Page:Joutel's journal of La Salle's last voyage, 1684-7 (IA joutelsjournalof00jout).pdf/103

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Sieur du Hamel, who was in his Boat perceiving, and that Night drew on, he made the best of his Way, forsook them and return'd to the Camp.

Thus Night came upon them, which oblig'd those unexperienc'd Canoe Men, being thoroughly tir'd, to go ashore to take some Rest, and the Weather being cold, they lighted a Fire, about which they laid them down and fell asleep; the Sentinel they had appointed doing the same. The Indians returning to their Camp, and perceiving our Men: had carry'd away two Canoes, some Skins and Blankets, took it for a Declaration of a War, resolv'd to be reveng'd, and discovering an unusual Fire, presently concluded that our men had halted there. A considerable Number of them repair'd to the Place, without making the least Noise, found our careless People fast asleep, wrap'd up in their Blankets, and shot a full Volley of their Arrows upon them all together on a Sudden, having first given their usual Shout before they fall on.

The Sieur Moranget awaking with the Noise, and finding himself wounded, started up and fir'd his Piece successfully enough, some others did the like, whereupon the Natives fled. The Sieur Moranget came to give us the Alarm, though he was shot through one of his Arms, below the Shoulder, and had another slanting Wound on the Breast. Monsieur de la Sale immediately sent some arm'd Men to the Place, who could not find the Indians, but when Day appear'd, they found the Sieurs Oris and Desloges dead upon the Spot, the Sieur Gayen much hurt, and the rest all safe and sound.

This Disaster, which happen'd the Night of the 5th of March, very much afflicted Monsieur de la Sale; but he chiefly lamented Monsieur Desloges a sprightly Youth, who serv'd well; but in short, it was their own Fault, and contrary to the Charge given them, which was to be watchful and upon their Guard. We were under Apprehensions for Messieurs Moranget and Gayen, lest the Arrows should be