some small Presents, they made their return in Bullocks Hides, and
Goat Skins well dress’d. He ask’d them for some Horses to barter;
they answer’d, they had no more than what they stood in Need of. We
immediately proceeded on our Journey, and that day being the 21st, went
to incamp at the Edge of a Wood.
The 22d, we went up to an Eminence terminated by a Rock, at the Foot
whereof ran a little River, the bottom whereof was all of flat Rocks,
fit for Building.[92] Thence we descry’d two Natives driving of
Bullocks, which made us stand upon our Guard, and it appear’d to be our
_Indian_, who had met another, with whom he had been acquainted among
the _Cenis_, and whom he had brought along with him.
[Sidenote: _Three lost_ French _Men heard of_.]
Monsieur _de la Sale_ was very glad to see him, and remember’d he
was one of those of whom he had purchas’d a Horse. He ask’d several
Questions of him, and among the rest, whether he had not seen the
four Men who deserted in his former Journey, or heard any Talk of
the others, to whom he had given Leave to return to our Dwelling. He
answer’d, he had seen one among the _Cenis_, and two others among the
_Assonis_; but that he had not heard of any more, and that they must
needs be dead; as also the Sieur _Bihorel_, who was likewise mention’d
to him.
He further told us, that there were four or five Cottages thereabouts,
in which about Fifteen Men resided. At Night he went away. Our
_Indian_ had kill’d a Cow at a great Distance and shot her quite
through, at which the other, who had been an Eye Witness to it, stood a
long Time amaz’d, without speaking one Word, admiring the Effect of our
Pieces. That Cow was sent for, and the Flesh brought to our Camp.
The 23d, we pass’d by the Cottages we had been told of, where the
Natives were with their Wives and Children. Monsr. _de la Sale_ caus’d
us to halt in the Village. We were well receiv’d, they presented us
with dry’d Beef, and we return’d it in some Knives. We saw two Horses,
one of them a little grey, indifferent handsome. They told us they
would soon depart that Place, to go join their Companions, who were in
War with their Enemies. The rest of our Men being come up, we went on
to incamp a League from thence, on the Bank of a Rivulet, and at the
Foot of one of the highest Mountains in the Country.
Unloading our Horses, we perceiv’d there wanted a large Axe, which
serv’d us for hewing down of Trees. Monsieur _de la Sale_ sent his
_Indian_ to demand it, at the Village we came from last, the Savages
said they had not seen it, and it was lost. He brought back Word, that
the Savages had told him, that if we would stay for them, they would go
along with, and shew us the Way.
However, we went on the 24th, and incamp’d on the Edge of a Marsh.
The 25th, the Rain hinder’d us from Marching. The 26th, Monsieur _de
la Sale_ perceiving how difficult and dangerous it was to cross that
Marsh, sent his _Indian_ to the others, to know whether they really
design’d to go with us. They answer’d, we must return thither to join
them. The 27th. we decamp’d, in order to it; but took another Way to go
meet the _Indians_. The 28th. we saw them marching at a Distance. One
of them was detach’d to come tell us, that he would shew us the Way to
cross the Marsh, and we went on and incamp’d at the Foot of the high
Mountain I have spoken of.
[Sidenote: _Mar. 1687_]
The first of _March_, we join’d the _Indians_, on the Edge of the
Marsh, which we had just cross’d, where the Rains kept us till the
Fifth, during which Time we went to find out where we might pass
a rapid Torrent, that discharges it self into the River call’d of
_Canoes_, which we pass’d the 6th, in the Canoe we had made, and which
did us good Service, to pass other Rivers we met with the 7th and the
8th on our Way.
