Page:History of Southeast Missouri 1912 Volume 1.djvu/90

 30 HISTORY OF SOUTHEAST MISSOURI foil." They sailed through Lake Huron and down Lake Michigan to Green Bay. Here La Salle collected a cargo of valuable furs, with which he loaded the "Griffon," and then sent the vessel back to Niagara, instructing the pilot to dispose of the furs, procure addi- tional supplies, and then return. La Salle, with the remainder of the expedi- tion, left Green Bay in canoes, and made their way to the mouth of the St. Joseph. Here they proceeded to build a boat and awaited the return of the "Griffon." Not having heard any news of this vessel by the beginning of December, La Salle was filled with appre- hension concerning her fate. The cargo of furs was necessary for a part of the expense of his .iourney. Notwithstanding this, he determined to continue, and on the 3rd of December the canoes made their way up the St. Joseph, and were carried over the five mile portage which separates the headwaters of the St. Joseph from those of the Illinois. They found the country of the Illinois practically deserted ; and, while there was abundant sign of deer and buffalo, they nearly starved owing to their failure to find food. Finally they found an Indian village at the great rock on the Illinois river, known as Starved Rock. Here La Salle held a council with represent- atives of many of the tribes of the Illinois country. He outlined to them his plans, one of which wa.s an alliance with the Indians for the purpose of trade. The Indians discouraged his attempt, tell- ing him that it would be impossible to reach the mouth of the Mississippi, owing to the hostility of the tribes on its lower course, and warning him of the dangers of such an under- taking. This opposition of the Indians, as La Salle afterward found, was caused by a rumor which his enemies had started, that he was the secret agent of tlie Iroquois. How- ever, La Salle finally overcame their opposi- tion with the threat that if they did not con- sent to accompany and help him in his schemes, he would "go to the Osages who were men and not women. ' ' This ott'er inter- ested the Illinois and gained their consent, for they were bitterly liostile to the Osages. Having secured supplies from these In- dians, La Salle started down the river, reach- ing the place which he named Fort Creve Coeur in January, 1680. Here he was de- serted by a number of his men and received the message which told of the loss of the "Griffon" with all its cargo. He then began the construction of a vessel in which to navi- gate the Mississippi. He found it necessary to return to Canada for certain supplies for the building of this vessel, and on IMarch 1st set out alone for Canada. His return journey was one of the most terrible ever made; but he reached Fort Frontenac in safety, and, having made provision for the necessary sup- plies, started on the return trip in August. He had left the expedition at Fort Creve Coeur under the command of Tonti, but when he reached that point he found the camp en- tirely deserted. There were abundant signs that the Indians had made an attack upon the camp, and destroyed it. Only a part of the vessel which had been biiilt was left, and since it was impossible to proceed, La Salle returned to the St. Joseph. Here he held a great council with the ]Iiamis and the Shaw- nees, and with them he formed a league for the furtherance of his purpose in regard to the Illinois Indians. He returned to Canada, meeting on the way with Tonti, who, after most remarkable dangers and struggles, had succeeded in escaping from the Indians and returning by way of the upper lakes. This experience, which would have shaken the resolution of a less resolute man, but con-