him many Thanks for his Kindneſs, told him, that before he proceeded ſo far, he would very willingly be inform'd of the Opinion of his whole Nation, by an Envoy, ſent to them to that purpoſe. The Savage receiv'd this Anſwer very favourably, and by a Surpluſage of Civility left his Wife and one of his Slaves for Hoſtages: My Brother on the other ſide gave him his Nephew Cavelier and two Chaouanous. The Savage mounted on a Horſe that belong'd to one of his Slaves, and my Nephew Cavelier on that which was given my Brother. The next Day our Envoy return'd with our two Chaouanous, both mounted on fine Horſes, laden with all ſorts of Proviſions, and made a Report no leſs agreeable than ſurprizing, of the kind Entertainment he had receiv'd from thoſe People, who are call'd Cenis. Cenis, a Nation of the Savages. The place of their Habitation is extended 20 Leagues in compaſs, and divided into many Hamlets, ſituated near one another. Their Cottages are 40 or 50 Foot high, being made of thick Branches of Trees, which meeting together in a point at the top, form a kind of arched Roof; the inſide of 'em is well matted, and always kept very neat, even to Admiration.

M. de La Salle being inform'd of their good Intentions, did not fail to convey himſelf thither the next Day, and ſaw the principal Elders of the Nation, who were all adorn'd with Plumes of Feathers, and cloath'd with their richeſt Skins, coming to meet him, and the diſtance of 200 Paces from the Village. My Brother receiv'd 'em at the Head of his Company, and the firſt Salute being given with Reciprocal Compliments, he was conducted to the Village by the Commander in chief a-croſs a very fine Body of young Men, drawn up in Arms, and thro' a very great concourſe of People: Afterwards he and his Company were led into a Quarter, which ſeem'd to conſtitute a ſeparated Hamlet, and were there nobly entertain'd. The Commander was convinced of the Magnificence of our Prince, by the Character he receiv'd of him from M. de la Salle, acknowledg'd him as his Sovereign, and made my Brother a Preſent of ſix good Horſes, and of his fineſt Skins; who on the other ſide preſented the ſaid Commander with divers Hatchets, Sizers, Knives, and Razors, which he accepted with a great deal of Complacency and Satisfaction. At that time the Ambaſſadors of a certain Nation call'd the Choumans, reſided there,Ambaſſadors of the Choumans. and the occaſion of their Embaſſie was to propoſe the making of a League with 'em, to carry on a War againſt the Spaniards, their Enemies, and Tyrannical Perſecutors: They gave us a Viſit, and ſollicited us to enter into the ſame League; inſomuch, that we promiſed to aſſiſt 'em, after we had made an end of our Voyage; and they took an Oath, as the others had done, to maintain an inviolable Friendſhip with our Nation.

The Naſſonis have their Habitations at the diſtance of a Days Journey from the Cenis, Naſſonis, a Nation of the Savages. and we thought fit alſo to paſs into their Territories, were we receiv'd the like Entertainment, meeting with the ſame Acknowledgments, and the ſame Proteſtations of Amity. And indeed, all theſe Nations have an equal Antipathy againſt the Spaniards. The Paſtures in thoſe Parts afford Fodder to numerous Herds of Oxen and Horſes, and in all the Encloſures belonging to their private Families are to be ſeen many fat Capons, Hens, Pullets, and large Indian Pigeons. We could diſcern among them, as well as among the Cenis, ſome Tincture of the Chriſtian Religion. For ſome of 'em made the Sign of the Croſs, and others expreſs'd to us by certain Marks the manner of celebrating the Maſs; inſomuch, that we clearly perceiv'd it to be the Effect of ſome Spaniſh Miſſions: But 'tis not to be doubted, the Increaſe would be much greater; if theſe firſt Seeds of Religion were ſow'd among 'em by Perſons, to whom they have leſs Averſion. And indeed our Father Recolet, by the means of ſome Images, Croſſes and Agnus Dei's, which he diſtributed up and down, eaſily made 'em comprehend and believe every thing that he taught 'em; ſo great is the Docility of the People of that Country.

Notwithſtanding the great ſatisfaction we had among thoſe Savages,Sad Diſaſters. yet we met with two ſad Diſaſters; one of which was the Deſertion of Four of our French Men, and the other was my Brother's Sickneſs. As for the four Deſerters, it is not known whether they were excited by the Pleaſantneſs of thoſe Countries, to endeavour to ſettle themſelves among ſome of the Neighbouring Nations; or whether being entic'd by the alluring Baits of the Savageſſes, they return'd to the Cenis; or whether they retir'd to the Naſſonis. However, 'tis certain, that as ſoon as they had Horſes in their Poſſeſſion, they did not any longer imagine themſelves to be among the Savages; ſo that we were not able to retain 'em, neither could we have any Tidings of 'em ever ſince that end.

As for my Brother's Indiſpoſition, it was undoubtedly the Effect of Grief occaſion'd by the Deſertion of ſome of his Attendants. He fell ſick, Auguſt 24. in the ſame Year 1685. After three Months travelling, and within 200 Leagues of St. Lewis's Bay. His Sickneſs was follow'd almoſt at the ſame time with that of De Moranget, our Nephew. However, during that Affliction, we had the good Luck to find among the Savages all the Help that could have been procur'd in Europe, except Phyſitians: For we had every thing that we could wiſh for, particularly Veal, Mutton, Pullets, Pigeons and Ring-doves; beſides, all ſorts of wholeſome Herbs, as well for Pottage, as for Ptiſans, Decoctions, and other Remedies neceſſary for ſick Perſons. Our two Surgeons were alſo preſent, and were very ſerviceable to us upon this occaſion; nay, the very Savages themſelves, as well Men as Women, gave us Meat, Fowl, and other ſorts of Veniſon; inſomuch, that at laſt (thanks be to the Divine Providence) by the Means of our diligent Care, both our Patients recover'd their Health, after a Months Indiſpoſition.

As ſoon they had regain'd their Strength, my Brother being of Opinion that he ought to improve his laſt Diſcoveries; and not being able to go any farther, without entring the Territories of the Spaniards, from whence according to all probability, we ſhould never have come back; took a Reſolution to return to his new Colony. Therefore we ſet forward again in our Journey in the end of the Month of September, 1685. But we had this Advantage, that we were now in a capacity to return on Horſeback, whereas we came on Foot; That which was moſt ſurprizing in our new Furniture is that our Horſes without being ſhod, had ſo hard a Hoof, that they could go any where; and had ſo tender a Mouth, that they gave way to the Curb, as if they had been train'd up to it: Every one of our Company was reaſonably well mounted, and our ſupernumerary Horſes ſerv'd either for Change, or inſtead of Pack-Horſes, to carry our Proviſion, Canoos, and other Equipage; which was no ſmall Conſolation to us.

