We gave them to understand, that we came from Monsieur de la Sale, who had made a Settlement on the Bay of Mexico; that we had pass’d thro’ many Nations, which we nam’d, and that we were going to Canada for Commodities, and would return down the River; that we would bring MenKind Indians. to defend them against their Enemies and then settle among them; that the Nations we had pass’d through had appointed Men to guide us, and we desired the same Favour of them, with some Canoes and Provisions, and that we would reward our Guides and pay for what they furnish’d us.
The Conveniency of an Interpreter, we then had, gave us the Opportunity of making ourselves be easily understood, and the Chief answer’d to our Proposals, that he would send Men to the other Villages to acquaint them with our Demands, and to consult with them what was to be done in that Case; that as for the rest, they were amaz’d at our having pass’d thro’ so many Nations, without having been detain’d, or kill’d, considering what a small Number we were.
When the Discourse was ended, that Chief caus’d Meat to be set before us, as dry’d Flesh, Bread made of Indian Corn of several Sorts, and Water Melons; after which he made us smoke, and then we return’d to our House, where being eas’d of all those Impediments, we gave each other an Account of our Affairs, at Leisure, and were inform’d, that those People impatiently expected[114] the Return of Monsieur de la Sale, which confirm’d us in the Resolution of concealing his Death. We observ’d the Situation of that Post, and were made acquainted with the Nature of the Country and the Manners of those People, of which I shall give the following Remarks.
French House among the Acconcea’s describ’d. The House we were then in, was built of Pieces of Cedar laid one upon another, and rounded away at the Corners; its roof is of bark. It is seated on a small Eminency, half a Musket-shot from the Village, in a Country abounding in all Things. The Plains lying on one Side of it, are stor’d with Beeves, wild Goats, Deer, Turkeys, Bustards, Swans, Ducks, Teal and other Game.
Product of the Country. The Trees produce plenty of Fruit, and very good, as Peaches, Plumbs, Mulberries, Grapes, and Wallnuts. They have a Sort of Fruit they call Piaguimina, not unlike our Medlars, but much better and more delicious. Such as live near the Rivers, as that House is, do not want for Fish of all Sorts, and they have Indian Wheat, whereof they make good Bread. There are also fine Plains diversify’d with several Sorts of Trees, as I have said before.
The Nation of the Accancea’s consists of four Villages. The first is call’d Otsotchove,Nation of the Accancea’s. near which we were; the second Toriman, both of them seated on the River; the third Tonginga; and the fourth Cappa, on the Bank of the Missisipi. These Villages are built after a different Manner from the others we had seen before, in this Point, that the Cottages, which are alike as to their Materials and Rounding at the Top, are long, and cover’d with the Bark of Trees, and so very large, that several of them can hold two hundred Persons, belonging to several Families.
Household Stuff. The people are not so neat as the Cenis, or the Assonis in their Houses, for some of them lie on the Ground, without any Thing under them but some Mats, or a dress’d Hide. However, some of them have more Conveniencies, but the Generality has not.[115] All their Moveables consist in some Earthen Vessels and oval wooden Platters, which are neatly made, and with which they drive a Trade.
Shape. They are generally very well shap’d and active; the Women are handsome, or at least have a much better Presence than those of the other Villages we pass’d thro’ before. They make Canoes all of one Piece, which are well wrought. As for themselves they are very faithful, good natur’d, and Warriors like the rest.
The Ceremony of the Pipe perform’d to M. Cavelier. The 25th, the Elders being assembled, came to see us, and told the Sieur Couture, that they design’d to sing and dance the Calumet, or Pipe; because the others had sung it, some of them to the late Monsieur de la Sale, and the rest to Monsieur Tonty, and therefore it was but reasonable they should do the same to get a Firelock, as well as the others. Monsieur Cavelier was inform’d of it, and it was requisite to consent to it, to please those Indians, because we stood in need of them.
Ceremony of the Pipe. The Ceremony began with Monsieur Cavelier, who was led under the Arms and seated on a Hide, without the Cottage. The Forks, the Skins laid on it in Honour of the Pipe, the Singing as loud as they cou’d roar, both by Men and Women, and all the other Ceremonies were observ’d, as I have mention’d them before; so that Monsieur Cavelier being weary of them, he caus’d the Chief to be told, that he was out of Order, and desir’d his Nephew might be put in his Place, which was done accordingly, and they spent the whole Night in Singing. In the Morning they perform’d some other Ceremonies, not worth relating.