Page:Joutel's journal of La Salle's last voyage, 1684-7 (IA joutelsjournalof00jout).pdf/194

 The Conveniency of an Interpreter, we then had, gave us the Opportunity of making ourselves be easily understood, and the Chief answer'd to our Proposals, that he would send Men to the other Villages to acquaint them with our Demands, and to consult with them what was to be done in that Case; that as for the rest, they were amaz'd at our having pass'd thro' so many Nations, without having been detain'd, or kill'd, considering what a small Number we were.

When the Discourse was ended, that Chief caus'd Meat to be set before us, as dry'd Flesh, Bread made of Indian Corn of several Sorts, and Water Melons; after which he made us smoke, and then we return'd to our House, where being eas'd of all those Impediments, we gave each other an Account of our Affairs, at Leisure, and were inform'd, that those People impatiently expected the Return of Monsieur de la Sale, which confirm'd us in the Resolution of concealing his Death. We observ'd the Situation of that Post, and were made acquainted with the Nature of the Country and the Manners of those People, of which I shall give the following Remarks.

The House we were then in, was built of Pieces of Cedar laid one upon another, and rounded away at the Corners; its roof is of bark. It is seated on a small Eminency, half a Musket-shot from the Village, in a Country abounding in all Things. The Plains lying on one Side of it, are stor'd with Beeves, wild Goats, Deer, Turkeys, Bustards, Swans, Ducks, Teal and other Game.

The Trees produce plenty of Fruit, and very good, as Peaches, Plumbs, Mulberries, Grapes, and Wallnuts. They have a Sort of Fruit they call Piaguimina, not unlike our Medlars, but much better and more delicious. Such as live near the Rivers, as that House is, do not want for Fish of all Sorts, and they have Indian Wheat, whereof they make good Bread. There are also fine Plains diversify'd with several Sorts of Trees, as I have said before.