Winnebago County, Wisconsin - Chapter with an unread heading (no. 9 of those read), 1880

Count Frontenac and La Salle Secure the Control of the Head of the St. Lawrence, and set out to Establish a Line of Communication Between Quebec and the Mouth of the Mississippi - La Salle Builds Fort Frontenac, at the Head of the St. Lawrence, and Another at Niagara - Constructs the Griffin and Launches her - The First Vessel on the Lakes - Her Trip up the Lakes to Michilimackinac and Green Bay - His Voyage to the Country of the Illinois - Builds Fort Crevecour, on the Illinois River - Massacre of the Illinois by the Iroquois - La Salle Organizes the Illinois and Other Tribes, Taking the Leadership - Builds a Fort on " Starve Rock," - Attempt to Found a Colony at the Mouth of the Mississippi - Lost in the Wilds of Texas - Two Months Fruitless Search for the Mississippi - Assassination of La Salle - Destruction of the Colony.

once took measures for opening up and protecting the lines of communication with the interior; so as to secure as far as possible an uninterrupted communication through the great water arteries leading to the Mississippi.

In accomplishing this, he found an able ally in La Salle who had conceived the plan of establishing a fortified post at the mouth of the Mississippi, with intermediate ones between that point and Quebec; so as to hold the control of the Mississippi and Ohio valleys. La Salle was of a wealthy French family, and from his rich relations he obtained the pecuniary means for prosecuting his vast enterprises. He laid his plans before Frontenac who embraced them with great avidity. Those men were well matched in all the elements of vigorous, daring enterprise, and they began an attempt for the occupation of the interior, which, for persistent efibrt, comprehensive aim and bold daring, eclipses the exaggerations of fiction. They determined first to establish a fort at the head of the St. Lawrence, on Lake Ontario, to protect communication with that lake, and as an aid in keeping under control the Iroquois who had obtained fire-arms from the Dutch traders on the Hudson. They purposed, also, to make this point a trading post and means of communication with that nation, and check, as far as possible, their intercourse with the English colonies. Frontenac, therefore, set out in June, 1673, with a grand expedition to that point; first sending La Salle to the Iroquois country, requesting them to send delegates, to meet him at the appointed rendezvous. The expedition consisted of himself, staff officers and soldiers of the garrison, and four hundred armed militia, with a large body of Indians. The flotilla was composed of a hundred and twent)' canoes and two barges.

Reaching Montreal, the new Go\ernor-General was received with much pomp and ceremony, in which mingled the polished courtesies of the court circles of France, with the rougher hospitalities and rude surroundings of frontier life.

From thence the expedition proceeded up the St. Lawrence to the point of i-ts destination, now the site of Kingston. Here they landed and encamped; the Iroquois having arrived before them and now occupying an adjoining site. The next morning at beat of drum, they were drawn up in martial array. The Indians had never before witnessed such a grand military displaj' as here, in this wild solitude, heretofore a stranger almost to the presence of man, other than the passing hunter, or war« party, now dazzled their eyes with its imposing J splendor.

reached from the Governor's tent to the Indian encampment, and between them filed the savage representatives to Frontenac's headquarters. The splendors of the uniforms and the long files of soldiers, with their glistening arms in all the precision of dress parade, elicited from the Indians their highest admiration. Frontenac now addressed them in a decisive, arrogant manner which, comporting with the military bearing and dignity of the man, commanded their respect.

He addressed them as children whom the great French father would treat kindly; but he required on their part implicit obedience. He was now going to build a fort to keep the road open between the lakes and rivers, and woe be to those who should break the peace. He then proceeded in a more conciliatory tone, showing them the advantages to be derived from a peaceful intercourse with the French, who would prove benefactors to them in the event of their meriting it.

He next gave them presents, winding up the business of the day with a feast and entertainment in the evening, in which he paid them the most polite attention, all of which gave them a high opinion of the new Father.

The fort was then built, and garrisoned by a body of soldiers; when Frontenac returned to Quebec, and for the first time in its history. New France held the control of the head of the St. Lawrence.

