Meal, we would give them other Things in Exchange, which they agreed
to. After this they made us eat _Sagamite_, or Hasty-pudding, Bread,
Beans, Pompions and other Things, which we had sufficient Need of.
Most of us having scarce eaten any Thing all that Day, some for Want,
and others out of Devotion, as Monsr. _Cavelier_, who would observe
the Fast of St. _John Baptist_’s Eve, whose Name he bore. It is to be
observ’d, that the Pompions are incomparably better there, than with us.
The 24th, the Elders met again in our Cottage. We gave them to
understand, they would oblige us,[112] in furnishing Guides to conduct
us to the Village of _Cappa_, which was in our Way; but instead of
granting it, they earnestly intreated us, to stay with them and go
to the Wars against their Enemies, having been told Wonders of our
Firelocks, which we promis’d to do when we return’d, and that it should
be shortly, and they seem’d to rest satisfy’d.
[Sidenote: _Mr._ de Marle _drown’d_.]
Thus our Hopes increas’d, but the Joy it occasion’d was allay’d by a
dismal Accident that befell us. Monsieur _de Marle_, one of the prime
Men of our Company, having Breakfasted, would needs go Bath himself in
the River we had pass’d the Day before, and not knowing how to swim,
he went too far and step’d into a Hole, whence he could not recover
himself, but was unfortunately drowned. Young Monsieur _Cavelier_,
having been told that Monsieur _de Marle_ was going to Bath himself,
ran after him, and coming to the River, saw he was drowning, he ran
back to acquaint us: We hasted thither with a Number of _Indians_, who
were there before us; but all too late, some of them div’d, and brought
him up dead from the Bottom of the Water.
[Sidenote: _His Funeral._]
We carry’d him to the Cottage, shedding many Tears, the _Indians_ bore
Part in our Sorrow, and we paid him the last Duties, offering up the
usual Prayers; after which he was buryed in a small Field, behind the
Cottage; and whereas, during that doleful Ceremony, we pray’d, reading
in our Books, particularly Monsieur _Cavelier_, the Priest and Father
_Anastasius_, the _Indians_ gaz’d on us with Amazement, because we
talk’d, looking upon the Leaves, and we endeavour’d to give them to
understand, that we pray’d to God for the dead Man, pointing up to
Heaven.
[Sidenote: _Humanity of the Indians._]
We must do this Right to those good People, as to declare, that they
express’d singular Humanity upon that doleful Accident, as appear’d by
the sensible Testimony of their Actions, and all the Methods they us’d
to let us understand how great a Share they bore in our Sorrow; which
we should not have found in several Parts of _Europe_.
[Sidenote: _Indian Ceremony to the Dead._]
[Sidenote: _Indian Nations._]
During our short Stay in that Place, we observ’d a Ceremony that was
perform’d by the Chief’s Wife, _viz._ that every Morning she went to
Monsieur _de Marle’s_ Grave, and carry’d a little Basket of parch’d
Ears of Corn to lay on it, the meaning whereof we could not understand.
Before our Departure, we were inform’d, that the Villages belonging
to our Hosts, being four in Number, all ally’d together were call’d,
_Assony_, _Natsohsos_, _Nachitos_ and _Cadodaquio_.
On the 27th, having been inform’d by the Natives, that we should find
Canoes, to pass a River that was on our Way, Father _Anastasius_
and I went to see whether, what they told us was true. We found that
River was a Branch of the same we had already pass’d, the Channel of
it being pleasant and navigable, and saw some Canoes, in one of which
the _Indians_ carry’d us over to the other Side, whether we went to
see what convenient Place there was for our Horses to come ashore. We
found a very proper Place, and returning, made our Report to Monsieur
_Cavelier_, who being then much out of Order with Pains in his Feet, we
were oblig’d to stay there, till the 30th.
[Sidenote: Janiquo _Nation_.]
