near the Bar, and to come in at high Water, of which a Signal should
be given him; he also order’d the Pilot of the Bark _la Belle_ to go
aboard the Flyboat, to be assisting when it came in. The Captain would
not receive him aboard, saying, he could carry in his Ship without his
Help. All these Precautions prov’d of no Use; Monsieur _de la Sale_
could not avert his ill Fate. He having taken Notice of a large Tree on
the Bank of the River, which he judg’d fit to make a Canoe, sent 7 or
8 Workmen to hew it down, two of whom return’d some Time after, in a
great Fright, and told him, they had narrowly escap’d being taken by a
Company of Savages, and that they believ’d the others had fallen into
their Hands. Monsieur _de la Sale_ order’d us immediately to handle our
Arms, and to march with Drums beating towards the Savages, who seeing
us in that Posture, fac’d about and went off.
Monsieur _de la Sale_ being desirous to join those Savages, to
endeavour to get some Information from them, order’d Ten of us to lay
down our Arms and draw near them, making Signs to them, at the same
Time, to come to us.
[Sidenote: _Their Friendly Behaviour._]
When they saw us in that Posture and unarm’d, most of them also laid
down their Bows and Arrows and came to meet us, caressing us after
their Manner, and stroking first their own Breasts and then ours, then
their own Arms and afterwards ours. By these Signs they gave us to
understand that they had a Friendship for us, which they express’d by
laying their Hands on their Hearts, and we did the same on our Part.
Six or seven of those Savages went along with us, and the rest kept
three of our Men, in the Nature of Hostages. Those who went with us
were made much of, but Monsieur _de la Sale_ could learn nothing of
them, either by Signs or otherwise; all they could make us understand
was, that there was good hunting of Bullocks in the Country. We
observ’d, that their _Yea_ consisted in a Cry, fetch’d from the Bottom
of the Throat, not unlike the Call of a Hen to gather her Chickens.
Monsieur _de la Sale_ gave them some Knives, Hatchets and other
Trifles, with which they seem’d well pleased, and went away.
Monsieur _de la Sale_ was glad to be rid of those People, because he
was willing to be present when the Flyboat came in; but his ill Fate
would not permit it. He thought fit to go himself along with those
Savages, and we follow’d him, thinking to have found our Men in the
same Place where we left them; but perceiv’d on the Contrary, that the
Savages had carried them away to their Camp, which was a League and
half from us, and Monsieur _de la Sablonniere_. Lieutenant of Foot,
being one of those the Savages had taken with them. Monsieur _de la
Sale_ resolved to go himself to fetch him away, an unhappy Thought
which cost him dear.
[Sidenote: _Their Camp._]
As we were on our Way towards the Camp of the Savages, happening to
look towards the Sea, we saw the Flyboat _l’ Aimable_ under Sail,
which the Savages who were with us admir’d, and Monsieur _de la Sale_
observing it narrowly, told us, those People steer’d wrong, and were
standing towards the Shoals, which made him very uneasy, but still we
advanc’d. We arriv’d at the Camp of the Savages, which stood upon an
Eminence, and consisted of about Fifty Cottages made of rush Mats, and
others of dry’d Skins, and built with long Poles, bow’d round at the
Top, like great Ovens, and most of the Savages sitting about, as if
they were upon the Watch.
We were still advancing into the Village, when he heard a Cannon Shot,
the Noise whereof struck such a Dread among the Savages, that they all
fell flat upon the Ground; but Monsieur _de la Sale_ and we were too
sensible it was a Signal that our Ship was aground, which was confirm’d
by seeing them furl their Sails; However we were gone too far to
return; our Men must be had, and to that Purpose, we must proceed to
the Hut of the Commander in Chief.[57]
As soon as we arrived there, Monsr. _de la Sale_ was introduc’d; many
of the _Indian_ Women came in, they were very deform’d[58] and all
naked, excepting a Skin girt about them, which hung down to their
Knees. They would have led us to their Cottages, but Monsr. _de la
Sale_ had order’d us not to part, and to observe whether the _Indians_
did not draw together, so that we kept together, standing upon our
Guard, and I was always with him.
