had often dry’d Flesh, (_which the French call_ Boucanner _from the
Indian Word_). This Place was not far from our Habitation. The 13th, we
cross’d a Plain, about two Leagues over, where we saw several Herds of
Beeves and Flocks of Goats, Turkeys, Bustards, and other Sorts of Wild
Fowl. We met with Marshy Lands, which tired our Horses, and came to a
Wood that terminates the Plain, across which, runs a Branch of a River,
full of Reeds, by Monsieur _de la Sale_ call’d the _Princess’s_ River.
That Branch joins the other, and they both fell together into the Bay
of St. _Lewis_.
We kill’d five Beeves at the Entrance into the Wood, forded the River,
and incamp’d Half a League beyond it, whence Monsieur _de la Sale_ sent
Men with Horses, to bring the Flesh of the Bullocks we had kill’d; the
Hides of them, which serv’d to cover us, being very useful against a
violent Shower of Rain that fell.
The 14th, the Rain ceasing, we travell’d over another spacious Plain,
where there is a Multitude of Beeves and Wild Fowl. We saw several
Tracks, leading every Way, made by the Bullocks, of which we saw
several Herds, some moving on hastily, and others running out-right,
which made us suppose they were drove by the Natives. In short, having
halted to help up one of our Horses that was fallen, we saw an _Indian_
following them very close. Monsieur _de la Sale_ caus’d a Horse to be
immediately unloaded, which a Man mounting, rode after, overtook and
brought the _Indian_.
When the Savage saw himself among us, he concluded he was a lost Man,
he quak’d for Fear, and not without Reason, for most of our Men had
resolv’d to kill him; Monsieur _de la Sale_ oppos’d it, alledging,
that we were but a small Number, that very few were left behind at
the Habitation, and therefore we ought not to render our selves odious
to the Natives, but to use them kindly, that we might have Peace; an
infallible Maxim, the Practice of which might have been fortunate to
him, had he follow’d it sooner.
He therefore caus’d a Fire to be made, gave him to Eat and Smoke, and
afterwards a Bit of Roll-Tabacco, and some other Trifles. Monsieur _de
la Sale_ gave him to understand, that he came not to hurt any Man,
but to settle Peace in all Places, and so dismissed him. The _Indian_
recover’d himself a little of his Fright; but being still dubious, what
his Fate might be, he at first walk’d away gently, still looking about
him, and when at a good Distance, made off as fast as he could. We
held on our Way, and soon after saw another _Indian_ running after the
Bullocks. Monsieur _de la Sale_ caus’d him to be taken, brought to us,
and treated as the first had been.
We had not gone far before we spy’d a Company of Natives coming towards
us, on our left, but we held on our Way, till they were over against
us, when Monsieur _de la Sale_ caus’d us to halt. The Savages seeing
us halt, stood still also, which Monsieur _de la Sale_ perceiving, he
laid his Firelock on the Ground, and advanc’d towards them, making
signs to him that Commanded them, who was a handsome Man, to draw near.
That _Indian_ came forward, and was follow’d by the rest, all of them
Caressing us after their Manner, which we return’d the best we were
able, and then made them Smoak.
[Sidenote: _Natives entertain’d._]
Next Monsieur _de la Sale_ gave them to understand, that we were going
towards the _Cenis_, that we desir’d to be at Peace with them all, and
that we would return to our own Country, whence we would bring them
all they had Occasion for. Then we distributed among them some Bits of
Roll-Tabacco, some Strings of Beads and Knives, which they seem’d to be
pleas’d with, and all this was done by Signs. Then every Man went his
own Way: We advanc’d half a League farther, to get into a Wood, where
Monsieur _de la Sale_ had encamp’d when he went that Way before; we cut
down Trees to secure our Post, and lay there that Night.
