Page:Joutel's journal of La Salle's last voyage, 1684-7 (IA joutelsjournalof00jout).pdf/138

 *hamo. Some small Presents were given them, and they withdrew, promising to return the next Day.

The 22th, our Horses being spent and hurt, and we much tir'd, the Day was given to Rest, and the Natives did not fail to come, being twenty five in Number, some of whom had Bucklers or Targets made of the strongst Part of the Bullocks Hides. They gave us to understand, that they were ingag'd in War towards the NW. and told us, they had seen Men like us, who were but ten Days Journey from that Place. Other Tokens they gave, made us suppose it was New Spain that they talk'd of.

Monsr. de la Sale took several Words of their Language, which is very different from that of the Cenis, and more difficult. As for their Customs, they are much alike. In fine, having shewn us, that towards the N. W. we should meet with Plains, where the Way would be easier, and we should shun the Woods, we gave them to eat, and some Presents, and they took Leave of us. A Rain falling and holding all the Night, we did not march the 24th. The 25th, we travell'd not far, by Reason of the Rains continuing, and that there were several Rivers in the Way much swollen.

The 16th, we proceeded on our Journey, and came to the River call'd la Sabloniere, from the many Sand Banks there are in it. The 27th, departing from it, we came to another little narrow River, but very deep; going up higher we found a Ford, and went to incamp beyond it, in a little Wood, where we had a very bad Night, because of the Rain which fell again, and the overflowing of the River, which oblig'd us to make a little Sort of Scaffold, to lay our Powder and Cloaths on, that they might not be wet. The next Day being the 28th, observing that the Water was still rising, we decamp'd to go a League farther, to a]