[Sidenote: _Their Entertainment._]
They brought us some Pieces of Beef, both fresh and dry’d in the Air
and Smoke, and Pieces of Porpois, which they cut with a Sort of Knife,
made of Stone, setting one Foot upon it, and holding with one Hand,
whilst they cut with the other. We saw nothing of Iron among them.
They had given our Men, that came with them, to eat, and Monsr. _de la
Sale_ being extraordinary uneasy, we soon took Leave of them to return.
At our going out, we observ’d about forty Canoes, some of them like
those Monsr. _de la Sale_ had seen on the _Missisipi_, which made him
conclude he was not far from it.
[Sidenote: L’ Aimable _cast away_.]
We soon arrived at our Camp, and found the Misfortune, Monsr. _de la
Sale_ had apprehended, was but too certain. The Ship was stranded on
the Shoals. The ill Management of the Captain, or of the Pilot, who
had not steer’d by the Stakes placed for that Purpose; the Cries of a
Sailor posted on the Main-top, who cry’d amain, _Loof_, which was to
steer towards the Passage marked out, whilst the wicked Captain cry’d,
_Come no nearer_, which was to steer the contrary Course; the same
Captain’s Carelesness in not dropping his Anchor, as soon as the Ship
touch’d, which would have prevented her sticking aground; the Folly of
lowering his Main-Sheet and hoisting out his Sprit-Sail, the better to
fall into the Wind, and secure the Shipwreck; the Captain’s refusing
to admit the Pilot of the Bark _la Belle_, whom Monsieur _de la Sale_
had sent to assist him; the sounding upon the Shoals to no Purpose,
and several other Circumstances reported by the Ship’s Crew and those
who saw the Management, were infallible Tokens and Proofs, that the
Mischief had been done designedly and adviseably, which was one of the
blackest and most detestable Actions that Man could be guilty of.
This Misfortune was so much the greater, because that Vessel contain’d
almost all the Ammunition, Utensils, Tools and other Necessaries for
Monsr. _de la Sale’s_ Enterprize and Settlement. He had need of all
his Resolution to bear up against it; but his Intrepidity did not
forsake him, and he apply’d himself, without grieving, to Remedy what
might be. All the Men were taken out of the Ship; he desir’d Monsieur
_de Beaujeu_ to lend him his long Boat, to help save as much as might
be. We began with Powder and Meal. About thirty Hogsheads of Wine and
Brandy were saved, and Fortune being incens’d against us, two Things
contributed to the total Loss of all the rest:
The first was, that our Boat, which hung at the Stern of the Ship run
A-ground, was maliciously stav’d in the Night, so that we had none left
but Monsieur _de Beaujeu’s_. The second, that the Wind blowing in from
the Offing, made the Waves run high, which beating violently against
the Ship, split her, and all the light Goods were carry’d out at the
opening, by the Water. This last Misfortune happen’d also in the Night.
Thus every Thing fell out most unhappily, for had that befallen in the
Day, Abundance of Things might have been saved.
Whilst we were upon this melancholy Employment, about an hundred, or an
hundred and twenty of the Natives came to our Camp, with their Bows and
Arrows. Monsieur _de la Sale_ order’d us to handle our Arms, and stand
upon our Guard. About twenty of those _Indians_ mix’d themselves among
us, to observe what we had saved of the Shipwreck, upon which, there
were several Sentinels,[59] to let none come near the Powder.
The rest of the _Indians_ stood in Parcels, or Pelotons. Monsr. _de la
Sale_, who was acquainted with their Ways, order’d us to observe their
Behaviour, and to take Nothing from them, which nevertheless did not
hinder some of our Men from receiving some Pieces of Meat. Some Time
after, when the _Indians_ were about departing, they made Signs to
us to go a Hunting with them; but besides that, there was sufficient
Cause to suspect them, we had enough other Business to do. However we
ask’d, whether they would barter for any of their Canoes, which they
agreed to. The Sieur _Barbier_ went along with them, purchas’d two for
Hatchets and brought them.