However, ſince the moſt uſeful things ſometimes prove the moſt fatal, it happen'd either accidentally, or for want of Skill, that one of our Horſes occaſion'd the Loſs of a Savage belonging to our Retinue. For on the Banks of the River La Maligne, A Crocodile drags a Man into the Water, and devours him. on which my Brother run the hazard of being loſt, a Horſe prancing at the ſight of a huge Crocodile, threw his Rider into the Water. He had ſcarce fallen, when that ravenous Beaſt dragged him away, and devour'd him in our ſight. We were extremely troubl'd at this ſad Spectacle; but in ſuch Voyages 'tis difficult to avoid the ſad Accidents, to which thoſe who undertake 'em are ſometimes liable. Therefore the ſafeſt way for a Traveller is to prepare for ſuch Diſaſters, by quieting his Conſcience, and by putting himſelf under the Protection of Almighty God, who is our Guide, and conſtant Preſerve.

Foraſmuch as no Remedy could be found for this Misfortune, we continu'd our Journey; and after Three Months march, we arriv'd at St. Lewis's Bay in the beginning of the Month of January, 1686. As ſoon as we came near our Colony, we perceiv'd that all the Fields thereabouts were clear'd of Trees, and well cultivated. We there met with a great number of Women, and Cottages, fill'd with new Families, each Family having its peculiar Store of Proviſions, with a Garden, and other Apartments. In a word, every thing ſeem'd to promiſe a happy Improvement, and a numerous Increaſe. My Brother was receiv'd there as the Father of this little Common-wealth, and we took great Delight in obſerving theſe beginnings of the Incorporation of our French Men with the Savages, and the good Uſe that every one made of the Advantages of this new Plantation.

In regard that my Brother's Preſence in that Country, was neceſſary, as well for the compleating of the Fort, as for the modelling of this new State, we ſojourn'd there about Three Months longer; after the expiration of which time, he determin'd to return to France to get new Supplies at that Court, and to procure ſome Recruits of Tradeſmen, Artificers and Labourers, as well in favour of this laſt Colony, as for all the others that are planted in divers parts of Northern America. After having taken leave of every one, he ſet out, accompany'd with 20 French Men for Canada, and travell'd by Land to the Country of the Iſlinois, in the end of the Month of March, A. D. 1686.

Altho' this Road was the moſt troubleſome, yet it ſerv'd not only to diſcover the Courſe of the Rivers,Many Rivers. of which we only ſaw the Mouths, in paſſing down the Miſſiſſipi; but alſo to give us a nearer View of all the People, who inhabit along the Banks; ſo that we might take frequent Opportunities to contract new Alliances with 'em. At firſt we croſs'd the River of Ducks, ſo call'd, by reaſon of the numerous Flocks of wild Ducks, with which it is cover'd. Afterwards we paſs'd La Sablonniere, or the River of Sand, with only has for its Bed a vaſt Sandy Country; then the Robec, the Banks of which are inhabited by certain People, who all ſpeak in the Throat, Quanoatinos; a Nation of the Savages. and at laſt the Malignant River, in the Territories lying about with are the Quanoatinos, a People as formidable to the Iroquois, upon account of their Valour, as for their Cruelty. For beſides that they fight furiouſly, without giving Quarter, they made a Law among themſelves to cauſe as many to be burnt as they can take Priſoners. As we continually went forward, we met with the Tarahas the Cappas, and the Palaqueſſons all declar'd Enemies of the Spaniards.

The Fruitfulneſs of overy Country.I ſhall not here give a large Deſcription of the particular Rarities of all thoſe Countries and Nations; but I ſhall content my ſelf only to declare, that altho' the ſaid Countries are very fine, generally ſpeaking; yet in every one of 'em, its peculiar Nature and Beauty may be more eſpecially obſerv'd. For ſome abound in Indian Corn, of which Frumenty is made; others in Tonquo, and others in Caſſave, of which the Natives make a kind of Bread.

An innumerable Multitude of Cibola's is to be ſeen amongſt thoſe People who live neareſt to the Sea-Coaſt. There are alſo vaſt numbers of Beavers amongſt the Ouadiches, the Akanceas, the Iroquois, and in many other Quarters of America: And Bears are very frequent in the Northern Parts. As for Horſes, they are only found among the Nations who are Neighbours to the Spaniards, but one may almoſt every where ſee Orignas; Staggs, Elks, Wolves, Ounces, large Rams, Weathers, and Sheep, that have a much finer Wool than ours.

In traverſing all theſe Plains we diſcover'd a prodigious Number of Savages, who all entertain'd us with a great deal of Courteſie, and with an entire Submiſſion to the Laws of our Monarch. Whilſt we were travelling between the Palaqueſſons, and the Nouadiches, our Proviſions fail'd, and we were oblig'd to have recourſe to hunting; ſo that three or four of our Men, moſt expert in that Exerciſe, uſually leſt their Companions to repair to the Woods, where they did not continue long, without bringing us good ſtore of Veniſon. The advantageous and moſt delightful Situation of the Territories that lie between two Nations,A pleaſant Country ſituated between two Nations. who are well affected to ours, is much to be admir'd, the whole Country being extremely fertile in Indian Corn, and all kinds of Fruits, affording alſo great variety of Game, and the Paſtures abounding in Cattel of all ſorts, but more eſpecially in Horſes. All theſe great Advantages induc'd my Brother to endeavour to plant a Colony in thoſe Parts. In order to carry on this Deſign, he judg'd it expedient that I ſhould be ſent before to the Iſlinois, as well to inform you of his Arrival, as for ſome other Reaſons, of which I ſhall hereafter give you an Account. He gave me for my Retinue Father Anaſtaſius, Cavelier, my Nephew, M. de la Marne, four other French Men, and two Slaves to ſerve me as Interpreters, with two Canoos, two Pack-Horſes, and neceſſary Proviſions. We parted May 15. A. D. 1686. and travell'd by Land, as well for the Conveniency of our Horſes, as for the frequent Supplies we might get from the Savages, who ſhew as much zeal for the promoting of our Intereſt, as they are the profeſſed Enemies of the Iroquois and Spaniards.

Nouadiches, a Nation of the Savages. On the firſt Day we took up our Quarters among the Nouadiches, who receiv'd us with extended Arms, and invited us to joyn with 'em, in maintaining a War againſt the Spaniards: They aſſur'd us, That there was a great deal of Gold and Silver amongſt 'em; that they would willingly leave us all their Wealth, and that they would only reſerve to themſelves the Women and Children, to make Slaves of 'em: However, notwithſtanding the little Reſpect we had for the Spaniards, we muſt needs have an Averſion to that Propoſal; for we could not give our Conſent, that the Chriſtians ſhould become Slaves to the Savages. Therefore to colour our Denial, we reply'd, That our number was not ſufficient to be capable of aſſiſting 'em in that War, but that we would go in queſt of Captain Tonti, to whom we would not fail to repreſent the ſame Conditions they offer'd us, and that without doubt he would accept of 'em. This Anſwer gave Satisfaction to the Savages, who ſupply'd us with abundance of Proviſions, and caus'd us to lodge in their beſt Cottages.

