Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1905-11-09
CHAPTER NNN
his men

SHOWS THAT THE LIFE OF AN EX-
pLORER IS FAR FROM TAME.
After Tontis departure for Quebec,
La Sale had proceeded to occupy his
force as best he might until his return
The building of a vessel progressed
but slowly, owing to continual dissatis-
faction and unrest among his men,
Thinking to find a work that would
engage all their strength and time, he
set out with one of the more trust
worthy, the young Sieur de Boisrondet
together with two Recollct friars,
Father Membre and Father Ribourde
and ascended the river to the spot
where lay the great city of the Illini
He had long felt that if the height
overlooking this town could be forti-
fed and held, an impregnable fortress
would be secured which would serve
not only as a menace to all the In
dians OF the region, but would become
an admirable storehouse for the furs
that could be collected. While thus
engaged at the town of the friendly
Illini, one of the men who had been
left behind at Fort Creve-Coeur ar
rived, bringing the disastrous news
that the entire force remaining there
had mutinied, destroyed the fort, and
taken to the woods to lead the free
rowing life of the Coureurs-de-hois that
they all so much desired. Thus were
these three Frenchmen and the two
priests left alone. They made their
quarters in the Illini town There was
now no hope of fortifying the rock
even. until Tonti's return.
Thus passed the spring. With the
early summer came the news that car
ried dismay to the hearts of all their
savage allies; the ferocious Iroquois
were on the march to attack them
Confusion reigned. The white men
were instantly accused of being Iro-
Quois spies, and the approaching at
tack was attributed to their doingS
For time 1t looked to all as though
in the heat and excitement of .he mo-
ment they would be sacrificed to the
fear and anger of the frightened saw
ages. But La Sale boldly proclaimed
that the whites were friends of the
Illini, and to prove this said they
would join them in their defense
against the oncoming enemy. This
served TO stop any active measures
against the French, although they
were still viewed with suspicion.
A few days later the advance guard
of the attacking force appeared, and
hurried preparations were made to re-
sist. The squaws and children were
hurried down the river to an island,
where they were left with small force
to guard them, while the main body of
the warriors remained to meet their
foe. The faces of the braves were
creased, their bodies painted, and the
night spent in dancing their war;
dances, singing their war-songs, and
working up their courage to meet the
coming battle. The scouts brought in
ever-incrcasing reports of the size of
the force that was making ready to fall
upon them. La Sale offered to medi-
ate between the two nations, so ad-
vancing with two of his companions,
he held out belt of wampum as sigu
of peace. When the Iroquois COM
menced firing on them La Sale sent
the others back and, proceeding alone,
soon entered the Iroquois lines He
inquired haughtily what they, the al
lies of the French, meant by coming on
a warlike errand against the Illini, who
were the children of the great Onontio
and who were under his special pro-
lection. He stood un1inching amid a
group of bowling. threatening savages
One brave, intoxicated with dreams OF
blood and murder. struck at him with
knife, but the blade that was intend, !
ed for his heart, striking rib, glanced
off, innlcting an ugly flesh wound An
other seized his hair with one hand |
and with the other made the motions |
Of scalping him. La Sale, without !
weapons or any means OF defense. bold !
ly chided them for their behavior, and |
demanded n council of the chiefs This |
was held, and he repeated his demands !
that the lllini be left In peace. threat |
cnng the Iroquols with the wrath OF |
France If they were harmed.
After a long and tedious season Of |
haranaues from many Of the chiefs |
they brought forth six packages OF |