[Sidenote: _River of Canoes._]
The 9th, we did not stir, because of the Rain. The 10th, incamp’d on
the Bank of a small River, which we cross’d the 11th, and the same Day
another River, and incamp’d on the Bank of it, and found it adorn’d
with very fine Mulberry Trees. The 12th we cross’d another River, and
incamp’d near it. The 13th, came again to the River of _Canoes_, so
called by Monsieur _de la Sale_, because he the first Time put Canoes
into it, at his former Journey. We pass’d it the 14th, and incamp’d on
the other Side where we again join’d the _Indians_.
[Sidenote: _Provisions hid, spoilt._]
The 15th, we held on our Journey with them, and found a pleasanter
Country than that we had pass’d thro’; and Monsieur _de la Sale_ having
in his former Journey hid some Indian Wheat and Beans, two or three
Leagues from that Place, and our Provisions beginning to fall short, it
was thought fit to go to that Place. Accordingly he order’d the Sieurs
_Duhaut_, _Hiens_, _Liotot_ the Surgeon, his own _Indian_, and his
Footman, whose Name was _Saget_, who were followed by some Natives, to
go to the Place he described to them, where they found all rotten and
quite spoilt.
The 16, in their Return, they met with two Bullocks, which Monsieur
_de la Sale’s_ _Indian_ kill’d, whereupon they sent back his Footman,
to give him Notice of what they had kill’d, that if he would have the
Flesh dry’d, he might send Horses for it. The 17th, Monsieur _de la
Sale_ had the Horses taken up, and order’d the Sieurs _Moranget_ and
_de Malre_ and his Footman, to go for that Meat, and send back a Horse
Load immediately, till the rest was dry’d.
[Sidenote: _Discontent occasion’d by Monsr._ Moranget.]
Monsieur _Moranget_, when he came thither, found they had smoak’d
both the Beeves, tho’ they were not dry enough; and the said
Sieurs _Liotot_, _Hiens_, _Duhaut_ and the rest had laid aside the
Marrow-Bones and others to roast them, and eat the flesh that remain’d
on them, as was usual to do. The Sieur _Moranget_ found fault with it,
he in a Passion seiz’d not only the Flesh that was smoak’d and dry’d,
but also the Bones, without giving them any Thing; but on the contrary,
threat’ning they should not eat so much of it, as they had imagin’d,
and that he would manage that Flesh after another Manner.
[Sidenote: _Conspiracy to murder Monsr._ de la Sale.]
This passionate Behaviour, so much out of Season, and contrary to
Reason and Custom, touch’d the Surgeon _Liotot_, _Hiens_ and _Duhaut_
to the Quick, they having other Causes of Complaint against _Moranget_.
They withdrew, and resolv’d together upon a bloody Revenge; they agreed
upon the Manner of it, and concluded they would murder the Sieur
_Moranget_, Monsieur _de la Sale’s_ Footman and his _Indian_, because
he was very faithful to him.
[Sidenote: _Bloody Murderers._]
They waited till Night, when those unfortunate Creatures had supp’d
and were asleep. _Liotot_ the Surgeon was the inhuman Executioner, he
took an Ax, began by the Sieur _Moranget_, giving him many Strokes on
the Head; the same he did by the Footman and the _Indian_, killing them
on the Spot, whilst his Fellow Villains, _viz._ _Duhaut_, _Hiens_,
_Teissier_ and _Larcheveque_ stood upon their Guard, with their Arms,
to fire upon such as should make any Resistance. The _Indian_ and the
Footman never stir’d, but the Sieur _Moranget_ had so much Vigour as
to sit up, but without being able to speak one Word, and the Assasins
obliged the Sieur _de Marle_ to make an End of him, tho’ he was not in
the Conspiracy.
[Sidenote: _Consult to murder Monsr._ de la Sale.]
This Slaughter had yet satisfy’d but one Part of the Revenge of those
Murderers. To finish it and secure themselves it was requisite to
destroy the Commander in Chief. They consulted about the safest Method
to effect it, and resolved to go together to Monsieur _de la Sale_,
to knock out the Brains of the most resolute immediately, and then it
would be easier to overcome the rest. But the River, which was between
them and us, being much swollen, the Difficulty of passing it made them
put it off the 18th and 19th. On the other Hand Monsieur _de la Sale_
was very uneasy, on Account of their long Stay. His Impatience made him
resolve to go himself to find out his People and to know the Cause of
it.
