The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1902-03-06


mel which separates the mainland from
the Manitoulia islands, the house of the
Ottawas. Like gems of emerald many
of these little isles lay upon the tranquil
waters, their shores Tapped by the
maundering wavelets, glistening in the
sunlight. On the sandy banks of these
parcels of land they rested, and took
their simple meals consisting mainly of
pounded corn. variated occasionally by
a fish or fowl Wherever night found
them they slept, creeping under their
overturned canoes when the air was
cold or wet; or in fine weather, under
the canopy of the starry heavens, or in
grandly among the clouds they lay
around their dimly Pickering fire, until
the eastern sky was paled by the morn
ing. Day by day they skirted the
strange shores until they had threaded
their way to the outlet of Lake Superior.
Here they took long rest among the
Chippeway Indians where Nicollet
gained new information regarding the
regions lying toward the southwest.
Padding up the straits of Mackinaw
they entered Lake Michigan and con
tinued along the north shores until they
| reached the outlet of Green Bay They
| skirted the west shore and at length en-
|
which now bears that name. They We're
of lighter complexion than any Indi-
ans NicOlet had ever seen and he believ-
ed them to be natives of Cathay, the
Celestial Empire. That these people
might not take him and his companions
for enemies he drove two sticks in the
ground and hung presents upon them,
and gaining their confidence he was
told that the Winnebagos whom he
had come all this distance to visit We're
two days journey toward the south.
Messengers were sent to inform them of
the distinguished stranger and he was
invited to visit their village with all
speed. Nicolet still labored under the
mistaken opinion that he had reached
the frontier of the Chinese empire, and
wishing to show the inhabitants the
proper respect, he clothed himself in
robe OF damask, strewn with flowers
and birds of various colors; and as soon
as he came to the village, which stood
near the site of Green Bay, he fired off
two pistols. The women and children
seeing the pale faced wonder who car
| ried thunder in his hands, fed in dis
may, crying manito! manitor "a spirit,
a spirit.)
THE news of his coming spread rapid
ly and thousands of Indians from vii
lagos near and far came to see him. He
was banqueted and celebrated in the
homes of many chiefs. Hundreds of
beavers, the choicest of dogs and other
toothsome morsels of the savages We're
devoured out of respect for the distin-
guished foreigner After sojourning
with the hospitable savages for a time
he continued his journey, penetrating
the wilderness as far as Portage then
he proceeded south to the Illinois coun-
try, and thence returned, probably
along the west shore of Lake Michigan,
becoming acquainted with the Potta-
watamies with whom he tarried for a
time. This wonderful man who made
this voyage of $500 miles in bark ca
noe, undaunted by perilous rapids,
treacherous seas, strange savages and
hidden dangers of every kind, in all
probability, camped under the signing
pines that crowned the hill tops along
the shores of this county, when the seas
were high, or when the shades of night
reminded them that it was time to take
their frugal meal. The strange sound
of his weapon startled the deer, or was
answered by the snarl of the wildcat or
the howl of the wolf. The voyagers re-
turned by the way they came and at
last reached Quebec and rendered lis
report.