The Kannehouan, Tohaha, Pehir, Cagabegux, Onapien, Pickar, Tokau, Kuasses, Chancres, Teserabocretes, Tsepehoen, Fercouteha, Panego, Petao, Petzare, Peisacho, Peihoun, Orcan and Piou.[103] This last Nation borders upon the Cenis, at the Entrance into whose first Village I left my Reader, to give an Account of the Inhabitants, and thither I return, to proceed with my Relation and our Journey to the Village, the French Man who liv’d among the Natives was to conduct us to.
We arriv’d there at Night, and found other Elders coming out to meet us, much after the same Manner as the others mention’d before. They led us to their Cottage, made us sit down on Mats and smoke, but not with so much Ceremony as the others. That done, it was Time for us to take our Rest, having given them to understand that we were weary.
French Entertained by the Natives.The French Provencal would needs have us go to his Cottage, that is to the Hut where he had his Dwelling; for, as I have said, there are several Families in one of them, and that was one of the greatest in the Canton, having been the Habitation of one of their Chief’s, lately deceased.
They allotted us a Place there, for our Goods and Packs, the Women immediately made Sagamite or Pottage, and gave it us. Having eaten, we ask’d the French Man whether we were safe, and he answering we were, we lay down, but yet could not sleep sound.
Apr. 1687The next Day, being the first of April, the Elders came to receive and conducted us to the Cottage where we had been the Day before. After the usual Ceremonies, we traded with them for Corn, Meal and Beans, giving in Exchange for the same, Needles, Knives, Rings and other Toys. We also purchased a very fine Stone Horse,[104]A Horse sold for an Ax. that would have been worth twenty Pistoles in France, for an Ax.
The Day was spent in driving our small Bargains and gathering Provisions, which the Women brought. When that was done, it was agreed, that I should remain there, to lay up more Store, and that the others should return to our Company, which we had left near the River, to carry the Provisions and satisfy them they might come safely.
Tho’ I thought my self not over secure among the Indians, and besides had the Dissatisfaction of understanding none of their Language; yet was I not unwilling to stay, that I might have an Opportunity of seeing the two other French Men, who had forsaken the late Monsieur de la Sale, when he first travell’d into that Country, that I might enquire of them, whether they had heard no talk of the Missisipi River, for I still held my Resolution of parting from our wicked Murderers.
As soon as they were gone, I gave a young Indian a Knife, to go bid those two other French Men come to me, and whilst he was going I drove on my little Trade for Provisions, and had frequent Visits from the Elders, who entertain’d me by Signs, with an Account of their intended War; to which I still answer’d, nodding my Head, tho’ very often I knew not what they meant. It was some Difficulty to me to secure my small Merchandize, especially at Night, for the Natives were covetous of them.
This Care, which kept me from Sleeping sound, was the Occasion, that one Night I heard some Body moving near my Bed, and opening my Eyes, by the Light of the Fire, which never goes out in those Cottages, perceiv’d a Man stark naked,The Author meets another French Man among the Indians. with a Bow and two Arrows in his Hand, who came and sat down by me, without saying any Thing. I view’d him for some Time, I spoke to him, he made me no Answer, and not knowing what to think of it, I laid hold of my two Pistols and my Firelock, which the Man perceiving, he went and sat by the Fire. I follow’d, and looking steadfastly on him, he knew and spoke to me, throwing his Arms about and embracing me, and then made himself known to be one of the French Men I had sent for.
We fell into Discourse, I ask’d him for his Comrade, he told me, he durst not come, for Fear of Monsieur de la Sale. They were both Sailors, this Man, who was of Britany, was call’d Ruter; the other, of Rochelle, Grollet. They had, in that short Space of Time, so perfectly enur’d themselves to the Customs of the Natives, that they were become meer Savages.French turn’d savage. They were naked, their Faces and Bodies with Figures wrought on them, like the rest. They had taken several Wives, been at the Wars and kill’d their Enemies with their Firelocks, which had gain’d them Reputation; but having no more Powder nor Ball, their Arms were grown useless, and they had been forc’d to learn to shoot with Bows and Arrows. As for Religion, they were not troubled with much of it, and that Libertine Life they led, was pleasing to them.