Part 12

However the Murderers seiz’d upon all the Effects, without any Opposition, and then we began to talk of proceeding on our Journey. We decamp’d the 21st, with our _Indians_, and march’d with such a heavy Rain, that we were oblig’d to halt on the Bank of a great Stream, where one of the Natives that had left us, arriv’d with his Wife. We went on the 22d and 23d, and pass’d the River, where Father _Anastasius_, Monsieur _Cavelier_ and I, who could not swim, had been drown’d, but that the Natives assisted and sav’d us. The 24th, we went on thro’ a marshy Country, never quitting a small Path which led to the Village of the _Cenis_, till the 28th, when we rested on the Bank of a River of the same Name, tho’ about ten Leagues distant from the Village.

We had hop’d to ford that River, as Monsieur _de la Sale_ had done, when he return’d from that Country; but it was so swollen, that there was no doing it, and we were forced to make a Canoe of Bullocks Hides. Whilst we were employ’d at that Work, the _Indians_ swam over and went to give Notice to the _Cenis_ of our Arrival.

[Sidenote: Copal _Tree_.]

We found the Country pleasant enough about that River, tho’ the Land did not seem to be any of the best; but still it was delightful to the Eye, well planted with fine Trees of several Sorts, among which, is one that Monsieur _de la Sale_ had nam’d _Copal_, being very beautiful, the Leaves of it between those of the Maple and the lime[96] Trees in Resemblance, and from it comes a Gum, of a very agreeable Scent. In the same Place we saw a great Tree, on which the late Monsieur _de la Sale_ had caus’d Crosses and the Arms of _France_ to be carv’d.

[Sidenote: _The Author sent to the_ Cenis _for Provisions_.]

The Hunting of Bullocks had fail’d us, and we had seen none from the Place where our late Leader had been murder’d. Thus our Provisions began to fall short, and it was resolv’d on the 29th, to send some Men before, to the Village of the _Cenis_, to know, whether they had any _Indian_ Corn, and were willing to barter for it. I was appointed, with the Surgeon _Liotot_, the _Teisieers_, and _Hiens_, who was a Buccanier, Monsieur _de la Sale_ had taken up at _Petit Gouave_, to go with him upon this Expedition. I was very unwilling to undertake that Journey, with a Murderer and two of his Companions, of whom I was suspicious; but it was very requisite to obey, and _Duhaut_ having all the Effects in his Possession, alledging, that a great part of them belong’d to him, he gave us some Axes and Knives to barter for _Indian_ Corn, as also for Horses, if any were to be had, and accordingly we pass’d the River.

[Sidenote: _The Country describ’d._]

We found the Country made up of several little Hills, of an indifferent Height, on which there are Abundance of Wallnut-Trees and Oaks, not so large as what we had seen before, but very agreeable. The Weeds which had been some Time before burnt by the Natives, began to spring up again, and discover’d large green Fields very pleasing to the Sight.

[Sidenote: _A Man clad like a Spaniard._]

When we had travell’d some Time, we discover’d three Men a Horseback, coming towards us from the Village, and being come near them, saw one dress’d after the _Spanish_ Fashion, with a little Doublet, the Body whereof was of blue, and the Sleeves of white Fustian, as it were imbroider’d, with very streight Breeches, white worsted Stockings, Woollen-Garters, a broad-brim’d, flat-crown’d Hat, and long Hair. We presently concluded he was a _Spaniard_, and the rather because we had been told, that some of them were to come to join in League with the _Cenis_, against an Enemy nation, and we were at a Nonplus; for if we fell into their Hands, we must never expect to get away, but be condemn’d to serve either in the Mines, or in the Quarries, in the Kingdom of _Mexico_, for which Reason we provided to give the pretended _Spaniard_ an unkind Reception, and then to make the best of our Way back.

Being come up to him, I spoke some Words of _Spanish_ and _Italian_, to which he return’d no Answer; but on the contrary, made use of the Word _Coussica_, which in the Language of the _Cenis_, signifies, _I do not understand you_; which Answer of his remov’d our Apprehensions. The two others were quite naked, one of them being mounted on a fine grey Mare, and on her were besides two Panniers, handsomely made of Reeds, full of very fine Meal parch’d, or roasted. After several Questions, to which we had no very satisfactory Answers, we lighted Fire to make them smoke, and then they presented us with the two Panniers full of Meal, giving us to understand, that their Chief expected us in the Village, and having signify’d, that they were sent to meet us, we gave them some Knives and Strings of Beads.