La Salle, who had made extensive explorations and had rendered great service to the country, went to France and petitioned for a patent of nobility, which he received from the King; and also a grant in seigniory of Fort Frontenac, which he' covenanted to garrison at his own expense, and to form a colony around it. He returned and took possession, and the commerce between the posts of Green Bay and Michilimackinac with Quebec was now by way of the lakes.

With Fort Frontenac as a base. La Salle began to push forward his enterprise for obtaining possession of the mouth of the Mississippi. The next step in advance was to build a palisaded trading post at the mouth of the Niagara. While this was in process of erection. La Salle commenced the building of a vessel on the Upper Niagara for the navigation of the Upper Lakes. She was finished under the greatest difficulties and obstacles, the hostilities of the Indians not the least, and in due time she was launched and called the Griffin. It must be remembered that her cordage, anchors and equipment had to be carried long distances overland. It required four men to carry the anchor around Niagara Falls.

On the seventh of August, 1679, the Griffin weighed anchor, and with a good breeze filling her canvas, sailed out of the river, and for the first time, the keel of a sail vessel plowed the waters of Lake Erie. They sailed up the lake and entered the Detroit River, and for the first time the site of the future metropolis of Michigan met the eye of civilized man. They were enraptured with the lovely and fertile country, in which they landed and supplied their commissariat plentifully with game, of which they found an abundance, killing, among other animals, several bears.

The arrival was a great event to the inhabitants of this remote post. The Griflin fired her cannon, and, as its echoes reverberated through the forests, the Indians yelled their astonishment and delight. The little craft swinging gracefully at anchor was soon surrounded by a swarm of canoes, with wondering arid admiring inmates. The little chapel of St. Ignace and its mission houses surrounded with palisades on the near shore; the Huron village adjacent; the dark back ground of the forest; the blue waters of the lake and the little vessel at anchor, formed a picture and theme to inspire the pencil of an artist. Here was the metropolis of the early Northwest, and the beginnings of that commerce which has since grown into such vast proportions. The Griflin set sail for Green Bay, where a large quantity of furs had been collected; with those she was laden and started for Niagara, with orders to return to the Illinois. La Salle then, with fourteen men, in four canoes, which were laden with a forge, tools and merchandise, among other things, started for the mouth of the St. Joseph River, at the head of Lake Michigan.

They were overtaken with a severe gale, and, with the greatest difficulty, managed to make the mouth of a little inlet, where they found shelter. Here they were obliged to remain five days, when, the storm having subsided, they re-embarked. In 4 few days they again encountered heavy weather, and were obliged to run ashore, where they passed two days in a drenching rain. Setting forth once more, they reached a Pottawattamie village; a heavy surf was rolling on the beach, and came near swamping the canoes. Father Gabriel, si.vty-four years of age, was unable to resist the undertow, when Hennepin took him on his lusty shoulders, and carried him through the breakers, the old friar laughing heartily as Hennepin staggered under his load. La

Salic, bcini,' distrustful of the Indians, at once posted his men in readiness for action, and, being sorely in need of food, sent three men to the village. In the mean time a number of warriors approached, LaSalle presenting the peace pipe, when friendly negotiations followed, which resulted in the exchange of goods for corn and venison.

At one period in their journey, they were, for some days, nearly famished for want of food, Father Gabriel fainting from exhaustion; but when they reached the vicinity of the present site of Waukcgan, they found game in abundance, and, with their guns, obtained a plentiful supply of venison and bear meat. Here they encountered a party of Outagamies, who kept hidden from them, and, when discovered, pretended to have mistaken them for Iroquois; but, on recognizing them, professed friendship. They, however, during the night, stole a coat and some other things, and La Salle, knowing that he must adopt bold measures or greater aggressions would be made, posted his men in position, and sallying forth, seiz.cd a young warrior and brought him to the French camp. He then sought an Outagamie chief, and told him that unless the stolen goods were restored or compensation made he would kill the Indian prisoner. The Outagamie party numbered a hundred and twenty; the French fourteen. The Outagamies, in a body, now stealthily approached the French for the purpose of rescuing their companion, a portion keeping in the shelter of the trees. The French, however, were resolute, which the Indians perceiving, offered to parley. A conference ensued, which resulted in full compensation being made for the stolen goods, and an additional remuneration in the form of a gift of beaver skins.

