they gave us to understand by Signs, that their People were hunting
near us; being able to make no more of what they said. Monsieur
_Moranget_ was for knocking out their Brains, to revenge their having
murder’d our Companions, but I would not consent to it, since they had
come confiding in us. I made Signs to them to be gone, which they did
as fast as they could, some small Shot we fir’d into the Air making
them run, and a Cannon Shot, I pointed towards the rising Ground, where
the rest were, put them all to Flight.
These Accidents made us double our Guards, since we were at open War
with that crafty Nation, which let slip no Opportunity to surprize us,
and therefore Penalties were appointed for such as should be found
asleep upon Sentinel; the Wooden-Horse was set up for them without
Remission; and by Means of such Precautions we sav’d our Lives.
[Sidenote: _June 1685_]
[Sidenote: _Second Settlement._]
Thus we spent the rest of the Month, till the Beginning of _June_.
In the mean Time, Monsieur _de la Sale_ had begun to make another
Settlement, in the Place he before told us of, looking upon it as
better, because it was further up the Country.[66] To that Purpose
he sent to us the Sieur _de Villeperdry_ with two Canoes and Orders
for the Sieur _Moranget_ to repair to him, if he were recover’d, and
that all the Men should march, except 30 of the ablest to make a
good Defence, who were to stay with me in the Fort. The rest being
seventy Persons, as well Men and Women as Children, set up with the
Sieur _Moranget_; and we being but a small Number remaining, I caused
the Fort to be brought into a less Compass, to save posting so many
Sentinels.
[Sidenote: _A Conspiracy discover’d._]
[Sidenote: _July 1685_]
Our little Company began to take Satisfaction in the Ease of getting
and the Nature of our Provisions, which a greater Number has more
Difficulty to be supply’d with, and which we had Plenty of, by Means
of Hunting and Fishing, those being our principal Employments, and we
liv’d well enough contented, expecting to be remov’d. However there
were some Malcontents, who resolv’d to desert; but finding a Difficulty
to put it in Execution, for that they could neither get Arms, nor
Powder nor Ball, because the Sieur _le Gros_ and I kept all lock’d up,
and were very vigilant, that none might be lavishly spent, they took
the cruel Resolution to rid themselves of us.
That bloody Massacre was to begin by me, when I was asleep, and then to
proceed to the Sieur _le Gros_, who lay in the Magazine, or Warehouse,
and was in no Condition to defend himself, because his Leg was still
swollen, and put him to much Pain. The Execution was to be by stabbing.
One of the Conspirators reveal’d this to the Sieur _Devault_, a Hunter,
who immediately came and acquainted me. I did not just then take Notice
of what I had been told; but in the Evening, when they return’d from
hunting, I caused one to be secur’d, who presently confess’d all. His
Accomplice was also seiz’d, and it was very troublesome to secure them
till the Time when we should remove.
About the Middle of _July_, the Bark _la Belle_ came and anchor’d near
us. An Order was brought me from Monsieur _de la Sale_, directing me to
put aboard it all the Effects that were in our Fort, to make a Float
of the Timber I had caused to be squar’d, if Time would permit, if not
to bury it in the Ground. Every Man set his Hand to the Work, with all
possible Diligence, and our two Prisoners were put aboard, as was also
Monsieur _le Gros_ and his Surgeon, with all our Effects.
The Float was begun with immense Labour; but the Weather proving very
Stormy, and holding very long, I was oblig’d to cause what had been
done to be taken in Pieces, and to bury the Timber in the Sand, the
best we could, that the Natives might not find it.
[Sidenote: _The First Fort abandon’d._]
We then set out towards the Place where the _Indians_ had been
encamp’d, when Monsieur _de la Sale_ went the first time to see them.
We found no Creature, and lay there that Night, and so proceeded along
the Sea Coast, without any Accident, to the Camp of the Sieur _Hurie_,
which was a Post in the Way, where Monsieur _de la Sale_ had order’d
all our Effects to be laid up. It had no other Inclosure but Chests and
Barrels; but there was nothing to fear from the _Europeans_.
