Part 13

We fell into Discourse, I ask’d him for his Comrade, he told me, he durst not come, for Fear of Monsieur _de la Sale_. They were both Sailors, this Man, who was of _Britany_, was call’d _Ruter_; the other, of _Rochelle_, _Grollet_. They had, in that short Space of Time, so perfectly enur’d themselves to the Customs of the Natives, that they were become meer Savages. They were naked, their Faces and Bodies with Figures wrought on them, like the rest. They had taken several Wives, been at the Wars and kill’d their Enemies with their Firelocks, which had gain’d them Reputation; but having no more Powder nor Ball, their Arms were grown useless, and they had been forc’d to learn to shoot with Bows and Arrows. As for Religion, they were not troubled with much of it, and that Libertine Life they led, was pleasing to them.

I acquainted this Man with the unfortunate Death of Monsr. _de la Sale_, his Nephew and the rest, at which, he was surpris’d and concern’d, at least in outward Appearance. I ask’d him, whether he had not heard talk of the _Missisipi_; he told me he had not; but only that there was a great River forty Leagues from thence towards the _N. W._[105] where the Natives said there were many Nations along its Banks. That made me believe, it was the very River we were in Search of, or at least that it must be the Way to come at it. I gave him to eat, and we went to Rest.

The next and the following Days, I continu’d trading, and the Elders their Visits, and their Discourse by Signs, concerning their intended War. Some of them gave me to understand, that they had been among the _Spaniards_, who are nevertheless about two hundred Leagues from them. They spoke some Words of broken _Spanish_, as _Capita_, instead of _Capitan_, a Captain, and _Cohavillo_ instead of _Cavallo_, a Horse, and so of some others. _Ruter_, the _French_ Man return’d to his Dwelling, I gave him some Strings of Beads for his Wives, and desir’d him to send the other _French_ Man to me.

[Sidenote: _Indian Maid brought to the Author._]

In the mean Time my being alone, as to any Person I could converse with, grew very irksome to me, and I know not whether an old Man did not perceive it; for he thought it would be proper to bring a Companion, to divert me, and at Night I was surpris’d to see a young Maid come sit down by me, and to hear the old Man tell me, he had brought her to be my Wife, and gave her to me; but I had far different Thoughts to disturb me. I spoke not one Word to that poor Maid; she stay’d some Time expecting I would take notice of her, and perceiving I did not stir, or speak one Word, she withdrew.

[Sidenote: French _Men like_ Indians.]

Thus I continu’d, without hearing any News, till the Sixth of _April_, when the two _French_ Men, I have spoken of, came both, in the _Indian_ Dress, each of them having only a Clout about him, some Turky Feathers on their Shoulders, their Heads and Feet bare. The latter of them whose name was _Grollet_, had not consented to have his Face mark’d like the other, nor to cut his Hair after the _Indian_ Manner; for those People cut off all theirs, except a small Lock on the Crown of the Head, like the Turks, only some of them have small Tresses on the Temples.

I repeated to them the Narrative of Monsieur _de la Sale_’s unfortunate Story. They confirm’d what I had been told before, that the Natives had talk’d to them of the great River, which was forty Leagues off, towards the N. E. and that there were People like us, that dwelt on the Banks of it. This confirm’d me in the Opinion, that it was the River so much sought after, and that we must go that Way to return to _Canada_ or towards _New England_. They told me, they would willingly go with us. I desired them to keep it secret, which they did not, for being inform’d that Monsieur _Cavelier_ and the others were coming, they went to meet them, and I was again left alone.

[Sidenote: _The Murderers resolve to return to the Habition of_ St. Lewis.]

The 8th, three Men came to me, one of which was the _French_ Man of _Provence_, with each of them a Horse, sent by our People to carry away all the Provisions I had got together, having taken a Resolution, as those Persons they had sent told us, to return to the Dwelling of St. _Lewis_, about the Bay of the same Name, from whence we came; designing, as they pretended, to build a Boat there, to carry them over to the Islands of _America_; an impracticable Notion, for all our Carpenters were dead, and tho’ they had been alive, they were so ignorant, that none of them would have known which Way to go about that Work; besides that, we were destitute of all Necessaries for that Effect. However we must obey, and set out with our Provisions. The Rain having detain’d us the 9th on the Way, we could not come up to them till the next Day, being the Tenth.

