frightful Magnitude and Bulk. I kill’d one that was between four and
five Foot about, and twenty Foot in Length, on which our Swine feasted.
This Creature has very short Legs, insomuch that it rather drags along
than walks, and it is easy to follow the Tract of it, either among the
Weeds or on the Sands, where it has been. It is very ravenous, and
attacks either Men or Beasts, when they are within Reach in the River,
and comes also ashore to seek for Food. It has this particular Quality,
that it flies from such as pursue, and pursues those who fly from it. I
have shot many of them dead.
[Sidenote: _Trees._]
The Woods are composed of Trees of several Sorts. There are Oaks,
some of them ever green and never without Leaves; others like ours in
_Europe_, bearing a Fruit much like our Galls, and lose their Leaves in
Winter, and another Sort not unlike ours in _France_, but the Bark of
them thicker, these as well as the second Sort bear an Acorn, differing
from ours both in Taste and Bigness.
[Sidenote: _Dangerous Fruit._]
There is a Sort of Tree, which bears small Berries, which, when ripe,
are red, and indifferent pleasant. It bears twice a Year, but the
second Crop never ripens. There is another Tree, bearing a Fruit not
unlike _Cassia_, in Taste and Virtue.
There are others of the Sort I had seen in the Islands, whose Leaves
are like Rackets, whence the Tree bears the Name. The Blossoms grow
out about the Leaves, and of them comes a Fruit somewhat resembling
Figs, but the Leaves and the Fruit are full of Prickles, which must
be carefully rubb’d and taken off, before it is eaten, else they
dangerously inflame the Mouth and the Throat, and may prove mortal, as
happen’d to one of our Soldiers, who had eaten of them too greedily,
and without that Precaution.
I have seen some Trees resembling the Palm, whose lofty and long
Branches spread like that call’d the _Latanier_, bearing a Fruit, said
to be indifferent good. Others the same Sort, but whose Leaves are like
Gutters, harsh and so sharp pointed, that they will pierce the thickest
Stuffs. This Tree has a Sprout on the Top, which shoots out Flowers
in the Shape of a Nosegay, of a whitish yellow, and some of them at
the Top of that Sprout have sixty or eighty Flowers hanging down, not
unlike the Flower de Luce, and after those Flowers follows a Fruit as
long as a Man’s Finger, and thicker than the Thumb, full of little
Seeds, so that there is scarce any Thing but the Rhind fit to eat, the
Taste whereof is sweet and delicate.
[Sidenote: _Vines._]
There are Abundance of creeping Vines and others, that run up the
Bodies and to the Tops of Trees, which bear plenty of Grapes, fleshy
and sharp, not to compare to the Delicacy of ours in _Europe_; but we
made Verjuice of them, which was very good in Sauce. Mulberry Trees are
numerous along the Rivers, their Fruit is smaller, but sweeter and more
delicious than ours; their Leaves are beautiful and large, which would
be of good Use for feeding of Silk-worms.
[Sidenote: _Plants._]
[Sidenote: _March 1686_]
The Plains are strew’d with a Sort of small Sorrel, the Leaf whereof is
like Trefoil, and the Taste of it sharp like ours. There are Abundance
of small Onions, no bigger than the Top of a Man’s Finger, but very
well tasted, and when the Heat has scorch’d up the Plains, that Plant
shoots out first, and produces Flowers which look like an agreeable
Enamel. Nothing is more beautiful than to behold those vast Plains,
when the Blossoms appear; a thousand Sorts of different Colours,
whereof many[72] have an agreeable Scent, adorn those Fields, and
afford a most charming Object to the Eye. I have observed some that
smelt like a Tuberose, but the Leaf resembles our Borage. I have seen
Primroses, having a Scent like ours, _African_ Gilliflowers, and a
Sort of purple wind Flowers. The Autumn Flowers are almost all of them
yellow, so that the Plains look all of that Colour.