Divers other People.The next day, we purſu'd our Journey to the Cenis and Naſſonis. The latter gave us Guides to conduct us to the Country of Nabari, and theſe laſt in like manner took care to provide other Guides to convey us to the Naauſi. We were equally well receiv'd by all thoſe People, and we every where found the ſame Diſpoſitions to make an Alliance with us, and to live under the Protection of our Prince. The Lands thereabouts are fruitful, and the Climate very proper for the planting of Vineyards;The fruitfulneſs of thoſe Countries. for Vines often ſpring up there ſpontaneouſly; ſo that one may ſee cluſters of Grapes growing amongſt the Elms, and flouriſhing under the ſhadow of their Leaves. One cannot travel three Leagues without meeting with ſome River or Brook. There are alſo Herds of Beavers: All the People are generally addicted to the Adoration of the Sun, and have no other Cloaths than a certain Contexture of Ruſhes, or of very ſine Mats, which are ſet out with Paintings of ſeveral Colours, repreſenting the Sun, Birds, Flowers, &c. For matter of Arms, they are altogether unknown to 'em, except the Bow and Arrow; inſomuch, that the diſcharge of a Fuſee or Piſtol would appear to them, as it were a Clap of Thunder, preceeded by its Lightning.

Cadodaches, their Reception of the French. Afterwards we paſs'd from the Territories of the Naauſi to thoſe of the Cadodaches, where we were entertain'd after a very generous manner, ſo that our Reception might well he ſtyl'd a ſplendid Triumph. For the principal Elders of the Nation came forth to meet us, and conducted us thro' two Ranks of their armed Youth into very neat Cottages. The reſt of our Entertainment was as pleaſant and diverting, as the manner of managing it was Savage and Fantaſtical; at firſt, certain tawny Women, but well ſhap'd, and half naked, were very officious in waſhing our Feet in Wooden Troughs, and then we were ſerv'd with different Meſſes, very well dreſs'd: For beſides boil'd Meat, Broth and Veniſon, the ordinary Meſs among thoſe People; they preſented us with a large Diſh of Roaſted Turkeys, Geeſe, Ducks, and Ring-doves, not to forget another Diſh of broil'd Pigeons. But we were diſturb'd in the midſt of our Jollity, by a very ſad Accident, which happen'd to M. de la Marne, one of our Company: Foraſmuch as the Heat of the Weather was exceſſive, occaſion'd as well by the Climate, M. de la Marne waſhing himſelf in a River it drown'd. as the Seaſon of the Year; that unfortunate Gentleman had a mind to waſh himſelf in a River that runs thro' the Village. To which purpoſe, having choſen a ſhady place for greater Convenience, he threw himſelf into the Water, and unhappily fell into an Abyſs, where he was ſwallow'd up in a Trice; ſome time after, perceiving that he did not return, we were deſirous to go to the Place, where he retir'd; but he was not to be found, and we began to ſuſpect that perhaps he might be devour'd by ſome Crocodile: However, the Inhabitants having ſeen the Place, where he threw himſelf in, no longer doubted that he was loſt in that Gulph. And indeed, after having made a ſearch at the very inſtant, he was taken up dead, and quite disfigur'd.

I cannot ſufficiently expreſs how much we were tranſported with Grief at the ſight of ſo ſad a Spectacle. The Wife of the chief Governour came her ſelf to bury him; and after having perform'd the Funeral Obſequies, decently Interring his Body, we ſet up a Croſs over his Tomb: In the mean while, the Savages, who were Witneſſes of our Ceremonies, joyn'd their Tears with ours, and endeavour'd to comfort us, by doing us all the good Offices that lay in their Power.

Other Savage People. The next day we met with the Narchoas and the Ouadiches on the Banks of the ſame River, and about five Leagues lower we had a ſight of the Cabinvio's and Mentons. Theſe People not knowing what our Arms were, took us for the Maſters of Thunder, and were much afraid of us at the ſame time. The Beavers are very numerous in their Country, and more eſpecially in the Territory of the Ozotheon's, where they are ſo common, that the Inhabitants are oblig'd to burn their Skins. Theſe People provided Guides to conduct us to the Akanceas, Akanceas. on whoſe Juriſdiction they depend. There we began to know our ſelves; for we ſaw a Croſs erected, on the middle of which the King's Arms were fixt, and ſome few Paces farther we met with a fine Houſe, built after the French Faſhion, and inhibited by a certain Perſon, nam'd Couſtute, who receiv'd us very kindly, and gave us to underſtand, that that Seat, with all its Dependencies, was under your Juriſdiction. After having reſted there two Days, we went to the Villages of the Torimans, Doginga's and Cappu's, to get up to the River Miſſiſſipi. Theſe laſt People accommodated us with aA ſort of Boat. Piroque for two Horſes that we gave 'em in Exchange.

Thus being wearied with out Travels by Land, I determin'd to paſson the Miſſiſſipi again, to the River of the Iſlinois, and Father Anaſtuſius was very glad that he had an Opportunity to go on board the ſame Canoo with me. M. Cavelier, my Nephew, took five other French Men to accompany him, and contenting himſelf with one Savage, left me another, to ſerve for an Interpreter and Rower. Having met at our Place of Rendez vous, in the Country of the Miamis, we parted; ſo that he travell'd lover the Plains, and I embark'd on the River Miſſiſſipi, Auguſt 15. A. D. 1686.

It were needleſs to give a particular Account of all the Nations that we met, and therefore I ſhall only make mention of thoſe whom we did not diſcover in our Deſcent.Chicacha's. The Chicachas were the firſt that we found at the Diſtance of 30 Leagues from the Akanceas: They are a very docil, induſtrious, valiant and warlike People, and ſufficiently numerous to raiſe an Army of 2000 Men upon all occaſions. We continu'd our Courſe from thence to the Ouabaches, within ten Leagues of their River, and ſaw that of the Maſſourites and Ozages, which is no leſs rapid and deep than the Miſſiſſipi. We paſs'd on it during two Days, as well with a Deſign to diſcover the Nations inhabiting on its Banks, as to get ſome freſh Proviſions, and in our Paſſage we deſcry'd the Villages of the Panivacha's, Pera's, Panaloga's, Matotantes, and Ozages, all gallant, numerous, and good-natur'd People, who among the ſeveral Meſſes and varieties of Fruits, with which they treated us, caus'd us to eat ſome Grapes of an admirable taſte.

On the third Day, after having row'd on that River, we endeavour'd to recover the Miſſiſſipi; on which, being embark'd in a Canoo, we ſteer'd our Courſe on it for ſome Days, even as far as the River of the Iſlinois; and after Thirty Days Navigation we arriv'd at the Foot of Crevecoeur Fort, from whence we return'd to that of St. Lewis. Indeed we were then ſo unfortunate, as nto to meet with you there, (which was no ſmall trouble to us); but at preſent we have the Conſolation to ſee you in good Health.

