CHAPTER XVII. 1680. THE ADVENTURES OF HENNEPIN. Hennepin an Impostor: his Pretended Discovery; his Actual Discovery; captured by the Sioux.—The Upper Mississippi. 242 CHAPTER XVIII. [Pg xix] 1680, 1681. HENNEPIN AMONG THE SIOUX. Signs of Danger.—Adoption.—Hennepin and his Indian Relatives.—The Hunting Party.—The Sioux Camp.—Falls of St. Anthony.—A Vagabond Friar: his Adventures on the Mississippi.—Greysolon Du Lhut.—Return to Civilization. 259 CHAPTER XIX. 1681. LA SALLE BEGINS ANEW. His Constancy; his Plans; his Savage Allies; he becomes Snow-blind.—Negotiations.—Grand Council.—La Salle's Oratory.—Meeting with Tonty.—Preparation.—Departure. 283 CHAPTER XX. 1681-1682. SUCCESS OF LA SALLE. His Followers.—The Chicago Portage.—Descent of the Mississippi.—The Lost Hunter.—The Arkansas.—The Taensas.—The Natchez.—Hostility.—The Mouth of the Mississippi.—Louis XIV. proclaimed Sovereign of the Great West. 295 CHAPTER XXI. 1682, 1683. ST. LOUIS OF THE ILLINOIS. Louisiana.—Illness of La Salle: his Colony on the Illinois.— Fort St. Louis.—Recall of Frontenac.—Le Febvre de la Barre.—Critical Position of La Salle.—Hostility of the New Governor.—Triumph of the Adverse Faction.—La Salle sails for France. 309 [Pg xx]CHAPTER XXII. 1680-1683. LA SALLE PAINTED BY HIMSELF. Difficulty of knowing him: his Detractors; his Letters; vexations of his Position; his Unfitness for Trade; risks of Correspondence; his Reported Marriage; alleged Ostentation; motives of Action; charges of Harshness; intrigues against him; unpopular Manners; a Strange Confession; his Strength and his Weakness; contrasts of his Character. 328 CHAPTER XXIII. 1684. A NEW ENTERPRISE. La Salle at Court: his Proposals.—Occupation of Louisiana.—Invasion of Mexico.—Royal Favor.— Preparation.—A Divided Command.—Beaujeu and La Salle.—Mental Condition of La Salle: his Farewell to his Mother. 343 CHAPTER XXIV. 1684, 1685. THE VOYAGE. Disputes with Beaujeu.—St. Domingo.—La Salle attacked with Fever: his Desperate Condition.—The Gulf of Mexico.—A Vain Search and a Fatal Error. 366 CHAPTER XXV. 1685. LA SALLE IN TEXAS. A Party of Exploration.—Wreck of the "Aimable."—Landing of Colonists.—A Forlorn Position.—Indian Neighbors.—Friendly Advances of Beaujeu: his Departure.—A Fatal Discovery. 378 [Pg xxi]CHAPTER XXVI. 1685-1687. ST. LOUIS OF TEXAS. The Fort.—Misery and Dejection.— Energy of La Salle: his Journey of Exploration.—Adventures and Accidents.— Buffalo.—Duhaut.—Indian Massacre.—Return of La Salle.—A New Calamity.—A Desperate Resolution.—Departure for Canada.—Wreck of the "Belle."—Marriage.—Sedition.—Adventures of La Salle's Party.—The Cenis.—The Camanches.—The Only Hope.—The Last Farewell. 391 CHAPTER XXVII. 1687. ASSASSINATION OF LA SALLE. His Followers.—Prairie Travelling.—A Hunters' Quarrel.—The Murder of Moranget.—The Conspiracy.—Death of La Salle: his Character. 420 CHAPTER XXVIII. 1687, 1688. THE INNOCENT AND THE GUILTY.