Re-embarking, they passed around the head of the lake and reached St. Joseph's River in safety. Here he resolved to wait for the arrival of the Griffin, that was to bring a reinforcement of men and stores. In the mean time he built a fort at the mouth of the river. Week after week passed, but the Griffiin did not appear. At last he abandoned all hope of her return. A.s she was never afterward heard of, it was supposed that she foundered in a gale on Lake Huron.

In December, La Salle and his party, embarking in their canoes, ascended the St. Joseph's Ri\'er as far as the present site of South Bend. Here was the portage to the head of the Kankakee. Carrj'ing their canoes across this portage, they descended the Kankakee to its junction with the Illinois. At last they arrived at a large Indian town, in which Hennepin counted four hundred and absent. Pushing forward they entered Peoria Lake, which tliey crossed, and again followed the river. They soon came to a place where each bank of the river was occupied with wigwams. La Salle now had the eight canoes placed in line abreast of each other, and the men, seizing their guns, were soon borne b\- the current opposite the Indian encampment. The inhabitants, surprised at their sudden appearance, yelled and snatched up their weapons; while LaSalle and his little band of intrepid followers jumped ashore, ready for the altcrnati\e of peace or war. The Indians, recovering from their panic, sent forward two chiefs with the peace pipe. The offering of friendship was accepted, and they were then hospitably entertained. La Salle then told them his purpose of building a fort and trading post in their country. His proposition seemed to be well received, but that night an enemy appeared in the camp - a Mascoutin chief - who warned them against the plans of La Salle; that he was in Icauge with the Iroquois, and, with them, intended to destroy the Illinois. Having aroused^ their suspicions by his harranguc, he left the camp. La Sallc importuned the Illinois to send for him that he might refute the stories, but in vain. To add to his discomfiture, six of his men deserted; they w'cre nowhere to be found. He immediately mustered the balance of his force, and in the strongest terms, denounced the cowardice of those who had deserted him in his peril; adding that if any more were afraid to proceed on the voyage to the Mississippi, he would give them leave to return in the spring to Canada; and that he should now go into winter quarters.

In the middle of January he selected a site for a fort, a little below the present site of Peoria. Here he erected some small buildings and enclosed them with a palisade. His forge tools and goods, which had been transported to this distant point, were now in requisition.

The Griffin, as a means of transportation from Fort Niagara to the St. Joseph ri\er, was one of the main stays of his enterprise, and the painful conviction that she was lost now preyed upon his hopes. At this point he intended to build another vessel, in which to descend the Mississippi ; and her equipments were to be brought to St. Joseph's in the Griffin; her loss, therefore, seemed to threaten the ruin of his enterprise.

In this emergency, he determined to get the hull of his proposed vessel well under way, and when she was on the stocks to start for Fort F'rontenac, at the head of the St. Law- rcnce, and travel directly across the country to that point, for the purpose of obtaining his necessary supplies. In a few weeks the hull of a vessel, of forty tons burden, was nearly constructed; and, on the secpnd of March, with a trusty Indian guide that hehad brought with him from Canada, and four Frenchmen, he started on his perilous voyage for his distant goal. Fort Frontenac.

At places the progress of their canoes was intercepted by sheets of floating ice, through which they made their way with the greatest difficulty. Reaching the Des I'laines,they found the river so blockaded with ice that they abandoned their canoes, and started across the country for Lake Michigan. They must now furnish their own subsistence with their guns. The prairie was a mire of slushy snow and wet ground, over which they traveled with almost superhuman effort. The marshes were filled with water, and the soft prairie soil was like a saturated sponge. They at last reached Lake Michigan, and, traveling on the shore, arrived at the fort they had formerly built at mouth of the St. Joseph. From this point they struck directly acros.s the country in the direction of Detroit River. They now found an abundance of game, deer, bears and turkeys, which furnished the camp-fire with most savory viands; but this territory was infested with war-parties of tribes hostile to each other, and, one night, while sitting around their camp-fire, they were aroused by the warwhoop of a party surrounding them. Seizing their guns and seeking the shelter of protecting trees, they awaited the attack; but the prowlers, seeing their readiness for a valorous resistance, withdrew, and left in peace.