The Climate is mild and temperate, tho’ we were in about 27 Degrees
of North Latitude, and yet the Seeds I caused to be sow’d did not
thrive; whether it was because they had been soak’d in the Sea Water,
or for any other Reason. Some came up pretty well, as Pompions, Melons,
Parsnips and Endive; but the Beasts and the Insects, left us not much.
When we come to the _Cenis_ and have travers’d so many Nations as lay
between us and them, I shall speak of the Religion, Manners, Cloathing,
Houses and Customs of the Natives, wherein they differ but little from
one another, tho’ of several Countries.
Monsieur _de la Sale_ had been now long gone, and we began to be in
Pain for him, when about the Middle of _March 1686_, hapning to be on
the Top of the House, I spied seven or eight Persons coming towards us.
I presently ordered eight arm’d Men to follow me, to go meet them; and
as soon as we drew near them, we knew Monsieur _de la Sale_, Monsieur
_Cavelier_, his brother, Monsieur _Moranget_, his Nephew and five or
six Men with them, the rest being gone another Way to find out the Bark
_la Belle_, to give Notice of Monsieur _de la Sale’s_ Arrival.
[Sidenote: _Monsieur_ de la Sale _returns_.]
They were in a bad Condition, their Cloaths ragged, Monsieur
_Cavelier’s_ short Cassock hung in Tatters; most of them had not Hats,
and their Linen was no better; however the Sight of Monsieur _de la
Sale_ rejoyc’d us all. The Account he gave us of his Journey reviv’d
our Hopes, tho’ he had not found the fatal River, and we thought only
of making ourselves as merry as we could. Only the Sight of the Sieur
_Duhaut_ interrupted it for some Time. Monsieur _de la Sale_ ask’d me
in an angry Manner, why I had receiv’d him, and _Duhaut_ having given
his Reasons, as I and my Men did,[73] we were all satisfy’d.
[Sidenote: _The Bark_ la Belle _lost_.]
The next Day, the Sieurs _le Barbier_, _Bihorel_, _le Petit_,
_Cavelier_, the Nephew, the Surgeon and others, whom Monsieur _de la
Sale_ had sent to find out and carry Advice to the Bark _la Belle_,
return’d, and said they could not find her, which was another fresh
Cause of Much Uneasiness to Monsieur _de la Sale_. He had been guilty
of the Fault of putting aboard her, his Cloaths, his Linen, his Papers
and all his best Effects, of all which he was then in the utmost Need.
Besides, that Loss broke all the Measures he had concerted during his
last Expedition, because he had resolv’d to cause the said Bark to
go up one of the Rivers he had discover’d, to advance towards those
Nations with whom he had contracted some Friendship, and to send me in
the same Bark, with his Nephew _Moranget_, to the Islands to seek for
some Assistance, or else to return by Sea to look for his River.
[Sidenote: _Apr. 1686_]
All these Designs being disappointed, he resolv’d to set out a second
Time, and travel by Land, to find out his River.[74] He staid to rest
him a while, and to provide for his Departure, but having neither Linen
nor Cloaths, I supply’d him with some I had; I also afforded some
Linen to Monsieur _Cavelier_, his Brother and Monsieur _Moranget_, his
Nephew. All I had was at their Service, and I depriv’d myself of all
that was fit for them, even to ten or twelve Pounds of strings of
Beads and some Knives and Nails,[75] which Monsieur _de la Sale_ took.
The Sieur _Duhaut_, having several Effects, as Linen, Hatchets and
other Tools and Commodities, which had been sav’d from the Shipwreck,
Monsieur _de la Sale_ took Linen to make Shirts, for such as wanted,
as also the Tools they stood in Need of. The Cloaths belonging to
Messieurs _Thibault_, _le Gros_ and _Carpentier_, who were dead, were
also distributed. A great Belt I had, serv’d to make Shoes for Monsieur
_de la Sale_ and Monsieur _Cavelier._
[Sidenote: _Monsieur_ de la Sale _sets out upon another Expedition_.]
All Things being thus provided, Monsieur _de la Sale_ took twenty Men
along with him, among whom were Monsieur _Cavelier_ his Brother, F.