Father _Anastasius_ gave me the Confirmation of that Design, and farther told me how roughly they had been treated by those Murderers since my Departure. I know not what it was that mov’d them to it, but they had resolved to separate themselves from those Villains, and that we should eat apart, _viz._ Monsieur _Cavelier_ the Priest, F. _Anastasius_, young _Cavelier_ and I, which was very agreeable to us, because at least we could talk freely, which we durst not do before; but at the same Time they allow’d us no more Provisions than would suffice to keep us from starving, without giving us Share of any Flesh, tho’ they often kill’d.

[Sidenote: _The Author and others resolve to part from the Murderers._]

Our Tyrants still holding their Resolution to return to their former Habitation, thought they had not Horses enough, and therefore deputed four of their Number, one of which was the _French_ Man half turn’d _Indian_, to return to the Village of the _Cenis_ and endeavour to barter for some. At the same Time we agreed together to let those Gentlemen know, that we were too much fatigued to return with them to the said Habitation, and were resolved to remain in the Village of the _Cenis_. Monsieur _Cavelier_ undertook to be our Speaker, and to desire _Duhaut_, who was Master of all, to give us some Axes, Knives and Strings of Beads, Powder and Shot, offering to give him a Note of his Hand for the same.

[Sidenote: _Design of the Murderers._]

To conclude, Monsieur _Cavelier_ made the Proposal to _Duhaut_, disguis’d it the best he was able, and _Duhaut_ took till the next Day to return his answer. He consulted with his Companions, and acquainted us, that they would deal handsomely by us, and give us half the Effects and all the Axes, intending to make the most Speed they could, to get to our former Dwelling, and to put in Execution what they had before design’d, as to the Building of a Bark. But in Case they could not succeed, for want of Necessaries, they would immediately return to us and bring F. _Zenobius_ along with them, who would be serviceable to us, because, having been with Monsieur _de la Sale_ upon his first Discovery, he understood the Language of the Nations about the _Missisipi_ River. That whilst they were upon that Journey, we should take Care to gather a Stock of Provisions, and that if they succeeded in building the Bark, they would send us Word, that we might repair to them. Monsieur _Cavelier_ approv’d of all they said, tho’ we had other Designs. However it prov’d we were all Mistaken, for Providence had order’d Affairs otherwise.

[Sidenote: _May 1687_]

We stay’d there some Time, expecting those who were gone to the _Cenis_, they staying longer than was requisite for that Journey. The overflowing of the River was their Pretence, but the true Reason was the Women, who as I have said, are not so forward as to offer themselves, but on the other Hand will not be over difficult in complying for some little Present, and those who were sent did not grudge their Time. In the mean while the Posture of our Affairs changed, as follows.

[Sidenote: _Murderers change their Mind._]

One of our half Savage _French_ Men, whom I had acquainted with our Design to go find the _Missisipi_, communicated it to _Hautot_,[106] telling him all the particulars he had before acquainted me with; whereupon _Duhaut_ chang’d his Mind, as to the Design of going to the Habitation of St. _Lewis_, resolving to follow our intended Way and execute our Project. He imparted his Thoughts to his Companions, who were of the same Opinion, and all of them acquainted us, that they were ready to put in Execution the Enterprize we had form’d.

This Change troubled us very much, there being nothing we coveted more than to part with those Miscreants, from whom we could at a long Run expect no better Usage than they had afforded our Commander and his Friends. However, it was still requisite to dissemble, there being no other Remedy at that Time: But God’s Justice provided for and rescued us. We continued in that Camp all the remaining part of _April_, expecting the Persons that had been sent to the _Cenis_, and _Duhaut_ intending to begin to put in Execution his Design of going to find out the _Missisipi_, with us, made us advance towards the River that was near, in order to pass it as soon as fallen, and repair to the Village of the _Cenis_.

[Sidenote: _Murderers differ in Opinion._]

We staid three Days longer in that Post, at the End whereof, he we call’d _Larcheveque_, one of those that had been sent out, cross’d the River. He was _Duhaut’s_ Creature, and an Accomplice in the Murder of Monsieur _de la_ _Sale_. He inform’d[107] _Duhaut_, that one they call’d _Hiens_, who was also one of our Messengers, and had stayed on the other Side of the River, had heard of _Duhaut_ and the rest altering their Resolution, and that he was not of their Mind. _Hiens_ was a _Buccanier_, and by Birth a German. Monsieur _de la Sale_ had brought him from _Petit Gouave_, and he was also accessory to the late Murders.

