Part 11

The Ninth, we put our Canoe into the Water, and pass’d the River in it, and incamp’d half a League from thence, on Account of the Grass, which our Horses stood in Need of to recover themselves a little. The Tenth, we held on our Journey, crossing several spacious Plains, the Grass whereof was burnt, whence Monsieur _de la Sale_ concluded, that there were many Natives thereabouts. He thought it convenient to provide Store of dry’d Flesh, for Fear we should not find Game in the Country we were going to enter upon, and accordingly caused several Beeves to be kill’d for that Purpose.

For that Reason, we continued there till the 12th, when we went and incamped on the Bank of a River, which Monsieur _de la Sale_ had in his former Journey call’d _d’Eure_. At Night there arose a storm, follow’d by Thunder and Rain, which swell’d the Streams, and obliged us to stay there. The 13th and 14th we cross’d four or five large Rivulets, and then a fine curious Country,[88] diversify’d with several little Woods, Hills and small Brooks, affording a delightful Prospect. That pleasant Country was terminated by a Wood, which we were to cross, and were favour’d in it by a Way beaten by the Bullocks, and at Night we incamped there.

The 15th, we travel’d along a fine Meadow, then over Plains that had been burnt, and at Night went to take our Rest on the Bank of a small Rivulet, about which we saw several Footsteps of Natives, which made us conclude we were not far from them; and therefore we doubled our Guard, to prevent being surpriz’d.

[Sidenote: _A Village._]

The 16th, Monsieur _de la Sale_ left me at the Guard of the Camp, and took Monsieur _Cavelier_ his Brother, and seven Men with him, to go find out the _Indians_. They had not gone half a League before they spied Horses and a Number of Cottages, without being themselves seen by the Savages. That Village stood on the Side of a Hill, and contain’d about forty Huts, standing together, besides several others straggling.

[Sidenote: _Monsieur_ de la Sale _well receiv’d by the Natives_.]

When Monsieur _de la Sale_ enter’d the Village, the Savages seeing him, came to meet and conduct him to the Cottage of their Chief, where he and his Company were seated on Bullocks Hides. The Elders being come, he signify’d to them the Occasion of his Coming, as he had done to the other Nations, with which they seem’d to rest satisfy’d. Some Presents were made them, according to Custom, and they offer’d him a Quantity of Hides, which he refus’d, telling them, that when he return’d from the _Cenis_ he would trade with, and furnish them with all they had Occasion for. They confirm’d what the others had told us, concerning a Nation, where some of them had been, the Men whereof were like us, meaning the _Spaniards_. He nam’d to them the Nations we had pass’d through from our Dwelling of St. _Lewis_, to the River _Maligne_, which we had lately pass’d. The Names of those Nations are as follows.

[Sidenote: _Names of Nations or Tribes._]

The _Spicheats_, _Kabayes_, _Thecamons_, _Theauremets_, _Kiahoba_, _Choumenes_, _Kouans_, _Arhan_, _Enepiahe_, _Ahonerhopiheim_, _Korenkake_, _Korkone_, _Omcaosse_, _Keremen_, _Ahehoen_, _Maghai_, _Thecamenes_, _Otenmarhem_, _Kavagan_ and _Meracouman_. These are the Nations that lay on our Road; those on the West and North West of the said River were the _Kannehonan_, _Tohaka_, _Pehir_, _Coyabegux_, _Onapien_, _Pichar_, _Tohan_, _Kiasses_, _Chanzes_, _Tsera_, _Bocrettes_, _Tsepehoen_, _Fercouteha_, _Panego_, _Petao_, _Petzares_, _Peisacho_, _Peihoum_ and _Orcampion_.[89]

Those we were with then, were call’d _Teao_, whom we had not before hear’d nam’d. They talk’d of a great Nation call’d _Ayona_ and _Canohatino_, who were at War with the _Spaniards_, from whom they stole Horses, and told us, that one hundred _Spaniards_ were to have come to join the _Cenis_, to carry on that War, but that having heard of our March, they went back. Monsieur _de la Sale_ gave them to understand, that we were at War with the _Spaniards_, and that we fear’d them not; and that he was sent on their Account by the great captain of the World, who had charg’d him to do them all Good, and to assist them in their Wars against such Nations as were their Enemies.

Those Savages gave Monsieur _de la Sale_ Notice, that he would find three of our Men among the _Cenis_, which put him in Hopes they were those he had given Leave to depart at his former Journey, and of whom he had never since heard. He propos’d to them to barter for Horses; but they had caus’d them to be convey’d out of the Way, for Fear we should take them away, excepting only one Bay, which Monsieur _de la Sale_ agreed for and return’d to us.

