To conclude, Monsieur _Cavelier_ made the Proposal to _Duhaut_, disguis’d it the best he was able, and _Duhaut_ took till the next Day to return his answer. He consulted with his Companions, and acquainted us, that they would deal handsomely by us, and give us half the Effects and all the Axes, intending to make the most Speed they could, to get to our former Dwelling, and to put in Execution what they had before design’d, as to the Building of a Bark. But in Case they could not succeed, for want of Necessaries, they would immediately return to us and bring F. _Zenobius_ along with them, who would be serviceable to us, because, having been with Monsieur _de la Sale_ upon his first Discovery, he understood the Language of the Nations about the _Missisipi_ River. That whilst they were upon that Journey, we should take Care to gather a Stock of Provisions, and that if they succeeded in building the Bark, they would send us Word, that we might repair to them. Monsieur _Cavelier_ approv’d of all they said, tho’ we had other Designs. However it prov’d we were all Mistaken, for Providence had order’d Affairs otherwise. [Sidenote: _May 1687_] We stay’d there some Time, expecting those who were gone to the _Cenis_, they staying longer than was requisite for that Journey. The overflowing of the River was their Pretence, but the true Reason was the Women, who as I have said, are not so forward as to offer themselves, but on the other Hand will not be over difficult in complying for some little Present, and those who were sent did not grudge their Time. In the mean while the Posture of our Affairs changed, as follows. [Sidenote: _Murderers change their Mind._] One of our half Savage _French_ Men, whom I had acquainted with our Design to go find the _Missisipi_, communicated it to _Hautot_,[106] telling him all the particulars he had before acquainted me with; whereupon _Duhaut_ chang’d his Mind, as to the Design of going to the Habitation of St. _Lewis_, resolving to follow our intended Way and execute our Project. He imparted his Thoughts to his Companions, who were of the same Opinion, and all of them acquainted us, that they were ready to put in Execution the Enterprize we had form’d. This Change troubled us very much, there being nothing we coveted more than to part with those Miscreants, from whom we could at a long Run expect no better Usage than they had afforded our Commander and his Friends. However, it was still requisite to dissemble, there being no other Remedy at that Time: But God’s Justice provided for and rescued us. We continued in that Camp all the remaining part of _April_, expecting the Persons that had been sent to the _Cenis_, and _Duhaut_ intending to begin to put in Execution his Design of going to find out the _Missisipi_, with us, made us advance towards the River that was near, in order to pass it as soon as fallen, and repair to the Village of the _Cenis_. [Sidenote: _Murderers differ in Opinion._]