On reaching Detroit River, they made a raft and crossed over to the peninsula, the former country of the Hurons, over which they traveled to a point on Lake Erie, where they made a canoe and proceeded to Niagara. Here La Salle met some of his men that he had left to hold that position, and from them learned that he had not only lost the Griffin, but that a ship, from France, laden with a valuable cargo for him, was wrecked at the mouth of the St. Lawrence. Leaving Niagara, he soon reached his base. Fort Frontenac, after a journey of more than a thousand miles.

For sixty-four days he had endured hardships and perils that would put to the severest test the courage and fortitude of the bravest; and now his goal was reached, only to find his enterprise surrounded by difficulties which would seem insurmountable to any one but this indomitable and unconquerable hero.

he placed Tonty in charge. He was a man after La Salle's own heart; trustworthy and brave in the highest degree, and a man of education and executive capacity. At Fort Frontenac, La Salle received a letter, brought to him by messengers from Tonty, informing him, that, after his departure, most of the men deserted, carrying off the goods that were available to them, and destroying much of the rest; also destroying the fort and throwing the powder that the magazine contained into the ri\'er. The vessel was still safe on the stocks, and the forge and tools were preserved.

Tonty, and the few faithful ones who remained with him, now took up their abode in the great village of the Illinois, which was situated near "Starve Rock," on the Illinois River. To this place he had conveyed the forge and tools, with what goods had been preserved.

Under these disheartening circumstances, that would have crushed almost any one else. La Salle renewed his efforts for a vigorous prosecution of his enterprise. His credit was threatened with ruin and his friends hopeless; but his courage and confidence never failed him, and now he would rebuild his shattered enterprise. He rested his hopes on his efficient and faithful lieutenant, Tonty, who was still spared him. They would hold the point they had gained on the Illinois, build and equip the vessel and secure the possession of the mouth of the Mississippi.

In August, 1680, he once more embarked for the Illinois, taking with him ship-carpenters, laborers and voyageurs [courricrs dcs bois), twenty-five men in all, with srpplies, goods, and the material for rigging and fitting out his vessel. After the long journey they arrived at the site of the great town of the Illinois; but here a sight met them to blanch their cheeks with terror. The plain which had been formerly covered with Indian Lodges, and populous with human life, was now a scene of blackened desolation. On the charred skeletons of the wigwams were stuck human skulls. The. planting-grounds were laid waste and havoc reigned supreme.

The Iroquois had again taken the war-path. They had long enjoyed a profitable trade with the Dutch and English traders; fur-bearing animals were scarce in their country, and they must have recourse to the resources of the distant West; and here the French were cutting them off. Their cupidity and ambition was aroused, and they resolved to invade the territory of the Illinois, and either destroy them, as they had the Hurons, or make them tribu-

La Salle and his companions camped (jn thi.s scene of horror, and all nit^ht lont; the wolves, attracted by the remains of the carnage, continued their dismal howling, which resounded far and near.

At last they reached the site of the fort. The works were demolished, but the vessel was still on the stocks. After a diligent search for Tonty and his companions, in which La Salle failed to obtain any intelligence of his whereabouts, he retraced his steps and in due course of time reached Fort Miami, at the mouth of the St. Joseph. Here he found his lieutenant. La Forest, and the men he left to occupy the post. They had repaired the fort and were getting out the timber for a new vessel for the lakes. Here he was glad to find a little rest and safety.

It seems that after the destruction of the Illinois \illages by the Iroquois, Lieut. Tonty and his companions went to Green Bay, where they found refuge among a band of Pottawattamies.

