After a March of some Hours, our Indian having found a Herd of Beeves, we kill’d seven or eight, took the best of the Meat, and held on our Way across a Wood. We ford’d a Branch of the River, and proceeded to the Bank of another, the Bottom whereof being foul, we incamp’d on the Edge of it, and the Rain falling at Night and continuing all the next Day, were oblig’d to stay there.
The 19th, the Rain ceasing, we proceeded through a thick Fog, and over Places where the Water was often up to our Knees, and sometimes higher; which, together with our being forc’d to cut the Way athwart the Bushes, with our Hatchets, gave us inexpressible Trouble, and it had been much greater, had we not resolv’d to follow the Ways beaten by the Bullocks, whom a natural Instinct always leads to those Parts which are easiest to pass.
We were not free from another Inconveniency in those Tracks, which was their being full of Water and very rugged, a Thing no Way agreeable to our Shoes,Buskins of raw Hides instead of Shoes. which were no other than a Piece of Bullocks Hide or Goats Skin quite green, whereof we made a sort of Buskins, to serve instead of Shoes, but when those wretch’d Boots were dry’d by the Heat, upon our Feet, they hurt us very much, and we were often oblig’d to set our Feet in the Water to soften those Buskins. However, we march’d all the Day, notwithstanding all those Inconveniences, without finding a proper Place to incamp, and at last came to a River, whose high Bank afforded us a Spot to rest on.
The 20th, a small Rain did not obstruct our March, and having cross’d a Wood, half a League athwart, and a Marsh of the same Extent, we came into a large Plain, cut across by great Tracks of Bullocks, which went towards the River, and made us suppose there might be a Ford. We follow’d that Way, but found the River so swollen, and its Stream so rapid, that it was impossible to cross it, but were oblig’d to halt upon its Bank, whence we went to hunt Bullocks, whereof we had no want, nor of Turkeys and other wild Fowl.
The 21th, we proceeded up that River, and found a narrow deep Place, near which we hew’d down a Tree, making it fall so as to reach from the one Bank to the other, in the Nature of a Plank, and handed our Baggage from one to another over it. The Horses swam over and we incamp’d on the other Side, near a very beautiful Plain.
Hebahamo, Indian Nation.Whilst we were hewing down some little Wood to intrench ourselves, we heard a Voice, whereupon handling our Arms and going to the Place where we heard it, we saw a Company of fifteen Savages, who were coming towards us, and made Signs to us to go to them, laying down their Bows, in Token of Peace. We also made our Sign to them to draw near, they did so and caress’d us after their Manner. We made them sit down and smoke, after which, Monsr. de la Sale began to converse with them by Signs, and by Help of some Words of the Language of the Cenis, which he was skilful in, he understood, that these were their Neighbours and Allies; that their Village was not far off, and that their Nation was call’d Hebahamo. Some small Presents were given them, and they withdrew, promising to return the next Day.
The 22th, our Horses being spent and hurt, and we much tir’d, the Day was given to Rest, and the Natives did not fail to come, being twenty five in Number, some of whom had Bucklers or Targets made of the strongst Part of the Bullocks Hides. They gave us to understand, that they were ingag’d in War towards the N. W. and told us, they had seen Men like us, who were but ten Days Journey from that Place. Other Tokens they gave, made us suppose it was New Spain that they talk’d of.
Monsr. de la Sale took several Words of their Language, which is very different from that of the Cenis, and more difficult. As for their Customs, they are much alike. In fine, having shewn us, that towards the N. W. we should meet with Plains, where the Way would be easier, and we should shun the Woods, we gave them to eat, and some Presents, and they took Leave of us. A Rain falling and holding all the Night, we did not march the 24th. The 25th, we travell’d not far, by Reason of the Rains continuing, and that there were several Rivers in the Way much swollen.
The 26th, we proceeded on our Journey, and came to the River call’d la Sabloniere, from the many Sand Banks there are in it. The 27th,[85] departing from it, we came to another little narrow River, but very deep; going up higher we found a Ford, and went to incamp beyond it, in a little Wood, where we had a very bad Night, because of the Rain which fell again, and the overflowing of the River, which oblig’d us to make a little Sort of Scaffold, to lay our Powder and Cloaths on, that they might not be wet. The next Day being the 28th,[86] observing that the Water was still rising, we decamp’d to go a League farther, to a higher Ground, where we made a great Fire to warm and dry us.
We took Notice the Country was very good, the Plains extending as far as the Eye could reach, and adorn’d with many little Coppices, affording a very agreeable Prospect. We march’d over Part of them the 29th and 30th, after 3 Hours Travel, found a Way full of Water, which oblig’d us to incamp on the Bank of a River; pass’d it the 31th, and incamp’d in a Wood close by.