Before our Intrenchment was finish’d, we discover’d, first one
_Indian_, then two, and afterwards three, coming one after another;
which giving Monsieur _de la Sale_ some Jealousy, he caus’d us to
handle our Arms, with Orders to stand upon our Guard, for fear of being
surpriz’d, and went towards them. They signify’d to him, that their
People had told them, we did not hurt any Body, which was very well,
and that they were come to see us. They were entertain’d as the others
had been, and then Signs were made them to withdraw, because Night drew
on, and having observ’d, that they took Notice of our fortifying our
selves, we kept a good Guard all the Night, without any Disturbance.
[Sidenote: _A fine Country._]
The Fifteenth, we march’d on, intending to find out a Ford, in the
River call’d of the _Princess_, where Monsieur _de la Sale_ had pass’d
before; but missing of it, and the River being swollen, we were oblig’d
to go up higher, sometimes crossing curious[80] Meadows, and sometimes
Woods of tall Trees[81] of several Sorts, but all Young of the same
Thickness and strait, looking as if they had been planted by a Line.
The River running through the midst of those curious shady Groves,[82]
which were also water’d by several little Brooks of very clear and good
Water, afforded a most delightful Landskip.
[Sidenote: _Thick Woods._]
We also met with some Woods so thick, that it was requisite to hew a
Passage for the Horses. Towards the Evening we kill’d a Bullock, and
went to incamp in a little Coppice, with our usual Precautions.
[Sidenote: _Wild Fowl._]
The 16th, we continued our Journey, still following the River upwards,
and from Time to Time meeting the same Sort of Pasture Grounds[83]
and the Obstacles of Woods, where we were fain to cut our Way through,
which fatigued us very much; but the Plenty of wild Fowl, and
particularly of Turkeys, whereof we killed many, was an Ease to our
Sufferings, and Help to bear our Toil with more Satisfaction.
[Sidenote: _An Indian Village abandon’d._]
The 17th, was a very toilsome Day’s Journey, by Reason of the Woods and
Rivulets we were to cross; after which we came to a little Hill, on
which there were 2 or 300 Cottages of the Natives. Those Huts were like
large Ovens, consisting of long Poles stuck in the Earth in a Circle,
and joyning above to make the Dome or round Top.[84] They had been a
Dwelling of the Natives, who being gone, had carry’d away the Hides
that cover’d them, and the Mats which are us’d to hang the Insides, and
to make their beds of.
After a March of some Hours, our _Indian_ having found a Herd of
Beeves, we kill’d seven or eight, took the best of the Meat, and
held on our Way across a Wood. We ford’d a Branch of the River, and
proceeded to the Bank of another, the Bottom whereof being foul,
we incamp’d on the Edge of it, and the Rain falling at Night and
continuing all the next Day, were oblig’d to stay there.
The 19th, the Rain ceasing, we proceeded through a thick Fog, and over
Places where the Water was often up to our Knees, and sometimes higher;
which, together with our being forc’d to cut the Way athwart the
Bushes, with our Hatchets, gave us inexpressible Trouble, and it had
been much greater, had we not resolv’d to follow the Ways beaten by the
Bullocks, whom a natural Instinct always leads to those Parts which are
easiest to pass.
[Sidenote: _Buskins of raw Hides instead of Shoes._]
We were not free from another Inconveniency in those Tracks, which was
their being full of Water and very rugged, a Thing no Way agreeable to
our Shoes, which were no other than a Piece of Bullocks Hide or Goats
Skin quite green, whereof we made a sort of Buskins, to serve instead
of Shoes, but when those wretch’d Boots were dry’d by the Heat, upon
our Feet, they hurt us very much, and we were often oblig’d to set our
Feet in the Water to soften those Buskins. However, we march’d all the
Day, notwithstanding all those Inconveniences, without finding a proper
Place to incamp, and at last came to a River, whose high Bank afforded
us a Spot to rest on.
The 20th, a small Rain did not obstruct our March, and having cross’d
a Wood, half a League athwart, and a Marsh of the same Extent, we came
into a large Plain, cut across by great Tracks of Bullocks, which
went towards the River, and made us suppose there might be a Ford. We
follow’d that Way, but found the River so swollen, and its Stream so
rapid, that it was impossible to cross it, but were oblig’d to halt
upon its Bank, whence we went to hunt Bullocks, whereof we had no want,
nor of Turkeys and other wild Fowl.