[Sidenote: _He goes to seek them._]
This was not done without many previous Tokens of Concern, and
Apprehension. He seem’d to have some Presage of his Misfortune,
enquiring of some, whether the Sieur _Liotot_, _Hiens_ and _Duhaut_
had not express’d some Discontent; and not hearing any Thing of it, he
could not forbear setting out the 20th, with Father _Anastasius_ and
an _Indian_, leaving me the Command in his Absence, and charging me
from Time to Time to go the Rounds about our Camp, to prevent being
surpriz’d, and to make a Smoke for him to direct his Way in Case of
Need. When he came near the Dwelling of the Murderers, looking out
sharp to discover something, he observed Eagles fluttering about a
Spot, not far from them, which made him believe they had found some
Carrion about the Mansion, and he fired a Shot, which was the signal of
his Death and forwarded it.
[Sidenote: _Is murder’d._]
The Conspirators hearing the Shot, concluded it was Monsieur _de
la Sale_, who was come to seek them. They made ready their Arms
and provided to surprize him. _Duhaut_ passed the River, with
_Larcheveque_. The first of them spying Monsieur _de la Sale_ at a
Distance, as he was coming towards them, advanc’d and hid himself
among the high Weeds, to wait his passing by, so that Monsieur _de la
Sale_ suspecting nothing, and having not so much as charg’d his Piece
again, saw the aforesaid _Larcheveque_ at a good Distance from him, and
immediately ask’d for his Nephew _Moranget_, to which _Larcheveque_
answer’d, That he was along the River. At the same Time the Traitor
_Duhaut_ fired his Piece and shot Monsr. _de la Sale_ thro’ the
Head, so that he dropp’d down dead on the Spot, without speaking one
Word.[93]
Father _Anastasius_, who was then by his Side, stood stock still in a
Fright, expecting the same Fate, and not knowing whether he should go
forwards or backwards; but the Murderer _Duhaut_ put him out of that
Dread, bidding him not to fear, for no Hurt was intended him; that it
was Despair that had prevail’d with him to do what he saw; that he had
long desir’d to be revenged on _Moranget_, because he had designed to
ruin him, and that he was partly the Occasion of his Uncle’s Death.
This is the exact Relation of that Murder, as it was presently after
told me by F. _Anastasius_.
[Sidenote: _His Character._]
Such was the unfortunate End of Monsieur _de la Sale’s_ Life, at a
Time when he might entertain the greatest Hopes, as the Reward of
his Labours.[94] He had a Capacity and Talent to make his Enterprize
successful; his Constancy and Courage and his extraordinary Knowledge
in Arts and Sciences, which render’d him fit for any Thing, together
with an indefatigable Body, which made him surmount all Difficulties,
would have procur’d a glorious Issue to his Undertaking, had not
all those excellent Qualities been counterbalanced by too haughty a
Behaviour, which sometimes made him insupportable, and by a Rigidness
towards those that were under his Command, which at last drew on him an
implacable Hatred, and was the Occasion of his Death.
