with the two half Savage _French_ Men and about twenty Natives. He went
immediately to _Duhaut_, and after some Discourse, told him, he was not
for going towards the _Missisipi_, because it would be of dangerous
Consequence for them, and therefore demanded his Share of the Effects
he had seiz’d upon. _Duhaut_ refusing to comply, and affirming, that
all the Axes were his own; _Hiens_, who it is likely had laid the
Design before to kill him, immediately drew his Pistol, and fired it
upon _Duhaut_, who stagger’d about four Paces from the Place and fell
down dead. At the same Time _Ruter_, who had been with _Hiens_, fired
his Piece upon _Liotot_, the Surgeon, and shot him thro’ with three
Balls.
These Murders committed before us, put me into a terrible
Consternation; for believing the same was design’d for me, I laid hold
of my Fire-Lock to defend my self; but _Hiens_ cry’d out to me, to fear
nothing, to lay down my Arms, and assur’d me he had no Design against
me; but that he had reveng’d his Master’s Death. He also satisfy’d
Monsieur _Cavelier_ and Father _Anastasius_, who were as much frighted
as my self, declaring he meant them no Harm, and that tho’ he had been
in the Conspiracy, yet had he been present at the Time when Monsieur
_de la Sale_ was kill’d, he would not have consented, but rather have
obstructed it.
_Liotot_ liv’d some Hours after, and had the good Fortune to make his
Confession; after which, the same _Ruter_, put him out of his Pain,
with a Pistol-Shot. We dug a Hole in the Earth, and bury’d him in it
with _Duhaut_, doing them more Honour than they had done to Monsieur
_de la Sale_ and his Nephew _Moranget_, whom they left to be devour’d
by wild Beasts. Thus those Murderers met with what they had deserv’d,
dying the same Death they had put others to.
[Sidenote: _More Mischief prevented._]
The Natives, _Hiens_ had brought with him, having been Spectators of
that Murder, were in a Consternation, and that Affair was of dangerous
Consequence to us, who stood in Need of them. It was therefore
requisite to make the best of it, giving them to understand, that
there had been Reason for so punishing those dead Persons, because
they had all the Powder and Ball, and would not give any to the rest.
They remain’d satisfy’d with that Excuse, and he who was called
_Larcheveque_, and who was entirely devoted to _Duhaut_, being Abroad a
hunting since the Morning, and not knowing what Misfortune had hapned
his Protector, and _Hiens_ being resolv’d to make away with him, Father
_Anastasius_ and Monsieur _Cavelier_ took so much Pains, that they
disswaded him from it, and I went out and met _Larcheveque_, to give
him Notice of that Disaster, and to inform him, how he was to behave
himself. Thus I requited him for having come to give me Notice of
Monsieur _de la Sale’s_ Death. I brought him to _Hiens_, who declar’d
he design’d him no Harm, and _Larcheveque_ gave him the same Assurances
on his Part. Thus all Things are again compos’d, and nothing remain’d,
but for us to set out, but first to know what we were to do, and which
Way to direct our Course.
Hereupon, _Hiens_ took upon him to speak, and said, he had promis’d
the Natives to go to the War with them, and design’d to be as good as
his Word; that if we would expect his Return, we might by that Time
consider which Way he would move,[108] and that in the mean Time we
might stay in the Village among the _Cenis_. This was resolv’d on;
we loaded all our Effects on our Horses, and repair’d to the same
Place and the same Cottage, where we had been before, the Chief of it
assigning us the one Half to lodge and lay up our Baggage.