The 21th, we proceeded up that River, and found a narrow deep Place,
near which we hew’d down a Tree, making it fall so as to reach from the
one Bank to the other, in the Nature of a Plank, and handed our Baggage
from one to another over it. The Horses swam over and we incamp’d on
the other Side, near a very beautiful Plain.
[Sidenote: Hebahamo, _Indian Nation_.]
Whilst we were hewing down some little Wood to intrench ourselves,
we heard a Voice, whereupon handling our Arms and going to the Place
where we heard it, we saw a Company of fifteen Savages, who were coming
towards us, and made Signs to us to go to them, laying down their Bows,
in Token of Peace. We also made our Sign to them to draw near, they did
so and caress’d us after their Manner. We made them sit down and smoke,
after which, Monsr. _de la Sale_ began to converse with them by Signs,
and by Help of some Words of the Language of the _Cenis_, which he was
skilful in, he understood, that these were their Neighbours and Allies;
that their Village was not far off, and that their Nation was call’d
_Hebahamo_. Some small Presents were given them, and they withdrew,
promising to return the next Day.
The 22th, our Horses being spent and hurt, and we much tir’d, the Day
was given to Rest, and the Natives did not fail to come, being twenty
five in Number, some of whom had Bucklers or Targets made of the
strongst Part of the Bullocks Hides. They gave us to understand, that
they were ingag’d in War towards the _N. W._ and told us, they had
seen Men like us, who were but ten Days Journey from that Place. Other
Tokens they gave, made us suppose it was _New Spain_ that they talk’d
of.
Monsr. _de la Sale_ took several Words of their Language, which is very
different from that of the _Cenis_, and more difficult. As for their
Customs, they are much alike. In fine, having shewn us, that towards
the _N. W._ we should meet with Plains, where the Way would be easier,
and we should shun the Woods, we gave them to eat, and some Presents,
and they took Leave of us. A Rain falling and holding all the Night,
we did not march the 24th. The 25th, we travell’d not far, by Reason
of the Rains continuing, and that there were several Rivers in the Way
much swollen.
The 26th, we proceeded on our Journey, and came to the River call’d _la
Sabloniere_, from the many Sand Banks there are in it. The 27th,[85]
departing from it, we came to another little narrow River, but very
deep; going up higher we found a Ford, and went to incamp beyond it,
in a little Wood, where we had a very bad Night, because of the Rain
which fell again, and the overflowing of the River, which oblig’d us to
make a little Sort of Scaffold, to lay our Powder and Cloaths on, that
they might not be wet. The next Day being the 28th,[86] observing that
the Water was still rising, we decamp’d to go a League farther, to a
higher Ground, where we made a great Fire to warm and dry us.
We took Notice the Country was very good, the Plains extending as
far as the Eye could reach, and adorn’d with many little Coppices,
affording a very agreeable Prospect. We march’d over Part of them the
29th and 30th, after 3 Hours Travel, found a Way full of Water, which
oblig’d us to incamp on the Bank of a River; pass’d it the 31th, and
incamp’d in a Wood close by.
[Sidenote: _Feb. 1687_]
[Sidenote: _Village inhabited._]
The next Day, being the First of _February 1687_, Monsieur _de la Sale_
left me to guard the Camp, and took along with him, Monsieur _Cavelier_
his Brother and seven Men, to go see whether he could find any Body in
several Cottages our Hunters had discover’d. He found twenty four or
twenty five of them, built round like those I have before mention’d,
standing on a rising Ground, almost encompass’d by the River, in each
of which there were four or five Men, and several Women and Children.