M. Cavelier having thus concluded his Relation, we renew'd our Embraces, but I continu'd for ſome time ſpeechleſs, without being able to make any Application to him; for, to ſay the Truth, I did not well know my ſelf, nor in what condition I was at that time. On the one ſide, the loſs of our Fleet, and of the greateſt part of the French Mariners, was a very great Mortification to me; and on the other ſide, the Aſſurance that was given me of M. de la Salle's Welfare, and of the Succeſs of ſo many ſine Diſcoveries, oblig'd me to turn my Sorrow into Joy. I was alſo extremely furpriz'd at the ſtrangeneſs of his Adventures; but at the ſame time, the Abſence of a Perſon, for whom I had ſo particular a Reſpect, and whoſe Return I had ſo long expected with the utmoſt Impatience; beſides, the Regret upon reflecting, that I was not an Eye witneſs, and a Companion of his Travels, pierc'd my Heart with ſo ſenſible a Grief, that I was not by any means able to ſurmount it. Neither could I any longer contain my ſelf, or forbear eaſing my Mind a little, by uttering theſe mournful Expoſtulations. Alaſs! (ſaid I to M. Cavelier) how could it ſo fall out, that M. de la Salle, my Patron, and my only Support, ſhould ſpend Two Years in returning to America, and that during that whole Term, I ſhould not be only depriv'd of the Pleaſure of ſeeing him, but alſo ſhould not find Means to hear any▪ Tidings of him? Or how is it poſſible that I ſhould not be permitted to embrace him? I muſt freely declare to you, that notwithſtanding the Joy which your Preſence affords me, I find my ſelf ſeiz'd in beholding you, with a more Intenſe Grief, ſince the more I look upon you, I am ſo much the more troubled that I have not a ſight of him. Heavens! (continu'd I) has M. de la Salle reſided in America Two Years, and cannot I as yet lay hold of ſome Opportunity to meet him, or to ſpeak with him? Alaſs! 'tis not my Fault; for as ſoon as I could judge, that he had touch'd at any of the Coaſt of the Gulph of Mexico, I made a deſcent on thoſe Countries; I ſearch'd about all the Capes and Shoars of that Sea, as well on the ſide of Malcolina, as on that of Mexico; I viſited all the People, who inhabit thoſe Coaſts, viz. The • ichenos, Ozembogus, Tangibaos, Oſtonoos, Manſoleas, and Mouſa's, and enquir'd of them after M. de la Salle, but none could give me any manner of Account concerning him▪ Hence then you may take ſome eſtimate of my exceſſive Trouble and Sorrow.

How was it poſſible (reply'd M. Cavelier for you to meet us? You went to ſeek for us at the Mouth of the River Miſſiſſipi, and or the adjacent Coaſts; whereas we only landed 25 Leagues above it: You follow'd the Courſe of that River, both in your Deſcent, and at your Return; but we always kept at a diſtance from thence, ſteering to the South-eaſt, and along the Gulph of Mexico. By what means could you expect to meet with us, in following ſo contrary Courſes? At leaſt (ſaid I to him) he ought to have ſent ſome Meſſenger, to give me notice of his Return. 'Tis true indeed, (ſaid he) and he would certainly have done it, if it had lain in his Power: But who of thoſe new Comers could find out the Roads that lay croſs the Territories of ſo many Barbarians or would be willing to make ſuch an Attempt at ſo great a diſtance? Or could he ſpare me, or either of his two Nephews for that purpoſe? Beſides, the Hopes he had of ſeeing you ere long in Perſon, made him continually defer to inform you of his Arrival. It muſt be confeſs'd (ſaid I then) there is no Remedy for what is paſt▪ that which revives my Spirits is, to hear that he is in good Health, and whereabouts he is: It will not be long (by the help of God) are we ſhall go again to find him out. In the mean while (continu'd I) I call to mind, that you have ſomewhat elſe more particular to communicate to me from him, and therefore I would entreat you to declare it to me, that I may make due Preparation, even as ſoon as it's poſſible for my intended Voyage.

Take it thus (reply'd M. Cavelier my Brother being impatient to procure the neceſſary Supplies, for the Eſtabliſhment and Maintenance of his new Colony, and to cauſe two Ports and two Havens to be built, viz. One on St. Lewis's Bay, and the other at the Mouth of the River Miſſiſſipi, the bottom and ſides of which he has very accurately obſerv'd, deputed me for this Employment, only with a Deſign that I ſhould incontinently return to France, as well to inform the Court of his laſt Settlement, and of his great Diſcoveries, as to prepare their Minds, and to induce 'em to grant what is requiſite upon ſo emergent an occaſion. For that very Reaſon he alſo ſent me to Quebec, and gave me a particular Charge to wait upon you, in order to borrow ſome Money, upon the Receipt of which I will give you an Acquittance, and my Brother will place it to Account.

After this Diſcourſe he preſented me with a Letter, which was well ſeal'd with M. de la Salle's Seal. As for the Writing, I did not examine it; and beſides, the Characters us'd by thoſe two Gentlemen, who wrote almoſt the ſame Hand, are ſo like, that 'twould be difficult to find out the difference. However, I read that Letter with extreme Delight; in which, the ſame Requeſt was contain'd, with Proteſtations of an entire Truſt, and of a moſt ſincere Friendſhip. The Joy with which I was tranſported, to hear Tidings of ſo intimate a Friend; the Candour of the Perſon who deliver'd the Letter to me; and the Devotion I had made of every thing that I poſſeſs'd, to the diſpoſal of a Perſon, to whom I thought my ſelf infinitely indebted; did not ſuffer me to take the matter into Conſideration. I immediately ask'd M. Cavelier how much Money he deſir'd? Whereupon he told me, that he believ'd his Brother had mention'd the Sum of 7000 Livers. 'Tis true indeed (ſaid I) but if you have occaſion for more, you need only demand it of me, ſince all that I have is at your Service. He thank'd me heartily, and told me, that in caſe he ſhould ſtand in need of ſomewhat more, he might procure it in France. Therefore I paid him the Sum of Money agreed upon, at that very Inſtant, and he inſiſted to give me his Receipt, according to the Order, which (as he ſaid) he had from his Brother. I readily conſented, and foraſmuch as he proteſted to me, that he determin'd to ſet out on his Journey the next day, I gave ſome Refreſhment to his Attendants, and recruited his Proviſions. We ſpent the Remainder of the Day as pleaſantly as we could, and very early the next Morning he took leave of me, departing with a Franciſcan Recolet, and a Slave, with a deſign to paſs into the Country of the Miamis.