_Anastasius_ a Recolet, Monsieur _Moranget_ his Nephew, the Sieurs
_Bihorel_, _le Clerk_, _Hurier_, _Duhaut_ the younger, _Hiens_ his
Surgeon, and his Servants. He left behind those, who were not fit
to undertake that second Journey, among whom were little Monsieur
_Cavelier_[76] his Nephew, the Sieur _Barbier_, _Canadien_ and some
others. Each of the Travellers made up his Pack, and they set out
towards the latter End of _April 1686_,[77] after having given me the
necessary Orders, and we parted without Ceremony, Monsieur _de la Sale_
desiring it should be so.
[Sidenote: _What was saved of the Bark_ la Belle.]
[Sidenote: _May 1686_]
Some Days after he was gone, I heard a Voice towards the lower Part of
the River, crying twice _Qui vive_, or who are you for. I made that
Way, and perceiv’d the Sieur _Chedeville_ a Priest, the Sieur _de la
Sablonniere_, and some others of those who had been put aboard the
Bark _la Belle_, and were now in a Canoe. I ask’d abruptly what was
become of the Bark, and was inform’d, our continual Misfortunes still
pursuing us, that it had run aground on the other Side of the Bay. I
caused the Canoe to be unloaded, there being in it, among other Things,
Monsieur _de la Sale’s_ Cloaths, Part of his Papers, some Linen, a
small Quantity of Beads and thirty or forty Pound of Meal, which was
all they had left.
[Sidenote: _How the Bark was lost._]
The next Day, Monsieur _de Chedeville_ told me the Particulars of that
Misfortune, and said, That having been some Time with the Bark, in the
Place where Monsieur _de la Sale_ had appointed them to wait, their
Water falling short, they had thought fit to send the Boat ashore, with
four or five Casks to fill; that the Sieur _Planterose_ went in it with
six of the best Men. That towards the Evening they saw the Boat coming
back, but the Wind being contrary and Night coming on, they put out a
Light, which going out and the Captain neglecting to put up another, in
all Likelyhood the Boat could not see the Bark, and they never heard
of it after, nor of any of those in it, who it was probable had all
perish’d.
That nevertheless, they continued some Days in the same Place, during
which Time three or four of their Men died; and at last, having no
Water, they eat up their Swine, before they died with Thirst, and
resolv’d to weigh Anchor and draw near to the Dwelling; but having few
Hands and those spent, and to add to their Misfortune the Wind proving
contrary, they were drove to the other Side of the Bay, where they ran
aground.
[Sidenote: _June 1686_]
That having no Boat, nor Men enough to land their Effects, they had
endeavour’d to make a Float with some Casks and Planks, but that being
ill made and join’d together, the first that went upon it had perish’d.
That having made another Float better fastened together than the
first, they had by that Means saved some Sails and Rigging, several
inconsiderable Things, Linen, Cloaths and Papers belonging to Monsieur
_de la Sale_ and others, and then stay’d Ashore, expecting to hear some
News, and had found a Canoe, being the same that was before lost on
the Edge of the Bay, which had been drove to the other Side; and that
Provisions at last beginning to fall short, they went aboard the said
Canoe and came to us; fortunate in that they had not been discover’d
by the Natives, during their Stay Ashore, which was for the Space of
three Months, and in finding the Canoe to bring them back.
When Monsieur _de la Sale_ went away, the Sieur _Barbier_ had taken
upon him to go a hunting, as also to provide Bark to cover our Houses,
instead of Hides, because the Sun drying and contracting them, Part
of the Top of our Buildings was uncover’d. I farther enjoyn’d him
to cut Stakes, to make a Palisade about our Dwelling, and the Sieur
_Chedeville_ having told me they had bury’d several Things they could
not bring away, I sent the Sieur _Barbier_ with two Canoes and fifteen
Men to the Place, where they found some Pedreroes,[78] Rigging and
Sails. The Natives having discover’d the Concealment, had taken away
some Pieces of Linen and Iron Tools, which they very much covet.
