But having no Oars, none of them knowing how to manage those Canoes, and having only some pitiful Poles, which they could not tell the right Use of, and the Wind being also against them, they made little Way; which the Sieur du Hamel, who was in his Boat perceiving, and that Night drew on, he made the best of his Way, forsook them and return’d to the Camp.
Thus Night came upon them, which oblig’d those unexperienc’d Canoe Men, being thoroughly tir’d, to go ashore to take some Rest, and the Weather being cold, they lighted a Fire, about which they laid them down and fell asleep; the Sentinel they had appointed doing the same. The Indians returning to their Camp,The Indians take Revenge. and perceiving our Men: had carry’d away two Canoes, some Skins and Blankets, took it for a Declaration of a War, resolv’d to be reveng’d, and discovering an unusual Fire, presently concluded that our men had halted there. A considerable Number of them repair’d to the Place, without making the least Noise, found our careless People fast asleep, wrap’d up in their Blankets, and shot a full Volley of their Arrows upon them all together on a Sudden, having first given their usual Shout before they fall on.
Sieurs Oris and Desloges kill’d.The Sieur Moranget awaking with the Noise, and finding himself wounded, started up and fir’d his Piece successfully enough, some others did the like, whereupon the Natives fled. The Sieur Moranget came to give us the Alarm, though he was shot through one of his Arms, below the Shoulder, and had another slanting Wound on the Breast. Monsieur de la Sale immediately sent some arm’d Men to the Place, who could not find the Indians, but when Day appear’d, they found the Sieurs Oris and Desloges dead upon the Spot, the Sieur Gayen much hurt, and the rest all safe and sound.
March 1685This Disaster, which happen’d the Night of the 5th of March, very much afflicted Monsieur de la Sale; but he chiefly lamented Monsieur Desloges a sprightly Youth, who serv’d well; but in short, it was their own Fault, and contrary to the Charge given them, which was to be watchful and upon their Guard. We were under Apprehensions for Messieurs Moranget and Gayen, lest the Arrows should be poison’d. It afterwards appear’d they were not, however Monsieur Moranget’s Cure prov’d difficult, because some small Vessel was cut.
The Consequences of this Misfortune, together with the Concern, most of the best Persons who had follow’d Monsieur de la Sale were under,[61] supported the Design of those who were for returning to France and forsaking him, of which Number were Monsieur Dainmaville, a Priest of the Seminary of St. Sulpice, the Sieur Minet, Engineer and some others. The common Discourses of Monsieur de la Sale’s Enemies tending to discredit his Conduct, and to represent the pretended Rashness of his Enterprize, contributed considerably towards the Desertion; but his Resolution prevailing, he heard and waited all Events with Patience, and always gave his Orders, without appearing the least discompos’d.
He caus’d the Dead to be brought to our Camp, and bury’d them Honourably, the Cannon supplying the Want of Bells, and then consider’d of making some safer Settlement. He caus’d all that had been sav’d from the Shipwreck, to be brought together into one Place, threw up Intrenchments about it, to secure his Effects, and perceiving that the Water of the River, where we were, roul’d down violently into the Sea, he fancy’d that might be one of the Branches of the Missisipi, and propos’d to go up it, to see whether he could find any Tokens of it, or of the Marks he had left, when he went down by Land to the Mouth of it.
Debates between the Commanders.In the mean Time, Monsieur de Beaujeu was preparing to depart: The Chevalier de Aire had many Conferences with Monsieur de la Sale about several things, the latter demanded of Monsieur de Beaujeu, particularly the Cannon and Ball which were aboard the Joly, and had been design’d for him; which Monsieur de Beaujeu refus’d, alledging that all those things lay at the Bottom of the Hold, and that he could not rummage it without evident Danger of perishing; tho’, at the same time, he knew we had Eight Pieces of Cannon and not one Bullet.
Mr. de la Sale much wrong’d.I know not how that Affair was decided between them; but am sure he suffer’d the Captain of the Flyboat l’Aimable to imbark aboard Monsieur de Beaujeu, tho’ he deserv’d to be most severely punish’d, had Justice been done him. His Crew follow’d him, contrary to what Monsieur de BeaujeuMr. de Beaujeu leaves him. had promis’d, that he would not receive a Man of them. All that Monsieur de la Sale could do, tho’ so much wrong’d, was to write to France, to Monsieur de Seignelay, Minister of State, whom he acquainted with all the Particulars, as I was inform’d, when I return’d, and he gave the Packet to Monsieur de Beaujeu, who sail’d away for France.[62]
Having lost the Notes I took at that time, and being forc’d to rely much upon Memory for what I now write, I shall not pretend to be any longer exact in the Dates, for fear of mistaking, and therefore I cannot be positive as to the Day of Monsieur de Beaujeu’s Departure, but believe it was the 14th of March, 1685.
A Fort built.When Monsr. de Beaujeu was gone, we fell to Work to make a Fort, of the Wreck of the Ship that had been cast away, and many Pieces of Timber the Sea threw up; and during that Time, several Men deserted, which added to Monsieur de la Sale’s Affliction. A Spaniard and a French Man stole away and fled, and were never more heard of. Four or five others follow’d their Example, but Monsieur de la Sale having timely Notice, sent after them, and they were brought back. One of them was condemn’d to Death, and the others to serve the King ten Years in that Country.