Page:Joutel's journal of La Salle's last voyage, 1684-7 (IA joutelsjournalof00jout).pdf/154

 employ'd at that Work, the Indians swam over and went to give Notice to the Cenis of our Arrival.

We found the Country pleasant enough about that River, tho' the Land did not seem to be any of the best; but still it was delightful to the Eye, well planted with fine Trees of several Sorts, among which, is one that Monsieur de la Sale had nam'd Copal, being very beautiful, the Leaves of it between those of the Maple and the lime Trees in Resemblance, and from it comes a Gum, of a very agreeable Scent. In the same Place we saw a great Tree, on which the late Monsieur de la Sale had caus'd Crosses and the Arms of France to be carv'd.

The Hunting of Bullocks had fail'd us, and we had seen none from the Place where our late Leader had been murder'd. Thus our Provisions began to fall short, and it was resolv'd on the 29th, to send some Men before, to the Village of the Cenis, to know, whether they had any Indian Corn, and were willing to barter for it. I was appointed, with the Surgeon Liotot, the Teisieers, and Heins, who was a Buccanier, Monsieur de la Sale had taken up at ''Petit Gouave'', to go with him upon this Expedition. I was very unwilling to undertake that Journey, with a Murderer and two of his Companions, of whom I was suspicious; but it was very requisite to obey, and Duhaut having all the Effects in his Possession, alledging, that a great part of them belong'd to him, he gave us some Axes and Knives to barter for Indian Corn, as also for Horses, if any were to be had, and accordingly we pass'd the River.

We found the Country made up of several little Hills, of an indifferent Height, on which there are Abundance of Wallnut-Trees and Oaks, not so large as what we had seen before, but very agreeable. The Weeds which had been some Time before burnt by the Natives, began to spring up again, and discover'd large green Fields very pleasing to the Sight.