The Savages were somewhat surpriz’d at Monsieur _de la Sale’s_ coming;
however they receiv’d him in friendly Manner, and conducted him to
their Commander’s Hut, which was immediately fill’d with People, who
came to see him. The Elders came together there, Bullocks Hides were
laid upon the Ground, on which they made Monsieur _de la Sale_ and
his Company sit. They gave them hung Beef to eat, and then signify’d
to them that some of their Allies had given them Notice of our being
in the Country, and that we were going to the _Cenis_, and they had
imagin’d that we would pass thro’ their Country.
Monsieur _de la Sale_ present’d them with some Knives and Bits of
Tabacco, and they gave him Bullocks Hides, very well dress’d with the
Hair, they gave one for a Knife, and would have given many more, but
that we told to them, that we had no Conveniency to carry them and
that if they had any Horses, he would give them Axes in Exchange. They
answer’d, they had but two, which they could not part with. It being
late when Monsieur _de la Sale_ return’d, we staid there the rest of
the Day, and several _Indians_ came to see us, in Hopes of receiving
some Present, offering us Bullocks Hides dressed, which we would not
burden our selves with.
The Second, we set out again, and halted some Time in that Village,
where by the Way we barter’d for some Collars, or a Sort of Knots[87]
made of Bullocks Hides well dress’d, which the Natives make Use of to
carry their Burdens, whether of Wood, Utensils, or the Meat they kill.
They prov’d of Use both to us and our Horses, because the Thongs of
those Collars serv’d to make fast our Burdens.
[Sidenote: la Maligne _River_.]
We proceeded on our Journey, through a Country pleasant enough, but
Sandy, and having cross’d a large Plain, came to the Bank of a fine
River, call’d _la Maligne_, or the Mischievous, because in Monsieur _de
la Sale’s_ former Journey, an Alligator devour’d one of his Servants,
who was swimming over it. This River is as wide as the _Seine_ at
_Roan_, seems to be very navigable and has a very pleasant Country
about it. We incamp’d in a little Wood adjoining to it, and bark’d the
Aspen Trees to hut.
[Sidenote: Indian _Rats_.]
Our Hunters kill’d Beeves, wild Goats, Turkeys and other Wild-Fowl, and
among the rest some Creatures as big as an indifferent Cat, very like a
Rat, having a Bag under their Throat, in which they carry their Young.
They feed upon Nuts and Acorns, are very fat, and their Flesh is much
like Pig.
Hard by there, we found a Place where Monsieur _de la Sale_, in his
former Journey had hid some Parcels of Strings of Beads in the Trunks
of Trees, and we rested there till the Eighth of the Month. During that
Time, no Day pass’d without seeing some of the Natives, who sometimes
spent the whole Day with us, and said they were of several Nations.
We made them smoke, and always gave them some small Presents. They
admir’d that after we had writ down some Words they spoke to us, we
repeated them, looking on the Paper.
[Sidenote: _Portable Canoe._]
Whilst we staid, Monsieur _de la Sale_ set Men at Work to make a
portable Canoe, of long Poles, hew’d and joyn’d and then cover’d with
Bullocks Hides sew’d together, having pull’d off the Hair or Wooll, as
it may be call’d there. That Canoe was of great Use to us, to cross
Rivers as well for our selves as for our Baggage, but the Horses swam
over.
The Ninth, we put our Canoe into the Water, and pass’d the River in it,
and incamp’d half a League from thence, on Account of the Grass, which
our Horses stood in Need of to recover themselves a little. The Tenth,
we held on our Journey, crossing several spacious Plains, the Grass
whereof was burnt, whence Monsieur _de la Sale_ concluded, that there
were many Natives thereabouts. He thought it convenient to provide
Store of dry’d Flesh, for Fear we should not find Game in the Country
we were going to enter upon, and accordingly caused several Beeves to
be kill’d for that Purpose.
For that Reason, we continued there till the 12th, when we went and
incamped on the Bank of a River, which Monsieur _de la Sale_ had in his
former Journey call’d _d’Eure_. At Night there arose a storm, follow’d
by Thunder and Rain, which swell’d the Streams, and obliged us to
stay there. The 13th and 14th we cross’d four or five large Rivulets,
and then a fine curious Country,[88] diversify’d with several little
Woods, Hills and small Brooks, affording a delightful Prospect. That
pleasant Country was terminated by a Wood, which we were to cross, and
were favour’d in it by a Way beaten by the Bullocks, and at Night we
incamped there.