I was alſo preparing to paſs on the River the next day, and every thing was diſpos'd for my Departure. Having ſpent the reſt of the Day, with much uneaſineſs, the next Morning I was potting my ſmall Cargo on board, when about Nine a Clock I eſpy'd coming towards me the Sieur Conſtur • , my Lieutenant, in the Country of the Akanceas, where both the Caveliers, viz. the Uncle and the Nephew refreſh'd themſelves for ſome time: Indeed at firſt I was very glad to ſee him, but in a moment after he threw me into a terrible Conſternation: I immediately erquir'd of him, where he left M. de La Salle? M. de La Salle, (ſaid he) do not you know that he is dead? The Death of M. de La Salle. How! (cry'd I) is M. de La Salle dead? 'Tis too true (reply'd he) he is certainly dead; for he was aſſaſſinated by his own Party, in the Territories ſituated between the Palaqueſſons and the Nouadiches. Hey! what d'ye ſay? (ſaid I) is it poſſible? Why! M. Cavelier his own Brother but now took Leave of me, and was ſo far from telling me any thing of this matter, that he gave me a Letter under his Hand, and did not ſeem to ſhew the leaſt mark of Grief or Concern. Sir (ſaid he) I had the Information from his own Mouth; his Tears, and thoſe of his Nephew were too evident a proof of the Truth of what they aſſerted; and I an very ſorry that I ſhould be the firſt that 〈◊〉 to bring you ſo bad News. I was extremely ſurpriz'd at this Anſwer, and quite over whelm'd with Grief, inſomuch, that for a while I was not able to ſpeak nor weep; neither did I know how to diſpoſe of my ſelf: However, ſome Moments after I roſe up, and ſpoke to this Effect; M. de La Salle my only Protector, is dead (as you ſay) and murder'd too by his Attendants! O Heavens! can this be? But may I know who are thoſe Miſcreants that durſt imbrue their Hands in the Blood of ſo excellent a Patron? They are two Ruffians (reply'd M. Couſture) nam'd Dan and Lancelot.The Authors of his Death. Ah! wicked Wretches (ſaid I) by what Motive, or rather, by what Demon were they excited to commit ſo execrable a Fact? Then I entreated him to tell me all that he knew concerning that Matter. Alaſs! Sir, (ſaid he) not to treſpaſs too long on your Patience, I ſhall proceed to give you an Account of every particular Circumſtance of his Death, as it was related to me.

M. de La Salle being recover'd of a very dangerous Diſeaſe, repair'd to his laſt Colony at Fort St. Lewis, and departed from thence, March 26. A. D. 1686. with a Deſign to viſit his old Plantations, accompany'd with about 30 Perſons; among whom were his Brother, his two Nephews, the two Lantelots Brothers, Dan, a Savage, nam'd Choonanou; two Engliſh Free-Booters; and one Hieus, a German by Nation.

On the firſt Day of their March, M. de La Salle perceiving that the younger Lancelot, being ſtill weak after his Recovery from a violent Fit of Sickneſs, was not able to follow the reſt of the Company, determin'd to ſend him back to the Bay; neither could he be prevail'd upon by any means to alter his Mind, notwithſtanding the earneſt Entreaties made by his Brother, that they might not be parted; inſomuch, that young Lancelot was at laſt oblig'd to return to the place appointed. Theſe Proceedings which appear'd to be Arbitrary, and Imperious, were hard to be digeſted by a Man of Courage. In the mean while it unfortunately happen'd, that this young Man was met on the Road by certain Savages, who cut his Throat,The younger Lancelot kill'd by the Savages. and the News was brought the ſame Day to his elder Brother, who could not reſtrain the Exceſs of his Grief. He immediately laid the Blame on M. de La Salle, and from that very moment, being tranſported with Rage and Paſſion, he ſwore his Deſtruction. After having given himſelf up for ſome time to Complaints and Lamentations, he ſuddenly ſtifled his Indignation, deſigning to • et it break forth again with greater Vehemency upon ſome favourable Opportunity. Therefore he follow'd the reſt of he Company; but after Two Months march, their Proviſions failing, between the Territories of the Palaqueſſons and the Noadiches; Dan and Lantelot made an Agreement to go a hunting in the Woods, and ſollicited the Sieur de Moranget, to accompany 'em. The unfortunate Gentleman, without miſtruſting any thing, condeſcended by way of Complaiſance, to grant their Requeſt. But the two Ruffians, who being excited as well by Envy, upon Account of his ſingular Merits, as by the implacable Hatred that they bore his Uncle, had long ago form'd a Deſign upon his Life; having now inſenſibly drawn him aſide, reek'd their Malice upon him, to which purpoſe they gave him a blow on the Head with a Hatchet, of which he died two Hours after, De Moranget knockt on the Head with a Hatchet. like a good Chriſtian, heartily forgiving his Enemies; of whoſe Revenge this was the firſt Effort.

The Day being ended, and M. de La Salle not ſeeing his Nephew return, nor his Companions, ſpent the Night in a ſtrange Perplexity: The next day he went himſelf to the Place, where he judg'd that they might have been, and was ſoon follw'd by Father Anaſtaſius, his Brother and his Lacquey, neither was much time ſpent, ere he ſound the Perſon whom he ſought for. For being arriv'd in a Meadow, ſituated on the ſide of the River Miſſiſſipi, he eſpy'd Lantelot's Footman thro the Graſs, which was very high, and inſtantly ask'd him what was become of De Moranget his Nephew? The Villain impudently anſwer'd that he might go look him on the Bank; and indeed the Body of that unfortunate young Gentleman lay extended there, and two Vulturs were fluttering over it, to get their Prey. In the mean while thoſe two perfidious Wretches lay hid in the Graſs, with their Fuſees ready cockt; and as M. de la Salle was drawing near the Footman, to chaſtiſe him, he was ſhot in the Head with three Balls, which Lantelot had diſcharg'd againſt him; whereupon he fell to the Ground with his Face all over bloody. Father Anaſtuſius and his Brother having heard the Report of the Gun, immediately ran to him, and found him dying, but not as yet altogether deſtitute of Senſe and Knowledge. Neither did their Grief hinder 'em from aſſiſting him at his laſt Gaſp, at leaſt with reſpect to the Salvation of his Soul: For he had Time and Strength ſufficient to make his Confeſſion, and to offer up himſelf to God, as it were a ſolemn Sacrifice. This was the laſt Effect of their Rage, and the Tragical end of our Illuſtrious Hero, and of your good Friend.

