from one to another, and swimming over our Horses; which Work we were frequently oblig'd to repeat, and as often as we had afterwards Occasion to pass Rivers on our Way, which we held on till the 29th, every Day meeting with some Cottage, and at last, a Hamlet or Village, into which we went, and the Indian Inhabitants told us, they were call'd Nahordikhe,[1] and that they were Allies to the Cenis.
Nahordikhes and Affony. We barter'd with them for some Provisions, and their Chief offer'd to go with us as far as the Assonys, who were not farther off than about three Leagues, which he accordingly did; but it happening to rain when we came thither, and the Assonys having had no Notice before hand, we found but indifferent Reception.
However, we were conducted to the Chief's Cottage; the Elders had Notice given them, they resorted thither, and when our Horses were unloaded, and our Goods plac'd in a Corner of the Cottage, which the Chief had allotted us, we gave them to understand, that our Intention was to go farther, to fetch Commodities to trade with them, at which they were pleas'd. They gave us to eat, and the Elders stay'd some Part of the Evening with us, which made us somewhat Uneasy, and oblig'd us to be upon our Guard; however the Night pass'd without any Disturbance.
The next Morning the Elders came to us again. They had provided Mats without the Cottage, and made Signs to us to go thither and sit down upon them, as we did, leaving two of our Company to guard the Baggage. We repeated to them what we had said the Night before, and made them some Presents of Axes, Knives, Strings of Beads and Rings. They signify'd they were sorry we would go away, and endeavour'd the best they could, to make us sensible of the same Obstacles the others had signify'd to us; but it was all in Vain; however, we stay'd till the first of June, all the while bartering and gathering the best stock of Provisions we could.
- ↑ Fr. Nahoudikhe.
