"We will land and look about us," they said at last. The canoes were hauled up on the shore while La Salle and his men searched around. "Here are corn caves!" some one cried in delight. Sure enough, stores of corn were hidden away among the rocks. The hungry men helped themselves to the grain and made their way back to their camp. They were careful to leave presents near the caves. They would not think of stealing the corn. The Red Men must be paid for it. A fire was soon blazing. The corn was ground and cooked and they all sat down to eat. Suddenly they heard a noise and two Indians appeared. The Red Men held up the beads and cloth that the white men had left as pay for the corn. They were as happy over their presents as children are after Santa Claus has paid them a visit. It was surely time now for the vessel to return. La Salle watched for it in vain. It was never heard of again. It must have been wrecked in the terrible storm. After many days of waiting, the men begged to turn back toward home. They were such a small company! There were so many dangers around them, and the ship would never come to their help. Go back! La Salle could not think of such a thing. He told his men they should set to work at once to build a fort. They had little courage, but they did as he ordered. As soon as they had finished Fort Break-Heart, as they called it because they were so sad and discouraged, a few men were left to hold it. The rest of the party went on their way into the wild west. When they came to another good stopping place, the men built another fort. It was hard work, for they were sick and lonely. "It is of no use to go any further now," thought La Salle. "Ice and snow are around us. The food is scarce. Nothing can be done till spring comes again. I will divide our small party into two parts. Some of the men must stay here to hold the fort. The rest of us will make our way back to Canada to get provisions." It was a hard journey. The lakes and rivers were caked with ice. The ground was covered with snow. The brave La Salle and his men suffered from cold and wet and hunger before they reached a place where white men were living. They told their story, got fresh stores, and once more started off. La Salle did not know the word "Fail." Sometimes he and his men paddled along in their birch canoes. Sometimes they lifted their boats upon their shoulders and made their way through the woods. Danger was around them everywhere. Wild animals roamed through the forest. Unfriendly Indians might take them by surprise at any moment. There were no roads,—no paths even. One thought filled the mind of La Salle: "I must find the Mississippi. I must travel to its very mouth. That is the only way by which France can claim all the country on its shores." When the returning party reached Fort Break-Heart, they found it torn down. Their friends were not there. They thought those left to guard it must have been killed or made prisoners by the Indians.