La Salle passed the winter at Fort Miami, and notwithstanding the last terrible catastrophe which seemed enough to shatter his last hope of success, he now conceived a new plan for furthering his scheme. Since the Iroquois threatened all the western tribes, he would now unite with the latter in a common defense, and assume the leadership, establishing a central point in the Illinois country.

Wisconsin and Western Michigan contained many remnants of tribes, that had fled there from their old homes, on the invasion of the Iroquois; these he would rally around him. Near Fort Miami were a lot of fugitives from the ICnglish colonies; to those he first appealed; They gladly embraced the offer. Next came a Shawanoe chief from the Ohio with a hundred and fifty warriors, who promised to join him in the Illinois country. He then with a party set out to the village of the Miamis, at" the Kankakee portage. Here he found a band of marauding Iroquois, who had been putting on the air of conquerors, declaring that all the tribes were tributary to them, and expressing contempt for the French. When La Salle unexpectedly appeared with his little armed band, and dared them to speak disparagingly of the French, they looked shamefaced and terrified. The Miamis were astonished at the bravery of the ten Frenchmen, which could quiet a large war-party of Iroquois; and the

Here was an auspicious beginning and it was peculiarly fortunate that there were other Indians in the town from the east; so La Salle called a council of these, and promised them a new home in the west under his protection, where there were the richest planting and hunting grounds, and asked them to aid him in making peace between the Miamis and the Illinois; they promised their concurrence, and he called a council of the Miamis. They met in the lodge of their chief, and La Salle addressed them.

His imposing presence and bold decisive manner had great charms for the Indians. He was, also, well skilled in forest eloquence and understood all the needs and interests of Indian life. He urged them to make peace with the Illinois, and, under the leadership of the French, join in quelling the murderous Iroquois.

While on this journey he learned from a party of Outagamies, whom they met, that Tonty and his companions were at Green Bay; this greatly rejoiced him.

His affairs in Canada now required his presence and thither he repaired. On the way he met Tonty and his friends at Michilimackinac. It was like the meeting of those who had risen from the dead; and here La Salle heard the particulars of the horrors of the Iroquois invasion.

La Salle's heavy pecuniary losses had involved him deeply in debt, and he was greatly distressed with his embarrassments; but Count F"rontenac and other friends came to his rescue and obtained means to appease his creditors, and for the further prosecution of his enterprises. In the fall of 1681, he again, with a fleet of canoes and supplies, started for the St. Joseph River, and duly arrived at F'ort Miami, where the little band in occupancy were glad to receive him. From here he set out for the Illinois River, in the latter part of December, with Tonty, twenty other men and a number of Indians, the whole force numbering fifty-four persons. As it was winter, the streams were frozen and they dragged their canoes on sledges. Below Peoria they found open waters and launcning their canoes, descended the river to the Mississippi, which they followed to its mouth; here La Salle with due ceremony took possession in the King's name.

He now returned to Michilimackinac, intending to go to Quebec, but, learning that the Iroquois were abouttoagain invade the Illinois, he determined to go to their protection, as the ravages of the former, if allowed to go unchecked, would be ruinous to his hopes. He had observed the cliff on the river, now called Starve Rock, and this place he selected as a site for a fort Hither he repaired with Tonty and a force of men. The top of this rock is a level surface of about an acre in extent, and is over a hundred feet above the level of the river. Three sides are perpendicular, and it is accessibli^ only from one point. Here on this summit they erected buildings and enclosed them with a palisade, and called it Fort St. Louis.

The Indian village lying near it, that had been depopulated by the Iroquois, was now again teeming with life, the Illinois having returned to their former home; other tribes had also located in the vicinity, and their villages could be seen from the fort, around which they had gathered for protection, like the retainers of a feudal castle.

The aggregate population of the several adjacent Indian villages was about twenty thousand, capable of enrolling four thousand warriors; these, under the management of La Salle, constituted a formidable force, sufficient to give him control of the country; and success at last attended his efforts. But now new difficulties assailed him. His friend. Count Frontenac, was called to France, through the intrigues of rivals in the fur trade, who considered La Salle and Frontenac's enterprise for opening up an outlet at the mouth of the Mississippi, and the establishmentofthe central post on the Illinois, as a monopoly, endangering the commercial prosperity of the colonies on the St. Lawrence.