[Sidenote: _Ill posture of the 2d. Settlement._]
We spent the Night at that Post, and two Canoes coming thither the
next Morning, I went aboard one of them, with Part of my Company, and
join’d Monsieur _de la Sale_ the next Day, at the Place where he had
resolv’d to make his new Settlement. I gave him an Account of all
that had happen’d, and was amaz’d to see Things so ill begun and so
little advanc’d. As for the Plantation, the Seed and Grain put into the
Ground, was either lost through Drought, or eaten by Birds or Beasts.
There were several Dead, and among them the Sieur _de Villeperdry_;
many sick, and of that Number Monsieur _Cavalier_ the Priest; no
Shelter but a little square Place stak’d in, where the Powder was and
some Casks of Brandy; many other Inconveniences there were, which made
all Things appear in a miserable Condition.
[Sidenote: _Hard Labour._]
It was requisite to think of building a large Lodgement, Monsieur _de
la Sale_ design’d it, but the Difficulty was to get proper Timber for
Building. There was a little Wood, where a good Quantity might be
had, but it was a League up the Country, and we had neither Carts nor
Horses to carry it; however Monsr. _de la Sale_ sent Workmen thither,
with others to guard them. The Trees were cut down and squar’d, but
the Carpenters were so ignorant, that Monsr. _de la Sale_ was forc’d
to act the Master Builder, and to mark out the Pieces for the Work he
design’d. Some of those Pieces of Timber were dragg’d to the Camp, over
the Grass and Weeds the Plain was cover’d with; afterwards the Carriage
of a Gun was made use of; but all cost so much Labour, that the ablest
Men were quite spent.
[Sidenote: _Aug. 1685_]
[Sidenote: _Carpenter lost._]
This excessive Toil, the poor Sustenance the labouring Men had, and
that often retrench’d as a Penalty for having fail’d in doing their
Duty; the Uneasiness Monsieur _de la Sale_ was under to see nothing
succeed as he had imagin’d, and which often made him insult the
Men, when there was little Reason for it; All these things together
afflicted very many so sensibly, that they visibly declin’d, and above
thirty dy’d. The Loss of so many Men was follow’d by that of the Master
Carpenter, who was returning one Evening with me; but I happening to
step aside to kill some wild Fowl, when I came to our Habitation I
found him not, and it was never known what became of him; an Accident
which added to our Vexation, for tho’ he had but little Skill at his
Trade, yet we stood in Need of him.
Notwithstanding all those Disappointments, enough Timber was carry’d
or rather dragg’d, to build the House Monsieur _de la Sale_ designed,
and he was himself the Architect. He mark’d out the Lengths, the
Tenants and Mortises, and made good the Defect of the Workmen and
calling to Mind that I had bury’d several Pieces of Timber at our first
Habitation, which might be of Use, he order’d me to take two Canoes and
20 men, to go fetch them, in the Bark _la Belle_, which was with us.
Being come to the Place, we found the Natives had discover’d our
Timber, and carry’d away some Planks, to pick out the Nails there were
in them, which they value very much, to point their Arrows. We labour’d
to make a Float, loaded the Bark _la Belle_ with the rest of the Planks
and other Effects, and set out again. Some of the Natives appear’d
whilst we were at Work, but seeing us advance towards them, with our
Arms in our Hands, they fled.
[Sidenote: _Second Settlement._]
[Sidenote: _Sep. 1685_]
We return’d safe to Monsieur _de la Sale_, who was glad to see us, tho’
we had lost one of the Canoes, for want of its being well made fast to
the Float; but the Timber we brought was a mighty help towards carrying
on his Design, and much fitter than that we had hew’d in the Wood, with
so much Labour; so that this Timber occasion’d the raising another
Structure contiguous to the former. All was cover’d with Planks, and
Bullocks Hides over them. The Apartments were divided, and all of them
well cover’d. The Stores had a Place apart, and that Dwelling had the
name of St. _Lewis_ given it, as well as the Neighbouring Bay.[67]
[Sidenote: _Mr._ le Gros _dies and others_.]