[Sidenote: _Six French Men go to the Wars with the Natives._]
When the Day for setting out for the War was come, _Hiens_ departed
with the Natives, four of our Comrades and the two half Savage _French_
Men going along with him; so that there were six of them, and each took
a Horse. _Hiens_ left us all the Effects, and desir’d we would stay
for him, which we promis’d, not knowing how to avoid it, considering,
that the _Indians_ might have done us Harm, and even have obstructed
our Departure. Thus we resign’d ourselves to Providence, and remain’d
six of us together, _viz._ Father _Anastasius_, Monsieur _Cavelier_,
his Nephew young _Cavelier_, young _Talon_, another Youth of _Paris_,
and I. There also remain’d some old Men, who could not go to the War,
and the Women. We were also join’d by two other _French_ Men, who had
been left on the other Side the River, being the _Provencal_ and one
_Teissier_.
[Sidenote: _Bewailing the Memory of Men kill’d._]
During our Stay, and our Warriors being abroad upon that Expedition,
the old Men often visited us, and told us News from the Army by Signs,
which we understood nothing of. We were from Time to Time alarm’d,
seeing the Women weep, without any visible cause. The late Monsieur _de
la Sale_ had often told us, that the Women bewail’d those that were to
be kill’d; but we were inform’d, that they did so, when they call’d to
Mind some who had been slain in the former Wars; which dispell’d our
Apprehensions. However we were uneasy, because those old Men and Women
examined us every Morning and Evening when we perform’d our Devotions.
We laid hold of that Opportunity to give them to understand, that we
paid our Duty to one God, the only Supreme Sovereign of all Things,
pointing to Heaven, and endeavouring in the best Manner we were able,
to signify to them that he was Almighty, that he had made all Things,
that he caus’d the Earth to produce, it’s Fruits to prosper, and the
Growth of it, which maintain’d them to thrive; but this being only by
Signs, they did not understand us, and we labour’d in vain.
[Sidenote: _Women rejoice at Victory._]
The 18th, we were surpriz’d to see several Women come into our Cottage,
their Faces all besmear’d with Earth, and they set up their Throats,
singing several Songs as loud as they were able,[109] whereof we
understood not one Word. That done, they fell a Dancing in a Ring, and
we could not tell, what to think of that Rejoicing, which lasted full
three Hours; after which we were inform’d, they had receiv’d Advice of
the Victory obtain’d by their Warriors over their Enemies. The Dance
concluded, those in the Cottage gave some Bits of Tobacco to those
without.
The same Day, about Noon, we saw him that had brought the News, who
affirm’d they had kill’d at least Forty of their Enemies. After the
Rejoicing, all the Women apply’d themselves to make ready their
Provisions, some to pound _Indian_ Corn, others to boil Meal, which
they call _Grouller_, and others to bake Bread, to carry to the
Warriors. They all set out the 19th to meet them, and we thought it
in policy convenient to send Meat to our Men which was done by the
_French_ Man of _Provence_, who went with the Women.
[Sidenote: _Account of the Battle fought by the_ Cenis.]
That same Day, at Night, the Victorious Army returned, and we were
informed, that their Enemies whom they call _Cannohatinno_, had
expected them boldly, but that having heard the Noise, and felt the
Effects of our Mens Fire Arms, they all fled, so that the _Cenis_
had either kill’d or taken Forty Eight Men and Women. They had slain
several of the latter, who fled to the Tops of Trees, for want of Time
to make their Escape otherwise; so that many more Women had perish’d
than Men.
[Sidenote: _Barbarity of the Men towards a Woman taken._]
They brought Home two of those Women alive, one of whom had her Head
flead for the Sake of her Hair and Skin. They gave that wretched
Creature a Charge of Powder and a Ball, and sent Her home, bidding her
carry that Present to her Nation, and to assure them, they should be
again treated after the same Manner, that is, kill’d with Fire Arms.
[Sidenote: _Of the Women._]
The other Woman was kept to fall a Sacrifice to the Rage and Vengeance
of the Women and Maids; who having arm’d themselves with thick Stakes,
sharp Pointed at the End, Conducted that Wretch to a By-Place, where
each of those Furies began to torment her, sometimes with the Point
of their Staff, and sometimes laying on her with all their Might. One
tore off her Hair, another cut off her Finger, and every one of those
outrageous Women endeavour’d to put her to some exquisite Torture, to
revenge the Death of their Husbands and Kinsmen, who had been kill’d in
the former Wars; so that the unfortunate Creature expected her Death
Stroke, as Mercy.
