another, and rounded away at the Corners; its roof is of bark. It is
seated on a small Eminency, half a Musket-shot from the Village, in a
Country abounding in all Things. The Plains lying on one Side of it,
are stor’d with Beeves, wild Goats, Deer, Turkeys, Bustards, Swans,
Ducks, Teal and other Game.
[Sidenote: _Product of the Country_.]
The Trees produce plenty of Fruit, and very good, as Peaches, Plumbs,
Mulberries, Grapes, and Wallnuts. They have a Sort of Fruit they
call _Piaguimina_, not unlike our Medlars, but much better and more
delicious. Such as live near the Rivers, as that House is, do not want
for Fish of all Sorts, and they have _Indian_ Wheat, whereof they make
good Bread. There are also fine Plains diversify’d with several Sorts
of Trees, as I have said before.
[Sidenote: _Nation of the_ Accancea’s.]
The Nation of the _Accancea’s_ consists of four Villages. The first is
call’d _Otsotchove_, near which we were; the second _Toriman_, both
of them seated on the River; the third _Tonginga_; and the fourth
_Cappa_, on the Bank of the _Missisipi_. These Villages are built after
a different Manner from the others we had seen before, in this Point,
that the Cottages, which are alike as to their Materials and Rounding
at the Top, are long, and cover’d with the Bark of Trees, and so very
large, that several of them can hold two hundred Persons, belonging to
several Families.
[Sidenote: _Household Stuff._]
The people are not so neat as the _Cenis_, or the _Assonis_ in their
Houses, for some of them lie on the Ground, without any Thing under
them but some Mats, or a dress’d Hide. However, some of them have more
Conveniencies, but the Generality has not.[115] All their Moveables
consist in some Earthen Vessels and oval wooden Platters, which are
neatly made, and with which they drive a Trade.
[Sidenote: _Shape._]
They are generally very well shap’d and active; the Women are handsome,
or at least have a much better Presence than those of the other
Villages we pass’d thro’ before. They make Canoes all of one Piece,
which are well wrought. As for themselves they are very faithful, good
natur’d, and Warriors like the rest.
[Sidenote: _The Ceremony of the Pipe perform’d to M._ Cavelier.]
The 25th, the Elders being assembled, came to see us, and told the
Sieur _Couture_, that they design’d to sing and dance the _Calumet_,
or Pipe; because the others had sung it, some of them to the late
Monsieur _de la Sale_, and the rest to Monsieur _Tonty_, and therefore
it was but reasonable they should do the same to get a Firelock, as
well as the others. Monsieur _Cavelier_ was inform’d of it, and it was
requisite to consent to it, to please those _Indians_, because we stood
in need of them.
[Sidenote: _Ceremony of the Pipe._]
The Ceremony began with Monsieur _Cavelier_, who was led under the Arms
and seated on a Hide, without the Cottage. The Forks, the Skins laid on
it in Honour of the Pipe, the Singing as loud as they cou’d roar, both
by Men and Women, and all the other Ceremonies were observ’d, as I have
mention’d them before; so that Monsieur _Cavelier_ being weary of them,
he caus’d the Chief to be told, that he was out of Order, and desir’d
his Nephew might be put in his Place, which was done accordingly, and
they spent the whole Night in Singing. In the Morning they perform’d
some other Ceremonies, not worth relating.
The Solemnity being ended, by every Man’s smoking of the Pipe, the
_Indians_ took it, with some Bullocks Hides, and Goats and Otters
Skins, and a Collar made of Shells, all which they carry’d to our
House, and we gave them a Firelock, two Axes, six Knives, one hundred
Charges of Powder, as much Ball, and some Strings of Beads for their
Wives. The Chief having given Notice of our coming to the other
Villages, their Deputies came to see us; we entertain’d them in the
House, and propos’d to them our Designs, as had been done to the Chief.
They stood considering a While, then held a Sort of Consultation among
themselves, which held not long without talking, and then agreed to
grant us what we ask’d, which was a Canoe and a Man of each Village to
conduct us, upon the promis’d Consideration, and so they went away to
the Cottage of the Chief of the Village.
