Page:Joutel's journal of La Salle's last voyage, 1684-7 (IA joutelsjournalof00jout).pdf/196

 Pipe, the Singing as loud as they cou'd roar, both by Men and Women, and all the other Ceremonies were observ'd, as I have mention'd them before; so that Monsieur Cavelier being weary of them, he caus'd the Chief to be told, that he was out of Order, and desir'd his Nephew might be put in his Place, which was done accordingly, and they spent the whole Night in Singing. In the Morning they perform'd some other Ceremonies, not worth relating.

The Solemnity being ended, by every Man's smoking of the Pipe, the Indians took it, with some Bullocks Hides, and Goats and Otters Skins, and a Collar made of Shells, all which they carry'd to our House, and we gave them a Firelock, two Axes, six Knives, one hundred Charges of Powder, as much Ball, and some Strings of Beads for their Wives. The Chief having given Notice of our coming to the other Villages, their Deputies came to see us; we entertain'd them in the House, and propos'd to them our Designs, as had been done to the Chief. They stood considering a While, then held a Sort of Consultation among themselves, which held not long without talking, and then agreed to grant us what we ask'd, which was a Canoe and a Man of each Village to conduct us, upon the promis'd Consideration, and so they went away to the Cottage of the Chief of the Village.

The 27th, the Chief and the Elders met again to consult about what we demanded of them; the Length of the Journey made them apprehensive for those, who were to conduct us; but, at Length, we having dispell'd their Fears by our Arguments, and they having again deliberated some Time, agreed to our Request. We again made them a Present, promising a good Reward to our Guides, and so we prepar'd to set forwards. Little Bartholomew the Parisian, having intimated to us, that he would willingly stay in that House, because he was none of the ablest of Body, we recommended him to the Sieur Couture. We desir'd those that remain'd there, to keep the Secret of Monsr. de la Sale's Death, promis'd to send them Relief,