[Sidenote: _Inhumanity._]
At last, one of them gave her a Stroke with a heavy Club on the Head,
and another run her Stake several Times into her Body, with which she
fell down Dead on the Spot. Then they cut that Miserable Victim into
Morsels, and oblig’d some Slaves of that Nation, they had been long
possess’d of to eat them.
[Sidenote: _Cruel Trophies._]
Thus our Warriors return’d Triumphant from that Expedition. They spar’d
none of the Prisoners they had taken, except two little Boys, and
brought Home all the Skins of their Heads, with the Hair, to be kept as
Trophies and glorious Memorials of their Victory.
The next Day all those Savages met in their Chief’s Cottage, whither
all the abovemention’d Heads of Hair were carry’d in State. Then they
made extraordinary Rejoicings in that Cottage, whence they went to
the Huts of the other Prime Men, to perform the same Ceremony. This
Rejoicing lasted three Days, our _French_ Companions, who had been the
Cause of their Victory, being call’d to it, and highly entertain’d,
after their Manner. It will not be disagreeable to the Reader, that
I here particularly describe that Ceremony, which after having been
perform’d in the Cottages of the Chief Men, was repeated in ours.
[Sidenote: _Ceremony of Rejoicing._]
In the first Place, the Cottage was made very clean, adorn’d, and
abundant of Mats laid on the Floor, on which the Elders, and the most
considerable Persons sate; after which, one of them, who is in the
Nature of an Orator, or Master of the Ceremonies stood up and made a
Speech, of which we understood not a Word. Soon after that Discourse
was ended, the Warriors arriv’d, who had slain any in Battle, marching
in their proper Order, each of them carrying a Bow and two Arrows, and
before every one of them went his Wife, carrying the Enemies Head of
Hair. Two little Boys, whose Lives they had spar’d, as has been said
before, one of them who was wounded being a Horseback, clos’d the
procession; at the Head whereof, was a Woman carrying a large Reed, or
Cane in her Hand.
As they came up to the Orator, the Warrior took the Head of Hair his
Wife had brought, and presented it to him, which the said Orator
receiv’d with both his Hands, and after having held it out towards the
four Quarters of the World, he laid it down on the Ground, and then
took the next, performing the same Ceremony, till he had gone over them
all.
When the Ceremony was ended, they serv’d up the _Sagamite_, in the
Nature of Hasty Pudding, which those Women had provided, and before any
one touch’d it, the Master of the Ceremonies took some in a Vessel,
which he carry’d as an Offering to those Heads of Hair. Then he
lighted a Pipe of Tabacco, and blow’d the Smoke upon them. That being
perform’d, they all fell to the Meat, _Bits of the Woman that had been
sacrific’d were served up to the two Boys of her Nation_. They also
serv’d up dry’d Tongues of their Enemies, and the whole concluded with
Dancing and Singing after their Manner: After which, they went to other
Cottages to repeat the same Ceremony.
There was no talk of our Design till those Rejoycings were over, and
I began to conceive good Hopes of our Success. The two Murderers,
_Teissier_ and _Larcheveque_, who had both a Hand in the Death of
Monsr. _de la Sale_, had promis’d to go along with us, provided Monsr.
_Cavelier_ would pardon them, and he had given them his Word so to do.
In this Expectation we continu’d till the 25th, when our French Men,
who had been at the War, repair’d to our Cottage, and we consulted
about our Business.