[Sidenote: _The Journey continued._]
The 27th, the Chief and the Elders met again to consult about what we
demanded of them; the Length of the Journey made them apprehensive for
those, who were to conduct us; but, at Length, we having dispell’d
their Fears by our Arguments, and they having again deliberated some
Time, agreed to our Request. We again made them a Present, promising a
good Reward to our Guides, and so we prepar’d to set forwards. Little
_Bartholomew_ the _Parisian_, having intimated to us, that he would
willingly stay in that House, because he was none of the ablest of
Body, we recommended him to the Sieur _Couture_. We desir’d those that
remain’d there, to keep the Secret of Monsr. _de la Sale’s_ Death,
promis’d to send them Relief, left them our Horses, which were of
great Use to go a Hunting, and gave them fifteen or sixteen Pounds of
Powder, eight hundred Balls, three hundred Flints, twenty-six Knives,
and ten Axes, two or three Pounds Weight of Beads; Monsr. _Cavelier_
left them Part of his Linen, hoping we should soon be in a Place where
we should get more; and all of them having made their Peace with God,
by Means of the Sacrament of Penance, we took Leave of them, excepting
the Sieur _Couture_, who went to conduct us Part of the Way.
[Sidenote: Toriman _Village_.]
We imbark’d on a Canoe belonging to one of the Chiefs, being at least
twenty Persons, as well Women as Men, and arriv’d safe, without any
Trouble, at a Village call’d _Toriman_, for we were going down the
River. We were well received in the Chief’s wigwam, and were treated as
we had been when among the others. We propos’d it to these People, or
rather demanded it of them to confirm what had been granted us by the
others, and they deferr’d giving us their Answer till the next Day; for
they do Nothing without consulting about it, and we having brought a
Sack of _Indian_ Wheat, from the _French_ Mens House, desir’d the Chief
to cause Women to pound it, for which we would give ’em Something.
Immediately he made a Sign to his Officers to go call them, and they
went as readily.
[Sidenote: _Officers._]
There were seven or eight of those Officers always about him, stark
naked and besmear’d, some after one Fashion, and others after another.
Each of them had three or four Calabashes or Gourds, hanging at a
Leather Girdle about their Wastes, in which there were several Pebbles,
and behind them hung a Horse’s Tail, so that when they ran, the Gourds
made a ratling Noise, and the Tail being born up by the Wind, stood out
at its full Length, so that Nothing could be seen more ridiculous; but
it behooved us to take Heed of shewing the least Smile.
[Sidenote: _The River_ Missisipi _found at last_.]
The remaining Part of the Day was spent in going with the Sieur
_Couture_ to see the fatal River so much sought after by us, called
_Colbert_, when first discover’d, and _Missisipi_, or, _Mechasipi_ by
the Natives that were near us. It is a very fine River and deep, the
Breadth of it about a Quarter of a League, and the Stream very rapid.
The Sieur _Couture_ assur’d us, that it has two Branches or Channels,
which parted from each other above us, and that we had pass’d its other
Branch, when we came to the first Village of the _Accancea’s_, with
which Nation we still were.
[Sidenote: _Particular Ceremonies._]
The 28th, the Chief and the Elders being assembled, they granted our
Requests. We were to part, in order to be entertain’d in several
Places, where we took Notice of some particular Ceremonies, which we
had not seen among the other Nations. One of them is, that they serve
up their Meat in two or four large Dishes, which are first set down
before the two principal Guests, who are at one End, and when they
have eaten a little, those Dishes are shov’d down lower and others are
served up in their Place, in the same Manner; so that the first Dishes
are serv’d at the upper End and thrust down lower as others come in.
He who treats, does not sit down with the Company, nor does he eat, but
performs the Part of a Steward, taking Care of the Dressing and of the
Placing of the Meat serv’d up; and to the End he may appear the finer,
he never fails to besmear himself with Clay, or some red or black
Colouring they make use of.
[Sidenote: Tonningua _Village_.]
The 29th, we set out from that Village, and imbark’d on two Canoes to
cross the _Missisipi_. The Chief and about a Score of young Folks bore
us Company to the next Village call’d _Tonningua_, seated on the Bank
of that River, where we were receiv’d in the Chief’s Cottage, as we
had been in the others. The Elders treated us in their Turns, and the
Descriptions before given will serve for this Place, there being but
little Difference between them and their Neighbours.
[Sidenote: Cappa _Village_.]
[Sidenote: _Aug. 1687_]
The 30th, we set out for _Cappa_, the last Village of the _Accancea’s_,
eight Leagues distant from the Place we had left. We were obliged to
cross the River _Missisipi_ several Times in this Way; because it winds
very much, and we had some foul Weather, which made it late before we
could reach _Cappa_. A great Number of Youth came to meet us, some of
them conducted us to the Chief’s Cottage, and others took Care of our
Baggage, which was restor’d to us very honestly. We found the Elders
waiting for us; a great Fire was kindled to dry us, and the Cottage was
lighted by several burning Reeds,[116] which they make use of instead
of Flambeaus; after which we were serv’d as in other Places.
