Joutel's Journal of La Salle's Last Voyage, 1684-7Joutel, Henri
History
Joutel's Journal of La Salle's Last Voyage, 1684-7
Joutel, Henri
La Salle, Robert Cavelier, sieur de, 1643-1687; Louisiana -- History -- To 1803; Mississippi River -- Discovery and exploration
As soon as they were gone, I gave a young _Indian_ a Knife, to go bid
those two other _French_ Men come to me, and whilst he was going I
drove on my little Trade for Provisions, and had frequent Visits from
the Elders, who entertain’d me by Signs, with an Account of their
intended War; to which I still answer’d, nodding my Head, tho’ very
often I knew not what they meant. It was some Difficulty to me to
secure my small Merchandize, especially at Night, for the Natives were
covetous of them.
[Sidenote: _The Author meets another French Man among the Indians._]
This Care, which kept me from Sleeping sound, was the Occasion, that
one Night I heard some Body moving near my Bed, and opening my Eyes,
by the Light of the Fire, which never goes out in those Cottages,
perceiv’d a Man stark naked, with a Bow and two Arrows in his Hand,
who came and sat down by me, without saying any Thing. I view’d him
for some Time, I spoke to him, he made me no Answer, and not knowing
what to think of it, I laid hold of my two Pistols and my Firelock,
which the Man perceiving, he went and sat by the Fire. I follow’d, and
looking steadfastly on him, he knew and spoke to me, throwing his Arms
about and embracing me, and then made himself known to be one of the
French Men I had sent for.
[Sidenote: _French turn’d savage._]
We fell into Discourse, I ask’d him for his Comrade, he told me, he
durst not come, for Fear of Monsieur _de la Sale_. They were both
Sailors, this Man, who was of _Britany_, was call’d _Ruter_; the other,
of _Rochelle_, _Grollet_. They had, in that short Space of Time, so
perfectly enur’d themselves to the Customs of the Natives, that they
were become meer Savages. They were naked, their Faces and Bodies with
Figures wrought on them, like the rest. They had taken several Wives,
been at the Wars and kill’d their Enemies with their Firelocks, which
had gain’d them Reputation; but having no more Powder nor Ball, their
Arms were grown useless, and they had been forc’d to learn to shoot
with Bows and Arrows. As for Religion, they were not troubled with much
of it, and that Libertine Life they led, was pleasing to them.
I acquainted this Man with the unfortunate Death of Monsr. _de la
Sale_, his Nephew and the rest, at which, he was surpris’d and
concern’d, at least in outward Appearance. I ask’d him, whether he had
not heard talk of the _Missisipi_; he told me he had not; but only
that there was a great River forty Leagues from thence towards the _N.
W._[105] where the Natives said there were many Nations along its
Banks. That made me believe, it was the very River we were in Search
of, or at least that it must be the Way to come at it. I gave him to
eat, and we went to Rest.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account