[Sidenote: _Barbarity towards the dead Body._]
The Shot which had kill’d Monsieur _de la Sale_, was also a Signal
of the Murder to the Assassins for them to draw near. They all
repair’d to the Place where the wretched dead Corps lay, which they
barbarously strip’d to the Shirt, and vented their Malice in vile and
opprobrious Language. The Surgeon _Liotot_ said several Times in Scorn
and Derision, _There thou liest, Great Bassa, there thou liest._ In
Conclusion, they dragged it naked among the Bushes, and left it exposed
to the ravenous Wild Beasts. So far was it from what a certain Author
writes, of their having bury’d him and set up a cross on his Grave.[95]
[Sidenote: _Murderers return to the Camp._]
When those Murderers had satiated their Rage, they set out to come
to us at our Camp, with the dry’d Flesh, which they had caus’d to be
brought over the River by the _Indians_, who had been Spectators of
the Murder and of all the inhuman Actions that had been committed,
with Amazement and Contempt of us. When they were come to the Camp,
they found Messieurs _Cavelier_, the one Brother, the other Nephew to
the murder’d Commander, whom Father _Anastasius_ acquainted with the
dismal End of our Chief, and enjoyn’d them Silence, which it is easy to
imagine was very hard upon them; but it was absolutely necessary.
However, Monsieur _Cavelier_ the Priest, could not forbear telling
them, that if they would do the same by him, he would forgive them
his Murder, and only desir’d them to give him a Quarter of an Hour to
prepare himself: They answer’d, They had Nothing to say to him; that
what they had done was the Effect of Despair, to be reveng’d for the
ill Usage they had receiv’d.
[Sidenote: _The Author sav’d by a Friend._]
I was absent at that Time; he they call’d _Larcheveque_, who, as I
have said, was one of the Conspirators, had some Kindness for me, and
knowing they design’d to make me away too, if I stood upon my Defence,
he parted from them, to give me Notice of their Mischievous Resolution.
He found me on a little rising Ground, where I was looking upon our
Horses as they graz’d in a little adjacent Bottom. His Intelligence
struck me to the Heart, not knowing whether I should fly or stay; but
at length, having neither Powder nor Shot, nor Arms, and the said
_Larcheveque_ giving me Assurances of my Life, provided I was quiet and
said Nothing, I committed my self to God’s Protection, and went to
them, without taking any Notice of what had been done.
[Sidenote: Duhaut, _the Murderer, usurps the Command_.]
_Duhaut_, puff’d up with his new gotten Authority, procur’d him by his
Villany, as soon as he saw me, cry’d out, Every Man ought to command
in his Turn; to which I made no Answer; and we were all of us oblig’d
to stifle our Resentment, that it might not appear, for our Lives
depended on it. However, it was easy to judge with what Eyes Father
_Anastasius_, Messieurs _Cavelier_ and I beheld these Murderers, to
whom we expected every Moment to fall Sacrifices. It is true, we
dissembled so well, that they were not very suspicious of us, and
that the Temptation we were under of making them away in Revenge for
those they had murder’d, would have easily prevail’d and been put in
Execution, had not Monsieur _Cavelier_, the Priest, always positively
oppos’d it, alledging, that we ought to leave Vengeance to God.
[Sidenote: _March continued._]
[Sidenote: Cenis _River_.]
However the Murderers seiz’d upon all the Effects, without any
Opposition, and then we began to talk of proceeding on our Journey. We
decamp’d the 21st, with our _Indians_, and march’d with such a heavy
Rain, that we were oblig’d to halt on the Bank of a great Stream, where
one of the Natives that had left us, arriv’d with his Wife. We went
on the 22d and 23d, and pass’d the River, where Father _Anastasius_,
Monsieur _Cavelier_ and I, who could not swim, had been drown’d, but
that the Natives assisted and sav’d us. The 24th, we went on thro’ a
marshy Country, never quitting a small Path which led to the Village of
the _Cenis_, till the 28th, when we rested on the Bank of a River of
the same Name, tho’ about ten Leagues distant from the Village.
We had hop’d to ford that River, as Monsieur _de la Sale_ had done,
when he return’d from that Country; but it was so swollen, that there
was no doing it, and we were forced to make a Canoe of Bullocks Hides.
Whilst we were employ’d at that Work, the _Indians_ swam over and went
to give Notice to the _Cenis_ of our Arrival.
[Sidenote: Copal _Tree_.]
