Mar. 1687The first of March, we join’d the Indians, on the Edge of the Marsh, which we had just cross’d, where the Rains kept us till the Fifth, during which Time we went to find out where we might pass a rapid Torrent, that discharges it self into the River call’d of Canoes, which we pass’d the 6th, in the Canoe we had made, and which did us good Service, to pass other Rivers we met with the 7th and the 8th on our Way.
River of Canoes.The 9th, we did not stir, because of the Rain. The 10th, incamp’d on the Bank of a small River, which we cross’d the 11th, and the same Day another River, and incamp’d on the Bank of it, and found it adorn’d with very fine Mulberry Trees. The 12th we cross’d another River, and incamp’d near it. The 13th, came again to the River of Canoes, so called by Monsieur de la Sale, because he the first Time put Canoes into it, at his former Journey. We pass’d it the 14th, and incamp’d on the other Side where we again join’d the Indians.
The 15th, we held on our Journey with them, and found a pleasanter Country than that we had pass’d thro’; and Monsieur de la Sale having in his former Journey hid some Indian Wheat and Beans,Provisions hid, spoilt. two or three Leagues from that Place, and our Provisions beginning to fall short, it was thought fit to go to that Place. Accordingly he order’d the Sieurs Duhaut, Hiens, Liotot the Surgeon, his own Indian, and his Footman, whose Name was Saget, who were followed by some Natives, to go to the Place he described to them, where they found all rotten and quite spoilt.
The 16, in their Return, they met with two Bullocks, which Monsieur de la Sale’s Indian kill’d, whereupon they sent back his Footman, to give him Notice of what they had kill’d, that if he would have the Flesh dry’d, he might send Horses for it. The 17th, Monsieur de la Sale had the Horses taken up, and order’d the Sieurs Moranget and de Malre and his Footman, to go for that Meat, and send back a Horse Load immediately, till the rest was dry’d.
Monsieur Moranget, when he came thither, found they had smoak’d both the Beeves, tho’ they were not dry enough; and the said Sieurs Liotot, Hiens, Duhaut and the rest had laid aside the Marrow-Bones and others to roast them, and eat the flesh that remain’d on them, as was usual to do. The Sieur MorangetDiscontent occasion’d by Monsr. Moranget. found fault with it, he in a Passion seiz’d not only the Flesh that was smoak’d and dry’d, but also the Bones, without giving them any Thing; but on the contrary, threat’ning they should not eat so much of it, as they had imagin’d, and that he would manage that Flesh after another Manner.
Conspiracy to murder Monsr. de la Sale.This passionate Behaviour, so much out of Season, and contrary to Reason and Custom, touch’d the Surgeon Liotot, Hiens and Duhaut to the Quick, they having other Causes of Complaint against Moranget. They withdrew, and resolv’d together upon a bloody Revenge; they agreed upon the Manner of it, and concluded they would murder the Sieur Moranget, Monsieur de la Sale’s Footman and his Indian, because he was very faithful to him.
They waited till Night, when those unfortunate Creatures had supp’d and were asleep. Liotot the Surgeon was the inhuman Executioner, he took an Ax, began by the Sieur Moranget,Bloody Murderers. giving him many Strokes on the Head; the same he did by the Footman and the Indian, killing them on the Spot, whilst his Fellow Villains, viz. Duhaut, Hiens, Teissier and Larcheveque stood upon their Guard, with their Arms, to fire upon such as should make any Resistance. The Indian and the Footman never stir’d, but the Sieur Moranget had so much Vigour as to sit up, but without being able to speak one Word, and the Assasins obliged the Sieur de Marle to make an End of him, tho’ he was not in the Conspiracy.
This Slaughter had yet satisfy’d but one Part of the Revenge of those Murderers. To finish it and secure themselves it was requisite to destroy the Commander in Chief. They consultedConsult to murder Monsr. de la Sale. about the safest Method to effect it, and resolved to go together to Monsieur de la Sale, to knock out the Brains of the most resolute immediately, and then it would be easier to overcome the rest. But the River, which was between them and us, being much swollen, the Difficulty of passing it made them put it off the 18th and 19th. On the other Hand Monsieur de la Sale was very uneasy, on Account of their long Stay. His Impatience made him resolve to go himself to find out his People and to know the Cause of it.
This was not done without many previous Tokens of Concern, and Apprehension. He seem’d to have some Presage of his Misfortune, enquiring of some, whether the Sieur Liotot, Hiens and Duhaut had not express’d some Discontent; and not hearing any Thing of it, he could not forbear setting out the 20th,He goes to seek them. with Father Anastasius and an Indian, leaving me the Command in his Absence, and charging me from Time to Time to go the Rounds about our Camp, to prevent being surpriz’d, and to make a Smoke for him to direct his Way in Case of Need. When he came near the Dwelling of the Murderers, looking out sharp to discover something, he observed Eagles fluttering about a Spot, not far from them, which made him believe they had found some Carrion about the Mansion, and he fired a Shot, which was the signal of his Death and forwarded it.
The Conspirators hearing the Shot, concluded it was Monsieur de la Sale, who was come to seek them. They made ready their Arms and provided to surprize him. Duhaut passed the River, with Larcheveque. The first of them spying Monsieur de la Sale at a Distance, as he was coming towards them, advanc’d and hid himself among the high Weeds, to wait his passing by, so that Monsieur de la Sale suspecting nothing, and having not so much as charg’d his Piece again, saw the aforesaid Larcheveque at a good Distance from him, and immediately ask’d for his Nephew Moranget, to which Larcheveque answer’d, That he was along the River.Is murder’d. At the same Time the Traitor Duhaut fired his Piece and shot Monsr. de la Sale thro’ the Head, so that he dropp’d down dead on the Spot, without speaking one Word.[93]