Theſe laſt Words ſtruck me to the very Heart,M. de la Salle's Death much lamented inſomuch, that I had no Strength left to complain: I continu'd dumb and unmoveable for ſome time; but at laſt the violence of my Grief, cauſing me to come out of my Conſternation by the means of a ſuddain Flood of Tears: 'O Heavens! (ſaid I) ſhall I never ſee M. de la Salle again? Alaſs! what Hope, what Help is there now left me? What will become of all thoſe blooming Families, of which he was the common Father, the main Support, and the only Conſolation? What a deſperate Condition are they in? How many brave Undertakings are now ſpoil'd, and how many Perſons are ruin'd by the Loſs of one ſingle Man? Alaſs! is it poſſible that a Perſon ſo venerable for his Virtue; and ſo uſeful to France, upon Account of his great Diſcoveries; or that a Man ſo univerſally reſpected, and beloved even by the moſt barbarous People, ſhould be maſſacred by his own Followers? Is there any Puniſhment ſevere enough for theſe Murderers; I ſay, for thoſe wretched C •• itifs? But where ſhall we find 'em? Oh! that I could diſcover 'em, and bring 'em to condign Puniſhment. Their Buſineſs is already done (then ſaid Conture) thoſe Villains are already puniſh'd, if their Death may be thought ſufficient to expiate their Guilt. After what manner (ſaid I) did the Earth open to ſwallow 'em up; or did Heaven ſtrike 'em dead with Thunder? No, Sir, (reply'd he) their Comerades did 'em Juſtice. Theſe profligate Wretches, after they had perpetrated that horrid Fact, determin'd in like manner to deſtroy all the reſt, that they might not leave any Witneſſes of their Crime; but the two Engliſh Men ſeigning to eſpouſe their Intereſt, and to juſtifie their wicked Action, obtain'd a Pardon for the Brother, and the Nephew that ſurviv'd their Kinſman, with Leave to bury the two dead Bodies.

Whilſt theſe two afflicted Relations, and the good Monk were employ'd in performing their laſt Devoirs to the Deceaſed, thoſe perfidious Villains ran to ſeize on the reſt of M. de La Salle's Effects; the whole Cargo conſiſting in Ten Horſes, ſome pieces of Linnen-Cloth and Merchandizes, to the value of about 2000 Crowns. As ſoon as they had taken Poſſeſſion of all the Goods, the reſt of the Company was oblig'd to make a Vertue of Neceſſity, and to joyn with 'em. The Brother and the Nephew, who had redeem'd their Life by ſilence, and by a voluntary Reſignation of every thing, were likewiſe forc'd to follow the Torrent. Afterwards they arriv'd at the Village of the Nouadiches, among whom dwelt certain French Men, who had deſerted M. de La Salle in his Life-time. Theſe People perceiving the Arrival of this new Company, very well arm'd, and moderately accoutred, were no leſs overjoy'd to ſee 'em, than the French were, entertain'd 'em very honourably; and at the firſt Salute invited 'em to be their Companions in their Expedition againſt the Quoanantino's. It being requiſite to ſuit themſelves to the Time; and to comply with the preſent Exigency of Affairs, they all enter'd into that Aſſociation, except the two Caveliers, and the Father Recolet.

In the mean while Lantelot and Dan, who ſet up for Commanders in chief of the Company, took up their Lodging apart; abſolutely diſpos'd of all the Effects of M. de La Salle, at their Pleaſure; diverted themſelves at his Coſt; and made good Cheer. But the departure of the Savages was daily expected. The Engliſh Man and the German, that had no ſhare in the Spoils of the Deceaſed, and who nevertheleſs ſtood in great need of neceſſary Accoutrements, went well arm'd to meet their pretended commanders in their Tent, and entreated 'em to take Care that they might be ſupply'd with ſome Linnen for their new Expedition. Lantelot treated 'em rudely; the Engliſh Man re-iterated his Demands; and the former made him a ſecond Denial, with much more Refractorineſs than before. Lantelot and Dan aſſaſſinated by an Engliſh Man and a German Whereupon the Engliſh Man upbraiding him, ſaid, Thou art a vile Traytor; thou hast kill'd thy Maſter and mine; and at that very Inſtant, drawing a Piſtol from his Girdle, he ſhot three Balls into his Reins, and laid him ſprawling on the Ground. Dan immediately ran to his Fuſee, but the German ſoon ſtopt his Career, broke his Head, and kill'd him outright. Some of the Company hearing the Noiſe, ran towards 'em forthwith, and Father Anaſtaſius found one ſtone-dead, and the other dying: He confeſs'd Lantelot, who was M. de La Salle's Murderer, and had ſcarce given him Abſolution, when a certain French Man burnt his Hair with a Piſtol-Shot, without Ball; inſomuch, that the Fire inſtantly taking hold of his Shirt, which was very greaſie, the miſerable Wretch expir'd amidſt the Elames. Thus thove wicked Murderers periſh'd according to their Deſerts, whoſe Crime was of too deep a Dye, to remain long unpuniſh'd, and 'tis not to be doubted that thoſe who ſhall read this Narrative, will conceive a juſt Indignation againſt the like bloody Aſſaſſins.

Afterwards the Engliſh Man and the German made themſelves Maſters of their Spoils, and offer'd 'em all to the diſcretion of the two M. Caveliers, who only took as much as was neceſſary for their Journey; and having left 'em the reſt, came to me in the Country of the Akanceas. They were the Uncle and the Nephew, accompany'd with M. de la Marne, and M. Jouſtel, and a Chaouanou savage, and I had all that I have related from their own Mouth: I was alſo an Eye witneſs of their Lamentations and Tears; they reſted Two Days in your Houſe, and on the third following they ſet out for the Iſlinois. Thus, Sir, I have given you a particular Account of what you deſir'd, according to the beſt of my Knowledge.

I only convers'd (ſaid I then) with the Uncle and the Father Recolet, but as for the Nephew, M. Jouſtel and the Chaouanou, I had no ſight of 'em. As for M. de la Marne, I remember that M. Cavelier told me, that he was drown'd; nevertheleſs, I cannot recover my ſelf from my Surprize, when I reflect on the Conſtancy and Tranquillity of Mind, with which he related to me the particular Circumſtances of his whole Voyage, and all his Adventures. 'Tis a common Saying, that deep Sorrow is dumb, and I dare not call in queſtion the Sincerity of his; but I am certain, that he has made no Scruple to croſs the Proverb. He had ſome occaſion to uſe Diſſimulation (reply'd Couſture) He was willing ſomewhat to allay his Grief, by the telling of long Stories; and beſides, he had ſome By-ends, and ſome particular Reaſons for ſuch a Deportment at that time.

I very well comprehend your meaning (ſaid I) he was deſirous to borrow Money of me, and he was afraid, leſt I ſhould refuſe to lend him any, if he inform'd me of his Brother's Death. But alaſs! I was too much indebted to his Name and Family, to deny him any thing. Would to God I had nothing left in the World, and had not loſt my honoured Protector, my dear Patron, and my moſt faithful Friend! But alaſs! all our Lamentations are to no purpoſe; and ſince we cannot repair ſo great a Loſs, let us at leaſt arm our ſelves with Patience; let us alſo endeavour to bring to Perfection what he has ſo happily begun.

