"Thus in pursuing our journey, sometimes in the plains, and sometimes across the torrents and rivers which we pass'd in our canoos, we arriv'd in the midst of a very extraordinary nation, call'd the Biscatonges, to whom we gave the name of weepers, in regard that upon the first approach of strangers all these people, as well men as women, usually fall a weeping bitterly; the reason of their practice is very particular; for these poor people imagining that their relations or friends deceased are gone a journey, and continually expecting their return, the remembrance of 'em is reviv'd upon the arrival of new passengers; but forasmuch as they do not find in their persons those whose loss they lament, it serves only to encrease their grief. That which is yet more remarkable, and perhaps even very reasonable in that custom, is, that they weep much more at the birth of their children, than at their death; because the latter is esteem'd only by 'em as it were a journey or voyage, from whence they may return after the expiration of a certain time; but they look upon their nativity as an inlet into an ocean of dangers and misfortunes. Let the case be how it will, this first torrent of tears being once over, nothing was to be seen among the whole multitude of these people, but a serene aspect, and an engaging air, full of kindness and respect: they conducted us into their huts that were neatly matted, where they offer'd us some powder'd beef and venison, with some sagavite, their ordinary bread; which they make with a certain root called toquo, being a kind of bramble. After having wash'd, dry'd, and beaten it to powder, they make it up into a paste; which being bak'd, is of a very good taste, but of an astringent quality. We added to their treat a little of our brandy, and gave 'em a couple of bottles full of that liquor; whereupon they made us a present of divers skins, well dress'd,

which serv'd to make us good shoes. These people worship no other Deity but the sun, and that is the peculiar God of almost all those nations: upon which occasion we told 'em, that our prince was the sun of other kings; that his lustre was spread abroad throughout the whole continent of Europe, and even in divers parts of America: that if they would submit to his authority, they should ere long be sensible of some of the effects of his grandeur and generosity. Whereupon they readily submitted, and took an oath to maintain a mutual friendship with us for ever.

"Having spent two days among that weeping nation, we set forward again in our journey. On the first day we travell❜d ten large leagues, almost continually in the woods, and afterwards we arriv'd within sight of a great village, in the entrance of which we espy a huge roe-buck, which a Chaouanous of our retinue aim'd at, and kill'd with one fusee-shot. The report of the gun, and the flame that accompany'd it appear'd so dreadful to those inhabitants, that at the very sight of our company and arms, they were all extremely terrify'd, and betook themselves to flight. The chief commander, and three of his sons, having shew'd more resolution, brought 'em out of their panick fear; so that they advanc'd towards us to offer us some refreshment; and the use of some of their huts for our lodging, during the night. But my brother not judging it convenient to trust 'em, we took up our quarters a little further off, according to our usual custom. It was well for us, that we were so cautious; for the next morning, at break of day, we discern'd a great number of that rabble, lying in ambush among the reeds, and arm'd with bows and arrows. M. de la Salle immediately caus'd'em to be rudely attack'd, and oblig'd 'em to call for quarter. But they were releas'd for a certain

quantity of Indian corn, which the son of their commander brought to us, and we immediately took a resolution to decamp.

"At the distance of six leagues from thence we came to another village, consisting of above 300 huts, inhabited by the Chinonoas, who receiv'd us very favourably. All these countries are situated almost on the eastern coast of the sea of Mexico; so that the Spaniards frequently make inrodes into them, and abuse the natives after a most outragious manner: insomuch that these savages knew how to distinguish us from them by the air of our countenance, our language and deportment; and the antipathy they had against all those of that nation, serv'd only to encrease their friendship and kindness towards us.

"We soon gave 'em to understand, that there was no manner of correspondence between the Spaniards and us, and that they were our declar'd enemies whereupon having offer'd us every thing that was in their possession, they entreated us to unite with them, in order to maintain a vigorous war against the Spanish nation: we reply'd, That we were not at present in a condition to do it, but that we would speedily return with greater numbers to assist 'em, insomuch that having spent the night very peaceably among those people, we departed the next day, laden with a great deal of Indian corn, and very fine skins.

"We had scarce march'd a league on the road, when a certain person of our company found himself stung by a viper, and suddenly made a hideous outcry; within less space than half a quarter of an hour, his body swell'd prodigiously, and became all over livid. We immediately made large incisions on the part affected, bathing it with brandy and salt of vipers, and gave him some orvietan; so that after two days he was perfectly cur'd.

"Then we continu'd our journey, and after two days march we arriv'd on the banks of a very rapid river: it was requisite to pass it, and we were then destitute of canoos; for those we made use of before were so leaky, that they took in water on all sides, and we were forc'd to leave 'em, as being no longer serviceable to us. Therefore we could find no other expedient but to make a little boat of canes and many twigs of trees twisted one within another, and cover'd with our best skins. My brother and our two nephews first went on board with two savages to steer it, whilst I stay'd with the rest of our company on the side of the river. They were scarce got into the middle of the current, when the swiftness of the stream hurry'd 'em away in a moment, and took 'em out of our sight but by singular good luck the boat was stopt about half a large league from thence, by a great tree that floated on the water, being half pluck'd up by the roots; so that grappling the branches, by the means of certain poles they at last made a shift to get over to the other side, otherwise the extreme swiftness of the river would undoubtedly have carry'd 'em into the sea.

In the mean while we were very solicitous to know what was become of 'em; we incessantly follow'd the course of our bank, looking forward as far as possibly we could, and, crying out with all our force to endeavour to recall, or to discover 'em. We spent a whole day and a night in this anxiety, and the next day we began the same toil again, till at last they answer'd us, and we descry'd 'em on the other side. 'Twas absolutely necessary to joyn 'em, and to that end we were forc'd to expose our selves to the same danger. Therefore we set about the making of a new boat, (for the first was unjoynted, and no longer capable of holding any thing,) and having provided strong

poles, we all pass'd over at several times, with as much safety as could be wish'd for. Our whole company being thus re-united, we pursu'd our course under the conduct of my brother, who had no other compass to steer by than his genius. In the mean while one of our hunters stragling to follow the game, we lost him a whole day. But the next morning we saw him again laden with two roe-bucks: he had also kill'd another at the same time, and left it at the distance of half a quarter of a league: therefore, after having given us the two, he went back, attended with an Abenaguis, to fetch the other, and having brought it, we feasted our selves with part of his venison, and kept the rest for our provision.

"Having pass'd from thence into the most delightful and most populous countries of all the others, after a march of six or seven leagues, we saw making up towards us a certain savage on horse-back, with his wife behind him, attended with four slaves, who were well mounted. This man accosting us, enquir'd who we were, and what we sought for in that country? My brother gave him to understand, as well by his own mouth, as by that of the savages of his retinue, that we were French men, and that our design was only to offer to all the people of their continent, as far as the gulph of Mexico, our alliance, and the protection of the King of France. Whereupon the same savage immediately alighted, presented his horse to my brother, and even constrained him by his earnest entreaties to accept of it, and to go to the place of their habitation; assuring him that he should be very welcome, and that his proposals should be favourably heard. My brother, after having return'd him many thanks for his kindness, told him, that before he proceeded so far, he would very willingly be inform'd of the opinion of his whole na