[Sidenote: _Doleful Entertainment._]
During that Time, we were frequently visited by the _Indians_, both
Old and Young, and of both Sexes, and even the Chiefs of the Nation,
call’d _Janiquo_, came to see us, and with them we often convers’d
in dumb Show, and every Evening the Women, attended by the Warriors,
with their Bows and Arrows, resorted to our Cottage, to sing a doleful
Sort of Song, shedding Tears at the same Time. This would have given
us some Uneasiness, had we not before seen the same Ceremony, and
been inform’d, that those Women repair in that Manner to the Chief’s
Cottage, to intreat him, singing and weeping, to take Revenge on those,
who have kill’d their Husbands, or Relations, in former Wars, as I have
observ’d before. In all other Respects, the Manners and Customs of this
Nation, being much the same as those of the _Cenis_, I shall add no
more concerning them.
The 29th, at Night, we gave Notice to the Chief, that we would set out
the next Day, we made him some Presents in particular, and the like to
his Wife, because she had taken special Care of us, and departed on the
30th. The Chief, attended by many other _Indians_, whom we found in the
Cottages on our Way, went to Conduct us as far as the River, which we
cross’d in Canoes, and swam over our Horses. There we took Leave of our
Conductors, to whom we gave some Strings of Beads for their Wives, and
their Chief would needs Conduct us to the next Village.
[Sidenote: Cadodaquio _Village_.]
By the Way we came to a Cottage, where our Guide made us halt, and
there they gave us to eat. Then we held on our Journey to a Village
call’d _Cadodaquio_, and were conducted to the Chief’s Cottage, who
receiv’d us courtiously, being a Friend to him that went with us. It
was requisite to unload our Horses to lie there, and we signified to
the Chief, that we stood in Need of Provisions. He spoke to the Women,
who brought us some Meal, which we purchased with Strings of Beads, and
the Chief, who conducted us thither, took his Leave.
Having no Design to stay there any Time, we had desired the Chief to
appoint some Person to guide us to the Village call’d _Cahainihoüa_,
which was in our Way. It happen’d by good Fortune, that there were then
in that Place some Men and Women of the said Village, who were come to
fetch some Wood, fit to make Bows, there being Plenty of that Sort of
Trees they make them of, about the Village we were in. We signify’d
our Design to them and they gave us to understand they would be glad
to bear us Company. In the Conversation we had with them, they made us
comprehend, that they had seen People like us, who had Firelocks and a
House, and that they were acquainted with the _Cappa’s_, which was very
pleasing to us. Because they were not to depart till two Days after, we
resolv’d to stay for them.
[Sidenote: _Peculiar Custom._]
We observ’d, that there was a Difference between the Language of those
People and the Inhabitants of the Village we were in, from that of the
_Cenis_, and that they had some peculiar Ceremonies, one whereof is,
that when the Women have their Terms, they leave the Company of their
Husbands and withdraw into other Cottages appointed for that Purpose,
which no Person is to come near, upon Pain of being reputed unclean.
[Sidenote: _Ornaments of Women._]
[Sidenote: _July 1687_]
Those Women have their Faces still more disfigur’d, than the others
we had seen before; for they make several Streaks, or Scores on them,
whereas the others had but one. They adorn themselves with little Locks
of fine red Hair; which they make fast to their Ears in the Nature of
Pendants. In other Respects they are not disagreeable, and neither
Women nor Maids are so ill-natur’d as to make their Lovers pine for
them. They are not difficult of Access, and they soon make a Return for
a small Present.
[Sidenote: _The Men._]
The Men wear their Hair short, like our _Capucins_, they anoint it
with a sort of Oyl, or Grease, and curl it like snails, after which
they strew on it a Sort of Down, or Lint, died red, as we do Powder,
which is done when they design to be very fine, in order to appear in
their Assemblies. They are very fond of their Children, and all the Way
of chastising them they use, is to throw Water at them, without ever
beating or giving them ill Words.
