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riv'd on the other side of a morass, at the distance of three leagues from the camp of the Iroquois ; where some of 'em lay in ambush, expecting our approach, and kill'd seven of our men, among whom was my sub-lieutenant: however we soon rally'd, repuls'd 'em vigorously, and after having cut off above thirty of their party, pursu'd 'em to the woods; but not being able to come up with 'em, and not judging it safe to advance any further, lest we should fall into another ambuscade, we contented our selves to plunder their villages, where we put to the edge of the sword every one. whom we met in our way.

We encamped for some days in that place, and the army under the command of M. de Lude and M. de la Durontay came to joyn ours. The next

day after their arrival we did not stay a moment e're we took a resolution to force the enemies camp; who being inform'd of our design, by their spies, did not think fit to wait for our approach, but decamp'd with great precipitation. We found in their camp some remainders of Indian corn and other provisions, which we made use of to our advantage, and we spent the night in their tents, or rather huts; the season being already very far advanc'd. The next morning we sent back all our allies to their several territories, with orders to meet together again upon the first summons; while the Sieurs de la Lude and de la Durontay repair'd to their respective stations.

As I was marching to mine, I met with certain Hurons, who gave me to understand that I was ready to be surrounded with the whole army of the Iroquois. There was no longer any means to have recourse to M. de Lude, and de la Durontay, who were already embark'd in canoos on the lakes; insomuch, that I was obliged to cause my small band of men to halt, and instantly to dispatch

a courier to Niagara to demand speedy succours of the commander of the new fort. It happen'd accidentally, that M. de la Valrome, the governour of it, supposing us to be engag'd with the Iroquois, was leading up fifty fusileers to our relief, and in the mean while the messenger whom I sent, having met with him, inform'd him of our present distress, which caus'd him to hasten his march; his arrival inspir'd us with new courage, so that the enemies appearing, we set our small army in battle array; yet when we had advanced towards 'em within musket-shot, they had not the courage to stay for our coming up, but suddenly turn'd their backs upon us: whereupon we pursued 'em for some time, till about 100 hundred of them perish'd on the spot, and the rest found means to escape into the woods. Then I immediately caus'd a retreat to be sounded; and having convoy'd M. de Valrome on part of his way, I judg'd it expedient to take up our winter quarters at Missilimachinac, and to reside there till the next campaign, in case the war should continue.

The scene of affairs began now to be chang'd; for the Iroquois resign'd to us their habitations that were near Niagara; made a present of their best skins to the governour; and engag'd that for the future they should not disturb the tranquillity of the nations that were under our protection, and who were our allies. A treaty of peace being thus concluded, I set forward in my journey to the country of the Illinois in the month of April, 1687, and should have been very well satisfied with the success of the campaign, if I had not been continually troubled by reason of M. de la Salle's long absence, not knowing what might have befallen him: for he set out from America, A. D. 1683, and we did so in 1687, so that four years were almost past, without having any other news of him

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than that of his re-embarking, or his departure from Rochel for the gulph of Mexico, but without getting the least information concerning his return. Indeed I knew not what to think. Did he not nerish (said I to myself) by shipwreck, or rather did he not land on some coast, inhabited by barbarians, who perhaps might have dispatch'd him out of the way? Thus being perplex'd with such distracting thoughts, I could take no rest, neither could I steer any certain course, but suffering my self to be conducted by my attendants, rather than leading 'em my self, I arriv'd at St. Lewis's fort in the end of the month of May.

As soon as I enter'd my house, I was extremely surpriz'd, there to meet with M. Cavelier, M. de la Salle's own brother, and indeed, I did not discern in his countenance that free and sprightly air which usually appears at the first meeting of two friends, after a long interval of separation; however, the first transports of my joy, not permitting me to make long reflections, I incontinently embrac'd him, and at the same time enquir'd of him: about his brother's welfare. Upon this address, he appear'd to be altogether put to a stand; so that a sad look up to heaven, a deep sigh, and a certain effort which he seem'd to make within himself, were taken by me as so many ill omens; I earnestty entréated him to conceal nothing from me, and after he had recover'd himself a little, he told me very positively, "That M. de la Salle his brother was in perfect health; but that the ill success of his navigation had so far pull'd down his spirits, that he had scarce courage to continue his course; that in returning by small voyages, he took delight in trading with the different nations whom he met with; and that having charg'd him to go before, to give me notice of his arrival, he determin'd still to reside among the Naches and Akancéas for some

time, to purchase certain merchandizes of both those nations.

The assurance, with which he spoke to me, joyn'd with a shew of downright integrity, which was natural to him, besides the deference due a person of his character, for he was a priest, would not suffer me in the least to call in question the veracity of his relation, and serv'd a little to encourage me against my sad presages. Therefore I entreated him to give me an account of his voyage, and to let me know when they re-embark'd, and at what time they landed. Since then I gave him a great deal of scope, to deliver his mind ingenuously, and without constraint, he began to relate the particular circumstances with so much the more freedom.

He told me at first," that the whole court of France, being charm'd with the great discoveries made by M. de la Salle, the king made no scruple at all to grant him the supplies he desir'd; not to mention the titles of honour, that procur'd him greater authority in his new plantations: That they set out from France, July 24, A. D. 1684, with four vessels, very well provided of all things necessary, and above 200 men, as well soldiers as artificers of all sorts of trades, and that nevertheless by a complication of misfortunes, their whole fleet was reduced to a few boats, and that great number of persons, to seven or eight French men, who serv'd as a convoy to his brother during his return."

Forasmuch as these remarkable crosses afforded matter of wonder, I could not choose but be very desirous to be inform'd of all the particulars of their adventures: whereupon M. Cavelier resuming his former narrative from the beginning of their navigation, told me, "that after a calm which continued for some days, in the latitude of St. Domingo, they were suddenly surpriz'd with a violent

storm: insomuch, that one of their ships, laden with merchandizes, to the value of above thirty thousand livres, was hurried away with a furious blast of wind, and afterwards taken by certain Spanish rovers: that the rest of the fleet cast anchor before the same island, where they were soon refitted, and supply'd with fresh provisions, which with the merchandizes there bought, serv'd for the cargo of these vessels, but that the greatest part of the mariners, by living somewhat too licentiously, contracted very dangerous diseases.

"That they cruis'd about from thence towards the islands of Caimant, and took in fresh water on that of Cuba; where, having found many tuns of canary, good brandy, sugar, and Indian corn left unguarded, they seiz'd on the whole cargo, and got such reprisals as were sufficient to make 'em amends for the loss of every thing that the Spaniards had taken from them before: that afterwards being supply'd with all manner of provisions, they set sail again; and that having always had a favourable gale of wind, they would have enter'd the gulph of Mexico; but that perceiving the currents to be very rapid, and the shelves to be numerous, they were oblig'd to stand off from the shoar, which hinder'd M. de la Salle from lighting on the exact degree of latitude, for the mouth of the river Mississipi; insomuch, that to avoid the exposing of the men to greater dangers, he order'd 'em to land at the bay of Spiritu Santo, 50 leagues below the river they sought for: but two days after, hoping to discover it, they got on board their ships again, and always taking care to steer into the main, to shun the rocks and shelves, they at last arriv'd a great deal higher in a bay, afterwards known by the name of St. Lewis. This bay is of a very convenient depth for a harbour; but 'tis dangerous landing there, as well by reason

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