At that very inſtant I encourag'd my ſelf in my Reſolution to make another Voyage, with a Deſign not only to carry Relief to thoſe poor French Men, who were abandon'd on the Sea-ſhoar, but alſo to undertake ſome new Enterprize, that might afford me ſome Conſolation for the Loſs I had ſuſtain'd. To that purpoſe I made Preparations for a new Deſcent to the Seas, and to viſit all thoſe Nations that were lately diſcover'd by M. de La Salle, and mention'd to me by his Brother.

In the mean while I receiv'd a Letter from the Marquis D'Enonville, our Governour; the Purport of which was to inform me, That we were engag'd in a War againſt the Spaniards, War with the Spaniards. and by which he gave me free Liberty to make what Attempts I could upon 'em. This Letter, in Conjunction with what M. Cavelier had told me concerning thoſe Nations, who were ready to make War with 'em, animated me ſo much the more to haſten my Journey. Therefore I ſet out Decemb. 3. A. D. 1687. accompany'd with five French Men, four Chaouanous, and ſome other Savages, and left my Couſin De Liette, Commander of Fort St. Lewis. My firſt Journey ended in the Village of the Iſlinois, and I found 'em lately come back from an Expedition againſt divers Neighbouring People, from whom they carry'd away 130 Priſoners.

From thence I paſs'd to the Cappa's, who gave me very good Entertainment, and ſome time after the Toginga's and Torimans receiv'd me with the like Demonſtration of Friendſhip and Reſpect. Then the Courſe of my Journey brought me to the Oſſotoues, where I built an Houſe for the Convenience of Traffick. There I ſpent five or ſix Days, during which, I made new Purchaces, and encreas'd my Store of Proviſions. I departed from my Houſe in the Month of February, 1688. and after ſome Days travelling I got up again to the great Village of Taenſas. As we were purſuing that Journey, one of my Chaouanous being attack'd by three Chachouma's, kill'd one of them, and himſelf receiv'd a ſlight Wound on the Pap, with the glancing of an Arrow. But a far greater Diſaſter befel us during that Journey. For two French Men of my Company ſtragling in the Woods to hunt, were aſſaulted by a Party of Naches, and unfortunately kill'd. We were ſo much the more ſenſible of this Indignity, in regard that 'twas impoſſible for us to revenge it, not being able to come up with thoſe Savages.

A quarrel between the Taenſa's and the Nachitoches about Salt.Upon our Arrival among the Taenſas, the principal Elders of that Nation inform'd me of the Conteſt they had with the Nachitoches, about Salt, of which, the latter would not ſuffer 'em to have any ſhare, and entreated me to be Mediatour for the making up of their Differences. I readily accepted of the Office; ſo that Thirty Taenſas having joyn'd our Company, we arriv'd after Eight Days march, at the Village of the Nachitoches. This Nation conſtitutes only one State with two others, viz. the Ouaſita's and the Capichis. The chief Commanders of theſe three ſorts of People being met together, they cauſed me to ſit down in the middle of 'em; but the Thirty Taenſa's, before they took their place, deſir'd Leave to go to the Temple, to implore the Aſſiſtance of their God, for the obtaining a firm Peace. (Here 'tis obſervable by the way, that the Sun is the Deity which is moſt commonly ador'd among all thoſe People.) Therefore theſe Taenſa's were actually conducted to the Temple; and after having ſaid their Prayers, were brought back to the Aſſembly, where they call'd their God to witneſs the Sincerity of their Intentions, as to the matter of Peace; made their Preſents to the three ſeveral Nations; and nominated me for Guarantee of their Treaty. Whereupon I promoted their Intereſt as far as it lay in my Power, making the beſt of their Claim, and at laſt brought Matters to a good Accommodation; inſomuch, that the Nachitoches promis'd to ſupply 'em with Salt, in exchange for their Skins and Grains. Upon the breaking up of the Convention, they took a reciprocal Oath to maintain Peace and an Amicable Correſpondence one with another, and danc'd the Calumet, according to the uſual Cuſtom of the Americans. Afterwards I took my leave of both thoſe Nations.

The Nachitoches provided Five Guides to conduct me to the Village of the Yataches, and to go thither; I was oblig'd to paſs on the River Onoroyſte, about 30 Leagues. During our Courſe we found fifteen Cottages of the Naches, and took up our Lodging amongſt 'em that Night, continually ſtanding upon our Guard. The next day, having met with Twelve of 'em apart, we did not ſpare 'em, but reveng'd the Death of our French Men, whom they had barbarouſly aſſaſſinated. After having travell'd for ſome Days, we arriv'd in the Territories of the Yataches, who are united to two other Nations, that make three Villages together, viz. the Yataches, the Onodo's, and the Choyo's. As ſoon as they had notice of our Arrival, they came three Leagues to meet us, and brought us good Proviſions for our Refreſhment. Afterwards we went out of the Champion Country to their Village, and the chief Elders entertain'd us at ſeveral Feaſts. Then I made 'em ſome Preſents, and deſir'd that I might have Guides to conduct me to the Quodadiquio's. They made a great deal of difficulty to grant me any, by reaſon that three Days ago they maſſacred three of their Ambaſſadors; nevertheleſs, by the means of Entreaties and Proteſtations to defend 'em, they were at laſt prevail'd upon to furniſh us with five.

When we drew near the three Villages, we diſcern'd the Tracts of Horſes and Men on the Road, and indeed in the Morning divers Horſemen appear'd, and offer'd to convey us thither. I was attended with 20 Fuſileers, well arm'd, and ſo in a Condition to keep thoſe Savages in awe. I had no ſooner enter'd the Village, but a certain Woman, who held the firſt Rank in that Country,A remarkable Adventure. made an Addreſs to me, and importun'd me to revenge her Husband's Death, who was kill'd by the Yataches. A little while after another Woman came to me, to make the ſame Complaint, and they apparently were the Wives of thoſe Ambaſſadors, whom the Yataches had aſſaſſinated not long before. All the People ſeem'd to be concern'd at their Death; and foraſmuch as they were very ſollicitous about that Affair, I made a Promiſe both to the Widows, and to the People, to take Vengeance for the Murder of their Husbands and Ambaſſadors. Then they conducted me to their Temple, waſh'd my Face with Water, before they permitted me to enter; and after having pray'd to God for the ſpace of one quarter of an Hour, they led me back into the Cottage of one of thoſe Women, where I was magnificently entertain'd. There I was inform'd, that the Seven French Men, who were ſeparated from Cavelier, after the Death of M. de la Salle, were ſtill living among the Nouadiches. I was extremely delighted with this piece of News, and hop'd to put an end to my Evils, if I could once find means to meet 'em again. Therefore having paſs'd the reſt of the Day among the Quadodiqui's, I entreated 'em to furniſh me with Guides, and aſſur'd 'em, That at my Return I would either oblige the Yataches to give 'em Satisfaction, or I would require Blood for Blood at their Hands.