We ask’d them, whether they had any Men among them like him that was a Horseback in the _Spanish_ Habit, they answer’d, there were two in a Neighboring Nation, call’d _Assony_, and that he who was clad, had been in their Country, and brought thence the Cloaths we saw him wear. That Man then shew’d us a _Spanish_ printed Paper, containing the Indulgences granted to the Missioners of _New Mexico_. After this they left us to go on, to our People, for which Reason I writ a Note, giving an Account of our having met them.

We alighted to eat, and let our Horses graze on the Bank of a Rivulet; but it was not long before the same Natives, who had been with us before, appear’d again hard by us. We made Signs to them to draw near and eat with us; which they did, and then went along with us towards the Village, which we would not go into, because it was Night. The _Indian_ that was clad, stay’d all Night with us, and the two others went away.

[Sidenote: _The_ Cenis _meet the French in solemn Manner_.]

When it was Day, we held on our Way to the Village; the _Indian_ that was with us conducting us to their Chief’s Cottage. By the Way, we saw many other Cottages, and the Elders coming to meet us in their Formalities,[97] which consisted in some Goats Skins dress’d and painted of several Colours, which they wore on their Shoulders like Belts, and Plumes of Feathers of several Colours, on their Heads, like Coronets. Six or seven of them had square Sword Blades, like the _Spanish_, on the Hilts whereof they had fasten’d great Plumes of Feathers, and several Hawks Bells; some of them had Clubs, which they call Headbreakers, some only their Bows and Arrows;[98] others, Bits of White Linen, reaching from Shoulder to Shoulder. All their Faces were daub’d with black or red. There were twelve Elders, who walk’d in the Middle, and the Youth and Warriors in Ranks, on the Sides of those old Men.

[Sidenote: _A French Man among the Indians._]

Being come up to us in that Manner, he that conducted us, made a Sign for us to halt, which when we had done, all the old Men lifted up their Right Hands above their Heads, crying out in a most ridiculous Manner; but it behov’d us to have a Care of laughing. That done, they came and imbrac’d us, using all Sorts of Endearments. Then they made us smoke, and brought to us a French Man of _Provence_, who was one of those that had forsaken the late Monsieur _de la Sale_, at his first Journey.[99]

[Sidenote: _Indian Entertainment._]

The whole Company conducted us after the same Manner, to their Chief’s Cottage; and after we had staid there a short Time, they led us to a larger Cottage, a Quarter of a League from thence, being the Hut in which they have their publick Rejoycings, and the great Assemblies. We found it furnish’d with Mats for us to sit on. The Elders seated themselves round about us, and they brought us to eat, some _Sagamite_, which is their Pottage, little Beans, Bread made of _Indian_ Corn, and another Sort they make with boil’d Flower, and at last they made us smoke.

During our Repast, they entertain’d us with the Discourse of their Design to make War on a Nation, who were their Enemies, and whom they call’d _Cannohantimo_. When it was over, we presented them, according to Custom, with some Knives and Strings of Beads for their Wives. We desir’d them to afford us some _Indian_ Corn, in Exchange for other Things, which they promis’d, and the French Man who was with them, having told us, that there was a District, which afforded more Corn, than that where we were, and where his Cottage was, we resolv’d to go thither. We propos’d it to the Elders, who would needs go along with us, attended by a great Number of Youth, and having got ready our Horses, we set out for that Place.

By the Way, we saw several Cottages at certain Distances, straggling up and down,[100] as the Ground happens to be fit for Tillage. The Field lies about the Cottage, and at other Distances,[101] there are other large Huts, not inhabited, but only serving for publick Assemblies, either upon Occasion of Rejoycings, or to consult about Peace and War.

[Sidenote: _Huts and Families in them._]

The Cottages that are inhabited, are not each of them for a private Family, for in some of them there are fifteen or twenty, each of which has its Nook or Corner, Bed and other Utensils to its self; but without any Partition to separate it from the rest: However, they have Nothing in Common besides the Fire, which is in the Midst of the Hut, and never goes out. It is made of great Trees, the Ends whereof are laid together, so that when once lighted, it lasts a long Time, and the first Comer takes Care to keep it up.

