Page:Joutel's journal of La Salle's last voyage, 1684-7 (IA joutelsjournalof00jout).pdf/169

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gone to the Cenis, they staying longer than was requisite for that Journey. The overflowing of the River was their Pretence, but the the Reason was the Women, who as I have said, are not so forward as to offer themselves, but on the other Hand will not be over difficult in complying for some little Present, and those who were sent did not grudge their Time. In the mean while the Posture of our Affairs changed, as follows. One of our half Savage French Men, whom I had acquainted with our Design to go find the Missisipi, communicated it to Hautot, telling him all the particulars he had before acquainted me with; whereupon Duhaut chang'd his Mind, as to the Design of going to the Habitation of St. Lewis, resolving to follow our intended Way and execute our Project. He imparted his Thoughts to his Companions, who were of the same Opinion, and all of them acquainted us, that they were ready to put in Execution the Enterprize we had form'd. This Change troubled us very much, there being nothing we coveted more than to part with those Miscreants, from whom we could at a long Run expect no better Usage than they had afforded our Commander and his Friends. However, it was still requisite to dissemble, there being no other Remedy at that Time: But God's Justice provided for and rescued us. We continued in that Camp all the remaining part of April, expecting the Persons that had been sent to the Cenis, and Duhaut intending to begin to put in Execution his Design of going to find out the Missisipi, with us, made us advance towards the River that was near, in order to pass it as soon as fallen, and repair to the Village of the Cenis. We staid three Days longer in that Post, at the End whereof, he we call'd Larcheveque, one of those that had been sent out, cross'd the River. He was Duhaut's Creature, and an Accomplice in the Murder of Monsieur de la