The Sieur _le Gros_, who had remain’d aboard the Bark _La Belle_, ever
since the first Voyage she made to our former Habitation, was carry’d
ashore to the new One, and his Leg still swelling, the Surgeon was
apprehensive of a Mortification, and advis’d him to consent to have
it cut off. He did so, tho’ with Regret, the Operation was made, but
a Fever follow’d immediately, and he liv’d but two Days, dying on the
Feast of the Decollation of St. _John Baptist_, much lamented by all
Men, and particularly by Monsieur _de la Sale_, to whom he was very
serviceable, by reason of his general Knowledge, and his particular
Fidelity towards him. Monsieur _Carpentier_, Son to the Master of the
Works and the Sieur _Thibault_, both of Roan, and some others, dy’d
about the same time.
[Sidenote: _River of Bullocks._]
Monsieur _de la Sale_ being desirous to take a Progress, to find his
fatal _Missisipi_ River, and only expecting the Recovery of his Brother
Monsieur _Cavalier_, who was to bear him Company, he began to make some
Preparations towards it, and in the mean time, took some small Journeys
of four or five Leagues about, but could learn nothing further, than
that it was a very fine Country, hem’d in on one Side by a small
Mountain, which appear’d at about Fifteen or Twenty Leagues distance;
beautify’d with very fine Trees, and water’d by many little Rivers,
whereof that, on which we had built our Habitation was the least. We
call’d it _la Rivière aux Bœufs_, that is the River of Bullocks, by
reason of the great Number of them there was about it. These Bullocks
are very like ours, there are Thousands of them, but instead of Hair
they have a very long curl’d Sort of Wool.[68]
Monsieur _de la Sale_ Studying all Ways to find out the River
_Missisipi_, imagin’d it might fall into the adjacent Bay, and resolv’d
to go view all the Coasts about it, and to make use of the Bark _la
Belle_. Accordingly he order’d me to repair to the said Bark, with five
Men and a Canoe, into which he put his Cloaths, and other Effects in
several Chests.
That short Voyage was very troublesome to us, by reason of the foul
Weather, with contrary Winds and Storms, which had like to have
overwhelm’d us, and what was still worse, we did not find the Bark,
where we had left her. We went on a League further, to no Purpose, and
Provisions beginning to fall short, because we had been six Days on the
Way, instead of three, we resolv’d to return to the Place from whence
we came.
[Sidenote: _Boat of the Bark lost._]
Monsieur _de la Sale_ seeing us return at a distance, came to meet us.
Our Report troubled him for the Bark, which he stood in need of, so
that he resolv’d to go himself to seek her, imbark’d in a Canoe, and
sent me another Way, in another. After having wander’d about all that
Day, the next Night and the Day following, we at last perceiv’d her,
where she lay under Shelter in a little Creek, having been in Danger of
Perishing by the foul Weather we had been in, and had lost her Boat,
which was not well made fast.
[Sidenote: _Oct. 1685_]
The Bark was also discover’d by Monsieur _de la Sale_, who was on the
other side, which made him draw near and land, whence he sent his Canoe
to the said Bark, and Monsieur _Moranget_ who commanded it, went aboard
to meet him. The Loss of the Boat troubled Monsieur _de la Sale_, I
sent a Canoe to bring him, but to no Purpose; however the Trunks were
put aboard the Bark.
[Sidenote: _What Stores they had._]
[Sidenote: _Nov. 1685_]
Monsieur _Cavalier_ the Priest, being recover’d Monsieur _de la Sale_
prepar’d to set out with all Speed. He was pleas’d to Honour me with
the Command, during his Absence, and left me an Inventory of all that
was in our Habitation, consisting of Eight Pieces of Cannon, two
Hundred Firelocks, as many Cutlaces, an Hundred Barrels of Powder,
three Thousand Weight of Ball, about three Hundred Weight of other
Lead, some Bars of Iron, twenty Packs of Iron to make Nails, some Iron
Work and Tools, as Hatchets and the like.