Some Days after, we perceiv’d a Fire in the Country, which spread it
self and burnt the dry Weeds, still drawing towards us; whereupon,
Monsr. _de la Sale_ made all the Weeds and Herbs that were about us, be
pull’d up, and particularly all about the Place where the Powder was.
Being desirous to know the Occasion of that Fire, he took about twenty
of us along with him, and we march’d that Way, and even beyond the
Fire, without seeing any Body. We perceiv’d that it run towards the _W.
S. W._ and judg’d it had begun about our first Camp, and at the Village
next the Fire.[60]
[Sidenote: _Odd Salutation._]
Having spy’d a Cottage near the Bank of a Lake, we drew towards it,
and found an old Woman in it, who fled as soon as she saw us; but
having overtaken and given her to understand, that we would do her no
Harm, she return’d to her Cottage, where we found some Pitchers of
Water, of which we all drank. Some Time after we saw a Canoe coming,
in which were two Women and a Boy, who being landed, and perceiving
we had done the old Woman no Harm, came and imbraced us in a very
particular Manner, blowing upon our Ears and making Signs to give us to
understand, that their People were a hunting.
A few Minutes after, seven or eight of the _Indians_ appeared, who, it
is likely, had hid themselves among the Weeds when they saw us coming.
Being come up they saluted us, after the same Manner, as the Women had
done, which made us laugh. We staid there some Time with them. Some of
our Men barter’d Knives for Goats Skins, after which we return’d to
our Camp; Being come thither, Monsieur _de la Sale_ made me go aboard
the Bark _la Belle_, where he had imbark’d Part of the Powder, with
positive Orders not to carry, or permit any Fire to be made there,
having sufficient Cause to fear every thing, after what had hapned. For
this Reason they carry’d me and all that were with me, our Meat every
Day.
During this time it was that _l’ Aimable_ opening in the Night, the
next Morning we saw all the light Things that were come out of it
floating about, and Monsieur _de la Sale_ sent Men every Way, who
gather’d up about 30 Casks of Wine and Brandy, and some of Flesh, Meal
and Grain.
When we had gather’d all, as well what had been taken out of the
Ship-wreck’d Vessel as what could be pick’d up in the Sea, the next
Thing was to regulate the Provisions we had left proportionably to
the Number of Men we were; and there being no more Bisket, Meal was
deliver’d out, and with it we made Hasty Pudding with Water, which was
none of the best; some large Beans and _India_ Corn, part of which had
taken wet; and every thing was distributed very discreetly. We were
much incommoded for want of Kettles, but Monsieur _de Beaujeu_ gave
Monsieur _de la Sale_ one, and he order’d another to be brought from
the Bark _la Belle_, by which means we were well serv’d.
We were still in want of Canoes. Monsieur _de la Sale_ sent to the
Camp of the _Indians_ to barter for some, and they who went thither
observ’d, that those People had made their Advantage of our Ship-wreck,
and had some Bales of _Normandy_ Blankets, and they saw several Women
had cut them in two and made Petticoats of them. They also saw Bits of
Iron of the Ship that was cast away, and return’d immediately to make
their Report to Monsieur _de la Sale_, who said we must endeavour to
get some Canoes in Exchange, and resolv’d to send thither again the
next Day. Monsieur _du Hamel_, Ensign to Monsr. _de Beaujeu_, offer’d
to go up in his Boat, which Monsieur _de la Sale_ agreed to, and
order’d Messieurs _Moranget_, his Nephew, _Desloges_, _Oris_, _Gayen_,
and some others to bear him Company.