People united together.The Quodadiquio's are united to two other Nations, viz. the Napgitoche's and the Naſſonis, whoſe Territories are ſituated on the red River. Theſe three Nations ſpeak the ſame Language, yet their Aſſemblies are not conven'd by Villages, but by Habitations, very remote one from another. Their Countries are very fine, affording abundance of Game, and variety of Fiſh; but there are very few Oxen. Theſe People maintain cruel Wars againſt their Neighbours; inſomuch, that their Villages are not very populous. They all have very ſine Horſes, which they call Cavallio's. The Men and Women have their Faces prick'd, and even all the other Parts of their Bodies: And indeed the Fantaſtical Humours of Men is altogether unaccountable, ſince that which in look'd upon as Deformity in one Country, paſſes for Beauty in another. Their River is call'd the Red, becauſe it actually throws up abundance of Sand,The Red River. which renders it as red as Blood.

I ſet out from thence April 6. A. D. 1690. with two Slaves, who were my Guides, for the Country of the Nouadiches. As we were travelling on the Road, we met with certain Savages of that Nation a hunting, who aſſur'd us, that they had left our French Men at home, which was very joyful News to me, but at the ſame time I had the Misfortune to loſe a young French Man of my Retinue: He found means to return three Days after, but without his Snap-ſack, where I had put the beſt part of my Proviſions, which created me a great deal of trouble. However, not thinking fit to take any notice of his Neglect, we took up our Quarters that Night within half a League of the Village of the Nouadiches, where the principal Elders came forth to meet us. I inſtantly enquir'd of 'em after our French Men, and they anſwer'd, that they were in good Health; but foraſmuch as they were not to be ſeen, I could promiſe my ſelf no Good by it. The next day, being arriv'd at their Village, and none of 'em appearing, my Suſpicion was ſtill increas'd. The chief Governors of the Nation did not fail to offer me the Calumet; but I refus'd to accept of any thing at their Hands, till they had produc'd the French Men. When they perceiv'd that I perſiſted in my Reſolution, they confeſs'd that our French Men having accompany'd 'em in the War againſt the Spaniards, were ſurrounded by the Horſe; that three of 'em were kill'd; and that the other four retiring to the Quoanantino's, they never heard any Tidings of 'em ſince that time. I reply'd, That certainly they themſelves had murder'd 'em; they deny'd it ſtiffly, and foraſmuch as I inceſſantly accus'd 'em, their Wives fell a weeping, and made me underſtand by their Tears, that the Information concerning their Death was too true.

The Nouadiches us'd their utmoſt Efforts to clear themſelves, and offer'd me the Calumet a ſecond time; I told 'em that I would not accept of it, till I were thoroughly convinc'd of their Innocence as to that Point, and that nevertheleſs if I could be ſerviceable to 'em in any thing, they ſhould find my Fidelity inviolable. The chief Commander anſwer'd my kind Expreſſions, with a Preſent of Ten ſine Horſes, well harneſs'd, and I gave him ſeven Hatchets, with a Set of Glaſſes.

We left their Country May 29. and advanc'd within a Days Journey of the Palaqueſſons, where we were inform'd that the laſt Colony eſtabliſh'd by M. de la Salle, on the Coaſt of the Gulph of Mexico, not having been able to maintain it ſelf in a perfect Union, was quite diſpers'd; that ſome were intermixed with the Savages, and that others found Means to get to the French Plantations in other Places. Therefore not judging it expedient to ſeek for 'em where they were no longer to be found, I took a Reſolution to return the ſame way I came. In the mean while I endeavour'd to paſs to the Village of Coroas, but a prodigious Inundation happening, by reaſon of the extraordinary Rains, which continu'd for Three Days ſucceſſively, we were involv'd in the greateſt Streight imaginable: For the Water every where roſe up to the middle Leg at leaſt; inſomuch, that we were forc'd to ſleep, and to make Fires on thick Trees, and we thought our ſelves happy, in being then provided with Caſſave, Beef and Veniſon: We continu'd three or four Days in this forlorn Condition, but as good Luck would have it, we diſcover'd a ſmall Iſland, which the Waters had not as yet overflow'd, and we retir'd thither for a Day and a Night: Our Horſes were ſomewhat recruited there, and the Ground being ſuddenly dry'd by the exceſſive Heat of the Seaſon, and of the Climate, we got up in a Days Journey to the Village of Coroas. Coroas, a Savage People. I cannot ſufficiently expreſs the noble Entertainment we met with among thoſe People, who employ'd ſeveral Perſons every day in fiſhing and hunting, on purpoſe to treat us, and ſupply'd us with abundance of Pullets, Geeſe, Pigeons and Turkeys. But that which redoubled my Joy is, that two of thoſe French Men, whom I ſought for among the Nouadiches, were luckily found here; and that I had so favourable an Opportunity to re-unite 'em to my Company.

I took my leave of the Coroas, July 20th. and arriv'd on the 31th. in the Territories of the Akancea's, where I was ſeiz'd with a Fever, which oblig'd me to ſtay there till Auguſt 15. After I had a little recover'd my Strength, I ſet forward again in my Journey to the Country of the Iſlinois, and arriv'd there in the Month of September. Thus the Treaty of Peace concluded between the Taenſa's and the Nachitoches; the pleaſure of being moſt kindly entertain'd by all the Savage People; and the Satisfaction of bringing back two French Men, whom I had given over for loſt; were the Fruits of my laſt Voyage.

By this Relation one may take an eſtimate of the Riches and Beauty of all thoſe Countries, inhabited by ſo many People, that are all in a manner already brought under Subjection, and who have a perfect Idea of the Grandeur of our Monarch. It cannot be conceiv'd how much that Continent abounds, as well in all ſorts of Grain and Fruit, as in variety of Cattel. 'Tis ſurrounded on all ſides with great Seas, the Shoars of which are very deep, and ſeem to preſent us with natural Ports; inſomuch, that three or four Havens on the Gulph of Mexico would undoubtedly ſecure for us the Poſſeſſion of thoſe Territories. The French are generally ſo well belov'd, that to make themſelves Maſters of 'em, they have nothing to do but to ſettle there incontinently, and to plant their Colonies. What is wanting, may be tranſported thither by our Veſſels; as in like manner, what is wanting in our Country, may be brought us from thence. For from thoſe Parts we have our principal Stores of Skins; we might alſo get Silks, Timber for Ships, and divers other Commodities. If there be a ſcarcity of Corn and Wine, 'tis leſs occaſion'd by the defect of the Soil, than for want of the Improvement of Husbandry. Laſtly, to procure all the Treaſures of Nature, 'tis only requiſite to beſtow ſome Pains in ſeeking for 'em, and to improve 'em when found. Such is the State of Affairs in that Country: God grant that a happy and laſting Peace may ſoon put us in Poſſeſſion, and ſecure us in the Enjoyment of theſe Advantages.

FINIS.