Page:Joutel's journal of La Salle's last voyage, 1684-7 (IA joutelsjournalof00jout).pdf/173

 that he caus'd the Earth to produce, it's Fruits to prosper, and the Growth of it, which maintain'd them to thrive; but this being only by Signs, they did not understand us, and we labour'd in vain.

The 18th, we were surpriz'd to see several Women come into our Cottage, their Faces all besmear'd with Earth, and they set up their Throats, singing several Songs as loud as they were able, whereof we understood not one Word. That done, they fell a Dancing in a Ring, and we could not tell, what to think of that Rejoicing, which lasted full three Hours; after which we were inform'd, they had receiv'd Advice of the Victory obtain'd by their Warriors over their Enemies. The Dance concluded, those in the Cottage gave some Bits of Tobacco to those without.

The same Day, about Noon, we saw him that had brought the News, who affirm'd they had kill'd at least Forty of their Enemies. After the Rejoicing, all the Women apply'd themselves to make ready their Provisions, some to pound Indian Corn, others to boil Meal, which they call Grouller, and others to bake Bread, to carry to the Warriors. They all set out the 19th to meet them, and we thought it in policy convenient to send Meat to our Men which was done by the French Man of Provence, who went with the Women.

That same Day, at Night, the Victorious Army returned, and we were informed, that their Enemies whom they call Cannohatinno, had expected them boldly, but that having heard the Noise, and felt the Effects of our Mens Fire Arms, they all fled, so that the Cenis had either kill'd or taken Forty Eight Men and Women. They had slain several of the latter, who fled to the Tops of Trees, for want of Time to make their Escape otherwise; so that many more Women had perish'd than Men.

They brought Home two of those Women alive, one of whom had her Head flead for the Sake of her Hair and