[Sidenote: _Indiscretion of an Ensign._]
No sooner were those Gentlemen, who were more Hot than Wise, landed,
but they went up to the Camp of the _Indians_, with their Arms in their
Hands, as if they had intended to force them, whereupon several of
those People fled. Going into the Cottages, they found others, to whom
Monsieur _du Hamel_ endeavor’d to signify by Signs, that he would have
the Blankets they had found restor’d; but the Misfortune was, that none
of them understood one another. The _Indians_ thought it their best Way
to withdraw, leaving behind them some Blankets and Skins of Beasts,
which those Gentlemen took away, and finding some Canoes in their
Return they seiz’d two, and got in, to bring them away.
[Sidenote: _March 1685_]
But having no Oars, none of them knowing how to manage those Canoes,
and having only some pitiful Poles, which they could not tell the right
Use of, and the Wind being also against them, they made little Way;
which the Sieur _du Hamel_, who was in his Boat perceiving, and that
Night drew on, he made the best of his Way, forsook them and return’d
to the Camp.
[Sidenote: _The_ Indians _take Revenge_.]
Thus Night came upon them, which oblig’d those unexperienc’d Canoe Men,
being thoroughly tir’d, to go ashore to take some Rest, and the Weather
being cold, they lighted a Fire, about which they laid them down and
fell asleep; the Sentinel they had appointed doing the same. The
_Indians_ returning to their Camp, and perceiving our Men: had carry’d
away two Canoes, some Skins and Blankets, took it for a Declaration
of a War, resolv’d to be reveng’d, and discovering an unusual Fire,
presently concluded that our men had halted there. A considerable
Number of them repair’d to the Place, without making the least Noise,
found our careless People fast asleep, wrap’d up in their Blankets, and
shot a full Volley of their Arrows upon them all together on a Sudden,
having first given their usual Shout before they fall on.
[Sidenote: _Sieurs_ Oris _and_ Desloges _kill’d._]
The Sieur _Moranget_ awaking with the Noise, and finding himself
wounded, started up and fir’d his Piece successfully enough, some
others did the like, whereupon the Natives fled. The Sieur _Moranget_
came to give us the Alarm, though he was shot through one of his Arms,
below the Shoulder, and had another slanting Wound on the Breast.
Monsieur _de la Sale_ immediately sent some arm’d Men to the Place, who
could not find the _Indians_, but when Day appear’d, they found the
Sieurs _Oris_ and _Desloges_ dead upon the Spot, the Sieur _Gayen_ much
hurt, and the rest all safe and sound.
This Disaster, which happen’d the Night of the 5th of _March_, very
much afflicted Monsieur _de la Sale_; but he chiefly lamented Monsieur
_Desloges_ a sprightly Youth, who serv’d well; but in short, it was
their own Fault, and contrary to the Charge given them, which was to
be watchful and upon their Guard. We were under Apprehensions for
Messieurs _Moranget_ and _Gayen_, lest the Arrows should be poison’d.
It afterwards appear’d they were not, however Monsieur _Moranget’s_
Cure prov’d difficult, because some small Vessel was cut.
The Consequences of this Misfortune, together with the Concern, most of
the best Persons who had follow’d Monsieur _de la Sale_ were under,[61]
supported the Design of those who were for returning to _France_ and
forsaking him, of which Number were Monsieur _Dainmaville_, a Priest
of the Seminary of St. _Sulpice_, the Sieur _Minet_, Engineer and
some others. The common Discourses of Monsieur _de la Sale’s_ Enemies
tending to discredit his Conduct, and to represent the pretended
Rashness of his Enterprize, contributed considerably towards the
Desertion; but his Resolution prevailing, he heard and waited all
Events with Patience, and always gave his Orders, without appearing the
least discompos’d.
He caus’d the Dead to be brought to our Camp, and bury’d them
Honourably, the Cannon supplying the Want of Bells, and then consider’d
of making some safer Settlement. He caus’d all that had been sav’d
from the Shipwreck, to be brought together into one Place, threw up
Intrenchments about it, to secure his Effects, and perceiving that the
Water of the River, where we were, roul’d down violently into the Sea,
he fancy’d that might be one of the Branches of the _Missisipi_, and
propos’d to go up it, to see whether he could find any Tokens of it, or
of the Marks he had left, when he went down by Land to the Mouth of it.
