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 rest of the _Indians_ stood in Parcels, or Pelotons. Monsr. _de la
Sale_, who was acquainted with their Ways, order’d us to observe their
Behaviour, and to take Nothing from them, which nevertheless did not
hinder some of our Men from receiving some Pieces of Meat. Some Time
after, when the _Indians_ were about departing, they made Signs to
us to go a Hunting with them; but besides that, there was sufficient
Cause to suspect them, we had enough other Business to do. However we
ask’d, whether they would barter for any of their Canoes, which they
agreed to. The Sieur _Barbier_ went along with them, purchas’d two for
Hatchets and brought them.
Some Days after, we perceiv’d a Fire in the Country, which spread it
self and burnt the dry Weeds, still drawing towards us; whereupon,
Monsr. _de la Sale_ made all the Weeds and Herbs that were about us, be
pull’d up, and particularly all about the Place where the Powder was.
Being desirous to know the Occasion of that Fire, he took about twenty
of us along with him, and we march’d that Way, and even beyond the
Fire, without seeing any Body. We perceiv’d that it run towards the _W.
S. W._ and judg’d it had begun about our first Camp, and at the Village
next the Fire.[60]
[Sidenote: _Odd Salutation._]
Having spy’d a Cottage near the Bank of a Lake, we drew towards it,
and found an old Woman in it, who fled as soon as she saw us; but
having overtaken and given her to understand, that we would do her no
Harm, she return’d to her Cottage, where we found some Pitchers of
Water, of which we all drank. Some Time after we saw a Canoe coming,
in which were two Women and a Boy, who being landed, and perceiving
we had done the old Woman no Harm, came and imbraced us in a very
particular Manner, blowing upon our Ears and making Signs to give us to
understand, that their People were a hunting.
A few Minutes after, seven or eight of the _Indians_ appeared, who, it
is likely, had hid themselves among the Weeds when they saw us coming.
Being come up they saluted us, after the same Manner, as the Women had
done, which made us laugh. We staid there some Time with them. Some of
our Men barter’d Knives for Goats Skins, after which we return’d to
our Camp; Being come thither, Monsieur _de la Sale_ made me go aboard
the Bark _la Belle_, where he had imbark’d Part of the Powder, with
positive Orders not to carry, or permit any Fire to be made there,
having sufficient Cause to fear every thing, after what had hapned. For
this Reason they carry’d me and all that were with me, our Meat every
Day.
During this time it was that _l’ Aimable_ opening in the Night, the
next Morning we saw all the light Things that were come out of it
floating about, and Monsieur _de la Sale_ sent Men every Way, who
gather’d up about 30 Casks of Wine and Brandy, and some of Flesh, Meal
and Grain.
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