The _Indians_ that were of the Village of _Cohainihoua_[113] and to
conduct us thither, not being ready to set out on _Wednesday_ the 2d
of _July_, as they had promis’d, a young _Indian_ offer’d himself,
saying, he would conduct us safe thither, and we set out with him,
still directing our Course towards the _N. E._ We kept close along the
same River we had cross’d, and found it very pleasant and navigable,
the Banks of it cover’d with fine Trees of several Sorts.
We had not travell’d above a League, before our Guide gave us to
understand, that he had forgot a Piece of hard dry’d Skin he had to
make him Shoes, which he would go fetch and return to us, pointing to
us with his Hand, which Way we were to go, and telling us we should
soon come to a River.
This sudden Change in the _Indian_ was somewhat surprizing and very
much perplex’d us; however we held on our Way, and soon came to the
River he had mention’d to us, which was very pleasant and deep. We
cross’d it the next Day, on a Sort of Float, which we made with much
Toil and Labour, and our Horses swam over. Some Time after we were
passed, we saw the _Indians_ coming, who had promised to bear us
Company, and were glad to find our Float, to cross the same River, as
they did, and proceeded on our Journey all together.
[Sidenote: _Plenty of Game._]
The 4th, 5th and 6th, we did the same, crossing a very fine Country,
but water’d by many Brooks, Streams and Rivers. We found Abundance of
wild Goats, Turkeys and other wild Fowl, whereof our _Indians_ kill’d
many.
On the 6th, whilst we halted on the Bank of a River to eat, we heard
the Tingling of some small Bells; which making us look about, we spy’d
an _Indian_ with a naked Sword-Blade in his Hand, adorned with Feathers
of several Colours, and two large Hawks Bells, that occasion’d the
Noise we had heard.
He made Signs for us to come to him, and gave us to understand, that he
was sent by the Elders of the Village, whither we were going, to meet
us, caressing us after an extraordinary Manner. I observ’d that it was
a Spanish Blade he had, and that he took Pleasure in ringing the Hawks
Bells.
[Sidenote: _Kind Reception._]
Having travell’d about half a League with him, we discover’d a Dozen of
other _Indians_ coming towards us, who made very much of and conducted
us the Village, to the Chief’s Cottage, where we found dry’d Bear-Skins
laid on the Ground, and they made us sit on them, where we were treated
with Eatables, as were the Elders after us, and a Throng of Women came
to see us.
[Sidenote: _Presents._]
The 7th, the Elders came to give us a Visit, bringing us two Bullocks
Hides, four Otters Skins, one white Wild-Goat’s Skin, all of them well
dry’d, and 4 Bows, in Return for the Present we had before made them.
The Chief and another came again some Time after, bringing two Loaves,
the finest and the best we had yet seen. They look’d as if they had
been bak’d in an Oven, and yet we had not observ’d, that there were
Ovens among any of them. That Chief stay’d with us some Hours, he
seem’d to be very ingenious and discreet, and easily understood our
Signs, which were most of the Language we had. Having order’d a little
Boy to bring us all we had Occasion for, he withdrew.
[Sidenote: _The Ceremony of the Pipe._]
Towards the Evening, we were entertain’d with a Ceremony we had not
seen before. A Company of Elders, attended by some young Men and Women
came to our Cottage in a Body, singing as loud as they could roar.
The foremost of them had a _Calumet_, so they call a very long Sort
of Tabacco Pipe, adorn’d with several Sorts of Feathers. When they
had sung a while, before our Cottage, they enter’d it, still singing
on, for about a Quarter of an Hour. After that, they took Monsieur
_Cavelier_ the Priest, as being our Chief, led him in solemn Manner out
of the Cottage, supporting him under the Arms. When they were come to
a Place they had prepared, one of them laid a great Handful of Grass
under his feet, two others brought fair Water in an Earthen Dish, with
which they wash’d his Face, and then made him sit down on a Skin,
provided for that Purpose.