[Sidenote: _Encounter with the Natives._]
The Sieur _Barbier_ after his Return, continuing his Exercise of
hunting, happen’d to meet with a Parcel of the Natives, some of whom
had Firelocks, which they had taken from our Men, and with which they
made some Shots at him, but very weak; and he firing three or four
Shot at them they retir’d. He was then in a Canoe on the River, and
design’d to have gone upwards; but that Rancounter having oblig’d him
to take another Way, and the Savages perceiving it, eight of them swam
over the River, hastening to get before the Canoe, hid themselves among
the Weeds, near the Way he was to pass, and when he was near enough,
let fly their Arrows, which wounded several Men. One Shot the Sieur
_Barbier_ made, put them all to Flight again; he held on his Way and
return’d to our Habitation.
Some Days after, we perceiv’d a Herd of Bullocks flying, and guess’d
they were pursu’d by the Savages, which afterwards appear’d to be true.
Some of them drew near to our Habitation, but a Cannon Shot, I pointed
towards the Gang of them, and a Musket-shot Monsieur _Barbier_ fired at
the nearest, made them all fly farther off.
[Sidenote: _The Sieur_ Barbier _marries_.]
When the Sieur _Barbier_ went out a Hunting, I commonly sent with
him some Women and Maids, to help the Hunters to dress and dry the
Flesh; but being inform’d that he us’d to slip aside from the Company,
with a young Maid he had a Kindness for, and which gave Occasion to
some well-grounded Railleries; the said _Barbier_ being told I was
acquainted with that Affair, came and spoke to me in private, desiring
Leave to marry that young Woman. I made some Difficulty of it at first,
advising him to stay till Monsieur _de la Sale_ return’d; but at last,
considering they might have anticipated upon Matrimony, I took the
Advice of the Recolet Fathers, and of Monsieur _Chedeville_ the Priest,
and allowed them to marry. Monsieur _le Marquis de la Sabloniere_
following this Example, ask’d the same Liberty, being in Love with a
young Maid, which I absolutely refus’d, and forbid them seeing one
another.
[Sidenote: _Accidents concerning the Recolets._]
Some Time pass’d in which Nothing happen’d to us worth observing;
however, I will mention two Things which befell our Recolet Fathers.
One was, That Father _Anastasius_, being a hunting Bullocks with me,
and coming too near one I had shot, and was fallen, the Beast, as much
hurt as he was, started up, attack’d and threw him down; he had much
ado to get off, and I to rescue him, because I durst not shoot for
Fear of killing him. The Bullock being weak, fell again; the Father
was deliver’d, but lay ill some Months. The other was, That Father
_Maximus_ had writ some Memoirs concerning Monsieur _de la Sale’s_
Conduct, condemning him upon several Occasions. I was told of it, found
Means to get those Memoirs, threw them into the Fire, and so the Father
came off.
[Sidenote: Duhaut _Endeavours to occasion a Mutiny_.]
About the same Time, most of our Men seeing Monsieur _de le Sale_ did
not return, began to mutter. The Sieur _Duhaut_, who perhaps had been
the first Fomenter of those Discontents, back’d the Complaints of the
disgusted Party, promis’d them great Matters under his Conduct, and
offer’d to supply them with such Effects as he had in Possession,
endeavouring, as I suppose, by those Means, to gain their Affections,
for a mischievous Design, which it is likely he had even then conceiv’d.
It was not long before, I had Intimation of the whole Affair, and I had
done Monsieur _de la Sale_ a singular Piece of Service, had I then put
to Death the Person, who was to be his Murderer; but I rested satisfy’d
with giving him a severe Reprimand, and threat’ning to cause him to be
secur’d if he persisted, being able to do no other under my present
Circumstances. However, I talk’d to all concern’d, and put them in such
Hopes of Monsieur _de la Sale’s_ Return, and that Things would soon
change to their Satisfaction, that they were all pacify’d.