[Sidenote: _Manner of Building._]

The Cottages are round at the Top, after the Manner of a Bee-Hive, or a Reek of Hay. Some of them are sixty Foot Diameter. In Order to build them, they plant Trees as thick as a Man’s Thigh, tall and strait, and placing them in a Circle, and joyning the Tops together, form the Dome, or round Top, then they lath and cover them with Weeds. When they remove their Dwellings, they generally burn the Cottages they leave, and build new on the Ground they design to inhabit.

[Sidenote: _Their moveables._]

[Sidenote: _Beds._]

Their Moveables are some Bullocks Hides and Goats Skins well cur’d, some Mats close wove, wherewith they adorn their Huts, and some Earthen Vessels, which they are very skilful at making, and wherein they boil their Flesh or Roots, or _Sagamite_, which, as has been said, is their Pottage. They have also some small Baskets made of Canes, serving to put in their Fruit and other Provisions. Their Beds are made of Canes, rais’d two or three Foot above the Ground, handsomely fitted with Mats and Bullocks Hides, or Goats Skins well cur’d, which serve them for Feather Beds, or Quilts and Blankets cured with the hair on, to serve as mattresses and bedclothes; and those Beds are parted one from another by Mats hung up.

[Sidenote: _Tillage._]

When they design to Till the Ground, they give one another Notice, and very often above an Hundred of each Sex meet together. When they have till’d that Piece of Land, after their Manner, and spent part of the Day, those the Land belongs to, give the others to Eat, and then they spend the rest of the Day in Dancing and Merry Making. This same is practis’d from Canton to Canton, and so they till Land all together.

[Sidenote: _Instrument for Tilling._]

[Sidenote: _Women sow._]

This Tillage consists in breaking up just the Surface of the Earth with a Sort of Wooden Instrument, like a little Pick-axe, which they make by splitting the End of a thick Piece of Wood, that serves for a Handle, and putting another Piece of Wood sharp Pointed at one End into the Slit. This Instrument serves them instead of a Hoe, or Spade, for they have no Iron Tools. When the Land has been thus till’d or broke up, the Women Sow and Plant the _Indian_ Corn, Beans, Pompions, Water Melons, and other Grain and Garden Ware, which is for their Sustenance.

[Sidenote: Indians _disfigure themselves_.]

The _Indians_ are generally Handsom, but disfigure themselves by making Scores, or Streaks on their Faces, from the Top of the Forehead down the Nose to the Tip of the Chin; which is done by pricking the Skin with Needles, or other sharp Instruments, till it bleeds, whereon they strew fine Powder of Charcoal, and that sinks in and mixes with the Blood within the Skin. They also make after the same Manner, the Figures of living Creatures, of Leaves and Flowers on their Shoulders, Thighs, and other Parts of their Bodies, and Paint themselves, as has been said before, with Black or Red, and sometimes both together.

[Sidenote: _Women._]

The Women are generally well Shap’d, and would not be disagreeable, did they adhere to Nature; but they Disguise themselves as ridiculously as the Men, not only with the Streak they have like them down their Face, but by other Figures they make on it, at the Corners of their Eyes, and on the other Parts of their Bodies; whereof they make more particular Show on their Bosom, and those who have the most, are reckoned the handsomest; tho’ that pricking in that Part be extremely painful to them.

[Sidenote: _They do the Work at Home._]

It is they that do all the Work[102] in the Cottage, either in Pounding the _Indian_ Corn and Baking the Meal, or making the Pottage of the said Meal, by them call’d _Sagamite_, or in dressing their other Provisions, or drying or parching, or smoaking their Flesh, fetching the Wood they have Occasion for, or the Flesh of Bullocks, or other Beasts kill’d by their Husbands in the Woods, which are often at a great Distance, and afterwards Dressing them as has been said. They Sow and Plant, when the Land has been broke up, and in short, do almost all that is requisite for the Support of Life.

[Sidenote: _Their Behaviour._]

I did not observe that those Women were naturally given to Lewdness; but their Virtue is not Proof against some of our Toys, when presented them, as Needles, Knives, and more particularly Strings of Beads, whereof they make Necklaces and Bracelets, and that Temptation is rarely resisted by them, and the less because they have no Religion or Law to prohibit that vile Practice. It is true their Husbands, when they take them in the Fact, sometimes do punish them, either by Separation or otherwise; but that is rare.

