Page:Joutel's journal of La Salle's last voyage, 1684-7 (IA joutelsjournalof00jout).pdf/146

 Bank of the River, who had made two Shots, as it had been only the Priming of a Piece, which the Sieur Barbier had look'd upon as an Insult, and therefore he had also fir'd, with all the other Particulars, as mention'd before; an Accident that happen'd for want of understanding one another; which, together with Monsr. de la Sale's forbidding us to have any Communication with the Natives, was very prejudicial to us afterwards.

After much other Discourse, Monsieur Moranget having given them some small Presents, they made their return in Bullocks Hides, and Goat Skins well dress'd. He ask'd them for some Horses to barter; they answer'd, they had no more than what they stood in Need of. We immediately proceeded on our Journey, and that day being the 21st, went to incamp at the Edge of a Wood.

The 22d, we went up to an Eminence terminated by a Rock, at the Foot whereof ran a little River, the bottom whereof was all of flat Rocks, fit for Building. Thence we descry'd two Natives driving of Bullocks, which made us stand upon our Guard, and it appear'd to be our Indian, who had met another, with whom he had been acquainted among the Cenis, and whom he had brought along with him.

Monsieur de la Sale was very glad to see him, and remember'd he was one of those of whom he had purchas'd a Horse. He ask'd several Questions of him, and among the rest, whether he had not seen the four Men who deserted in his former Journey, or heard any Talk of the others, to whom he had given Leave to return to our Dwelling. He answer'd, he had seen one among the Cenis, and two others among the Assonis; but that he had not heard of any more, and that they must needs be dead; as also the Sieur Bihorel, who was likewise mention'd to him.

He further told us, that there were four or five Cottages thereabouts, in which about Fifteen Men resided. At Night