As for Provisions, all that were left me amounted to twenty Casks of
Meal, one Cask and a half of Wine, three Quarters of a Cask of Brandy,
and for living Creatures some few Swine, a Cock and a Hen; which is
very short of what has been Publish’d by the Author of a Book entitled,
_The first Establishment in New France_: but the Reason of it is, that
he compiled his Work upon the Credit of Relations, which were as false
as to the Point of the Ammunition and Provisions, remaining in our
Habitation, when Monsieur _de la Sale_ set out that Time, as concerning
the Fort well condition’d, and the Magazines or Storehouses under
Ground, which are all imaginary, there being Nothing but the House I
have mention’d, pallisado’d, with some old Stakes.
Monsr. _de la Sale_ farther order’d me not to receive any Men of those
he took along with him, unless they brought an Order from him in
Writing; nor to hold or admit of any Communication with the Natives,
but rather to fire upon them, and some other Particulars he thought fit
to be observ’d. He had made himself a Coat of Mail with small Laths,
to secure himself against the Arrows, which he took along with him, he
also took the Canoes, and promis’d to send me one back. Five Cannon
Shot were the Signal of his Departure.
[Sidenote: _Monsr._ de la Sale _goes out to discover_.]
[Sidenote: _St._ Lewis_’s Bay_.]
He took his Way along the lower Part of the River, to march by Land
along the neighbouring Bay, which was call’d of St. _Lewis_, the
Canoes keeping within Sight. I was left in the Habitation with thirty
four Persons, Men, Women and Children, and of that Number were three
_Recolet_ Friars, the Sieur _Hurie_, who was to command in my Absence,
one of the Sieurs _Duhaut_, the Sieurs _Thibault_ and a Surgeon.
Our Provisions being very small, and it being requisite to spare them,
for the Sick, we were oblig’d to apply our selves to Fishing and
Shooting. Both of them at first prov’d very unsuccessful, especially
the latter; because we were not yet well vers’d in them, and Monsieur
_de la Sale_ had taken our Huntsman along with him; but at length,
Necessity made us more expert. We kill’d Beeves, some of which I caus’d
to be dry’d, and they were a considerable Help to subsist us.
[Sidenote: _Hunter dies with Cold._]
Some Days after, the Canoe Monsieur _de la Sale_ had promis’d me,
arrived with three Soldiers, who brought us the News of the Loss of the
Huntsman Monsieur _de la Sale_ had taken along with him, and who had
been found dead with Cold in a Ditch, where he had lain down to rest
after hunting, which troubled us all very much. They also inform’d us,
that Monsr. _de la Sale_ advancing towards some Dwellings the Natives
had abandon’d, after a small Resistance, some of whom had been wounded
as they fled, they had taken and brought a Girl and a Woman, who was
shot thro’ the Thigh, of which she dy’d.[69]
[Sidenote: _Dec. 1685_]
The Canoe was a great Help to us to carry what we kill’d, which being
brought to our Habitation, found Employment for all Persons, some to
flea, others to cut up, and others to dry it. At other Times, I set
some of our men to throw up a Trench about our Habitation.
[Sidenote: _Jan. 1686_]
[Sidenote: Duhaut _returns from Mr._ de la Sale.]
Thus we spent our Time, till about the Middle of _January, 1686_,
when being all, one Evening, in our Mansion, the Sentinel came in to
acquaint me, that he heard a Voice towards the River; some men ran
thither immediately, and found a Man in a Canoe, crying, _Dominick_,
which was the Name of young _Duhaut_, who was with us. The Sight of
that made me apprehensive lest some Disaster was befallen Monsr. _de la
Sale_. I drew near, and perceiv’d it was _Duhaut_ the Elder, that was
return’d.