La Barre was commissioned as Governor- General of New France. He was surrounded by the enemies of La Salle, and he at once began to thwart the efforts of the latter, by withholding needful men and supplies.

In this direful emergency there was no alternative other than for La Salle to at once repair to France, and appeal to the King for an enlargement of his authority. He therefore went thither, and ably seconded by Count Frontenac, related to the crown his achievements, and the great advantages which would enure to France through the success of his scheme. His diplomacy was highly successful, md La Salle's lieutenant of Fort Frontenac, who had been ejected and was now in France, was dispatched by the King to Canada, with orders instructing La Barre to at once surrender to him the possession of Fort Frontenac and Fort St. Louis. The King also wrote a letter to La Barre, in which he severely reprimanded him for his conduct.

La Salle was now furnished with four vessels, and all the needful supplies for a colony at the mouth of the Mississippi. He embarked with a large number of persons including several families. In due time they entered the Gulf of Mexico, but sailing too far westward missed the mouth of the river. After a fruitless search La Salle determined to land at the Bay now called Matagorda, in Texas, and search for the river by an overland route.

After sounding for a passage over the bar , at the entrance to the bay, one of the vessels got underway. La Salle who had formerly landed with a party of men, was standing on the shore watching her, when one of the men approached him, with the information that a party of Indians had just attacked him and his companions, who were felling trees, and that they had taken several of them prisoners. In this emergency he must act promptly; so taking a few of his men, he proceeded in haste to the Indian camp, a few miles distant, where he found fifty lodges. As he reached the camp he heard the report of a cannon, which paralyzed the Indians with fear. It was to him a sound ofill-omen; he turned his eyes in the direction of the vessels. The Aimable was furling sails; she had struck on the reef, and, as she was laden with the principal stores for the colony, he felt overwhelmed with distress at her probable loss. He dashed into the chief's lodge and peremptorily demanded the restoration of his men. The frightened Indians, impressed with his fearless manner, at once delivered the prisoners and loaded them with buffalo meat, when they returned to their camp. On their arrival, the Aimable was careened on the reef, and the sea was breaking over her. A lot of gunpowder and flour was safely transported to the shore, but the wind increasing to a gale, broke the vessel up, and her precious freight soon strewed the shore. The Indians came in swarms, intent on pillage; but all night the colonists guarded their injured goods, the sentinels walking their dreary rounds till morning.

On the voyage a hostile feeling had sprung up between La Salle and the naval commander; and the latter, having landed the colonists, now determined to return to France. He set sail, and they were left in an unknown land.

The situation was desolate, but they set to work to make the best of it. A rude fortification was made, and a few huts erected; and here were huddled together a band of

The Mississippi now must be found at all hazards. It was their only way of communication with friends. In fact, their only hope of prolonged life. La Salle, therefore, at once commenced his explorations. On one of his trips he found a more favorable location for a temporary refuge for his colony, on a small river which entered the Bay, and thither he removed it. On this site buildings were erected and enclosed with palisades. Their animals were provided with pasturage, and then ground was prepared and seed sown.

The adjacent country abounded in game; deer, buffalo, turkeys, waterfowland partridges were without end, and they shot them at their pleasure. The waters of the river and bay were well stocked with fish and turtle; so their larder was well supplied.

In November, La Salle, accompanied with thirty men, started in search of the great river. For months they traversed the plains and water courses of Texas, encountering hostile tribes through which they had to fight their way; but the search was fruitless, and they returned to the fort in a sad plight, wearied and in rags. To add to their misfortunes, their only remaining vesse', the Little Belle, was wrecked in coasting along the shore.

