Page:Joutel's journal of La Salle's last voyage, 1684-7 (IA joutelsjournalof00jout).pdf/165



This Care, which kept me from Sleeping sound, was the Occasion, that one Night I heard some Body moving near my Bed, and opening my Eyes, by the Light of the Fire, which never goes out in those Cottages, perceiv'd a Man stark naked, with a Bow and two Arrows in his Hand, who came and sat down by me, without saying any Thing. I view'd him for some Time, I spoke to him, he made me no Answer, and not knowing what to think of it, I laid hold of my two Pistols and my Firelock, which the Man perceiving, he went and sat by the Fire. I follow'd, and looking steadfastly on him, he knew and spoke to me, throwing his Arms about and embracing me, and then made himself known to be one of the French Men I had sent for.

We fell into Discourse, I ask'd him for his Comrade, he told me, he durst not come, for Fear of Monsieur de la Sale. They were both Sailors, this Man, who was of Britany, was call'd Ruter; the other, of Rochelle, Grollet. They had, in that short Space of Time, so perfectly enur'd themselves to the Customs of the Natives, that they were become meer Savages. They were naked, their Faces and Bodies with Figures wrought on them, like the rest. They had taken several Wives, been at the Wars and kill'd their Enemies with their Firelocks, which had gain'd them Reputation; but having no more Powder nor Ball, their Arms were grown useless, and they had been forc'd to learn to shoot with Bows and Arrows. As for Religion, they were not troubled with much of it, and that Libertine Life they led, was pleasing to them.

I acquainted this Man with the unfortunate Death of Monsr. de la Sale, his Nephew and the rest, at which, he was surpris'd and concern'd, at least in outward Appearance. I ask'd him, whether he had not heard talk of the Missisipi; he told me he had not; but only that there was a great River forty Leagues from thence towards the N. W.