Page:Joutel's journal of La Salle's last voyage, 1684-7 (IA joutelsjournalof00jout).pdf/135

 *vanc'd half a League farther, to get into a Wood, where Monsieur de la Sale had encamp'd when he went that Way before; we cut down Trees to secure our Post, and lay there that Night.

Before our Intrenchment was finish'd, we discover'd, first one Indian, then two, and afterwards three, coming one after another; which giving Monsieur de la Sale some Jealousy, he caus'd us to handle our Arms, with Orders to stand upon our Guard, for fear of being surpriz'd, and went towards them. They signify'd to him, that their People had told them, we did not hurt any Body, which was very well, and that they were come to see us. They were entertain'd as the others had been, and then Signs were made them to withdraw, because Night drew on, and having observ'd, that they took Notice of our fortifying our selves, we kept a good Guard all the Night, without any Disturbance.

The Fifteenth, we march'd on, intending to find out a Ford, in the River call'd of the Princess, where Monsieur de la Sale had pass'd before; but missing of it, and the River being swollen, we were oblig'd to go up higher, sometimes crossing curious Meadows, and sometimes Woods of tall Trees of several Sorts, but all Young of the same Thickness and strait, looking as if they had been planted by a Line. The River running through the midst of those curious shady Groves, which were also water'd by several little Brooks of very clear and good Water, afforded a most delightful Landskip.

We also met with some Woods so thich, that it was requisite to hew a Passage for the Horses. Towards the Evening we kill'd a Bullock, and went to incamp in a little Coppice, with our usual Precautions.

The 16th, we continued our Journey, still following the River upwards, and from Time to Time meeting the same