The 15th, we travel’d along a fine Meadow, then over Plains that had
been burnt, and at Night went to take our Rest on the Bank of a small
Rivulet, about which we saw several Footsteps of Natives, which made us
conclude we were not far from them; and therefore we doubled our Guard,
to prevent being surpriz’d.
[Sidenote: _A Village._]
The 16th, Monsieur _de la Sale_ left me at the Guard of the Camp, and
took Monsieur _Cavelier_ his Brother, and seven Men with him, to go
find out the _Indians_. They had not gone half a League before they
spied Horses and a Number of Cottages, without being themselves seen by
the Savages. That Village stood on the Side of a Hill, and contain’d
about forty Huts, standing together, besides several others straggling.
[Sidenote: _Monsieur_ de la Sale _well receiv’d by the Natives_.]
When Monsieur _de la Sale_ enter’d the Village, the Savages seeing him,
came to meet and conduct him to the Cottage of their Chief, where he
and his Company were seated on Bullocks Hides. The Elders being come,
he signify’d to them the Occasion of his Coming, as he had done to the
other Nations, with which they seem’d to rest satisfy’d. Some Presents
were made them, according to Custom, and they offer’d him a Quantity
of Hides, which he refus’d, telling them, that when he return’d from
the _Cenis_ he would trade with, and furnish them with all they had
Occasion for. They confirm’d what the others had told us, concerning
a Nation, where some of them had been, the Men whereof were like us,
meaning the _Spaniards_. He nam’d to them the Nations we had pass’d
through from our Dwelling of St. _Lewis_, to the River _Maligne_, which
we had lately pass’d. The Names of those Nations are as follows.
[Sidenote: _Names of Nations or Tribes._]
The _Spicheats_, _Kabayes_, _Thecamons_, _Theauremets_, _Kiahoba_,
_Choumenes_, _Kouans_, _Arhan_, _Enepiahe_, _Ahonerhopiheim_,
_Korenkake_, _Korkone_, _Omcaosse_, _Keremen_, _Ahehoen_, _Maghai_,
_Thecamenes_, _Otenmarhem_, _Kavagan_ and _Meracouman_. These are the
Nations that lay on our Road; those on the West and North West of the
said River were the _Kannehonan_, _Tohaka_, _Pehir_, _Coyabegux_,
_Onapien_, _Pichar_, _Tohan_, _Kiasses_, _Chanzes_, _Tsera_,
_Bocrettes_, _Tsepehoen_, _Fercouteha_, _Panego_, _Petao_, _Petzares_,
_Peisacho_, _Peihoum_ and _Orcampion_.[89]
Those we were with then, were call’d _Teao_, whom we had not before
hear’d nam’d. They talk’d of a great Nation call’d _Ayona_ and
_Canohatino_, who were at War with the _Spaniards_, from whom they
stole Horses, and told us, that one hundred _Spaniards_ were to have
come to join the _Cenis_, to carry on that War, but that having heard
of our March, they went back. Monsieur _de la Sale_ gave them to
understand, that we were at War with the _Spaniards_, and that we
fear’d them not; and that he was sent on their Account by the great
captain of the World, who had charg’d him to do them all Good, and to
assist them in their Wars against such Nations as were their Enemies.
Those Savages gave Monsieur _de la Sale_ Notice, that he would find
three of our Men among the _Cenis_, which put him in Hopes they were
those he had given Leave to depart at his former Journey, and of whom
he had never since heard. He propos’d to them to barter for Horses; but
they had caus’d them to be convey’d out of the Way, for Fear we should
take them away, excepting only one Bay, which Monsieur _de la Sale_
agreed for and return’d to us.