But in Regard, that Idleness often occasions Uneasiness and Impatience,
I us’d all possible Means to keep them employ’d, in the most obliging
Manner I could, setting some to cut down the Bushes about our Dwelling,
others to hew down Trees, that hinder’d the Prospect, others mow’d the
Grass, that fresh might grow up for our Cattle, and at Night I made
them divert themselves with Dancing and Singing.
[Sidenote: M. de la Sale_’s Discoveries_.]
Whilst we thus pass’d away the Time the best we could, Monsieur _de la
Sale_ had penetrated very far up into the Country, inclining towards
the Northern Part of _Mexico_. He had travell’d through several
Nations, the Inhabitants whereof were, for the most Part, sociable,
and had concluded a Sort of Alliance with them, and particularly with
the _Cenis_ and others whose names I shall mention. He had discover’d
charming Countries abounding in all Things that could be wish’d, as
well for Sustenance, as for making of easy Settlements, and after he
and his Nephew _Moranget_ had escap’d two Dangerous Sicknesses, he
return’d to our Habitation, with five Horses he had purchas’d, and
arriv’d at it in _August 1686_.
[Sidenote: _His Return._]
[Sidenote: _Sept. 1686_]
Hearing of his Voice, I was one of the first that ran towards the
River: We took our Canoes to bring him, his Luggage and some Provisions
over, and the Horses swam. We were extraordinary glad to see our
Commander in Chief return safe, tho’ his Journey had not advanc’d his
Design. Monsieur _de la Sale_ had not found out his River, nor been
towards the _Islinois_ as we had hoped. Only eight Men return’d with
him of twenty he carry’d out, and all the visible advantage of that
Journey consisted in five Horses, laden with Indian Wheat, Beans and
some other Grain, which was put into the Store.
[Illustration: _7 Men lost and 4 desert._]
Monsr. _de la Sale_ ask’d me, as soon as he came, whether the Sieurs
_Clerc_, _Hurie_, _Duhaut_ the younger and two others were come,
because they not being able to endure the Fatigue of the Journey, he
had given them Leave to return, and hearing they were not, he concluded
the Savages had killed them. We were also inform’d, that the Sieur
_Bihorel_, had stray’d and was lost, so that there had been no News of
him since; that one of Monsr. _de la Sale’s_ Servants had been dragg’d
down to the Bottom of the Water and devour’d by an Alligator, and that
four others had deserted and abandon’d Monsieur _de la Sale_, when he
was about the Country of the _Cenis_.
[Sidenote: _M._ de la Sale _resolves upon a third Expedition_.]
This was a very dismal and deplorable Account; but the even Temper of
our Chief made all Men easy, and he found, by his great Vivacity of
Spirit, Expedients, which reviv’d the lowest Ebb of Hope. He rejoiced
at the Return and Sight of M. _Chedeville_, he was pleas’d at the
Recovering of his Cloaths and Part of his Papers; and after some Time
of Rest, he propos’d to undertake a Journey towards the _Islinois_,
and to make it the main Business, by the Way, to find the _Missisipi_;
but it was thought proper to let the great Heats pass, before that
Enterprize was taken in Hand.
[Sidenote: _Oct. 1686_]
[Sidenote: _Two Men kill’d._]
In the mean Time, he gave Orders to stake about a Place to make a New
Magazine, or Storehouse. He put to that Use the Timber I had caus’d
to be cut, and would have more provided for the same Use. Detachments
being sent to work, seven or eight of our Men, who were sent with the
Sieur _Barbier_, were discover’d by the Savages, who being superior in
Number, made as if they would hem them in; but each of our Men having
taken a Tree upon their Shoulders and fir’d their Pieces, which made
one of the Natives drop, the others took him up and withdrew. Yet it
was not long before they were reveng’d, for they kill’d us two Men, one
of them close by our Dwelling, and the other, who had separated from
the rest of the Company to gather Purslain, and could not be reliev’d.