In this emergency. La Salle determined on the desperate expedient of a trip to the Illinois and Canada, as a means of obtaining succor for his colonists and of communication with their friends. He, therefore, set out, with twenty others, on the long and hazardous journey. They would have to be self-sustaining - forage their way. So each one, with a pack on his back, bid adieu to those who were left behind, and took up the line of march. After six months' absence, La Salle appeared at the fort, having again failed to reach the Mississippi, by which he intended to travel to the Illinois. Only eight of the twenty men that went with him returned. They had lived two months in an Indian village, where La Salle and some of the others were prostrated with a fever. The little colony was now in the extremest despondency. Of their whole number onl)' forty odd were remaining; disease and the Indians were rapidly depleting their thinned ranks. The journey to Canada was imperative, and La Salle again took his departure. It was a sad parting, and foreshadowed in its ominous presentiments the terrible calamities that were to befall them.

mutinous conduct; and, after having been on the route for some weeks, they quarreled with some other members of the party, about the division of some buffalo meat, and, in a fit of revengeful passion, killed three of the party. It seems that a number had left the main camp on a buffalo hunt. Not appearing in due time. La Salle went in pursuit, apprehending some evil, and found the murderers skulking and endeavoring to hide from him. As he drew near, he asked for the missing ones, and received an insolent answer from one of them; he stepped forward to chastise him, when two shots were fired by parties in the grass, and La Salle dropped dead. The travels and enterprises of the great explorer of oui Western wilds was ended.

One of the desperadoes, Duhaut, then assumed command of the camp. In a few days they packed their goods on their horses, and started for the Cenis villages. Among the party was a friar, and a brother and nephew of LaSalle; the latter only seventeen years of age. These, with two or three others, who were attached to their leader, were inconsolable and heart-broken with grief, and expected from day to day to be assassinated; as it was evident that the mutinous crew, who were now in power, intended to live among the Indians. Arriving at the Cenis village, they entered into trade with the Indians, and here they found two men who had formerly deserted from La Salle, living among the sa\ages; having adopted the dress and mode of life of the latter. Here the desperadoes quarreled with each other about a di\ision of the plunder; some having determined to remain with the Indians, and others intending to go to the fort, with the intention of building a vessel with which to cruise to the West Indies.

Another, at the same moment, shot three balls into the body of Liotot. The death of these two left tWc faithful few in the majority; so, obtaining guides from the Cenis Indians, they started for the Mississippi. Reaching the Arkansas, they were descending that stream, when they were gladdened by the sight of a tall, wooden cross, and a small hut near it. They approached, and were rapturously welcomed by twt) men, whom Tonty, ever thoughtful, had sent out in search of La Salle. With them they journeyed to the Illinois and arrived at the Fort on Starve Rock in September, 1687.

After a long sojourn, the survivors of La Salle's band started for Quebec, where they arrived in safety, after making one of the most perilous journeys on record.

Tonty made an attempt to reach the abandoned colony in Texas, for the purpose of removing them to the Mississippi, but failed; and shortly afterward a Spanish cruiser, stopping at Matagorda Bay, the crew ascended the river and discovered the neglected dwellings and ruined palisades of the French fort; but no human sound was heard. All was as silent as the grave, and desolation reigned supreme. At an Indian camp, near by, the Spaniards found two Indians who spoke French. They were deserters from LaSalle, and from them learned that the Indians had massacred the entire colony. Thus ended the first attempt at colonization on the Mississippi.

In the meantime, the Missions, forts and trading-posts at Green Bay and Michilimackinac, surrounded by friendly Indians, were in a prosperous condition and in uninterrupted communication with Quebec.

HEN La Salle made his first journey to the Illinois, in 1680, he sent Hennepin to explore the upper Missis- ^i sippi. This intrepid and adventurous traveler, with his canoe well laden with presents for the Indians, and with two companions, started on his voyage. They kill deer and wild turkeys, which are plentiful, and proceed pleasantly up the great river, charmed with the beautiful and fertile country. At one of their camping places, while repairing their canoe - Hennepin engaged in daubing on the pitch - his nostrils regaled with the savory smell of a wild turkey that is roasting before the fire - a fleet of canoes suddenly appear, containing a war party of Sioux, numbering over a hundred. With yells, they paddled for the shore, and quickly surrounded the surprised Frenchmen. Hennepin presented the peace-pipe, but one of them rudely snatched it from him. Then he made an offer of tobacco, which was more agreeably received. After some further demonstrations, the Indians compelled them to embark and cross the river, where they

