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
The 30th, we set out for _Cappa_, the last Village of the _Accancea’s_,
eight Leagues distant from the Place we had left. We were obliged to
cross the River _Missisipi_ several Times in this Way; because it winds
very much, and we had some foul Weather, which made it late before we
could reach _Cappa_. A great Number of Youth came to meet us, some of
them conducted us to the Chief’s Cottage, and others took Care of our
Baggage, which was restor’d to us very honestly. We found the Elders
waiting for us; a great Fire was kindled to dry us, and the Cottage was
lighted by several burning Reeds,[116] which they make use of instead
of Flambeaus; after which we were serv’d as in other Places.
The 31st, we receiv’d Visits from the Elders. Their Discourse ran upon
the War they design’d to make, thinking to ingage us in it, and we
return’d the same Answer as we had done to the others, that we would
soon return with all Things we stood in Need of. We ask’d a Man of
them, which was granted, and the Day ended in Feasting.
[Sidenote: _Entertainment given by the Indians._]
We would willingly have set out the First of _August_; but the Chief
came and told us, it could not be, because the Women had not pounded
our Corn, which however was done; but they made use of that Pretence
to oblige us to stay, and to have Leisure to give us some Diversion,
after their Manner. Accordingly, about Ten in the Morning, the Warriors
and Youth came together to Dance. They were dress’d after their best
Manner, some of them wearing Plumes of several Colours, wherewith
they adorn their Heads, others, instead of Feathers, had two Bullocks
Horns, and were all besmear’d with Clay, of Black or of Red, so that
they really look’d like a Company of Devils or Monsters, and in those
Figures they danc’d, as I have describ’d it, speaking of the other
Nations.
[Sidenote: Machigamea _Nation_.]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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