Storms and cold weather now troubled them. They were weak and half sick long before home was in sight. The gentle priest was at last too ill to travel any farther. He stopped with some friendly Indians while Joliet went on to Canada.
Everyone was filled with delight on hearing about the great river. "It will belong to France, because Frenchmen have discovered it," they said.
Cannons were fired and bells were rung in the city. It was a time of gladness.
Poor Father Marquette was sick for a whole year. Indeed, he was never entirely well afterwards. He stayed among his Indian friends and taught them till he died. They loved him very much and waited upon the sick priest with the most tender care.
"But this is not the whole story of 'The Father of Waters,'" said Uncle Sam when he came to the death of Marquette. "There was another brave Frenchman who followed in the path of the priest. I know you will like to hear about him."
The children nodded their heads and Uncle Sam began
THE STORY OF LA SALLE
Once upon a time there was a brave young man named Robert La Salle. He lived in France. He was always ready for some new adventure. While he was still young he thought:
"I will join my countrymen in Canada and see something of their strange life among the Indians."