There being every Day some Discourse of the Journey to the _Islinois_,
Monsieur _de la Sale_ ask’d me one Day, whether I would make one of
the Company, and go by the Way of _Canada_ to _France_ for Succours. I
assured him I was entirely devoted to his Will, and would faithfully
attend him. Then he began by Degrees to provide what he thought
necessary for that Expedition. I had two Pair of Sheets, which he took,
to make him Linen. Canvas Cloaths were made of the Sails of the Bark
_la Belle_. The Sieur _Duhaut_ having Linen, he took some to distribute
among several Persons. Thus he hasted on the Expedition of his Design,
but an Accident put it off.
[Sidenote: _Nov. 1686_]
It was occasion’d by a Flux which troubled Monsieur _de la Sale_,
who having told me he could not perform that Journey, as long as he
continued in such condition, I offer’d to undertake it for him, if he
would allow me his _Indian_, and about fifteen Men; but he answer’d,
That his Presence was requisite among the _Islinois_, and that it was
requisite his Brother should go to _France_. Thus he refus’d my Offer,
and could not shun the ill Fate of that Journey.
[Sidenote: _Dec. 1686_]
[Sidenote: _Controversy about Privilege._]
We spent some Time longer after this Manner, during the which,
there arose a Controversy about the Privileges the King grants to
the First-born of the _French_ Colonies in _America_. The Sieur
_Barbier’s_ wife was with Child, and he claim’d the Privilege granted
for that Child. The Widow _Talon_ had a Child born in the Passage from
_France_ to _America_, and alledg’d, that her Child, tho’ born before
our Arrival, ought to be preferr’d; but the Sieur _Barbier’s_ Wife
miscarrying, the Dispute was not decided.
[Sidenote: _Jan. 1687_]
Monsieur _de la Sale_ being recover’d of his Indisposition,
Preparations were again made for his Journey; but we first kept the
_Christmas_ Holy-Days. The Midnight Mass was solemnly sung, and on
_Twelve-Day_, we cry’d, _The King drinks_, (_according to the Custom
of_ France) tho’ we had only Water: When that was over we began to
think of setting out. Monsieur _de la Sale_ gave the Command of the
Settlement to the Sieur _Barbier_, directing him what he was to do and
observe in his Absence.
[Sidenote: _Who were left in the Settlement when M._ de la Sale
_departed_.]
There remain’d in that Habitation, the Fathers _Maximus_ and
_Zenobius_, Recolets, Monsieur _Chedeville_, the Priest, the Marquis
_de la Sablonniere_, the Sieur _Barbier_, Commander, his Wife, a
Surgeon and others, to the Number of twenty, among whom were seven
Women, or Maids, and only the Sieur _Barbier_ marry’d; which is much
short of the Number some have given out remain’d in the Dwelling,
without any Ground; for the Truth is, there were no more, and
particularly no Natives, Monsieur _de la Sale_ having absolutely forbid
holding any Communication with them. As for Beasts, they amounted to
seventy, or seventy five Swine, great and small, which was a good
Stock; for Fowl, eighteen or twenty Hens; some Casks of Meal, which was
kept for the Sick; Powder, Ball, and eight Pieces of Cannon, without
any Bullets.
[Sidenote: _Persons that set out with M._ de la Sale.]
We set out the 12th of _January_, in the Year 1687, being seventeen in
Number, _viz._ Monsieur _de la Sale_, Monsieur _Cavelier_, the Priest,
his Brother, Father _Anastasius_, the Recolet, Messieurs _Moranget_ and
_Cavelier_, Nephews to Monsieur _de la Sale_, the Sieurs _Duhaut_, the
Elder, _l’Arcleveque_,[79] _Hiens_, _Liotot_, Surgeon, young _Talon_,
an _Indian_, and a Footman belonging to Monsieur _de la Sale_. We
carried along with us Part of the best Things every Man had, and what
was thought would be of Use, wherewith the five Horses were loaded, and
we took our Leaves with so much Tenderness and Sorrow, as if we had all
presaged, that we should never see each other more. Father _Zenobius_
was the Person who express’d it to me most significantly, saying, He
had never been so sensibly touch’d at parting with any Body.
[Sidenote: _The Way they travell’d._]