habited by a certain person nam'd Cousture, who receiv'd us very kindly, and gave us to understand, that that seat, with all its dependencies, was under your jurisdiction. After having rested there two days, we went to the villages of the Toriman's, Doginga's and Cappa's, to get up to the river Mississipi. These last people accommodated us with a piroque for two horses that we gave 'em in exchange.

"Thus being wearied with our travels by land, I determin'd to pass on the Mississipi again, to the river of the Illinois, and Father Anastasius was very glad that he had an opportunity to go on board the same canoo with me. M. Čavelier, my nephew, took five other French men to accompany him, and contenting himself with one savage, left me another, to serve for an interpreter and rower. Having met at our place of rendez-vous, in the country of the Miamis, we parted; so that he travell❜d over the plains, and I embark'd on the river Mississipi, August 15, A. D. 1686.

"It were needless to give a particular account of all the nations that we met, and therefore I shall only make mention of those whom we did not discover in our descent. The Chicachas were the first that we found at the distance of 30 leagues from the Akancéas: they are a very docil, industrious, valiant and warlike people, and sufficiently numerous to raise an army of 2000 men upon all occasions. We continu'd our course from thence to the Ouabaches, within ten leagues of their river, and saw that of the Massourites and Ozages, which is no less rapid and deep than the Mississipi. We pass'd on it during two days, as well with a design to discover the nations inhabiting on its banks, as to get some fresh provisions, and in our passage we descry'd the villages of the Panivacha's, Pera's, Panaloga's, Matotantes, and Ozages, all gallant, nu

merous, and good-natur'd people, who among the several messes and varieties of fruits, with which they treated us, caus'd us to eat some grapes of an admirable taste.

"On the third day, after having row'd on that river, we endeavour'd to recover the Mississipi; on which, being embark'd in a canoo, we steer'd our course on it for some days, even as far as the river of the Illinois; and after thirty days navigation we arriv'd at the foot of Crevecœur fort, from whence we return'd to that of St. Lewis." Indeed we were then so unfortunate, as not to meet with you there, (which was no small trouble to us :) but at present we have the consolation to see you in good health.

M. Cavelier having thus concluded his relation, we renew'd our embraces, but I continued for some time speechless, without being able to make any application to him; for, to say the truth, I did not well know my self, nor in what condition I was at that time. On the one side, the loss of our fleet, and of the greatest part of the French mariners, was a very great mortification to me; and on the other side, the assurance that was given me of M. de la Salle's welfare, and of the success of so many fine discoveries, oblig'd me to turn my sorrow into joy. I was also extremely surpriz'd at the strangeness of his adventures; but at the same time, the absence of a person, for whom I had so particular a respect, and whose return I had so long expected with the utmost impatience; besides, the regret upon reflecting, that I was not an eye-witness, and a companion of his travels, pierc'd my heart with so sensible a grief, that I was not by any means able to surmount it. Neither could I any longer contain my self, or forbear easing my mind a little, by uttering these mournful expostulations. "Alas! (said I to M. Cavelier,) how could it so fall out, that M. de la Salle, my patron, and my only

support, should spend two years in returning to America, and that during that whole term, I should not be only depriv'd of the pleasure of seeing him, but also should not find means to hear any tidings of him? Or how is it possible that I should not be permitted to embrace him? I must freely declare to you, that notwithstanding the joy which your presence affords me, I find my self seiz'd, in beholding you, with a more intense grief, since the more I look upon you, I am so much the more troubled that I have not a sight of him. Heavens! (continu'd I) has M. de la Salle resided in America two years, and cannot I as yet lay hold of some opportunity to meet him, or to speak with him? Alas! 'tis not my fault; for as soon as I could judge that he had touch'd at any of the coasts of the gulph of Mexico, I made a descent on those countries; I search'd about all the capes and shoars of that sea, as well on the side of Malcolina, as on that of Mexico; I visited all the people, who inhabited those coasts, viz. the Tichenos, Ozembogus, Tangibaos, Ostonoos, Mausoleas, and Mousa's, and enquir'd of them after M. de la Salle, but none could give me any manner of account concerning him. Hence then you may take some estimate of my excessive trouble and sorrow."

"How was it possible (reply'd M. Cavelier) for you to meet us? You went to seek for us at the mouth of the river Mississipi, and on the adjacent coasts; whereas we only landed 25 leagues above it: You follow'd the course of that river, both in your descent, and at your return; but we always kept at a distance from thence, steering to the south-east, and along the gulph of Mexico. By what means could you expect to meet with us, in following so contrary courses? At least (said I to him) he ought to have sent some messenger, to give me

notice of his return.” «Tis true indeed, (said he) and he would certainly have done it if it had lain in his power: but who of those new comers could find out the roads that lay cross the territories of so many barbarians, or would be willing to make such an attempt at so great a distance? Or could he spare me, or either of his two nephews for that purpose? Besides, the hopes he had of seeing you ere long in person, made him continually defer to inform you of his arrival." "It must be confess'd (said I then) there is no remedy for what is past; that which revives my spirits is, to hear, that he is in good health, and whereabouts he is: It will not be long (by the help of God) ere we shall go again to find him out. In the mean while (continu'd I) I call to mind, that you have somewhat else more particular to communicate to me from him, and therefore I would entreat you to declare it to me, that I may make due preparation, even as soon as it's possible, for my intended voyage."

"Take it thus (reply'd M. Cavelier) my brother being impatient to procure the necessary supplies, for the establishment and maintenance of his new colony, and to cause two ports and two havens to be built, viz. one of St. Lewis's bay, and the other at the mouth of the river Mississipi, the bottom and sides of which he has very accurately observ'd, deputed me for this employment, only with a design that I should incontinently return to France, as well to inform the court of his last settlement, and of his great discoveries, as to prepare their minds, and to induce 'em to grant what is requisite upon so emergent an occasion. For that very reason he also sent me to Quebec, and gave me a particular charge to wait upon you, in order to borrow some money, upon the receipt of which I will give

you an acquittance, and my brother will place it to account."

After this discourse he presented me with a letter, which was well seal'd with M. de la Salle's seal. As for the writing I did not examine it; and besides, the characters us'd by those two gentlemen who wrote almost the same hand, are so like, that 'twould be difficult to find out the difference. However, I read that letter with extreme delight; in which the same request was contain'd, with protestations of an entire trust, and of a most sincere friendship. The joy with which I was transported to hear tidings of so intimate a friend; the candour of the person who deliver'd the letter to me; and the devotion I had made of every thing that I possess'd to the disposal of a person to whom I thought my self infinitely indebted, did not suf fer me to take the matter into consideration. I immediately ask'd M. Cavelier how much money he desir'd? Whereupon he told me, that he believ'd his brother had mention'd the sum of 7,000 livres. 'Tis true indeed, (said I,) but if you have occasion for more, you need only demand it of me, since all that I have is at your service. He thank'd me heartily, and told me, that in case he should stand in need of somewhat more, he might procure it in France. Therefore I paid him the sum of money agreed upon, at that very instant, and he insisted to give me his receipt, according to the order, which (as he said) he had from his brother. I readily consented, and forasmuch as he protested to me that he determin'd to set out on his journey the next day, I gave some refreshment to his attendants, and recruited his provisions. We spent the remainder of the day as pleasantly as we could, and very early the next morning he took leave of me, departing with a Franciscan Recolet, and a