_Hiens_ and others of his Gang, disapproving of our Design, represented
to us such Difficulties as they look’d upon to be unsurmountable, under
which we must inevitably perish, or at least be oblig’d to return to
the same Place. _Hiens_ told us, that for his own Part, he would not
hazard his Life to return into _France_, only to have his Head chopp’d
off, and perceiving we answer’d Nothing to that, but that we persisted
in our Resolution, _It is requisite then_, said he, _to divide what
Effects remain._
[Sidenote: Hiens _gives the others what he pleases, and seizes the rest
of the Effects_.]
Accordingly he laid aside, for F. _Anastasius_, Messieurs _Cavelier_,
the Uncle and the Nephew,[110] thirty Axes, four or five Dozens of
Knives, about thirty Pounds of Powder and the like Quantity of Ball.
He gave each of the others two Axes, two Knives, two or three Pounds
of Powder, with as much Ball, and kept the rest. As for the Horses, he
kept the best and left us the three least. Monsieur _Cavelier_ ask’d
him for some Strings of Beads, which he granted, and seiz’d upon all
the late Monsr. _de la Sale’s_ Cloaths, Baggage and other Effects,
besides above a thousand Livres in Money, which belong’d to the late
Monsr. _le Gros_, who dy’d at our Dwelling of St. _Lewis_. Before our
Departure, it was a sensible Affliction to us, to see that Villain walk
about, in a scarlet Coat, with Gold Galons, which had belong’d to the
late Monsr. _de la Sale_, and which, as I have said, he had seiz’d.
[Sidenote: _Mr._ Cavelier _and his Company part from the others_.]
After that, _Hiens_ and his Companions withdrew to their own Cottage,
and we resolv’d not to put off our Departure any longer. Accordingly,
we made ready our Horses, which much alarm’d the Natives, and
especially the Chief of them, who said and did all he could to obstruct
our Journey, promising us Wives, Plenty of Provisions, representing to
us the immense Dangers, as well from Enemies, who surrounded them, as
from the bad and impassable Ways and the many Woods and Rivers we were
to pass. However, we were not to be moved, and only ask’d one Kindness
of him, in obtaining of which, there were many difficulties, and it
was, that he would give us Guides to conduct us to _Cappa_; but at
length, after much Trouble and many Promises of a good Reward, one was
granted, and two others went along with him.
[Sidenote: French _Men stay with the_ Indians.]
[Sidenote: _Only seven set out for_ Canada.]
All Things being thus order’d for our Departure, we took Leave of our
Hosts, pass’d by _Heins_’s Cottage and embrac’d him and his Companions.
We ask’d him for another Horse, which he granted. He desired an
Attestation in _Latin_ of Monsieur _Cavelier_, that he had not been
concern’d in the Murder of Monsieur _de la Sale_, which was given
him, because there was no refusing of it; and we set forward without
_Larcheveque_ and _Meunier_, who did not keep their Word with us, but
remain’d among those Barbarians, being infatuated with that Course
of Libertinism they had run themselves into. Thus there were only
seven of us that stuck together to return to _Canada_, _viz._ Father
_Anastasius_, Messieurs _Cavelier_ the Uncle and the Nephew, the Sieur
_de Marle_, one _Teissier_, a young Man born at _Paris_, whose Name
was _Bartholomew_ and I, with six horses and the three _Indians_, who
were to be our Guides; a very small Number for so great an Enterprize,
but we put ourselves entirely into the Hands of Divine Providence,
confiding in God’s Mercy, which did not forsake us.
After the first Day’s Journey we incamp’d on the Bank of the River, we
had left not long before, lay there that Night, and the next Day, cut
down Trees to make a Sort of Bridge or Planks to pass over it; handing
over our Goods from one to another, and swimming over our Horses;
which Work we were frequently oblig’d to repeat, and as often as we had
afterwards Occasion to pass Rivers on our Way, which we held on till
the 29th, every Day meeting with some Cottage, and at last, a Hamlet or
Village, into which we went, and the _Indian_ Inhabitants told us, they
were call’d _Nahordikhe_,[111] and that they were Allies to the _Cenis_.
[Sidenote: Nahordikhes _and_ Assony.]
