Page:Joutel's journal of La Salle's last voyage, 1684-7 (IA joutelsjournalof00jout).pdf/118

 to stir from that Place till they heard from him, and not to go Ashore, unless with a good Guard and necessary Precautions.

Next, he chose out Twenty Men, imbark'd on two Canoes he had left, and being come Ashore, caus'd the Canoes to be sunk in the River, and every Man to take up his Bundle, consisting of Arms, Tools, some Utensils for the Kitchin, a few Goods, to trade with the Natives, if he should find any sociable, and so advanc'd into the Country, to try if any Notice could be had of the Missisipi.

After several Days March, they came to a good pleasant River, which they afterwards call'd la Maligne. Monsieur de la Sale marching at the Head of the Company, and having order'd Monsieur Moranget to keep in the Rear; it happen'd that Duhaut stopping to mend his Snapsack and his Shoes, which were in a bad Condition; the Sieur Moranget coming up, commanded him to March, he desired him to stay a little. Moranget would not, but held on his Way; Duhaut follow'd some Time after, but having stay'd too long, he could not overtake the Company, and found himself about Night fall in a Plain full of Weeds, where there were several Tracks of the Way Cattle had gone, but knew not which of them to take. He fir'd his Piece several Times, without hearing any thing of his Company, and was oblig'd to pass the Night in that same Place.

In the Morning he shot again, spent the Day and Night again in that Place, so that not knowing what to do, he return'd the same Way he had gone, and after a Month's March, for he travell'd only by Night, for Fear of meeting with the Savages, living upon what he kill'd with much Difficulty and Danger, having before spent all his own Provisions; at length after most unaccountable Hardships and Sufferings, he arriv'd at the Place where the Canoes had been sunk. He took one of them up, with incredible Labour, and too long to relate, and so came to our Habitation of St.