[Sidenote: _Habits._]

The Country of those _Indians_ being generally subject to no Cold, almost all of them go naked; unless when the _North_ Wind blows, then they cover themselves with a Bullock’s Hide, or Goat’s Skin cur’d. The Women wear nothing but a Skin, Mat, or Clout, hanging round them like a Petticoat, and reaching down half way their Legs, which hides their Nakedness before and behind. On their Heads they have nothing but their Hair platted and knotted behind.

[Sidenote: _Manners._]

As for their Manners, it may be said of these as of all other _Indians_ of that great Continent, that they are not Mischievous, unless wrong’d or attack’d; in which Case they are all Fierce and Revengeful. They Watch all Opportunities to be Reveng’d, and never let any slip, when offer’d, which is the Cause of their being continually at War with their Neighbours, and of that Martial Humour, so Predominant among them.

[Sidenote: _Religion._]

As to the Knowledge of a God, they did not seem to us to have any fix’d Notion of Him; it is true, we met with some on our Way, who as far as we could judge, believ’d, there was some Superior Being, which was above all Things, and this they testify’d by lifting up their Hands and Eyes to Heaven, yet without any Manner of Concern, as believing that the said exalted Being does not regard at all, what is done here below. However none of them having any Places of Worship, Ceremonies, or Prayers, to denote the divine Homage, it may be said of them all, that they have no Religion, at least those that we saw.

[Sidenote: _Ceremonies._]

However, they observe some Ceremonies; but whether they have any Regard to a real or pretended Superior Being, or whether they are only popular, and proceeding from Custom, is what we were not able to discover. Those Ceremonies are as follows. When the Corn is ripe, they gather a certain Quantity in a Maund or Basket, which is placed on a Sort of Seat or Stool, dedicated to that Use, and serving only upon those misterious Occasions, which they have a great Veneration for.

The Basket with the Corn being placed on that honour’d Stool, one of the Elders holds out his Hands over it, and talks a long Time; after which, the said old Man distributes the Corn among the Women, and no Person is allow’d to eat of the new Corn, till eight Days after that Ceremony. This seems to be in the Nature of Offering up or Blessing the first Fruits of their Harvest.

At their Assemblies, when the _Sagamite_, or Pottage, which is the most essential Part of their meal, is boil’d in a great Pot, they place that Pot on the Stool of Ceremony above mention’d, and one of the Elders stretches out his Hands over it, muttering some Words between his Teeth for a considerable Time, after which, they fall to eat.

[Sidenote: _Tabacco._]

When the young Folks are grown up to be fit to go to the Wars, and take upon them to be Soldiers, their Garment, consisting of some Skin, or Clout, together with their Bow, Quiver and Arrows, is placed on the aforesaid Stool, an old Man stretches out his Hands over them, mutters the Words as above, and then the Garments, Bows, Quivers, and Arrows are given to the Persons they belong to. This may be compar’d to Something of a Ceremony of Knighting among them. The same Ceremonies are us’d by them in the cultivating of their Grain and Product, but particularly of the Tabacco, whereof they have a Sort, which has smaller Leaves than Ours; it is almost ever green and they use it in Leaves.

This is what we observ’d among the _Cenis_, whose Customs and Manners differ very little from those of other Nations, which we had seen before, and saw afterwards. As to the Point of Religion, it is not to be infer’d from what I have said above, that there is none throughout that vast Continent: The Account I have given only regards those Nations we saw; there may be others that have some Worship, and I remember I have heard Monsieur _de la Sale_ say, that the Nation call’d _Takensa_, neighbouring on the _Islinois_, ador’d the Fire, and that they had Cottages which they made use of, as Temples.

[Sidenote: _Nation, what is meant here by it._]

Before I conclude this short Account of the Religion, Customs and Manners of the _Cenis_, which belong’d properly to this Place, it is fit here also to observe, that the Word Nation, is not to be understood, among those _Indians_, to denote a People possessing a whole Province, or vast Extent of Land. Those Nations are no other than a Parcel of Villages, dispers’d for the Space of fifteen, of twenty or of thirty Leagues at most, which compose a distinct People or Nation; and they differ from one another rather in Language than in Manners, wherein they are all much alike, or at least they vary but little, as has been mention’d above. As for the Names of them, here follow those of such as we travel’d through, or were near the Way we held from our leaving our Habitation near the Bay of the Holy Ghost, till we came among the _Cenis_.

