Page:Joutel's journal of La Salle's last voyage, 1684-7 (IA joutelsjournalof00jout).pdf/147

 he went away. Our Indian had kill'd a Cow at a great Distance and shot her quite through, at which the other, who had been an Eye Witness to it, stood a long Time amaz'd, without speaking one Word, admiring the Effect of our Pieces. That Cow was sent for, and the Flesh brought to our Camp.

The 23d, we pass'd by the Cottages we had been told of, where the Natives were with their Wives and Children. Monsr. de la Sale caus'd us to halt in the Village. We were well receiv'd, they presented us with dry'd Beef, and we return'd it in some Knives. We saw two Horses, one of them a little grey, indifferent handsome. They told us they would soon depart that Place, to go join their Companions, who were in War with their Enemies. The rest of our Men being come up, we went on to incamp a League from thence, on the Bank of a Rivulet, and at the Foot of one of the highest Mountains in the Country.

Unloading our Horses, we perceiv'd there wanted a large Axe, which serv'd us for hewing down of Trees. Monsieur de la Sale sent his Indian to demand it, at the Village we came from last, the Savages said they had not seen it, and it was lost. He brought back Word, that the Savages had told him, that if we would stay for them, they would go along with, and shew us the Way.

However, we went on the 24th, and incamp'd on the Edge of a Marsh. The 25th, the Rain hinder'd us from Marching. The 26th, Monsieur de la Sale perceiving how difficult and dangerous it was to cross that Marsh, sent his Indian to the others, to know whether they really design'd to go with us. They answer'd, we must return thither to join them. The 27th. we decamp'd, in order to it; but took another Way to go meet the Indians. The 28th. we saw them marching at a Distance. One of them was detach'd to come tell us, that he would shew us the Way to cross the Marsh, and we went on and incamp'd at the Foot of the high Mountain I have spoken of.

The first of March, we join'd the Indians, on the Edge of