Sept. 1687
River of the Islinois.
- lation mentions. However our Indians paid Homage, by
offering Sacrifice to that Stone; tho' we endeavour'd to give them to understand, that the said Rock had no Manner of Virtue, and that we worship'd something above it, pointing up to Heaven; but it was to no Purpose, and they made Signs to us, that they should die if they did not perform that Duty. We proceeded, coasting along a Chain of Mountains, and at length, on the 3d, left the Missisipi, to enter the River of the Islinois.
We found a great Alteration in that River, as well with Respect to its Course, which is very gentle, as to the Country about it, which is much more agreeable and beautiful than that about the great River, by Reason of the many fine Woods and Variety of Fruit its Banks are adorn'd with. It was a very great comfort to us, to find so much Ease in going up that River, by Reason of its gentle Stream, so that we all stay'd in the Canoe and made much more Way.
Indian dies of eating raw Suet. Thus we went on till the 8th, without stopping any longer than to kill a Bullock, and one of our Indians, who had a craving Stomach, having eaten some of its Suet hot and raw, was taken very ill, and died of it, as I shall mention in its Place.
The 9th, we came into a Lake, about half a League over, which we cross'd, and return'd into the Channel of the River, on the Banks whereof we found several Marks of the Natives having been incamp'd there, when they came to fish and dry what they caught. The 10th, we cross'd another Lake, call'd Primitehouy, return'd to the River, and the 11th, saw Indians before us, incamp'd on the Bank of a River, whereupon we stop'd and made ready our Arms. In the mean Time, one of them came towards us by Land, and we put on our Canoe towards him.
Meeting with Islinois. When that Indian was near, he stood gazing on us, without speaking a Word, and then drawing still nearer, we gave him to understand, that we were sent by Monsieur de la Sale, and came from him. Then he made Signs to us, to advance towards his People, whom, he went before to