[Sidenote: _Names of Nations._]

The _Spicheats_, _Kabayes_, _Thecamons_, _Theauremets_, _Kiabaha_, _Chaumenes_, _Kouans_, _Arhau_, _Enepiahe_, _Ahonerhopiheim_, _Koienkahe_, _Konkone_, _Omeaosse_, _Keremen_, _Ahekouen_, _Meghty_, _Tetamenes_, _Otenmarhem_, _Kouayon_ and _Meracouman_. All these Nations are on the North of the River called _la Maligne_. Those that follow, are on the West and North-West of the same River.

The _Kannehouan_, _Tohaha_, _Pehir_, _Cagabegux_, _Onapien_, _Pickar_, _Tokau_, _Kuasses_, _Chancres_, _Teserabocretes_, _Tsepehoen_, _Fercouteha_, _Panego_, _Petao_, _Petzare_, _Peisacho_, _Peihoun_, _Orcan_ and _Piou_.[103] This last Nation borders upon the _Cenis_, at the Entrance into whose first Village I left my Reader, to give an Account of the Inhabitants, and thither I return, to proceed with my Relation and our Journey to the Village, the _French_ Man who liv’d among the Natives was to conduct us to.

We arriv’d there at Night, and found other Elders coming out to meet us, much after the same Manner as the others mention’d before. They led us to their Cottage, made us sit down on Mats and smoke, but not with so much Ceremony as the others. That done, it was Time for us to take our Rest, having given them to understand that we were weary.

[Sidenote: French _Entertained by the Natives_.]

The _French Provencal_ would needs have us go to his Cottage, that is to the Hut where he had his Dwelling; for, as I have said, there are several Families in one of them, and that was one of the greatest in the Canton, having been the Habitation of one of their Chief’s, lately deceased.

They allotted us a Place there, for our Goods and Packs, the Women immediately made _Sagamite_ or Pottage, and gave it us. Having eaten, we ask’d the _French_ Man whether we were safe, and he answering we were, we lay down, but yet could not sleep sound.

[Sidenote: _Apr. 1687_]

[Sidenote: _A Horse sold for an Ax._]

The next Day, being the first of _April_, the Elders came to receive and conducted us to the Cottage where we had been the Day before. After the usual Ceremonies, we traded with them for Corn, Meal and Beans, giving in Exchange for the same, Needles, Knives, Rings and other Toys. We also purchased a very fine Stone Horse,[104] that would have been worth twenty Pistoles in _France_, for an Ax.

The Day was spent in driving our small Bargains and gathering Provisions, which the Women brought. When that was done, it was agreed, that I should remain there, to lay up more Store, and that the others should return to our Company, which we had left near the River, to carry the Provisions and satisfy them they might come safely.

Tho’ I thought my self not over secure among the _Indians_, and besides had the Dissatisfaction of understanding none of their Language; yet was I not unwilling to stay, that I might have an Opportunity of seeing the two other _French_ Men, who had forsaken the late Monsieur _de la Sale_, when he first travell’d into that Country, that I might enquire of them, whether they had heard no talk of the _Missisipi_ River, for I still held my Resolution of parting from our wicked Murderers.

As soon as they were gone, I gave a young _Indian_ a Knife, to go bid those two other _French_ Men come to me, and whilst he was going I drove on my little Trade for Provisions, and had frequent Visits from the Elders, who entertain’d me by Signs, with an Account of their intended War; to which I still answer’d, nodding my Head, tho’ very often I knew not what they meant. It was some Difficulty to me to secure my small Merchandize, especially at Night, for the Natives were covetous of them.

[Sidenote: _The Author meets another French Man among the Indians._]

This Care, which kept me from Sleeping sound, was the Occasion, that one Night I heard some Body moving near my Bed, and opening my Eyes, by the Light of the Fire, which never goes out in those Cottages, perceiv’d a Man stark naked, with a Bow and two Arrows in his Hand, who came and sat down by me, without saying any Thing. I view’d him for some Time, I spoke to him, he made me no Answer, and not knowing what to think of it, I laid hold of my two Pistols and my Firelock, which the Man perceiving, he went and sat by the Fire. I follow’d, and looking steadfastly on him, he knew and spoke to me, throwing his Arms about and embracing me, and then made himself known to be one of the French Men I had sent for.

[Sidenote: _French turn’d savage._]