When Monsieur _Cavelier_ was seated, the Elders took their Places,
sitting round about him, and the Master of the Ceremonies fix’d in the
Ground two little wooden Forks, and having laid a Stick across them,
all being painted red, he placed on them a Bullock’s Hide, dryed, a
Goat’s Skin over that, and then laid the Pipe thereon.
The Song was begun again, the Women mixing in the Chorus, and the
Concert was heightned by great hollow Calabashes or Gourds, in which
there were large Gravel Stones, to make a Noise, the _Indians_
striking on them by Measure, to answer the Tone of the Choir; and the
pleasantest of all was, that one of the _Indians_ plac’d himself behind
Monsieur _Cavelier_ to hold him up, whilst at the same Time he shook
and dandled him from Side to Side, the Motion answering to the Musick.
That Concert was scarce ended, when the Master of the Ceremonies
brought two Maids, the one having in her Hand a Sort of Collar, and
the other an Otter’s Skin, which they plac’d on the wooden Forks
abovemention’d, at the Ends of the Pipe. Then he made them sit down, on
each Side of Monsieur _Cavelier_, in such a Posture, that they look’d
one upon the other, their Legs extended and intermix’d, on which the
same Master of the Ceremonies laid Monsieur _Cavelier’s_ Legs, in such
Manner, that they lay uppermost and across those of the two Maids.
Whilst this Action was performing, one of the Elders made fast a dy’d
Feather to the back Part of Monsieur _Cavelier’s_ Head, tying it to
his Hair. The Singing still continu’d all that Time, so that Monsieur
_Cavelier_ grown weary of its Tediousness, and asham’d to see himself
in that Posture between two Maids, without knowing to what Purpose,
made Signs to us to signify the same to the Chief, and having given him
to understand, that he was not well, two of the _Indians_ immediately
took hold of him under the Arms, conducted him back to the Cottage and
made Signs to him to take his Rest. This was about Nine in the Evening,
and the _Indians_ spent all the Night in Singing, insomuch that some of
them could hold out no longer.
In the Morning they return’d to Monsieur _Cavelier_, conducted him
again out of the Cottage, with the same Ceremony and made him sit
down, still singing on. Then the Master of the Ceremonies took the
Pipe, which he fill’d with Tabacco, lighted and offered it to Monsieur
_Cavelier_, but drawing back and advancing six Times before he gave it
him. Having at last put it into his Hands, Monsieur _Cavelier_ made as
if he had smok’d and return’d it to them. Then they made us all smoke
round, and every one of them whiff’d in his Turn, the Musick still
continuing.
[Sidenote: Cahaynohoua _Nation_.]
About Nine in the Morning, the Sun growing very hot, and Monsieur
_Cavelier_ being bare Headed, made Signs that it did him Harm. Then at
last they gave over singing, and conducted him back into the Cottage,
took the Pipe, put it into a Case, made of a Wild-Goat’s Skin, with
the two wooden Forks and the red Stick that lay across them, all which
one of the Elders offer’d to Monsieur _Cavelier_, assuring him that he
might pass thro’ all the Nations that were ally’d to them by Virtue of
that Token of Peace, and should be every where well receiv’d. This was
the first Place where we saw the _Calumet_, or Pipe of Peace, having
no Knowledge of it before, as some have writ. This Nation is call’d
_Cahaynohoua_.
[Sidenote: Indians _expect Presents_.]
This Sort of Ceremonies being never perform’d among the _Indians_
without the Expectation of receiving some Present, and we having
besides observ’d, that some of them had withdrawn themselves, with
Tokens of Dissatisfaction, perhaps because we had interrupted their
Ceremony, we thought it convenient to give them something more, and
I was appointed to carry them an Ax, four Knives and some Strings of
Beads, with which they were satisfied.
We afterwards shew’d them an Experiment of our Arms, the Noise and Fire
whereof frighted them. They earnestly press’d us to stay with them,
offering us Wives and whatsoever else we should want. To be the better
quit of them, we promis’d to return, saying we were going to fetch
Commodities, Arms and Tools, which we stood in Need of, that we might
afterwards stay with them.