The 17th, we pass’d a small River, with some Difficulty, and incamp’d beyond it. The 18th, one of our Horses going along the Edge of an upright Bank, fell into the Water, and came off with only a Hurt on the Shoulder; but we were fain to unload him, and distribute his Burden among us, every one making a Pack; and thus we cross’d a curious Plain,[90] diversify’d with Woods, Hills, Rivulets, and delightful Meadows.

The 19th, we travell’d along the Tops of those Hills, to avoid the Bottoms, and found a Difficulty to get down, by reason of the Rocks we met with at the End of them, and a River we were to cross. Whilst we were passing that River, we heard Dogs hunting the Bullocks, two of which coming near us, one of them was shot dead. The Natives who were hunting spying us, sent out two of their Number, who creeping from Tree to Tree, drew near, and then stood still, without daring to proceed any farther. We made Signs to them to come, which they did, and we made them smoke, till Monsieur _de la Sale_ return’d, being gone a little Way to observe the Body of those People.

When come, he told them, he would entertain Peace with them, that we were going to the _Cenis_, and he believ’d, that these very Men were of their Nation, because they had their Accent and some of their Words. They told him their Village was near that Place, and bore us Company to our Camp, where after some small Presents given them, they were dismiss’d.

[Sidenote: _Account given by a Native._]

The 20th, Monsieur _de la Sale_ sent Monsieur _Moranget_ and some others to the Village of those Natives, to try whether they could barter with them for some Horses. In the mean Time two Savages came to us, one of them being the same that was with us the Night before, and they express’d much Friendship for us. That particular _Indian_ told us, his name was _Palaquechaune_, that they were Allies to the _Cenis_, that their Chief had been among the _Choumans_, with the _Spaniards_; that the _Choumans_ were Friends to the _Spaniards_, from whom they got Horses, and added some farther Particulars, which the others had before signify’d to us; so that we had good Reason to judge we were not far from _North Mexico_.

He also told us, that the _Choumans_ had given their Chief some Presents, to perswade him to conduct us to them; that most of the said Nation had flat Heads; that they had _Indian_ Corn, which gave Monsieur _de la Sale_ Ground to believe, that those People were some of the same he had seen upon his first Discovery. That same Native had a very fine Goat’s Skin, which I purchas’d of him for four Needles, after I had shewn him how to use them, and that Skin was of good Use to make us Shoes instead of raw Bullocks Hides.

[Sidenote: _M._ Moranget_’s Account_.]

Some Time after, Monsieur _Moranget_ return’d, gave Monsieur _de la Sale_ an Account of his short Journey, and said, That one of the Natives, who saw us the Night before, came to meet and conduct him to the Chief’s Cottage, where forty Ancient[91] _Indians_ were, by whom he had been kindly receiv’d. That the Chief had in his Hand a Reed, at the end whereof was made fast a Leaf of a _French_ Book, which he had an extraordinary Respect for. That they had been made to sit on Bullocks Hides, and treated with dry’d Beef.

That after these first Ceremonies, the Chief had given them to understand, that some of their People had been conducted by a Man like us, to our Habitation, and that the said Man had promis’d to bring them to talk with us, in order to treat of Peace; but that on the Contrary, we had fired on them and kill’d one of their Men, which had oblig’d them to kill the Man that led them, and that then they return’d. It is not improper here to put the Reader in Mind, that I have before mention’d this Accident, when the Sieur _Barbier_ crossing the River in a Canoe, was call’d upon by some Person, who was among the Natives on the Bank of the River, who had made two Shots, as it had been only the Priming of a Piece, which the Sieur _Barbier_ had look’d upon as an Insult, and therefore he had also fir’d, with all the other Particulars, as mention’d before; an Accident that happen’d for want of understanding one another; which, together with Monsr. _de la Sale’s_ forbidding us to have any Communication with the Natives, was very prejudicial to us afterwards.

After much other Discourse, Monsieur _Moranget_ having given them some small Presents, they made their return in Bullocks Hides, and Goat Skins well dress’d. He ask’d them for some Horses to barter; they answer’d, they had no more than what they stood in Need of. We immediately proceeded on our Journey, and that day being the 21st, went to incamp at the Edge of a Wood.

