Page:Joutel's journal of La Salle's last voyage, 1684-7 (IA joutelsjournalof00jout).pdf/96

 Wall Vines, some Woods and the Carcasses of Bullocks, which he supposed to have died with Thirst.

The 16th, the Pilots of the Joly, l' Aimable and la Belle, went again to sound, they found the Entrance easy, and gave it under their Hands. The 17th, they fix'd Stakes to mark out the Way, that the Vessels might come safe in. All Things seem'd to promise a happy Event.

The 18th, the Chevalier d' Aire came ashore, to confer with Monsieur de la Sale, who being desirous to have the Fly-boat l' Aimable come in that Day, order'd the most weighty Things in her to be unloaded, as the Cannon, the Iron and some other Things. It was my good Fortune that my Chest stood in the Way, and was also unloaded, but that Unlading could not be done till the next Day, being the 19th. That being perform'd, the Captain affirm'd it would go in at 8 Foot Water.

The 20th, Monsieur de la Sale sent Orders to that Captain to draw near the Bar, and to come in at high Water, of which a Signal should be given him; he also order'd the Pilot of the Bark la Belle to go aboard the Flyboat, to be assisting when it came in. The Captain would not receive him aboard, saying, he could carry in his Ship without his Help. All these Precautions prov'd of no Use; Monsieur de la Sale could not avert his ill Fate. He having taken Notice of a large Tree on the Bank of the River, which he judg'd fit to make a Canoe, sent 7 or 8 Workmen to hew it down, two of whom return'd some Time after, in a great Fright, and told him, they had narrowly escap'd being taken by a Company of Savages, and that they believ'd the others had fallen into their Hands. Monsieur de la Sale order'd us immediately to handle our Arms, and to march with Drums beating towards the Savages, who seeing us in that Posture, fac'd about and went off.

Monsieur de la Sale being desirous to join those Savages, to endeavour to get some Information from them, order'd Ten of us to lay down our Arms and draw near them, making Signs to them, at the same Time, to come to us.