I ask’d, him whether he had any Letters from Monsieur _de la Sale_,
he answer’d he had not. It gave me some Uneasiness, considering I was
forbid admitting any Man without an Order in Writing, and I was almost
resolv’d to secure him; but the Account he gave me of the Occasion of
his returning wholly clear’d him. I admitted him, and he told me the
whole Matter as follows.
Monsr. _de la Sale_, having staid some Time on the Sea Shore, near the
Place where the Bark was at Anchor he resolv’d to try the Anchoring
Places of the Coasts round about, to know how near the Bark _la Belle_
might come. To that Purpose he sent the Pilot with 5 of the best Men to
sound.
[Sidenote: _Six Men killed by Natives._]
The Pilot did as he was order’d, he sounded and observed the proper
Places to come near several Coasts. At Night he and his Men being in
all likelyhood tir’d, they thought fit to go Ashore and lie upon the
Land. They made a Fire, perhaps to dress some Meat; but neglecting
to stand upon their Guard, they were surpriz’d, and all six of them
kill’d by the Savages; who also broke their Canoe, and thus reveng’d
themselves for the Irruption Monsr. _de la Sale_ had lately made among
them.
More Time being elaps’d than Monsieur _de la Sale_ had allotted those
Men to return, he grew uneasy, and went himself along the Coast, to
see if any News could be had of them, and keeping along the Shore, he
found the sad Remains of those unfortunate Wretches, whose Carcasses
scatter’d about, were torn and almost devour’d by Wolves or Wild Dogs,
a Spectacle which went to his Heart.
However this Loss, which afflicted him, and particularly for the Sake
of the Pilot, who was an able Man, did not quite cast him down; but
exerting himself against his Misfortunes, he caus’d Flesh to be dry’d,
and with that and the other Provisions he victuall’d the Bark _la
Belle_. He caus’d it to advance into the Bay, put a good Number of
Men on Board to secure it, among whom were Monsieur _Chedeville_, the
Priest, and _Planterose_ of _Roan_, and order’d them not to stir from
that Place till they heard from him, and not to go Ashore, unless with
a good Guard and necessary Precautions.
Next, he chose out Twenty Men, imbark’d on two Canoes he had left, and
being come Ashore, caus’d the Canoes to be sunk in the River, and every
Man to take up his Bundle, consisting of Arms, Tools, some Utensils for
the Kitchin, a few Goods, to trade with the Natives, if he should find
any sociable, and so advanc’d into the Country, to try if any Notice
could be had of the _Missisipi_.
[Sidenote: La Maligne _River_.]
After several Days March, they came to a good pleasant River, which
they afterwards call’d _la Maligne_. Monsieur _de la Sale_ marching
at the Head of the Company, and having order’d Monsieur _Moranget_
to keep in the Rear; it happen’d that _Duhaut_ stopping to mend his
Snapsack[70] and his Shoes, which were in a bad Condition; the Sieur
_Moranget_ coming up, commanded him to March, he desired him to stay a
little. _Moranget_ would not, but held on his Way; _Duhaut_ follow’d
some Time after, but having stay’d too long, he could not overtake the
Company, and found himself about Night fall in a Plain full of Weeds,
where there were several Tracks of the Way Cattle had gone, but knew
not which of them to take. He fir’d his Piece several Times, without
hearing any thing of his Company, and was oblig’d to pass the Night in
that same Place.
[Sidenote: _Strange Adventure._]
[Sidenote: _Feb. 1686_]
In the Morning he shot again, spent the Day and Night again in that
Place, so that not knowing what to do, he return’d the same Way he had
gone, and after a Month’s March, for he travell’d only by Night, for
Fear of meeting with the Savages, living upon what he kill’d with much
Difficulty and Danger, having before spent all his own Provisions; at
length after most unaccountable Hardships and Sufferings, he arriv’d
at the Place where the Canoes had been sunk. He took one of them up,
with incredible Labour, and too long to relate, and so came to our
Habitation of St. _Lewis_. Thus it pleas’d God that he who was to be
one of the Murderers of Monsieur _de la Sale_, should come off safe,
and surmount almost infinite Dangers.
