Page:Joutel's journal of La Salle's last voyage, 1684-7 (IA joutelsjournalof00jout).pdf/116

 prov'd very unsuccessful, especially the latter; because we were not yet well vers'd in them, and Monsieur de la Sale had taken our Huntsman along with him; but at length, Necessity made us more expert. We kill'd Beeves, some of which I caus'd to be dry'd, and they were a considerable Help to subsist us.

Some Days after, the Canoe Monsieur de la Sale had promis'd me, arrived with three Soldiers, who brought us the News of the Loss of the Huntsman Monsieur de la Sale had taken along with him, and who had been found dead with Cold in a Ditch, where he had lain down to rest after hunting, which troubled us all very much. They also inform'd us, that Monsr. de la Sale advancing towards some Dwellings the Natives had abandon'd, after a small Resistance, some of whom had been wounded as they fled, they had taken and brought a Girl and a Woman, who was shot thro' the Thigh, of which she dy'd.

The Canoe was a great Help to us to carry what we kill'd, which being brought to our Habitation, found Employment for all Persons, some to flea, others to cut up, and others to dry it. At other Times, I set some of our men to throw up a Trench about our Habitation.

Thus we spent our Time, till about the Middle of ''January, 1686'', when being all, one Evening, in our Mansion, the Sentinel came in to acquaint me, that he heard a Voice towards the River; some men ran thither immediately, and found a Man in a Canoe, crying, Dominick, which was the Name of young Duhaut, who was with us. The Sight of that made me apprehensive lest some Disaster was befallen Monsr. de la Sale. I drew near, and perceiv'd it was Duhaut the Elder, that was return'd.

I ask'd, him whether he had any Letters from Monsieur