The 31st, we receiv’d Visits from the Elders. Their Discourse ran upon
the War they design’d to make, thinking to ingage us in it, and we
return’d the same Answer as we had done to the others, that we would
soon return with all Things we stood in Need of. We ask’d a Man of
them, which was granted, and the Day ended in Feasting.
[Sidenote: _Entertainment given by the Indians._]
We would willingly have set out the First of _August_; but the Chief
came and told us, it could not be, because the Women had not pounded
our Corn, which however was done; but they made use of that Pretence
to oblige us to stay, and to have Leisure to give us some Diversion,
after their Manner. Accordingly, about Ten in the Morning, the Warriors
and Youth came together to Dance. They were dress’d after their best
Manner, some of them wearing Plumes of several Colours, wherewith
they adorn their Heads, others, instead of Feathers, had two Bullocks
Horns, and were all besmear’d with Clay, of Black or of Red, so that
they really look’d like a Company of Devils or Monsters, and in those
Figures they danc’d, as I have describ’d it, speaking of the other
Nations.
[Sidenote: Machigamea _Nation_.]
The Second, we made ready to be going. The _Indian_ given by the first
Village for our Guide, would not go any farther. A Man, said to be an
Hermaphrodite, offer’d to supply his Place, saying, he was willing to
go to the _Islinois_. We took Leave of the Sieur _Couture_, to whom
Monsr. _Cavelier_ made an Exhortation, encouraging him to persevere
and have Patience, in Hopes of the Relief we wou’d send him, and so
we imbark’d on the _Missisipi_ in a Canoe, being Nine in Number, that
is, five of us, and the four _Indians_ that were our Guides. We were
oblig’d to cross that River very often, and no less frequently to
carry our Canoe and Goods, as well on Account of the Rapidity of the
River, and to find it slacker on the one or the other Side of it, which
was very troublesome to our Guides, as because of the little islands
we met with, which are form’d by the impetuous beating of the Water
upon the Banks, that oppose its Course, where the Channels happen not
to lie strait; there it washes away the Earth and bears down great
Trees, which in Process of Time form little Islands, that divide the
Channel. At Night we incamp’d in one of those small Islands, for our
greater Safety, for we were then come into an Enemy’s Nation, call’d
_Machigamea_, which put our _Indians_ into great Frights.
It is certain our Toil was very great, for we were oblig’d to row in
the Canoe, to help our _Indians_ to stem the Current of the River,
because we were going up, and it was very strong and rapid; we were
often necessitated to land, and sometimes to travel over miry Lands,
where we sunk up half way the Leg; other Times over burning Sands,
which scorch’d our Feet, having no Shoes, or else over Splinters of
Wood, which ran into the Soles of our Feet, and when we were come to
the resting Place, we were to provide Fuel to dress our Meat, and
provide all Things for our _Indians_, who would not have done so much
as go fetch a Cup of Water, tho’ we were on the Bank of the River, and
yet we were happy enough in having them.
We proceeded on, continually undergoing the same Toil, till the
Seventh, when, we saw the first Bullock, we had met on our Way, since
our coming among the _Accancea’s_. The _Indians_, who had a great Mind
to eat Flesh, made a Sign to me, to go kill it. I pursu’d and Shot, but
it did not fall, the _Indians_ ran after, kill’d, and came to tell us
it must be parch’d, or dry’d, which was accordingly done. I must here
take Notice of a Ceremony our _Indians_ perform’d, when they came near
the Bullock, before they flead him.
[Sidenote: _Ceremony at dressing a Bullock._]
In the first Place, they adorn’d his Head with some Swans and Bustards
Down, dy’d red, and put some Tabacco into his Nostrils, and between
the Clefts of the Hoofs. When they had flead him, they cut out the
Tongue, and put a Bit of Tabacco into its Place; then they stuck two
Wooden Forks into the Ground, laid a Stick across them, on which they
plac’d several Slices of the Flesh, in the Nature of an Offering. The
Ceremony being ended, we parch’d or dry’d the best Parts of the Beast
and proceeded on our Journey.
[Sidenote: _Banks of several Colours._]
The 9th, we found the Banks of the River very high, and the Earth of
them Yellow, Red and White, and thither the Natives came to furnish
themselves with it, to adorn their Bodies, on Festival Days. We held
on our Way till the 14th, when we met a Herd of Bullocks, whereof we
kill’d five, dry’d Part of them, and proceeded till the 18th.
[Sidenote: Houabache _River_.]
