CHAPTER XVI.

1716-1761. SEARCH FOR THE PACIFIC. Page The Western Sea.—Schemes for reaching it.—Journey of Charlevoix.—The Sioux Mission.—Varennes de la Vérendrye: his Enterprise; his Disasters; visits the Mandans; his Sons; their Search for the Western Sea; their Adventures.—The Snake Indians.—A Great War-party.—The Rocky Mountains.—A Panic.—Return of the Brothers; their Wrongs and their Fate 3