The 22d, we went up to an Eminence terminated by a Rock, at the Foot whereof ran a little River, the bottom whereof was all of flat Rocks, fit for Building.[92] Thence we descry’d two Natives driving of Bullocks, which made us stand upon our Guard, and it appear’d to be our _Indian_, who had met another, with whom he had been acquainted among the _Cenis_, and whom he had brought along with him.

[Sidenote: _Three lost_ French _Men heard of_.]

Monsieur _de la Sale_ was very glad to see him, and remember’d he was one of those of whom he had purchas’d a Horse. He ask’d several Questions of him, and among the rest, whether he had not seen the four Men who deserted in his former Journey, or heard any Talk of the others, to whom he had given Leave to return to our Dwelling. He answer’d, he had seen one among the _Cenis_, and two others among the _Assonis_; but that he had not heard of any more, and that they must needs be dead; as also the Sieur _Bihorel_, who was likewise mention’d to him.

He further told us, that there were four or five Cottages thereabouts, in which about Fifteen Men resided. At Night he went away. Our _Indian_ had kill’d a Cow at a great Distance and shot her quite through, at which the other, who had been an Eye Witness to it, stood a long Time amaz’d, without speaking one Word, admiring the Effect of our Pieces. That Cow was sent for, and the Flesh brought to our Camp.

The 23d, we pass’d by the Cottages we had been told of, where the Natives were with their Wives and Children. Monsr. _de la Sale_ caus’d us to halt in the Village. We were well receiv’d, they presented us with dry’d Beef, and we return’d it in some Knives. We saw two Horses, one of them a little grey, indifferent handsome. They told us they would soon depart that Place, to go join their Companions, who were in War with their Enemies. The rest of our Men being come up, we went on to incamp a League from thence, on the Bank of a Rivulet, and at the Foot of one of the highest Mountains in the Country.

Unloading our Horses, we perceiv’d there wanted a large Axe, which serv’d us for hewing down of Trees. Monsieur _de la Sale_ sent his _Indian_ to demand it, at the Village we came from last, the Savages said they had not seen it, and it was lost. He brought back Word, that the Savages had told him, that if we would stay for them, they would go along with, and shew us the Way.

However, we went on the 24th, and incamp’d on the Edge of a Marsh. The 25th, the Rain hinder’d us from Marching. The 26th, Monsieur _de la Sale_ perceiving how difficult and dangerous it was to cross that Marsh, sent his _Indian_ to the others, to know whether they really design’d to go with us. They answer’d, we must return thither to join them. The 27th. we decamp’d, in order to it; but took another Way to go meet the _Indians_. The 28th. we saw them marching at a Distance. One of them was detach’d to come tell us, that he would shew us the Way to cross the Marsh, and we went on and incamp’d at the Foot of the high Mountain I have spoken of.

[Sidenote: _Mar. 1687_]

The first of _March_, we join’d the _Indians_, on the Edge of the Marsh, which we had just cross’d, where the Rains kept us till the Fifth, during which Time we went to find out where we might pass a rapid Torrent, that discharges it self into the River call’d of _Canoes_, which we pass’d the 6th, in the Canoe we had made, and which did us good Service, to pass other Rivers we met with the 7th and the 8th on our Way.

[Sidenote: _River of Canoes._]

The 9th, we did not stir, because of the Rain. The 10th, incamp’d on the Bank of a small River, which we cross’d the 11th, and the same Day another River, and incamp’d on the Bank of it, and found it adorn’d with very fine Mulberry Trees. The 12th we cross’d another River, and incamp’d near it. The 13th, came again to the River of _Canoes_, so called by Monsieur _de la Sale_, because he the first Time put Canoes into it, at his former Journey. We pass’d it the 14th, and incamp’d on the other Side where we again join’d the _Indians_.

[Sidenote: _Provisions hid, spoilt._]

The 15th, we held on our Journey with them, and found a pleasanter Country than that we had pass’d thro’; and Monsieur _de la Sale_ having in his former Journey hid some Indian Wheat and Beans, two or three Leagues from that Place, and our Provisions beginning to fall short, it was thought fit to go to that Place. Accordingly he order’d the Sieurs _Duhaut_, _Hiens_, _Liotot_ the Surgeon, his own _Indian_, and his Footman, whose Name was _Saget_, who were followed by some Natives, to go to the Place he described to them, where they found all rotten and quite spoilt.

