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
I have before observed, that there was a _Jesuit_, whose name was
_Dalouez_[121] at Fort _Lewis_, and who had been very much surpriz’d
to hear that Monsr. _de la Sale_ was to come in a short Time, being
under great Apprehensions on Account of a Conspiracy intended to
have been carry’d on, against Monsr. _de la Sale’s_ Interest. That
Father perceiving our Departure was fix’d, mov’d first, and went away
foremost, to return to _Micilimaquinay_;[122] so that they were left
without a Priest at Fort _Lewis_, which was a great Trouble to us,
because we were the Occasion of it, and therefore those, who were to
remain in the Fort, anticipated the Time, and made their _Easter_,
taking the Advantage of the Presence of F. _Anastasius_ and M.
_Cavelier_.
[Sidenote: _The Travel continued._]
At length, we set out the 21st of _March_, from Fort _Lewis_. The Sieur
_Boisrondet_, who was desirous to return to _France_, join’d us, we
imbark’d on the River, which was then become navigable, and before we
had advanc’d five Leagues, met with a rapid Stream, which oblig’d us to
go Ashore, and then again into the Water, to draw along our Canoe. I
had the Misfortune to hurt one of my Feet against a Rock that lay under
Water, which troubled me very much for a long Time; and we being under
a Necessity of going often into the Water, I suffer’d extreamly, and
more than I had done since our Departure from the Gulph of _Mexico_.
We arriv’d at _Chicagou_ the 29th of _March_, and our first Care was
to go seek what we had conceal’d at our former Voyage, having, as was
there said, bury’d our Luggage and Provisions. We found it had been
open’d, and some Furs and Linen taken away, almost all which belong’d
to me. This had been done by a _French_ Man, whom M. _Tonty_ had sent
from the Fort, during the Winter Season, to know whether there were any
Canoes at _Chicagou_, and whom he had directed to see whether any Body
had medled with what we had conceal’d, and he made Use of that Advice
to rob us.
[Sidenote: _Sweet Water from a Tree._]
The bad Weather oblig’d us to stay in that Place, till _April_. That
Time of Rest was advantageous for the Healing my Foot; and there being
but very little Game in that Place, we had Nothing but our Meal or
_Indian_ Wheat to feed on; yet we discover’d a Kind of _Manna_,[123]
which was a great Help to us. It was a Sort of Trees, resembling our
Maple, in which we made Incisions, whence flow’d a sweet Liquor, and in
it we boil’d our _Indian_ Wheat, which made it delicious, sweet and of
a very agreeable Relish.
There being no Sugar-Canes in that Country, those Trees supply’d that
Liquor, which being boil’d up and evaporated, turn’d into a Kind of
Sugar somewhat brownish, but very good. In the Woods we found a Sort
of Garlick, not so strong as ours, and small Onions very like ours in
Taste, and some Charvel[124] of the same Relish as that we have, but
different in the Leaf.
[Sidenote: Quinetanan _River_.]
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