The 9th and 10th were spent in Visits, and we were inform’d by one
of the _Indians_ that we were not far from a great River, which he
describ’d with a Stick on the Sand, and shew’d it had two Branches, at
the same Time pronouncing the word _Cappa_, which, as I have said, is
a Nation near the _Missisipi_. We then made no longer Question, that
we were near what we had been so long looking after. We entreated the
Elders to appoint some men to conduct us, promising to reward them
well, which they granted, and we set out the 11th, to the great Sorrow
of those good People, who had entertain’d us so courteously.
[Sidenote: _The Journey prosecuted._]
We travell’d several different Ways, which we could never have found,
had we wanted Guides, and so proceeded till on the 12th, one of our
Guides pretended to be sick, and made Signs that he would go back;
but observing, that we seem’d to be no Way concern’d, which we did on
Purpose, he consulted with his Companion, and then came to tell us, he
was recover’d. We made him eat and smoke, and continued our Journey
the 13th, finding the Way very bad and difficult.
The 14th, our _Indians_, having seen the Track of Bullocks, signify’d
they would go kill some, to eat the Flesh, which made us halt for two
or three Hours. Whilst we stay’d for our Hunters, we prepar’d some
_Sagamite_, or their Sort of Hasty-Pudding. They return’d loaded with
Flesh, Part whereof we dress’d, and eat it with very good Stomachs.
Then we proceeded on our Journey till the 18th, and by the Way kill’d
three Bullocks and two Cows, which oblig’d us to halt, that we might
use of our Flesh, drying it.
[Sidenote: _Indians with Axes._]
The Night between the 19th and the 20th, one of our Horses breaking
loose, was either taken away by the Natives, or lost in the Woods. That
did not obstruct our Departure, tho’ the Loss was grievous to us, and
we held on our Way till the 24th, when we met a Company of _Indians_,
with Axes, going to fetch Barks of Trees, to cover their Cottages. They
were surpriz’d to see us, but having made Signs to them to draw near,
they came, caress’d and presented us with some Water Melons they had.
They put off their Design of going to fetch Bark till another Time,
and went along with us, and one of our Guides having gone before in
the Morning to give Notice of our coming at the next Village, met with
other Parcels of _Indians_, who were coming to meet us, and express’d
extraordinary Kindness.
We halted in one of their Cottages, which they call _Desert_, because
they are in the Midst of their Fields and Gardens. There we found
several Women who had brought Bread, Gourds, Beans and Water Melons, a
Sort of Fruit proper to quench Thirst, the Pulp of it being no better
than Water.
[Sidenote: _A Cross by a River and a French built House._]
We set out again to come to the Village, and by the Way, met with very
pleasant Woods, in which, there were Abundance of stately Cedars. Being
come to a River, that was between us and the Village, and looking
over to the further Side, we discover’d a great Cross, and at a small
Distance from it, a House, built after the _French_ Fashion.
It is easy to imagine what inward Joy we conceiv’d at the Sight of
that Emblem of our Salvation. We knelt down, lifting up our Hands and
Eyes to Heaven, to return Thanks to the Divine Goodness, for having
conducted us so happily; for we made no Question of finding _French_ on
the other Side of the River, and of their being Catholicks, since they
had Crosses.
In short, having halted some Time on the Bank of that River, we spy’d
several Canoes making towards us, and two Men cloath’d, coming out of
the House we had discover’d, who, the Moment they saw us, fir’d each
of them a Shot to salute us. An _Indian_ being Chief of the Village,
who was with them, had done so before, and we were not backward in
returning their Salute, by discharging all our Pieces.
