Monsr. _de la Sale_ took several Words of their Language, which is very different from that of the _Cenis_, and more difficult. As for their Customs, they are much alike. In fine, having shewn us, that towards the _N. W._ we should meet with Plains, where the Way would be easier, and we should shun the Woods, we gave them to eat, and some Presents, and they took Leave of us. A Rain falling and holding all the Night, we did not march the 24th. The 25th, we travell’d not far, by Reason of the Rains continuing, and that there were several Rivers in the Way much swollen. The 26th, we proceeded on our Journey, and came to the River call’d _la Sabloniere_, from the many Sand Banks there are in it. The 27th,[85] departing from it, we came to another little narrow River, but very deep; going up higher we found a Ford, and went to incamp beyond it, in a little Wood, where we had a very bad Night, because of the Rain which fell again, and the overflowing of the River, which oblig’d us to make a little Sort of Scaffold, to lay our Powder and Cloaths on, that they might not be wet. The next Day being the 28th,[86] observing that the Water was still rising, we decamp’d to go a League farther, to a higher Ground, where we made a great Fire to warm and dry us. We took Notice the Country was very good, the Plains extending as far as the Eye could reach, and adorn’d with many little Coppices, affording a very agreeable Prospect. We march’d over Part of them the 29th and 30th, after 3 Hours Travel, found a Way full of Water, which oblig’d us to incamp on the Bank of a River; pass’d it the 31th, and incamp’d in a Wood close by. [Sidenote: _Feb. 1687_] [Sidenote: _Village inhabited._] The next Day, being the First of _February 1687_, Monsieur _de la Sale_ left me to guard the Camp, and took along with him, Monsieur _Cavelier_ his Brother and seven Men, to go see whether he could find any Body in several Cottages our Hunters had discover’d. He found twenty four or twenty five of them, built round like those I have before mention’d, standing on a rising Ground, almost encompass’d by the River, in each of which there were four or five Men, and several Women and Children. The Savages were somewhat surpriz’d at Monsieur _de la Sale’s_ coming; however they receiv’d him in friendly Manner, and conducted him to their Commander’s Hut, which was immediately fill’d with People, who came to see him. The Elders came together there, Bullocks Hides were laid upon the Ground, on which they made Monsieur _de la Sale_ and his Company sit. They gave them hung Beef to eat, and then signify’d to them that some of their Allies had given them Notice of our being in the Country, and that we were going to the _Cenis_, and they had imagin’d that we would pass thro’ their Country.