The 17th, we pass’d a small River, with some Difficulty, and incamp’d
beyond it. The 18th, one of our Horses going along the Edge of an
upright Bank, fell into the Water, and came off with only a Hurt on the
Shoulder; but we were fain to unload him, and distribute his Burden
among us, every one making a Pack; and thus we cross’d a curious
Plain,[90] diversify’d with Woods, Hills, Rivulets, and delightful
Meadows.
The 19th, we travell’d along the Tops of those Hills, to avoid the
Bottoms, and found a Difficulty to get down, by reason of the Rocks we
met with at the End of them, and a River we were to cross. Whilst we
were passing that River, we heard Dogs hunting the Bullocks, two of
which coming near us, one of them was shot dead. The Natives who were
hunting spying us, sent out two of their Number, who creeping from Tree
to Tree, drew near, and then stood still, without daring to proceed any
farther. We made Signs to them to come, which they did, and we made
them smoke, till Monsieur _de la Sale_ return’d, being gone a little
Way to observe the Body of those People.
When come, he told them, he would entertain Peace with them, that we
were going to the _Cenis_, and he believ’d, that these very Men were of
their Nation, because they had their Accent and some of their Words.
They told him their Village was near that Place, and bore us Company
to our Camp, where after some small Presents given them, they were
dismiss’d.
[Sidenote: _Account given by a Native._]
The 20th, Monsieur _de la Sale_ sent Monsieur _Moranget_ and some
others to the Village of those Natives, to try whether they could
barter with them for some Horses. In the mean Time two Savages came to
us, one of them being the same that was with us the Night before, and
they express’d much Friendship for us. That particular _Indian_ told
us, his name was _Palaquechaune_, that they were Allies to the _Cenis_,
that their Chief had been among the _Choumans_, with the _Spaniards_;
that the _Choumans_ were Friends to the _Spaniards_, from whom they got
Horses, and added some farther Particulars, which the others had before
signify’d to us; so that we had good Reason to judge we were not far
from _North Mexico_.
He also told us, that the _Choumans_ had given their Chief some
Presents, to perswade him to conduct us to them; that most of the said
Nation had flat Heads; that they had _Indian_ Corn, which gave Monsieur
_de la Sale_ Ground to believe, that those People were some of the same
he had seen upon his first Discovery. That same Native had a very fine
Goat’s Skin, which I purchas’d of him for four Needles, after I had
shewn him how to use them, and that Skin was of good Use to make us
Shoes instead of raw Bullocks Hides.
[Sidenote: _M._ Moranget_’s Account_.]
Some Time after, Monsieur _Moranget_ return’d, gave Monsieur _de la
Sale_ an Account of his short Journey, and said, That one of the
Natives, who saw us the Night before, came to meet and conduct him to
the Chief’s Cottage, where forty Ancient[91] _Indians_ were, by whom he
had been kindly receiv’d. That the Chief had in his Hand a Reed, at the
end whereof was made fast a Leaf of a _French_ Book, which he had an
extraordinary Respect for. That they had been made to sit on Bullocks
Hides, and treated with dry’d Beef.
That after these first Ceremonies, the Chief had given them to
understand, that some of their People had been conducted by a Man like
us, to our Habitation, and that the said Man had promis’d to bring them
to talk with us, in order to treat of Peace; but that on the Contrary,
we had fired on them and kill’d one of their Men, which had oblig’d
them to kill the Man that led them, and that then they return’d. It
is not improper here to put the Reader in Mind, that I have before
mention’d this Accident, when the Sieur _Barbier_ crossing the River
in a Canoe, was call’d upon by some Person, who was among the Natives
on the Bank of the River, who had made two Shots, as it had been only
the Priming of a Piece, which the Sieur _Barbier_ had look’d upon
as an Insult, and therefore he had also fir’d, with all the other
Particulars, as mention’d before; an Accident that happen’d for want of
understanding one another; which, together with Monsr. _de la Sale’s_
forbidding us to have any Communication with the Natives, was very
prejudicial to us afterwards.