[Sidenote: Hiens _kills_ Duhaut, _and_ Ruter Liotot.]

After we had been some Days longer in the same Place, _Hiens_ arriv’d with the two half Savage _French_ Men and about twenty Natives. He went immediately to _Duhaut_, and after some Discourse, told him, he was not for going towards the _Missisipi_, because it would be of dangerous Consequence for them, and therefore demanded his Share of the Effects he had seiz’d upon. _Duhaut_ refusing to comply, and affirming, that all the Axes were his own; _Hiens_, who it is likely had laid the Design before to kill him, immediately drew his Pistol, and fired it upon _Duhaut_, who stagger’d about four Paces from the Place and fell down dead. At the same Time _Ruter_, who had been with _Hiens_, fired his Piece upon _Liotot_, the Surgeon, and shot him thro’ with three Balls.

These Murders committed before us, put me into a terrible Consternation; for believing the same was design’d for me, I laid hold of my Fire-Lock to defend my self; but _Hiens_ cry’d out to me, to fear nothing, to lay down my Arms, and assur’d me he had no Design against me; but that he had reveng’d his Master’s Death. He also satisfy’d Monsieur _Cavelier_ and Father _Anastasius_, who were as much frighted as my self, declaring he meant them no Harm, and that tho’ he had been in the Conspiracy, yet had he been present at the Time when Monsieur _de la Sale_ was kill’d, he would not have consented, but rather have obstructed it.

_Liotot_ liv’d some Hours after, and had the good Fortune to make his Confession; after which, the same _Ruter_, put him out of his Pain, with a Pistol-Shot. We dug a Hole in the Earth, and bury’d him in it with _Duhaut_, doing them more Honour than they had done to Monsieur _de la Sale_ and his Nephew _Moranget_, whom they left to be devour’d by wild Beasts. Thus those Murderers met with what they had deserv’d, dying the same Death they had put others to.

[Sidenote: _More Mischief prevented._]

The Natives, _Hiens_ had brought with him, having been Spectators of that Murder, were in a Consternation, and that Affair was of dangerous Consequence to us, who stood in Need of them. It was therefore requisite to make the best of it, giving them to understand, that there had been Reason for so punishing those dead Persons, because they had all the Powder and Ball, and would not give any to the rest. They remain’d satisfy’d with that Excuse, and he who was called _Larcheveque_, and who was entirely devoted to _Duhaut_, being Abroad a hunting since the Morning, and not knowing what Misfortune had hapned his Protector, and _Hiens_ being resolv’d to make away with him, Father _Anastasius_ and Monsieur _Cavelier_ took so much Pains, that they disswaded him from it, and I went out and met _Larcheveque_, to give him Notice of that Disaster, and to inform him, how he was to behave himself. Thus I requited him for having come to give me Notice of Monsieur _de la Sale’s_ Death. I brought him to _Hiens_, who declar’d he design’d him no Harm, and _Larcheveque_ gave him the same Assurances on his Part. Thus all Things are again compos’d, and nothing remain’d, but for us to set out, but first to know what we were to do, and which Way to direct our Course.

Hereupon, _Hiens_ took upon him to speak, and said, he had promis’d the Natives to go to the War with them, and design’d to be as good as his Word; that if we would expect his Return, we might by that Time consider which Way he would move,[108] and that in the mean Time we might stay in the Village among the _Cenis_. This was resolv’d on; we loaded all our Effects on our Horses, and repair’d to the same Place and the same Cottage, where we had been before, the Chief of it assigning us the one Half to lodge and lay up our Baggage.

[Sidenote: _Six French Men go to the Wars with the Natives._]

When the Day for setting out for the War was come, _Hiens_ departed with the Natives, four of our Comrades and the two half Savage _French_ Men going along with him; so that there were six of them, and each took a Horse. _Hiens_ left us all the Effects, and desir’d we would stay for him, which we promis’d, not knowing how to avoid it, considering, that the _Indians_ might have done us Harm, and even have obstructed our Departure. Thus we resign’d ourselves to Providence, and remain’d six of us together, _viz._ Father _Anastasius_, Monsieur _Cavelier_, his Nephew young _Cavelier_, young _Talon_, another Youth of _Paris_, and I. There also remain’d some old Men, who could not go to the War, and the Women. We were also join’d by two other _French_ Men, who had been left on the other Side the River, being the _Provencal_ and one _Teissier_.

