A French Man among the Indians. 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.[1]
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, stragling up and down,[2] as the Ground happens to be fit for Tillage. The Field lies about the Cottage, and at other Distances,[3] there are other large Huts, not inhabited,
- ↑ Fr. "Il nous fit bien des caresses, il estoit tout nud, comme eux, & ce qui est surprenant, il avoit presque oublié son langage naturel."—"He gave us many caresses; he was, like them, quite naked; and what is remarkable, he had almost forgotten his native tongue." M. B. A.
- ↑ Fr. "pav halneaux"—probably a misprint for "hameaux"—hamlets. M. B. A.
- ↑ Fr. "d'espace en espace"—at intervals.