We barter’d with them for some Provisions, and their Chief offer’d to
go with us as far as the _Assonys_, who were not farther off than about
three Leagues, which he accordingly did; but it happening to rain when
we came thither, and the _Assonys_ having had no Notice before hand, we
found but indifferent Reception.
However, we were conducted to the Chief’s Cottage; the Elders had
Notice given them, they resorted thither, and when our Horses were
unloaded, and our Goods plac’d in a Corner of the Cottage, which the
Chief had allotted us, we gave them to understand, that our Intention
was to go farther, to fetch Commodities to trade with them, at which
they were pleas’d. They gave us to eat, and the Elders stay’d some Part
of the Evening with us, which made us somewhat Uneasy, and oblig’d us
to be upon our Guard; however the Night pass’d without any Disturbance.
The next Morning the Elders came to us again. They had provided Mats
without the Cottage, and made Signs to us to go thither and sit down
upon them, as we did, leaving two of our Company to guard the Baggage.
We repeated to them what we had said the Night before, and made them
some Presents of Axes, Knives, Strings of Beads and Rings. They
signify’d they were sorry we would go away, and endeavour’d the best
they could, to make us sensible of the same Obstacles the others had
signify’d to us; but it was all in Vain; however, we stay’d till the
first of _June_, all the while bartering and gathering the best stock
of Provisions we could.
[Sidenote: _June 1687_]
[Sidenote: _Good Entertainment._]
The Second, we remov’d from that Cottage, where we had some Jealousy,
and went to another, a Quarter of a League from it, where the Chief
of it gave us a very good Reception. An old Woman, who was either his
Mother, or Governess of the Cottage, took particular Care of us: We
were first serv’d at eating, and to keep her in that good Mind, we now
and then made her some little Presents, whilst she, by her Care and
Kindness, spar’d our Provisions, which were necessary for our Journey.
A continual Rain oblig’d us to stay there till the 13th. During our
Stay, the Natives made several Feasts, to which we were always invited;
and at length the Rain ceasing, we resolv’d to set out, notwithstanding
all Monsieur _Cavelier_ the Priest’s Apprehensions, which we
surmounted, and directed our Course towards the _N. E._ with two
_Indians_, who were to conduct us only a small Way, and who accordingly
soon left us, whatsoever Promises we could make them. They departed to
return Home, promising they would come to us again. We encamp’d that
Night on the Bank of a Rivulet.
[Sidenote: _Bad Ways._]
The 14th and 15th, we held on our Way, frequently meeting with Sloughs,
which very much fatigued us, because we were oblig’d to unload our
Horses for them to pass, and prevent their sticking in the Mire and fat
Soil, whence we could not have drawn them out, and consequently we were
fain to carry all our Luggage on our own Backs.
Whilst we halted about Noon, that our Horses might graze, as was
usually done by us, we discover’d our two _Assony Indians_ returning
towards us, at which we were much rejoiced, because they had a better
Notion than ourselves of the Way we were to go. We made them eat and
smoke, and then set out again.
The 16th, we came to a great River, which we pass’d as we had done the
first, and after that, met with very bad Ways.
[Sidenote: _Art to Kill Goats and Wild Fowl._]
The 17th, one of our Company being indispos’d, we could not set out
till Noon, and held on till the 21st, crossing several Sloughs and
Rivers, and then one of our _Indians_ being out of Order, it oblig’d us
to stay on the Bank of a River we had pass’d. The other _Indian_ seeing
his comrade sick, went a Hunting, and brought a wild Goat; for there
are many in that Country. The _Indians_ have the Art of dressing the
Heads of those Creatures, which they put upon their own, and imitate
them so exactly, that they can come very near to them, and then seldom
fail of killing. The same Method they use for Turkeys and other wild
Fowl, and so draw them close to themselves.