[Sidenote: _Bewailing the Memory of Men kill’d._]

During our Stay, and our Warriors being abroad upon that Expedition, the old Men often visited us, and told us News from the Army by Signs, which we understood nothing of. We were from Time to Time alarm’d, seeing the Women weep, without any visible cause. The late Monsieur _de la Sale_ had often told us, that the Women bewail’d those that were to be kill’d; but we were inform’d, that they did so, when they call’d to Mind some who had been slain in the former Wars; which dispell’d our Apprehensions. However we were uneasy, because those old Men and Women examined us every Morning and Evening when we perform’d our Devotions.

We laid hold of that Opportunity to give them to understand, that we paid our Duty to one God, the only Supreme Sovereign of all Things, pointing to Heaven, and endeavouring in the best Manner we were able, to signify to them that he was Almighty, that he had made all Things, that he caus’d the Earth to produce, it’s Fruits to prosper, and the Growth of it, which maintain’d them to thrive; but this being only by Signs, they did not understand us, and we labour’d in vain.

[Sidenote: _Women rejoice at Victory._]

The 18th, we were surpriz’d to see several Women come into our Cottage, their Faces all besmear’d with Earth, and they set up their Throats, singing several Songs as loud as they were able,[109] whereof we understood not one Word. That done, they fell a Dancing in a Ring, and we could not tell, what to think of that Rejoicing, which lasted full three Hours; after which we were inform’d, they had receiv’d Advice of the Victory obtain’d by their Warriors over their Enemies. The Dance concluded, those in the Cottage gave some Bits of Tobacco to those without.

The same Day, about Noon, we saw him that had brought the News, who affirm’d they had kill’d at least Forty of their Enemies. After the Rejoicing, all the Women apply’d themselves to make ready their Provisions, some to pound _Indian_ Corn, others to boil Meal, which they call _Grouller_, and others to bake Bread, to carry to the Warriors. They all set out the 19th to meet them, and we thought it in policy convenient to send Meat to our Men which was done by the _French_ Man of _Provence_, who went with the Women.

[Sidenote: _Account of the Battle fought by the_ Cenis.]

That same Day, at Night, the Victorious Army returned, and we were informed, that their Enemies whom they call _Cannohatinno_, had expected them boldly, but that having heard the Noise, and felt the Effects of our Mens Fire Arms, they all fled, so that the _Cenis_ had either kill’d or taken Forty Eight Men and Women. They had slain several of the latter, who fled to the Tops of Trees, for want of Time to make their Escape otherwise; so that many more Women had perish’d than Men.

[Sidenote: _Barbarity of the Men towards a Woman taken._]

They brought Home two of those Women alive, one of whom had her Head flead for the Sake of her Hair and Skin. They gave that wretched Creature a Charge of Powder and a Ball, and sent Her home, bidding her carry that Present to her Nation, and to assure them, they should be again treated after the same Manner, that is, kill’d with Fire Arms.

[Sidenote: _Of the Women._]

The other Woman was kept to fall a Sacrifice to the Rage and Vengeance of the Women and Maids; who having arm’d themselves with thick Stakes, sharp Pointed at the End, Conducted that Wretch to a By-Place, where each of those Furies began to torment her, sometimes with the Point of their Staff, and sometimes laying on her with all their Might. One tore off her Hair, another cut off her Finger, and every one of those outrageous Women endeavour’d to put her to some exquisite Torture, to revenge the Death of their Husbands and Kinsmen, who had been kill’d in the former Wars; so that the unfortunate Creature expected her Death Stroke, as Mercy.

[Sidenote: _Inhumanity._]

At last, one of them gave her a Stroke with a heavy Club on the Head, and another run her Stake several Times into her Body, with which she fell down Dead on the Spot. Then they cut that Miserable Victim into Morsels, and oblig’d some Slaves of that Nation, they had been long possess’d of to eat them.

[Sidenote: _Cruel Trophies._]

Thus our Warriors return’d Triumphant from that Expedition. They spar’d none of the Prisoners they had taken, except two little Boys, and brought Home all the Skins of their Heads, with the Hair, to be kept as Trophies and glorious Memorials of their Victory.