The 16, in their Return, they met with two Bullocks, which Monsieur _de la Sale’s_ _Indian_ kill’d, whereupon they sent back his Footman, to give him Notice of what they had kill’d, that if he would have the Flesh dry’d, he might send Horses for it. The 17th, Monsieur _de la Sale_ had the Horses taken up, and order’d the Sieurs _Moranget_ and _de Malre_ and his Footman, to go for that Meat, and send back a Horse Load immediately, till the rest was dry’d.

[Sidenote: _Discontent occasion’d by Monsr._ Moranget.]

Monsieur _Moranget_, when he came thither, found they had smoak’d both the Beeves, tho’ they were not dry enough; and the said Sieurs _Liotot_, _Hiens_, _Duhaut_ and the rest had laid aside the Marrow-Bones and others to roast them, and eat the flesh that remain’d on them, as was usual to do. The Sieur _Moranget_ found fault with it, he in a Passion seiz’d not only the Flesh that was smoak’d and dry’d, but also the Bones, without giving them any Thing; but on the contrary, threat’ning they should not eat so much of it, as they had imagin’d, and that he would manage that Flesh after another Manner.

[Sidenote: _Conspiracy to murder Monsr._ de la Sale.]

This passionate Behaviour, so much out of Season, and contrary to Reason and Custom, touch’d the Surgeon _Liotot_, _Hiens_ and _Duhaut_ to the Quick, they having other Causes of Complaint against _Moranget_. They withdrew, and resolv’d together upon a bloody Revenge; they agreed upon the Manner of it, and concluded they would murder the Sieur _Moranget_, Monsieur _de la Sale’s_ Footman and his _Indian_, because he was very faithful to him.

[Sidenote: _Bloody Murderers._]

They waited till Night, when those unfortunate Creatures had supp’d and were asleep. _Liotot_ the Surgeon was the inhuman Executioner, he took an Ax, began by the Sieur _Moranget_, giving him many Strokes on the Head; the same he did by the Footman and the _Indian_, killing them on the Spot, whilst his Fellow Villains, _viz._ _Duhaut_, _Hiens_, _Teissier_ and _Larcheveque_ stood upon their Guard, with their Arms, to fire upon such as should make any Resistance. The _Indian_ and the Footman never stir’d, but the Sieur _Moranget_ had so much Vigour as to sit up, but without being able to speak one Word, and the Assasins obliged the Sieur _de Marle_ to make an End of him, tho’ he was not in the Conspiracy.

[Sidenote: _Consult to murder Monsr._ de la Sale.]

This Slaughter had yet satisfy’d but one Part of the Revenge of those Murderers. To finish it and secure themselves it was requisite to destroy the Commander in Chief. They consulted about the safest Method to effect it, and resolved to go together to Monsieur _de la Sale_, to knock out the Brains of the most resolute immediately, and then it would be easier to overcome the rest. But the River, which was between them and us, being much swollen, the Difficulty of passing it made them put it off the 18th and 19th. On the other Hand Monsieur _de la Sale_ was very uneasy, on Account of their long Stay. His Impatience made him resolve to go himself to find out his People and to know the Cause of it.

[Sidenote: _He goes to seek them._]

This was not done without many previous Tokens of Concern, and Apprehension. He seem’d to have some Presage of his Misfortune, enquiring of some, whether the Sieur _Liotot_, _Hiens_ and _Duhaut_ had not express’d some Discontent; and not hearing any Thing of it, he could not forbear setting out the 20th, with Father _Anastasius_ and an _Indian_, leaving me the Command in his Absence, and charging me from Time to Time to go the Rounds about our Camp, to prevent being surpriz’d, and to make a Smoke for him to direct his Way in Case of Need. When he came near the Dwelling of the Murderers, looking out sharp to discover something, he observed Eagles fluttering about a Spot, not far from them, which made him believe they had found some Carrion about the Mansion, and he fired a Shot, which was the signal of his Death and forwarded it.

[Sidenote: _Is murder’d._]

The Conspirators hearing the Shot, concluded it was Monsieur _de la Sale_, who was come to seek them. They made ready their Arms and provided to surprize him. _Duhaut_ passed the River, with _Larcheveque_. The first of them spying Monsieur _de la Sale_ at a Distance, as he was coming towards them, advanc’d and hid himself among the high Weeds, to wait his passing by, so that Monsieur _de la Sale_ suspecting nothing, and having not so much as charg’d his Piece again, saw the aforesaid _Larcheveque_ at a good Distance from him, and immediately ask’d for his Nephew _Moranget_, to which _Larcheveque_ answer’d, That he was along the River. At the same Time the Traitor _Duhaut_ fired his Piece and shot Monsr. _de la Sale_ thro’ the Head, so that he dropp’d down dead on the Spot, without speaking one Word.[93]

Father _Anastasius_, who was then by his Side, stood stock still in a Fright, expecting the same Fate, and not knowing whether he should go forwards or backwards; but the Murderer _Duhaut_ put him out of that Dread, bidding him not to fear, for no Hurt was intended him; that it was Despair that had prevail’d with him to do what he saw; that he had long desir’d to be revenged on _Moranget_, because he had designed to ruin him, and that he was partly the Occasion of his Uncle’s Death. This is the exact Relation of that Murder, as it was presently after told me by F. _Anastasius_.