We found the Country pleasant enough about that River, tho’ the Land
did not seem to be any of the best; but still it was delightful to the
Eye, well planted with fine Trees of several Sorts, among which, is one
that Monsieur _de la Sale_ had nam’d _Copal_, being very beautiful,
the Leaves of it between those of the Maple and the lime[96] Trees in
Resemblance, and from it comes a Gum, of a very agreeable Scent. In the
same Place we saw a great Tree, on which the late Monsieur _de la Sale_
had caus’d Crosses and the Arms of _France_ to be carv’d.
[Sidenote: _The Author sent to the_ Cenis _for Provisions_.]
The Hunting of Bullocks had fail’d us, and we had seen none from the
Place where our late Leader had been murder’d. Thus our Provisions
began to fall short, and it was resolv’d on the 29th, to send some Men
before, to the Village of the _Cenis_, to know, whether they had any
_Indian_ Corn, and were willing to barter for it. I was appointed,
with the Surgeon _Liotot_, the _Teisieers_, and _Hiens_, who was a
Buccanier, Monsieur _de la Sale_ had taken up at _Petit Gouave_, to
go with him upon this Expedition. I was very unwilling to undertake
that Journey, with a Murderer and two of his Companions, of whom I was
suspicious; but it was very requisite to obey, and _Duhaut_ having all
the Effects in his Possession, alledging, that a great part of them
belong’d to him, he gave us some Axes and Knives to barter for _Indian_
Corn, as also for Horses, if any were to be had, and accordingly we
pass’d the River.
[Sidenote: _The Country describ’d._]
We found the Country made up of several little Hills, of an indifferent
Height, on which there are Abundance of Wallnut-Trees and Oaks, not so
large as what we had seen before, but very agreeable. The Weeds which
had been some Time before burnt by the Natives, began to spring up
again, and discover’d large green Fields very pleasing to the Sight.
[Sidenote: _A Man clad like a Spaniard._]
When we had travell’d some Time, we discover’d three Men a Horseback,
coming towards us from the Village, and being come near them, saw one
dress’d after the _Spanish_ Fashion, with a little Doublet, the Body
whereof was of blue, and the Sleeves of white Fustian, as it were
imbroider’d, with very streight Breeches, white worsted Stockings,
Woollen-Garters, a broad-brim’d, flat-crown’d Hat, and long Hair. We
presently concluded he was a _Spaniard_, and the rather because we
had been told, that some of them were to come to join in League with
the _Cenis_, against an Enemy nation, and we were at a Nonplus; for
if we fell into their Hands, we must never expect to get away, but be
condemn’d to serve either in the Mines, or in the Quarries, in the
Kingdom of _Mexico_, for which Reason we provided to give the pretended
_Spaniard_ an unkind Reception, and then to make the best of our Way
back.
Being come up to him, I spoke some Words of _Spanish_ and _Italian_, to
which he return’d no Answer; but on the contrary, made use of the Word
_Coussica_, which in the Language of the _Cenis_, signifies, _I do not
understand you_; which Answer of his remov’d our Apprehensions. The
two others were quite naked, one of them being mounted on a fine grey
Mare, and on her were besides two Panniers, handsomely made of Reeds,
full of very fine Meal parch’d, or roasted. After several Questions, to
which we had no very satisfactory Answers, we lighted Fire to make them
smoke, and then they presented us with the two Panniers full of Meal,
giving us to understand, that their Chief expected us in the Village,
and having signify’d, that they were sent to meet us, we gave them some
Knives and Strings of Beads.
We ask’d them, whether they had any Men among them like him that was
a Horseback in the _Spanish_ Habit, they answer’d, there were two in
a Neighboring Nation, call’d _Assony_, and that he who was clad, had
been in their Country, and brought thence the Cloaths we saw him wear.
That Man then shew’d us a _Spanish_ printed Paper, containing the
Indulgences granted to the Missioners of _New Mexico_. After this they
left us to go on, to our People, for which Reason I writ a Note, giving
an Account of our having met them.
