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nations, that make three villages together, viz. the Yataches, the Onodo's, and the Choyo's. As soon as they had notice of our arrival, they came three leagues to meet us and brought us, good provisions for our refreshment. Afterwards we went out of the Champion country to their village, and the chief elders entertain'd us at several feasts. Then I made 'em some presents, and desir'd that I might have guides to conduct me to the Quodadiquio's. They made a great deal of difficulty to grant me any, by reason that three days ago they massacred three of their ambassadors; nevertheless, by the means of entreaties and protestations to defend 'em, they were at last prevail'd upon to furnish us with five.

When we drew near the three villages, we discern'd the tracts of horses and men on the road, and indeed in the morning divers horsemen appear'd, and offer'd to convey us thither. I was attended with 20 fusileers, well arm'd, and so in a condition to keep those savages in awe.

I had no sooner enter'd the village but a certain woman, who held the first rank in that country, made an address to me, and importun'd me to revenge her husband's death, who was kill'd by the Yataches. A little while after another woman came to me to make the same complaint, and they apparently were the wives of those ambassadors, whom the Yataches had assassinated not long before. All the people seem'd to be concern'd at their death; and forasmuch as they were sollicitous about that affair, I made a promise both to the widows, and to the people, to take vengeance for the murder of their husbands and ambassadors. Then they conducted me to their temple, wash'd my face with water, before they permitted me to enter; and after having pray'd to God for the space of one quarter of an hour, they led me back into the

cottage of one of those women, where I was magnificently entertain'd. There I was inform'd, that the seven French men who were separated from Cavelier, after the death of M. de la Salle, were still living among the Nouadiches. I was extremely delighted with this piece of news, and hop'd to put an end to my evils, if I could once find means to meet 'em again. Therefore having pass'd the rest of the day among the Quadodiquio's, I entreated 'em to furnish me with guides, and assur'd 'em that at my return I would either oblige the Yataches to give 'em satisfaction, or I would require blood for blood at their hands.

The Quadodiquio's are united to two other nations, viz. the Napgitoche's and the Nassonis, whose territories are situated on the red river. These three nations speak the same language, yet their assemblies are not conven'd by villages, but by habitations, very remote one from another. Their countries are very fine, affording abundance of game, and variety of fish; but there are very few oxen. These people maintain cruel wars against their neighbours; insomuch that their villages are not very populous. They all have very fine horses which they call cavallio's. The men and women have their faces prick'd, and even all the other parts of their bodies: and indeed the fantastical humours of men is altogether unaccountable, since that which is look'd upon as deformity in one country, passes for beauty in another. Their river is call'd the red, because it actually throws up abundance of sand, which renders it as red as blood.

I set out from thence April 6, A. D. 1690, with two slaves, who were my guides, for the country of the Nouadiches. As we were travelling on the road, we met with certain savages of that nation a hunting, who assur'd us, that they had left our French men at home, which was very joyful news

to me, but at the same time I had the misfortune to lose a young French man of my retinue; he found means to return three days after, but without his snap-sack, where I had put the best part of my provisions, which created me a great deal of trouble. However, not thinking fit to take any notice of his neglect, we took up our quarters that night within half a league of the village of the Nouadiches, where the principal elders came forth to meet us. I instantly enquir'd of 'em after our French men, and they answer'd, that they were in good health; but forasmuch as they were not to be seen, I could promise myself no good by it. The next day, being arriv'd at their village, and none of 'em appearing, my suspicion was still increas'd. The chief governors of the nation did not fail to offer me the calumet; but I refus'd to accept of any thing at their hands, till they had produc'd the French men. When they perceiv'd that I persisted in my resolution, they confess'd that our French men having accompany'd 'em in the war against the Spaniards, were surrounded by the horse; that three of 'em were kill'd; and that the other four retiring to the Quonantino's, they never heard any tidings of 'em since that time. I reply'd, that certainly they themselves had murder'd 'em; they deny'd it stiffly, and forasinuch as I incessantly accus'd 'em, their wives fell a weeping, and made me understand by their tears, that the information concerning their death was too true.

The Nouadiches us'd their utmost efforts to clear themselves, and offer'd me the calumet a second time; I told 'em that I would not accept of it, till I were thoroughly convinc'd of their innocence as to that point, and that nevertheless if I could be serviceable to 'em in any thing, they should find my fidelity inviolable. The chief commander an

swer'd my kind expressions with a present of ten fine horses, well harness'd, and I gave him seven hatchets, with a set of glasses.

We left their country, May 29, and advanc'd within a day's journey of the Palaquessons, where we were inform'd that the last colony establish'd by M. de la Salle on the coast of the gulph of Mexico, not having been able to maintain it self in a perfect union, was quite dispers'd; that some were intermixed with the savages, and that others found means to get to the French plantations in other places. Therefore not judging it expedient to seek for 'em where they were no longer to be. found, I took a resolution to return the same way I came. In the mean while I endeavour'd to pass to the village of Coroas, but a prodigious inundation happening, by reason of the extraordinary rains, which continu'd for three days successively, we were involv'd in the greatest streight imaginable for the water every where rose up to the middle leg at least; insomuch, that we were forc'd to sleep, and to make fires on thick trees, and we thought ourselves happy, in being then provided with cassave, beef, and venison: we continu'd three or four days in this forlorn condition, but as good luck would have it, we discover'd a small island, which the waters had not as yet overflow'd, and we retir'd thither for a day and a night: our horses were somewhat recruited there, and the ground being suddenly dry'd by the excessive heat of the season, and of the climate, we got up in a day's journey to the village of Coroas. I cannot sufficiently express the noble entertainment we met with among those people who employ'd several persons every day in fishing and hunting, on purpose to treat us, and supply'd us with abundance of pullets, geese, pigeons, and turkeys. But that

which redoubled my joy is, that two of those French men, whom I sought for among the Novadiches, were luckily found here; and that I had so favourable an opportunity to re-unite 'em to my company.

I took my leave of the Coroas, July 20th, and arriv'd on the 31st, in the territories of the Akancéa's, where I was seiz'd with a fever, which oblig'd me to stay there till August 15. After I had a little recover'd my strength, I set forward again in my journey to the country of the Illinois, and arriv'd there in the month of September. Thus the treaty of peace concluded between the Taensa's and the Nachitoches; the pleasure of being most kindly entertain'd by all the savage people; and the satisfaction of bringing back two French men, whom I had given over for lost; were the fruits of my last voyage.

By this relation one may take an estimate of the riches and beauty of all those countries, inhabited by so many people, that are all in a manner already brought under subjection, and who have a perfect idea of the grandeur of our monarch. It cannot be conceiv'd how much that continent abounds, as well in all sorts of grain and fruit, as in variety of cattel. "Tis surrounded on all sides with great seas, the shoars of which are very deep, and seem to present us with natural ports; insomuch, that three or four havens on the gulph of Mexico would undoubtedly secure for us the possession of those territories. The French are generally so well belov'd, that to make themselves masters of 'em, they have nothing to do but to settle there incontinently, and to plant their colonies. What is wanting, may be transported thither by our vessels; as in like manner what is wanting in our country, may be brought us from thence. For

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