M. de la Sale resolves upon a third Expedition.This was a very dismal and deplorable Account; but the even Temper of our Chief made all Men easy, and he found, by his great Vivacity of Spirit, Expedients, which reviv’d the lowest Ebb of Hope. He rejoiced at the Return and Sight of M. Chedeville, he was pleas’d at the Recovering of his Cloaths and Part of his Papers; and after some Time of Rest, he propos’d to undertake a Journey towards the Islinois, and to make it the main Business, by the Way, to find the Missisipi; but it was thought proper to let the great Heats pass, before that Enterprize was taken in Hand.
In the mean Time, he gave Orders to stake about a Place to make a New Magazine, or Storehouse. He put to that Use the Timber I had caus’d to be cut, and would have more provided for the same Use. Detachments being sent to work, seven or eight of our Men, who were sent with the Sieur Barbier, were discover’d by the Savages, who being superior in Number, made as if they would hem them in; but each of our Men having taken a Tree upon their Shoulders and fir’d their Pieces, which made one of the Natives drop, the others took him up and withdrew. Yet it was not long before they were reveng’d, for they kill’d us two Men,Two Men kill’d. one of them close by our Dwelling, and the other, who had separated from the rest of the Company to gather Purslain, and could not be reliev’d.
Oct. 1686There being every Day some Discourse of the Journey to the Islinois, Monsieur de la Sale ask’d me one Day, whether I would make one of the Company, and go by the Way of Canada to France for Succours. I assured him I was entirely devoted to his Will, and would faithfully attend him. Then he began by Degrees to provide what he thought necessary for that Expedition. I had two Pair of Sheets, which he took, to make him Linen. Canvas Cloaths were made of the Sails of the Bark la Belle. The Sieur Duhaut having Linen, he took some to distribute among several Persons. Thus he hasted on the Expedition of his Design, but an Accident put it off.
Nov. 1686It was occasion’d by a Flux which troubled Monsieur de la Sale, who having told me he could not perform that Journey, as long as he continued in such condition, I offer’d to undertake it for him, if he would allow me his Indian, and about fifteen Men; but he answer’d, That his Presence was requisite among the Islinois, and that it was requisite his Brother should go to France. Thus he refus’d my Offer, and could not shun the ill Fate of that Journey.
Dec. 1686We spent some Time longer after this Manner, during the which, there arose a Controversy about the PrivilegesControversy about Privilege. the King grants to the First-born of the French Colonies in America. The Sieur Barbier’s wife was with Child, and he claim’d the Privilege granted for that Child. The Widow Talon had a Child born in the Passage from France to America, and alledg’d, that her Child, tho’ born before our Arrival, ought to be preferr’d; but the Sieur Barbier’s Wife miscarrying, the Dispute was not decided.
Jan. 1687Monsieur de la Sale being recover’d of his Indisposition, Preparations were again made for his Journey; but we first kept the Christmas Holy-Days. The Midnight Mass was solemnly sung, and on Twelve-Day, we cry’d, The King drinks, (according to the Custom of France) tho’ we had only Water: When that was over we began to think of setting out. Monsieur de la Sale gave the Command of the Settlement to the Sieur Barbier, directing him what he was to do and observe in his Absence.
ThereWho were left in the Settlement when M. de la Sale departed. remain’d in that Habitation, the Fathers Maximus and Zenobius, Recolets, Monsieur Chedeville, the Priest, the Marquis de la Sablonniere, the Sieur Barbier, Commander, his Wife, a Surgeon and others, to the Number of twenty, among whom were seven Women, or Maids, and only the Sieur Barbier marry’d; which is much short of the Number some have given out remain’d in the Dwelling, without any Ground; for the Truth is, there were no more, and particularly no Natives, Monsieur de la Sale having absolutely forbid holding any Communication with them. As for Beasts, they amounted to seventy, or seventy five Swine, great and small, which was a good Stock; for Fowl, eighteen or twenty Hens; some Casks of Meal, which was kept for the Sick; Powder, Ball, and eight Pieces of Cannon, without any Bullets.
Persons that set out with M. de la Sale.We set out the 12th of January, in the Year 1687, being seventeen in Number, viz. Monsieur de la Sale, Monsieur Cavelier, the Priest, his Brother, Father Anastasius, the Recolet, Messieurs Moranget and Cavelier, Nephews to Monsieur de la Sale, the Sieurs Duhaut, the Elder, l’Arcleveque,[79] Hiens, Liotot, Surgeon, young Talon, an Indian, and a Footman belonging to Monsieur de la Sale. We carried along with us Part of the best Things every Man had, and what was thought would be of Use, wherewith the five Horses were loaded, and we took our Leaves with so much Tenderness and Sorrow, as if we had all presaged, that we should never see each other more. Father Zenobius was the Person who express’d it to me most significantly, saying, He had never been so sensibly touch’d at parting with any Body.
The Way they travell’d.We went that Day to the Place we call’d le Boucon, because there, we had often dry’d Flesh, (which the French call Boucanner from the Indian Word). This Place was not far from our Habitation. The 13th, we cross’d a Plain, about two Leagues over, where we saw several Herds of Beeves and Flocks of Goats, Turkeys, Bustards, and other Sorts of Wild Fowl. We met with Marshy Lands, which tired our Horses, and came to a Wood that terminates the Plain, across which, runs a Branch of a River, full of Reeds, by Monsieur de la Sale call’d the Princess’s River. That Branch joins the other, and they both fell together into the Bay of St. Lewis.
We kill’d five Beeves at the Entrance into the Wood, forded the River, and incamp’d Half a League beyond it, whence Monsieur de la Sale sent Men with Horses, to bring the Flesh of the Bullocks we had kill’d; the Hides of them, which serv’d to cover us, being very useful against a violent Shower of Rain that fell.