We alighted to eat, and let our Horses graze on the Bank of a Rivulet;
but it was not long before the same Natives, who had been with us
before, appear’d again hard by us. We made Signs to them to draw near
and eat with us; which they did, and then went along with us towards
the Village, which we would not go into, because it was Night. The
_Indian_ that was clad, stay’d all Night with us, and the two others
went away.
[Sidenote: _The_ Cenis _meet the French in solemn Manner_.]
When it was Day, we held on our Way to the Village; the _Indian_ that
was with us conducting us to their Chief’s Cottage. By the Way, we
saw many other Cottages, and the Elders coming to meet us in their
Formalities,[97] which consisted in some Goats Skins dress’d and
painted of several Colours, which they wore on their Shoulders like
Belts, and Plumes of Feathers of several Colours, on their Heads,
like Coronets. Six or seven of them had square Sword Blades, like the
_Spanish_, on the Hilts whereof they had fasten’d great Plumes of
Feathers, and several Hawks Bells; some of them had Clubs, which they
call Headbreakers, some only their Bows and Arrows;[98] others, Bits of
White Linen, reaching from Shoulder to Shoulder. All their Faces were
daub’d with black or red. There were twelve Elders, who walk’d in the
Middle, and the Youth and Warriors in Ranks, on the Sides of those old
Men.
[Sidenote: _A French Man among the Indians._]
Being come up to us in that Manner, he that conducted us, made a Sign
for us to halt, which when we had done, all the old Men lifted up their
Right Hands above their Heads, crying out in a most ridiculous Manner;
but it behov’d us to have a Care of laughing. That done, they came and
imbrac’d us, using all Sorts of Endearments. Then they made us smoke,
and brought to us a French Man of _Provence_, who was one of those that
had forsaken the late Monsieur _de la Sale_, at his first Journey.[99]
[Sidenote: _Indian Entertainment._]
The whole Company conducted us after the same Manner, to their Chief’s
Cottage; and after we had staid there a short Time, they led us to a
larger Cottage, a Quarter of a League from thence, being the Hut in
which they have their publick Rejoycings, and the great Assemblies.
We found it furnish’d with Mats for us to sit on. The Elders seated
themselves round about us, and they brought us to eat, some _Sagamite_,
which is their Pottage, little Beans, Bread made of _Indian_ Corn, and
another Sort they make with boil’d Flower, and at last they made us
smoke.
During our Repast, they entertain’d us with the Discourse of their
Design to make War on a Nation, who were their Enemies, and whom they
call’d _Cannohantimo_. When it was over, we presented them, according
to Custom, with some Knives and Strings of Beads for their Wives. We
desir’d them to afford us some _Indian_ Corn, in Exchange for other
Things, which they promis’d, and the French Man who was with them,
having told us, that there was a District, which afforded more Corn,
than that where we were, and where his Cottage was, we resolv’d to go
thither. We propos’d it to the Elders, who would needs go along with
us, attended by a great Number of Youth, and having got ready our
Horses, we set out for that Place.
By the Way, we saw several Cottages at certain Distances, straggling up
and down,[100] as the Ground happens to be fit for Tillage. The Field
lies about the Cottage, and at other Distances,[101] there are other
large Huts, not inhabited, but only serving for publick Assemblies,
either upon Occasion of Rejoycings, or to consult about Peace and War.
[Sidenote: _Huts and Families in them._]
The Cottages that are inhabited, are not each of them for a private
Family, for in some of them there are fifteen or twenty, each of which
has its Nook or Corner, Bed and other Utensils to its self; but without
any Partition to separate it from the rest: However, they have Nothing
in Common besides the Fire, which is in the Midst of the Hut, and
never goes out. It is made of great Trees, the Ends whereof are laid
together, so that when once lighted, it lasts a long Time, and the
first Comer takes Care to keep it up.
[Sidenote: _Manner of Building._]