[Sidenote: _Dwelling of French._]
When we had pass’d the River, and were all come together, we soon knew
each other to be _French_ Men. Those we found were the Sieurs _Couture
Charpantier_ and _de Launay_, both of them of _Roan_, whom Monsieur _de
Tonty_, Governor of Fort St. _Lewis_ among the _Islinois_, had left at
that Post, when he went down the _Missisipi_ to look after Monsr. _de
la Sale_; and the Nation we were then with, was call’d _Accancea_.
[Sidenote: _The Travellers come to the French Habitation._]
It is hard to express the Joy conceiv’d on both Sides; ours was
unspeakable, for having at last found, what we had so earnestly
desired, and that the Hopes of returning to our dear Country, was in
some Measure assured by that happy Discovery. The others were pleased
to see such Persons as might bring them News of that Commander, from
whom they expected the Performance of what he had promis’d them; but
the Account we gave them of Monsr. _de la Sale’s_ unfortunate Death,
was so afflicting, that it drew Tears from them, and the dismal History
of his Troubles and Disasters render’d them almost inconsolable.
We were conducted to the House, whither all our Baggage was honestly
carry’d by the _Indians_. There was a very great Throng of those
People, both Men and Women, which being over, we came to the Relation
of the particular Circumstances of our Stories. Ours was deliver’d by
Monsieur _Cavelier_, whom we honour’d as our Chief, for being Brother
to him, who had been so.
[Sidenote: _Who the Frenchmen were._]
We were inform’d by them, that they had been Six, sent by Monsr.
_Tonty_, when he return’d from the Voyage he had made down the
_Colbert_ or _Missisipi_ River, pursuant to the Orders sent him by the
late Monsr. _de la Sale_, at his Departure from _France_, and that the
said Sieur _Tonty_ had commanded them to build the aforesaid House.
That having never since receiv’d any News from the said Monsr. _de la
Sale_, Four of them were gone back to Monsr. _Tonty_, at the Fort of
the _Islinois_.
In Conclusion, it was agreed among us, to go away as soon as possible,
towards the _Islinois_, and conceal from the _Indians_, the Death of
Monsieur _de la Sale_, to keep them still in Awe and under Submission,
whilst we went away with the first Ships that should happen to sail
from _Canada_ for _France_, to give an Account at Court of what had
happen’d, and to procure Succours. In the mean Time, the Chief of the
_Indians_ came to invite us to eat. We found Mats laid on the Ground
for us to sit on, and all the Village met to see us.
[Sidenote: _Kind_ Indians.]
We gave them to understand, that we came from Monsieur _de la Sale_,
who had made a Settlement on the Bay of _Mexico_; that we had pass’d
thro’ many Nations, which we nam’d, and that we were going to _Canada_
for Commodities, and would return down the River; that we would bring
Men to defend them against their Enemies and then settle among them;
that the Nations we had pass’d through had appointed Men to guide
us, and we desired the same Favour of them, with some Canoes and
Provisions, and that we would reward our Guides and pay for what they
furnish’d us.
The Conveniency of an Interpreter, we then had, gave us the Opportunity
of making ourselves be easily understood, and the Chief answer’d to our
Proposals, that he would send Men to the other Villages to acquaint
them with our Demands, and to consult with them what was to be done
in that Case; that as for the rest, they were amaz’d at our having
pass’d thro’ so many Nations, without having been detain’d, or kill’d,
considering what a small Number we were.
When the Discourse was ended, that Chief caus’d Meat to be set before
us, as dry’d Flesh, Bread made of _Indian_ Corn of several Sorts, and
Water Melons; after which he made us smoke, and then we return’d to
our House, where being eas’d of all those Impediments, we gave each
other an Account of our Affairs, at Leisure, and were inform’d, that
those People impatiently expected[114] the Return of Monsieur _de la
Sale_, which confirm’d us in the Resolution of concealing his Death. We
observ’d the Situation of that Post, and were made acquainted with the
Nature of the Country and the Manners of those People, of which I shall
give the following Remarks.
[Sidenote: French _House among the_ Acconcea’s _describ’d_.]