[Sidenote: _Fine Meadows._]
The 22d, our _Indian_ being somewhat recover’d we decamp’d and
proceeded along a better Way and Pleasanter Country, than that we
had left behind, and as we enquir’d the best we could of those our
_Indians_, concerning the Neighbouring Nations and those we were going
towards, among others they nam’d to us, that they call’d _Cappa_.
M. _Cavelier_ told us, he remember’d he had heard his late Brother
Monsieur _de la Sale_ name that Nation, and say he had seen it as he
went from _Canada_ towards the _Missisipi_. This put us in Hopes, that
we should succeed in our Discovery.
The 23d, being near a Village, we had been in Search of, one of our
_Indians_ went before, to give Notice of our Arrival. In the mean Time
we cross’d most lovely Plains and Meadows, border’d with fine Groves
of beautiful Trees, where the Grass was so high, that it hinder’d our
Horses going, and were oblig’d to clear the Passage for them.
When we were within Half a League of the Village, we saw an _Indian_,
mounted on a large grey Mare, coming along with our Native, to meet us,
and were told, that Horseman was the Chief of the Village, attended by
some others of the same Place. As soon as that Chief came up to us, he
express’d very much Kindness and Affection; we gave him to understand,
that we did no Body any Harm, unless we were first attack’d. Then we
made him smoke, and when that was done, he made Signs to us to follow
him, which we did, till we came to the Bank of a River, where he again
desir’d us to stay, whilst he went to give Notice to the Elders.
[Sidenote: M. Cavelier _and the rest carry’d on the Backs of Indians_.]
Soon after, a Number of them came, and having join’d us, signify’d,
that they were come to carry us to their Village. Our _Indians_ made
Signs, that it was the Custom of the Country, and we must submit, and
let them do as they thought fit. Tho’ we were much out of Countenance
at that Ceremony, seven of the prime Men among them would have us mount
on their Backs or Shoulders. Monsieur _Cavelier_ being our Chief,
mounted first, and then the rest did the same.
As for my own Part, being of a pretty large Size and loaded with
Cloaths, a Firelock, a Case of Pistols, Powder and Ball, a Kettle and
other Implements, there is no Doubt but I made a sufficient Burden
for him that carry’d me, and because I was taller than he and my Feet
would have hung upon the Ground, two other _Indians_ held them up for
me; so that I had three to carry me. Other _Indians_ took hold of our
Horses to lead them, and in that ridiculous Equipage we arriv’d at the
Village. Our Carriers, who had gone a long Quarter of a League, had
need enough to rest, and we to be set down, that we might laugh in
private, for it behov’d us to take Care not to do it before them.
[Sidenote: _Ceremonies at their Reception._]
As soon as we were come to the Chief’s Cottage, where we found above
two hundred Persons, who were come to see us, and that our Horses were
unloaded, the Elders gave us to understand, that it was their Custom
to wash Strangers at their first Coming; but that we being clad, they
would only wash our Faces; which one of those elders did, with fair
Water they had in a Sort of Earthen Vessel, and he only wash’d our
Forehead.
[Sidenote: _Speeches made to them._]
After this second Ceremony, the Chief made Signs to us, to sit down on
a Sort of little Scaffold, rais’d about 4 Foot above the Ground, and
made of Wood and Canes, where when we were plac’d, the Chiefs of the
Villages being four in Number, came and made Speeches to us, one after
another. We listened to them with Patience, tho’ we understood not one
Word of what they said to us; being tir’d with the Length of their
Harangues, and much more with the violent Heat of the Sun, which was
just over our Heads.
When the Speeches were ended, the Purport whereof, as near as we could
guess, was only to assure us, that we were very welcome; we gave them
to understand, that we were going into our own Country, designing to
return speedily, to bring them several Sorts of Commodities and such
Things as they should stand in need of.
Next, we made them the usual Presents of Axes, Knives, Strings of
Beads, Needles and Pins, for their Wives, telling them, that when we
return’d we would give them more.
[Sidenote: _Their Entertainment._]