This Account, which seem’d to carry the Face of Probability, prevail’d
with me to receive the Sieur _Duhaut_, and in Reality I could do no
otherwise, and I made it my Business to examine into his Behaviour, but
could find Nothing to lay to his Charge. We continued some Time longer
as we had been before; during the which, I caus’d another little Wooden
Structure to be made, of Timber, I had got together, and in it I lodg’d
the Women and Maidens by themselves. Having hitherto said Nothing of
the Situation of our Dwelling of St. _Lewis_, nor of the Nature of
the Country we were in, I will here venture upon a plain but true
Description.
[Sidenote: _Description of the Country and Dwelling at St._ Lewis.]
We were in about the 27th Degree of North Latitude, two Leagues up the
Country, near the Bay of St. _Lewis_ and the Bank of the River _aux
Bœufs_, on a little Hillock, whence we discover’d vast and beautiful
Plains, extending very far to the Westward, all level and full of
Greens, which afford Pasture to an infinite Number of Beeves and other
Creatures.
[Sidenote: _The Land._]
Turning from the West to the Southward, there appear’d other Plains
adorn’d with several little Woods of several Sorts of Trees. Towards
the South and East was the Bay, and the Plains that hem it in from
the East; to the Northward, was the River running along by a little
Hill,[71] beyond which there were other large Plains, with some little
Tufts of Wood at small Distances, terminating in a Border of Wood,
which seem’d to us to be very high.
[Sidenote: _Living Creatures._]
Between that little Hill and our Dwelling, was a Sort of Marsh, and in
it Abundance of wild Fowl, as Curlies, Water-Hens and other Sorts. In
the Marsh there were little Pools full of Fish. We had also an infinite
Number of Beeves, wild Goats, Rabbits, Turkeys, Bustards, Geese, Swans,
Feldifares, Plovers, Teal, Partridges and many other Sorts of Fowl fit
to eat, and among them one call’d _le grand Gosier_, or, the great
Gullet, because it has a very large one; another as big and Fleshy as a
Pullet, which we called the _Spatula_, because it’s Beak is shap’d like
one, and the Feathers of it being of a pale Red, are very beautiful.
[Sidenote: _Fish._]
As for Fish, we had several Sorts in the River and in the Lakes I have
mention’d. The River afforded a Sort of Barbles, differing from ours in
Roundness, in their having three Bones sticking out, one on the Back,
the others on each Side of the Head, and in the Flesh, which is like
Cod, and without Scales. The River supply’d us with Abundance of other
Fishes, whose Names we know not. The Sea afforded us Oysters, Eeles,
Trouts, a Sort of red Fishes and others whose long, sharp and hard Beak
tore all our Nets.
[Sidenote: _Tortoises._]
[Sidenote: _Venomous Creatures._]
We had Plenty both of Land and Sea Tortoises, whose Eggs serv’d to
season our Sauces. The Land Tortoises differ from those of the Sea,
as being smaller, round, and their Shell more beautiful. They hide
themselves in Holes they find or make in the Earth. It was looking for
these Tortoises, that one of our Surgeons, thrust his Arm into a Hole,
and was bit by some venomous Creature, which we suppos’d to be a Sort
of Toad, having four Feet, the Top of his Back sharp and very hard,
with a little Tail. Whether it was this Creature, or a Snake, his Arm
swelled very much, however he was cured by such Applications as were
made Use of; but it cost him a Finger was cut off.
[Sidenote: _Rattle-Snakes._]
Among the venomous Sorts of Snakes, as Vipers, Asps and others, whereof
there are many, those call’d Rattle-Snakes are the most common. They
generally lye among the Brambles, where they make a Noise by the Motion
of two Scales they have at the End of their Tail, which is heard at a
considerable Distance, and therefore they are call’d Rattle-Snakes.
Some of our Men had eaten of them and found their Flesh was not amiss,
and when we had kill’d any of them, our Swine made a good Meal.
[Sidenote: _Alligators._]