[Sidenote: _Debates between the Commanders._]
In the mean Time, Monsieur _de Beaujeu_ was preparing to depart: The
Chevalier _de Aire_ had many Conferences with Monsieur _de la Sale_
about several things, the latter demanded of Monsieur _de Beaujeu_,
particularly the Cannon and Ball which were aboard the _Joly_, and had
been design’d for him; which Monsieur _de Beaujeu_ refus’d, alledging
that all those things lay at the Bottom of the Hold, and that he could
not rummage it without evident Danger of perishing; tho’, at the same
time, he knew we had Eight Pieces of Cannon and not one Bullet.
[Sidenote: _Mr._ de la Sale _much wrong’d_.]
[Sidenote: _Mr._ de Beaujeu _leaves him_.]
I know not how that Affair was decided between them; but am sure he
suffer’d the Captain of the Flyboat _l’Aimable_ to imbark aboard
Monsieur _de Beaujeu_, tho’ he deserv’d to be most severely punish’d,
had Justice been done him. His Crew follow’d him, contrary to what
Monsieur _de Beaujeu_ had promis’d, that he would not receive a Man of
them. All that Monsieur _de la Sale_ could do, tho’ so much wrong’d,
was to write to _France_, to Monsieur _de Seignelay_, Minister of
State, whom he acquainted with all the Particulars, as I was inform’d,
when I return’d, and he gave the Packet to Monsieur _de Beaujeu_, who
sail’d away for _France_.[62]
Having lost the Notes I took at that time, and being forc’d to rely
much upon Memory for what I now write, I shall not pretend to be any
longer exact in the Dates, for fear of mistaking, and therefore I
cannot be positive as to the Day of Monsieur _de Beaujeu’s_ Departure,
but believe it was the 14th of _March_, 1685.
[Sidenote: _A Fort built._]
When Monsr. _de Beaujeu_ was gone, we fell to Work to make a Fort,
of the Wreck of the Ship that had been cast away, and many Pieces of
Timber the Sea threw up; and during that Time, several Men deserted,
which added to Monsieur _de la Sale’s_ Affliction. A _Spaniard_ and a
_French_ Man stole away and fled, and were never more heard of. Four or
five others follow’d their Example, but Monsieur _de la Sale_ having
timely Notice, sent after them, and they were brought back. One of them
was condemn’d to Death, and the others to serve the King ten Years in
that Country.
[Sidenote: _Monsr._ de la Sale _goes to discover up the River_.]
When our Fort was well advanc’d, Monsr. _de la Sale_ resolv’d to clear
his Doubts, and to go up the River, where we were, to know whether it
was not an Arm of the _Missisipi_, and accordingly order’d fifty Men
to attend him, of which Number were Monsr. _Cavelier_, his Brother,
and Monsr. _Chedeville_, both Priests, two Recolet Fryars, and several
Voluntiers, who set out in five Canoes we had, with the necessary
Provisions. There remain’d in the Fort about an hundred and thirty
Persons, and Monsr. _de la Sale_ gave me the Command of it, with Orders
not to have any Commerce with the Natives, but to fire at them if they
appear’d.
[Sidenote: _Returns._]
Whilst Monsr. _de la Sale_ was absent, I caus’d an Oven to be built,
which was a great Help to us, and employ’d my self in finishing the
Fort, and putting it in a Posture to withstand the _Indians_, who
came frequently in the Night to range about us, howling like Wolves
and Dogs; but two or three[63] Musquet Shots put them to Flight. It
happen’d one Night, that having fir’d six or seven Shot, Monsieur _de
la Sale_ who was not far from us, heard them, and being in Pain about
it, he return’d with six or seven Men, and found all Things in a good
Posture.