[Sidenote: _His Character._]

Such was the unfortunate End of Monsieur _de la Sale’s_ Life, at a Time when he might entertain the greatest Hopes, as the Reward of his Labours.[94] He had a Capacity and Talent to make his Enterprize successful; his Constancy and Courage and his extraordinary Knowledge in Arts and Sciences, which render’d him fit for any Thing, together with an indefatigable Body, which made him surmount all Difficulties, would have procur’d a glorious Issue to his Undertaking, had not all those excellent Qualities been counterbalanced by too haughty a Behaviour, which sometimes made him insupportable, and by a Rigidness towards those that were under his Command, which at last drew on him an implacable Hatred, and was the Occasion of his Death.

[Sidenote: _Barbarity towards the dead Body._]

The Shot which had kill’d Monsieur _de la Sale_, was also a Signal of the Murder to the Assassins for them to draw near. They all repair’d to the Place where the wretched dead Corps lay, which they barbarously strip’d to the Shirt, and vented their Malice in vile and opprobrious Language. The Surgeon _Liotot_ said several Times in Scorn and Derision, _There thou liest, Great Bassa, there thou liest._ In Conclusion, they dragged it naked among the Bushes, and left it exposed to the ravenous Wild Beasts. So far was it from what a certain Author writes, of their having bury’d him and set up a cross on his Grave.[95]

[Sidenote: _Murderers return to the Camp._]

When those Murderers had satiated their Rage, they set out to come to us at our Camp, with the dry’d Flesh, which they had caus’d to be brought over the River by the _Indians_, who had been Spectators of the Murder and of all the inhuman Actions that had been committed, with Amazement and Contempt of us. When they were come to the Camp, they found Messieurs _Cavelier_, the one Brother, the other Nephew to the murder’d Commander, whom Father _Anastasius_ acquainted with the dismal End of our Chief, and enjoyn’d them Silence, which it is easy to imagine was very hard upon them; but it was absolutely necessary.

However, Monsieur _Cavelier_ the Priest, could not forbear telling them, that if they would do the same by him, he would forgive them his Murder, and only desir’d them to give him a Quarter of an Hour to prepare himself: They answer’d, They had Nothing to say to him; that what they had done was the Effect of Despair, to be reveng’d for the ill Usage they had receiv’d.

[Sidenote: _The Author sav’d by a Friend._]

I was absent at that Time; he they call’d _Larcheveque_, who, as I have said, was one of the Conspirators, had some Kindness for me, and knowing they design’d to make me away too, if I stood upon my Defence, he parted from them, to give me Notice of their Mischievous Resolution. He found me on a little rising Ground, where I was looking upon our Horses as they graz’d in a little adjacent Bottom. His Intelligence struck me to the Heart, not knowing whether I should fly or stay; but at length, having neither Powder nor Shot, nor Arms, and the said _Larcheveque_ giving me Assurances of my Life, provided I was quiet and said Nothing, I committed my self to God’s Protection, and went to them, without taking any Notice of what had been done.

[Sidenote: Duhaut, _the Murderer, usurps the Command_.]

_Duhaut_, puff’d up with his new gotten Authority, procur’d him by his Villany, as soon as he saw me, cry’d out, Every Man ought to command in his Turn; to which I made no Answer; and we were all of us oblig’d to stifle our Resentment, that it might not appear, for our Lives depended on it. However, it was easy to judge with what Eyes Father _Anastasius_, Messieurs _Cavelier_ and I beheld these Murderers, to whom we expected every Moment to fall Sacrifices. It is true, we dissembled so well, that they were not very suspicious of us, and that the Temptation we were under of making them away in Revenge for those they had murder’d, would have easily prevail’d and been put in Execution, had not Monsieur _Cavelier_, the Priest, always positively oppos’d it, alledging, that we ought to leave Vengeance to God.

[Sidenote: _March continued._]

[Sidenote: Cenis _River_.]