The warriors then seated themselves in a circle to consider what disposal to make of the prisoners. One of them signed to Hennepin that his head was to be split with a hatchet. This was an intimation that presents might avert the threatened calamity. Hennepin therefore, hastened to appease his captors by taking from his canoe several articles highly prized by Indians, and presented them, while at the same time he bent his head to receive the blow and offered a hatchet. His compliance seemed to satisfy them, and they gave him and his companions some beaver meat. The Indians were of divided councils; some in favor of killing them and taking their goods; others, desirous of encouraging French traders . to come among them to supply their wants, were in favor of treating them kindly. In the morning they were greatly relieved by a young warrior asking them for the peace-pipe, which was gladly given, when he filled it, smoked it, and passed it to another, who did the same; and thus it passed from hand to hand through the whole assemblage. They then informed their captives that they intended to return to their homes, and that they must accompany them. This exactly comported with their desires, as they would now have the protection of a band of friendly Indians. But in the morning, when the friar opened his breviary and began to repeat his devotions, they gathered around him and manifested their superstitious fears of the book, which they thought was a bad spirit, that he was invoking to destroy them. He was therefore obliged to resort to the expediency of singing the services, which seemed to gratify them, as they supposed he was singing for their pleasure.

Day after day they paddled up the river, camping on the shores and occasionally stopping for a hunt, which never failed to give them a bountiful supply of provisions.

After nineteen days they arrived at the site of St. Paul, and here theirsorrows commenced. As the Indians belonged to different bands, each claimed a share of the captives and of their goods. They succeeded, however, in amicably dividing the spoils, and started across the country for their villages near Mille Lac. They travelled with such speed that it was torture to keep up with them, and as they swam the large streams, Hennepin suffered much from immersion in the cold waters. He was also nearly famished with hunger, receiving from them only a small bit of smoked meat twice a day; but the rations were the same as their own. On the fifth day of March they reached an Indian town, and Hennepin was in a village of the Sioux. Here they were feasted, and afterwards the debate was renewed about the distribution of the captives. This being settled, they were compelled to part company; Hennepin fell to the lot of an old chief, who adopted him as his son, and whom he accompanied to his village; here he was well treated, and as they perceived that he was weak after his exhaustive travels, they made for him a sweat bath, where they steamed him three times a week, and which he thinks was beneficial.

In the summer a large body of the Indians went on a buffalo hunt, Hennepin and his two companions accompanying them. While on this hunt, he induced his captors to permit him to start for the mouth of the Wisconsin, where he expected to meet some French traders, with goods for the Indians. He was furnished with a canoe, and Du Gay accompanied him. On this trip he discovered the Falls of St. Anthony, which he named, and where he saw a number of Indians making their votive offering to the Spirit of the Waters. Sometimes they were short of food. At one time while Du Gay was in pursuit of buffalo, Hennepin, who had a large turtle in his charge, discovered that his canoe had floated off; turning the turtle on his back he covered it with his habit, on which he placed a number of stones, and plunged into the river in pursuit of the canoe, which he recovered and brought safely to the shore; shortly after, a herd of buffalo approached the shore, when DuGay killed a young cow, which replenished their larder.

As they were reduced to ten charges of powder, they would run the risk of starvation if they attempted to reach Green Bay by the Wisconsin. There was no alternative, but for them to join a hunting-party of Sioux, who were not far off; they did so and while with them met five Frenchmen, near St. Anthony's Falls. It was Du Lhut and a party oi courier de bois, engaged in the fur trade and now commissioned by p-rontenac to establish friendly relations between the Sioux and a kindred tribe, and to explore the Upper Mississippi.

In the fall, this party having satisfactorily arranged their business, started for Green Bay; Hennepin and his companions in captivity accompanying them, which place they reached in safet)'.