The 19th, we came to the Mouth of the River, call’d _Houabache_, said
to come from the Country of the _Iroquois_, towards _New England_. That
is a very fine River, its Water extraordinary clear, and the Current of
it, gentle. Our _Indians_ offer’d up to it, by Way of Sacrifice, some
Tabacco and Beef Steaks, which they fix’d on Forks, and left them on
the Bank, to be dispos’d of as the River thought fit. We observ’d some
other Superstitions among those poor People, one whereof was as follows.
[Sidenote: _Indian Fast._]
There were some certain Days, on which they Fasted, and we knew them,
when as soon as they awak’d, they besmear’d their Faces and Arms, or
other Parts of their Bodies, with a slimy Sort of Earth, or pounded
Charcoal; for that Day they did not eat till Ten or Eleven of the Clock
at Night, and before they did eat they were to wipe off that Smearing,
and had Water brought them for that Purpose. The Occasion of their
Fasting was, as they gave us to understand, that they might have good
Success in Hunting, and kill Abundance of Bullocks.
[Sidenote: _Salt Water Spring._]
[Sidenote: _Wild Fruit._]
We held on our Way till the 25th, when the _Indians_ shew’d us a Spring
of Salt Water, within a Musket Shot of us, and made us go ashore to
view it. We observ’d the Ground about it was much beaten by Bullocks
Feet, and it is likely they love that Salt Water. The Country about,
was full of Hillocks, cover’d with Oaks and Wallnut-Trees, Abundance
of Plum-Trees, almost all the Plums red and pretty good, besides great
Store of other Sorts of Fruits, whose Names we know not, and among
them one shap’d like a midling Pear, with Stones in it as big as large
Beans. When ripe it peels like a Peach, the Taste is indifferent good,
but rather of the Sweetest.
The 27th, having discover’d a Herd of Beeves, we went ashore to kill
some; I shot a Heifer, which was very good Meat, we put a Board the
best of it, and held on our Way till the Evening, when we encamp’d on
an Island, where we observ’d an alteration in the Humour and Behaviour
of our _Indians_. This put us under some Apprehension, and the more,
for that he who was reckon’d an Hermaphrodite, told us, they intended
to leave us, which oblig’d us to secure our Arms and double our Watch
during the Night, for Fear they should forsake us.
[Sidenote: Missouris _River_.]
With that Jealousy we proceeded on our Journey the 28th and 29th,
coasting along the Foot of an upright Rock, about sixty, or eighty Foot
high, round which the River glides. Held on the 30th and 31st, and the
first of _September_ pass’d by the Mouth of a River call’d _Missouris_,
whose Water is always thick, and to which our _Indians_ did not forget
to offer Sacrifice.
[Sidenote: _Figure of a pretended Monster._]
[Sidenote: _Sept. 1687_]
[Sidenote: _River of the_ Islinois.]
The 2d, we arriv’d at the Place, where the Figure is of the pretended
Monster spoken of by Father _Marquet_. That Monster consists of
two scurvy Figures drawn in red, on the flat Side of a Rock, about
eight or ten Foot high, which wants very much of the extraordinary
Height that Relation mentions. However our _Indians_ paid Homage, by
offering Sacrifice to that Stone; tho’ we endeavour’d to give them to
understand, that the said Rock had no Manner of Virtue, and that we
worship’d something above it, pointing up to Heaven; but it was to
no Purpose, and they made Signs to us, that they should die if they
did not perform that Duty. We proceeded, coasting along a Chain of
Mountains, and at length, on the 3d, left the _Missisipi_, to enter the
River of the _Islinois_.
We found a great Alteration in that River, as well with Respect to its
Course, which is very gentle, as to the Country about it, which is much
more agreeable and beautiful than that about the great River, by Reason
of the many fine Woods and Variety of Fruit its Banks are adorn’d with.
It was a very great comfort to us, to find so much Ease in going up
that River, by Reason of its gentle Stream, so that we all stay’d in
the Canoe and made much more Way.
[Sidenote: Indian _dies of eating raw Suet_.]
Thus we went on till the 8th, without stopping any longer than to kill
a Bullock, and one of our _Indians_, who had a craving Stomach, having
eaten some of its Suet hot and raw, was taken very ill, and died of it,
as I shall mention in its Place.
The 9th, we came into a Lake, about half a League over, which we
cross’d, and return’d into the Channel of the River, on the Banks
whereof we found several Marks of the Natives having been incamp’d
there, when they came to fish and dry what they caught. The 10th, we
cross’d another Lake, call’d _Primitehouy_, return’d to the River, and
the 11th, saw _Indians_ before us, incamp’d on the Bank of a River,
whereupon we stop’d and made ready our Arms. In the mean Time, one of
them came towards us by Land, and we put on our Canoe towards him.
