The Solemnity being ended, by every Man’s smoking of the Pipe, the Indians took it, with some Bullocks Hides, and Goats and Otters Skins, and a Collar made of Shells, all which they carry’d to our House, and we gave them a Firelock, two Axes, six Knives, one hundred Charges of Powder, as much Ball, and some Strings of Beads for their Wives. The Chief having given Notice of our coming to the other Villages, their Deputies came to see us; we entertain’d them in the House, and propos’d to them our Designs, as had been done to the Chief. They stood considering a While, then held a Sort of Consultation among themselves, which held not long without talking, and then agreed to grant us what we ask’d, which was a Canoe and a Man of each Village to conduct us, upon the promis’d Consideration, and so they went away to the Cottage of the Chief of the Village.
The 27th, the Chief and the Elders met again to consult about what we demanded of them; the Length of the Journey made them apprehensive for those, who were to conduct us; but, at Length, we having dispell’d their Fears by our Arguments, and they having again deliberated some Time, agreed to our Request. We again made them a Present, promising a good Reward to our Guides, and so we prepar’d to set forwards. Little Bartholomew the Parisian, having intimated to us, that he would willingly stay in that House, because he was none of the ablest of Body, we recommended him to the Sieur Couture. We desir’d those that remain’d there, to keep the Secret of Monsr. de la Sale’s Death, promis’d to send them Relief, left them our Horses, which were of great Use to go a Hunting, and gave them fifteen or sixteen Pounds of Powder, eight hundred Balls, three hundred Flints, twenty-six Knives, and ten Axes, two or three Pounds Weight of Beads; Monsr. Cavelier left them Part of his Linen, hoping we should soon be in a Place where we should get more; and all of them having made their Peace with God,The Journey continued. by Means of the Sacrament of Penance, we took Leave of them, excepting the Sieur Couture, who went to conduct us Part of the Way.
We imbark’d on a Canoe belonging to one of the Chiefs, being at least twenty Persons, as well Women as Men, and arriv’d safe, without any Trouble, at a Village call’d Toriman,Toriman Village. for we were going down the River. We were well received in the Chief’s wigwam, and were treated as we had been when among the others. We propos’d it to these People, or rather demanded it of them to confirm what had been granted us by the others, and they deferr’d giving us their Answer till the next Day; for they do Nothing without consulting about it, and we having brought a Sack of Indian Wheat, from the French Mens House, desir’d the Chief to cause Women to pound it, for which we would give ’em Something. Immediately he made a Sign to his Officers to go call them, and they went as readily.
Officers.There were seven or eight of those Officers always about him, stark naked and besmear’d, some after one Fashion, and others after another. Each of them had three or four Calabashes or Gourds, hanging at a Leather Girdle about their Wastes, in which there were several Pebbles, and behind them hung a Horse’s Tail, so that when they ran, the Gourds made a ratling Noise, and the Tail being born up by the Wind, stood out at its full Length, so that Nothing could be seen more ridiculous; but it behooved us to take Heed of shewing the least Smile.
The River Missisipi found at last. The remaining Part of the Day was spent in going with the Sieur Couture to see the fatal River so much sought after by us, called Colbert, when first discover’d, and Missisipi, or, Mechasipi by the Natives that were near us. It is a very fine River and deep, the Breadth of it about a Quarter of a League, and the Stream very rapid. The Sieur Couture assur’d us, that it has two Branches or Channels, which parted from each other above us, and that we had pass’d its other Branch, when we came to the first Village of the Accancea’s, with which Nation we still were.
The 28th, the Chief and the Elders being assembled, they granted our Requests. We were to part, in order to be entertain’d in several Places, where we took Notice of some particular Ceremonies,Particular Ceremonies. which we had not seen among the other Nations. One of them is, that they serve up their Meat in two or four large Dishes, which are first set down before the two principal Guests, who are at one End, and when they have eaten a little, those Dishes are shov’d down lower and others are served up in their Place, in the same Manner; so that the first Dishes are serv’d at the upper End and thrust down lower as others come in.
He who treats, does not sit down with the Company, nor does he eat, but performs the Part of a Steward, taking Care of the Dressing and of the Placing of the Meat serv’d up; and to the End he may appear the finer, he never fails to besmear himself with Clay, or some red or black Colouring they make use of.
The 29th, we set out from that Village, and imbark’d on two Canoes to cross the Missisipi.Tonningua Village. The Chief and about a Score of young Folks bore us Company to the next Village call’d Tonningua, seated on the Bank of that River, where we were receiv’d in the Chief’s Cottage, as we had been in the others. The Elders treated us in their Turns, and the Descriptions before given will serve for this Place, there being but little Difference between them and their Neighbours.
Cappa Village. The 30th, we set out for Cappa, the last Village of the Accancea’s, eight Leagues distant from the Place we had left. We were obliged to cross the River Missisipi several Times in this Way; because it winds very much, and we had some foul Weather, which made it late before we could reach Cappa. A great Number of Youth came to meet us, some of them conducted us to the Chief’s Cottage, and others took Care of our Baggage, which was restor’d to us very honestly. We found the Elders waiting for us; a great Fire was kindled to dry us, and the Cottage was lighted by several burning Reeds,[116] which they make use of instead of Flambeaus; after which we were serv’d as in other Places.
The 31st, we receiv’d Visits from the Elders. Their Discourse ran upon the War they design’d to make, thinking to ingage us in it, and we return’d the same Answer as we had done to the others, that we would soon return with all Things we stood in Need of. We ask’d a Man of them, which was granted, and the Day ended in Feasting.