Page:Joutel's journal of La Salle's last voyage, 1684-7 (IA joutelsjournalof00jout).pdf/148

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Mar. 1687 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.

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.

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.

Monsieur Moranget, when he came thither, found they had smoak'd both the Beeves, tho' they were not dry