Page:Joutel's journal of La Salle's last voyage, 1684-7 (IA joutelsjournalof00jout).pdf/204

 acquaint with what he had said to him, so that when we were come near them they fired Several Shot to salute us, and we answer'd them with our Firelocks.

After that mutual Salutation, they came into our Canoe, to signify, they were glad to hear News of Monsieur de la Sale. We ask'd them, What Nation they were of; they answer'd, They were Islinois, of a Canton call'd Cascasquia. We enquir'd whether Monsieur Tonty was at Fort Lewis; they gave us to understand, that he was not, but that he was gone to the War against the Iroquois. They invited us Ashore, to go with them to eat of such as they had, we thank'd them, and they brought us some Gourds and Water Melons, in Exchange for which, we gave them some parch'd Flesh.

We had not by the Way taken Notice of a Canoe, in which was a Man with two Women, who, being afraid of us, had hid themselves among the Reeds, but that man seeing us stop among his Countrymen, took Heart, came to us, and having told us, that he belong'd to a Village near Fort Lewis, we set out together, and one of our Indians went into that Canoe, to help them to shove, so they call the Way of pushing on the Canoe with Poles instead of rowing.

On Sunday, the 14th of September, about two in the Afternoon, we came into the Neighbourhood of Fort Lewis. Drawing near, we were met by some Indians that were on the Bank, who having view'd us well, and understanding we came from Monsr. de la Sale, and that we belong'd to him, ran to the Fort to carry the News, and immediately we saw a French Man come out, with a Company of Indians, who fir'd a Volley of several Pieces, to salute us. Then the French Man drew near, and desir'd us to come Ashore, which we did, leaving only one in the Canoe, to take Care of our Baggage; for the Islinois are very sharp at carrying off anything they can lay their Hands on, and consequently, nothing near so honest as the Nations we had pass'd thro'.

We all walk'd together towards the Fort, and found