[Sidenote: _Meeting with_ Islinois.]
When that _Indian_ was near, he stood gazing on us, without speaking a
Word, and then drawing still nearer, we gave him to understand, that
we were sent by Monsieur _de la Sale_, and came from him. Then he made
Signs to us, to advance towards his People, whom, he went before to
acquaint with what he had said to him, so that when we were come near
them they fired Several Shot to salute us, and we answer’d them with
our Firelocks.
After that mutual Salutation, they came into our Canoe, to signify,
they were glad to hear News of Monsieur _de la Sale_. We ask’d them,
What Nation they were of; they answer’d, They were _Islinois_, of a
Canton call’d _Cascasquia_. We enquir’d whether Monsieur _Tonty_ was
at Fort _Lewis_; they gave us to understand, that he was not, but that
he was gone to the War against the _Iroquois_. They invited us Ashore,
to go with them to eat of such as they had, we thank’d them, and they
brought us some Gourds and Water Melons, in Exchange for which, we gave
them some parch’d Flesh.
We had not by the Way taken Notice of a Canoe, in which was a Man
with two Women, who, being afraid of us, had hid themselves among the
Reeds, but that man seeing us stop among his Countrymen, took Heart,
came to us, and having told us, that he belong’d to a Village near Fort
_Lewis_, we set out together, and one of our _Indians_ went into that
Canoe, to help them to shove, so they call the Way of pushing on the
Canoe with Poles instead of rowing.
[Sidenote: _Fort_ Lewis _among the_ Islinois.]
On _Sunday_, the 14th of _September_, about two in the Afternoon, we
came into the Neighbourhood of Fort _Lewis_. Drawing near, we were met
by some _Indians_ that were on the Bank, who having view’d us well, and
understanding we came from Monsr. _de la Sale_, and that we belong’d
to him, ran to the Fort to carry the News, and immediately we saw a
_French_ Man come out, with a Company of _Indians_, who fir’d a Volley
of several Pieces, to salute us. Then the _French_ Man drew near, and
desir’d us to come Ashore, which we did, leaving only one in the Canoe,
to take Care of our Baggage; for the _Islinois_ are very sharp at
carrying off anything they can lay their Hands on, and consequently,
nothing near so honest as the Nations we had pass’d thro’.
[Sidenote: _Arrival at Fort_ Lewis.]
We all walk’d together towards the Fort, and found three _French_ Men
coming to meet us, and among them a Clerk, who had belong’d to the late
Monsr. _de la Sale_, nomme Boisrondet. They immediately ask’d us, where
Monsr. _de la Sale_ was, we told them, he had brought us Part of the
Way, and left us at a Place about forty Leagues beyond the _Cenis_, and
that he was then in good Health. All that was true enough; for Monsr.
_Cavelier_ and I, who were the Persons, that then spoke, were not
present at Monsr. _de la Sale’s_ Death; he was in good Health when he
left us, and I have told the Reasons we had for concealing his Death,
till we came into _France_.
It is no less true, that Father _Anastasius_, and he they call’d
_Teissier_, could have given a better Account, the one as an Eye
Witness, and the other, as one of the Murderers, and they were both
with us; but to avoid lying, they said Nothing. We farther told them,
we had Orders to go over into _France_, to give an Account of the
Discoveries made by Monsieur _de la Sale_, and to procure the sending
of Succours.
[Sidenote: _Reception._]
At length, we enter’d the Fort, where we found and surpriz’d several
Persons who did not expect us. All the _French_ were under Arms and
made several Discharges to welcome us. Monsieur _de Belle Fontaine_
Lieutenant to Monsr. _Tonty_, was at the Head of them and complimented
us. Then we were conducted to the Chappel, where we return’d Thanks to
God, from the Bottom of our Hearts, for having preserv’d and conducted
us in Safety; after which we had our Lodgings assigned us, Monsr.
_Cavelier_ and Father _Anastasius_ had one Chamber, and we were put
into the Magazine, or Warehouse. All this While, the Natives came by
Intervals, to fire their Pieces, to express their Joy for our Return,
and for the News we brought of Monsieur _de la Sale_, which refresh’d
our Sorrow for his Misfortune; perceiving that his Presence would have
settled all Things advantageously.
The Day after our Arrival, one of the _Indians_, who had conducted us,
having been sick ever since he eat the raw Beef Suet, I mention’d
before, died, and his Companions took away and bury’d him privately. We
gave them the promis’d Reward, and the Part belonging to the Dead Man,
to be deliver’d to his Relations. They stay’d some Time in the Fort,
during the which, we took extraordinary Care of them, and at last they
return’d to their own Homes.