[Sidenote: _Sets out again._]
He told us he had found a good Country, fit to sow and plant all Sorts
of Grain, abounding in Beeves and wild Fowl; that he design’d to erect
a Fort farther up the River,[64] and accordingly, he left me Orders to
square out as much Timber as I could get, the Sea casting up much upon
the Shore. He had given the same Orders to the Men he had left on the
Spot, seven or eight of whom, detach’d from the rest, being busy at
that Work, and seeing a Number of the Natives, fled, and unadviseably
left their Tools behind them. Monsieur _de la Sale_ returning thither,
found a Paper made fast to a Reed, which gave him Notice of that
Accident, which he was concern’d at, because of the Tools, not so much
for the Value of the Loss, as because it was furnishing the Natives
with such Things as they might afterwards make Use of against us.
[Sidenote: _Apr. 1685_]
[Sidenote: _A Spanish Vessel appears._]
About the Beginning of _April_ we were alarm’d by a Vessel which
appear’d at Sea, near enough to discern the Sails, and we supposed they
might be _Spaniards_, who had heard of our Coming and were ranging the
Coast to find us out. That made us stand upon our Guard, to keep within
the Fort, and see that our Arms were fit for Service. We afterwards saw
two Men in that Vessel, who[65] instead of coming to us, went towards
the other Point, and by that Means pass’d on, without perceiving us.
[Sidenote: _Plenty of Fish taken._]
Having one Day observ’d, that the Water work’d and bubbled up, and
afterwards perceiving it was occasion’d by the Fish skipping from
Place to Place, I caused a Net to be brought, and we took a prodigious
Quantity of Fish, among which were many _Dorado’s_ or Gilt-Heads,
Mullets and others about as big as a Herring, which afforded us good
Food for several Days. This fishery, which I caused to be often
follow’d, was a great Help towards our Subsistance.
[Sidenote: _Rattle Snake bites Mr._ le Gros.]
About that Time, and on _Easter-day_ that Year, an unfortunate Accident
befell Monsieur _le Gros_. After Divine Service he took a Gun to go
kill Snipes about the Fort. He shot one, which fell into a Marsh;
he took off his Shoes and Stockings to fetch it out, and returning,
through Carelessness trod upon a Rattle Snake, so call’d, because it
has a Sort of Scale on the Tail, which makes a Noise. The Serpent bit
him a little above the Ankle, he was carefully dress’d and look’d
after, yet after having endur’d very much, he dy’d at last, as I shall
mention in its Place. Another more unlucky Accident befell us, one of
our Fishermen swimming about the Net to gather the Fish, was carry’d
away by the Current, and could not be help’d by us.
[Sidenote: _May 1685_]
[Sidenote: _Salt found in Pools._]
Our Men sometimes went about several little Salt Water Lakes, that
were near our Fort, and found on the Banks a Sort of flat Fishes, like
Turbots asleep, which they struck with sharp pointed Sticks, and they
were good Food. Providence also shew’d us that there was Salt made by
the Sun, upon several little Salt Water Pools there were in divers
Places, for having observ’d that there grew on them a Sort of white
Substance, like the Cream upon Milk, I took care every Day to send and
fetch that Scum off, which prov’d to be a very white and good Salt,
whereof I gather’d a Quantity, and it did us good Service.
[Sidenote: Indians _come to the Fort_.]
Some of our Hunters having seen a Parcel of wild Goats running as if
they were frighted, judg’d they were pursued by the _Indians_, and
came for Refuge to the Fort, and to give me Notice. Accordingly some
Time after, we discover’d a Parcel of Natives, who came and posted
themselves on an Eminence, within Cannon Shot, some of them drew
off from the rest and approach’d the Fort by the Way of the Downs.
I caused our Men immediately to handle their Arms, and wet Blankets
to be laid on our Huts, to prevent their being burnt by the Fire the
Savages sometimes shoot with their Arrows. All this Time those who had
separated themselves from the rest, being three in Number, still drew
nearer, making Signs for us to go to them; but Monsieur _de la Sale_
had forbid me having any Commerce with them; however, since they had
neither Bows nor Arrows, we made signs to them to draw near, which they
did without hesitating.