The circumstances of La Salle “were such as either to sink the spirit into despair, or to call forth untried energy and courage, according to the character of the soul; La Salle’s was of the heroic class. He resolved therefore, now that no tidings could be expected of the Griffin, which in fact had perished with all its valuable cargo of furs, to proceed himself alone, to hasten or obtain the necessary supplies, to Fort Frontenac; having first however, despatched Hennepin to explore the Upper Mississippi, in a canoe which his courage and example had inspired his men to build. In the month of March, with his gun and powder and shot, a blanket, and two skins to cut into moccassins, La Salle, with only three attendants, set off on foot, Tonti remaining at the Illinois fort with the main body. When La Salle, after an arduous journey, in which he encountered untold hardships, arrived at Fort Frontenac, he found that owing to a report of his death, his creditors had seized his property, which however was restored to him by help of the governor, and he was enabled to pursue his enterprise. During his absence Hennepin, bearing the calumet or pipe of peace, and with two companions, followed the Illinois to the Mississippi, ascending which he advanced as far as the falls of St. Anthony, which he thus named in honour of his patron saint. He spent the summer in excursions through the surrounding country, and after a short captivity among the Sioux, returned by the Wisconsin and Fox rivers to Green Bay, whence proceeding to Quebec, he went to France, and, in 1682, published an account of his travels, stating incorrectly that he had discovered the sources of the Mississippi.