The next Day all those Savages met in their Chief’s Cottage, whither all the abovemention’d Heads of Hair were carry’d in State. Then they made extraordinary Rejoicings in that Cottage, whence they went to the Huts of the other Prime Men, to perform the same Ceremony. This Rejoicing lasted three Days, our _French_ Companions, who had been the Cause of their Victory, being call’d to it, and highly entertain’d, after their Manner. It will not be disagreeable to the Reader, that I here particularly describe that Ceremony, which after having been perform’d in the Cottages of the Chief Men, was repeated in ours.

[Sidenote: _Ceremony of Rejoicing._]

In the first Place, the Cottage was made very clean, adorn’d, and abundant of Mats laid on the Floor, on which the Elders, and the most considerable Persons sate; after which, one of them, who is in the Nature of an Orator, or Master of the Ceremonies stood up and made a Speech, of which we understood not a Word. Soon after that Discourse was ended, the Warriors arriv’d, who had slain any in Battle, marching in their proper Order, each of them carrying a Bow and two Arrows, and before every one of them went his Wife, carrying the Enemies Head of Hair. Two little Boys, whose Lives they had spar’d, as has been said before, one of them who was wounded being a Horseback, clos’d the procession; at the Head whereof, was a Woman carrying a large Reed, or Cane in her Hand.

As they came up to the Orator, the Warrior took the Head of Hair his Wife had brought, and presented it to him, which the said Orator receiv’d with both his Hands, and after having held it out towards the four Quarters of the World, he laid it down on the Ground, and then took the next, performing the same Ceremony, till he had gone over them all.

When the Ceremony was ended, they serv’d up the _Sagamite_, in the Nature of Hasty Pudding, which those Women had provided, and before any one touch’d it, the Master of the Ceremonies took some in a Vessel, which he carry’d as an Offering to those Heads of Hair. Then he lighted a Pipe of Tabacco, and blow’d the Smoke upon them. That being perform’d, they all fell to the Meat, _Bits of the Woman that had been sacrific’d were served up to the two Boys of her Nation_. They also serv’d up dry’d Tongues of their Enemies, and the whole concluded with Dancing and Singing after their Manner: After which, they went to other Cottages to repeat the same Ceremony.

There was no talk of our Design till those Rejoycings were over, and I began to conceive good Hopes of our Success. The two Murderers, _Teissier_ and _Larcheveque_, who had both a Hand in the Death of Monsr. _de la Sale_, had promis’d to go along with us, provided Monsr. _Cavelier_ would pardon them, and he had given them his Word so to do. In this Expectation we continu’d till the 25th, when our French Men, who had been at the War, repair’d to our Cottage, and we consulted about our Business.

_Hiens_ and others of his Gang, disapproving of our Design, represented to us such Difficulties as they look’d upon to be unsurmountable, under which we must inevitably perish, or at least be oblig’d to return to the same Place. _Hiens_ told us, that for his own Part, he would not hazard his Life to return into _France_, only to have his Head chopp’d off, and perceiving we answer’d Nothing to that, but that we persisted in our Resolution, _It is requisite then_, said he, _to divide what Effects remain._

[Sidenote: Hiens _gives the others what he pleases, and seizes the rest of the Effects_.]

Accordingly he laid aside, for F. _Anastasius_, Messieurs _Cavelier_, the Uncle and the Nephew,[110] thirty Axes, four or five Dozens of Knives, about thirty Pounds of Powder and the like Quantity of Ball. He gave each of the others two Axes, two Knives, two or three Pounds of Powder, with as much Ball, and kept the rest. As for the Horses, he kept the best and left us the three least. Monsieur _Cavelier_ ask’d him for some Strings of Beads, which he granted, and seiz’d upon all the late Monsr. _de la Sale’s_ Cloaths, Baggage and other Effects, besides above a thousand Livres in Money, which belong’d to the late Monsr. _le Gros_, who dy’d at our Dwelling of St. _Lewis_. Before our Departure, it was a sensible Affliction to us, to see that Villain walk about, in a scarlet Coat, with Gold Galons, which had belong’d to the late Monsr. _de la Sale_, and which, as I have said, he had seiz’d.

[Sidenote: _Mr._ Cavelier _and his Company part from the others_.]