The Montgomery tribune. (Montgomery City, Mo.) 1892-1910, 1906-05-04

rade 70 conceal his real feelings, as
was his wont whenever anything
touched him deeply.
La Sale realized that in order to
maintain the advantage already
gained and keep in hand the various
tribes beneath his control, two things
making the fort ~impregnable 10 that
the trust Of the savages that he could
protect them from the ~Iroquois would
not be lost; the other, that Of supply
ing them with French goods In ex-
change Tor their furs. To meet the
first conditions more men, ammuni-
tion, guns andgcannon must be brought
from Quebcc. To meet the second q
trip to that city must be made in per-
sol to make the best arrangements
possible with his creditors and to pro-
vide for the importation of the various
goods the Indians demanded. Thus It
was that the christening of the fort
had hardly been accomplished before
the ever-restless spirit of the man
urged him to action. He therefore
made his plans far leaving the fort in
charge Of Tonti and making the jour-
ney eastward with all possible spe d.
One thing more, however, was ESSEN
tial. This was that he should be able
to report the exploration of the lower
Mississippi and take possession of all
that vast territory in the name of the
king. This must necessarily be &C.
complished first, SO he made ready for
the voyage southwark. Choosing q
sufficient number Of men for the expe-
dition, he departed, promising the saw
ages that he would return and INSTRUCT
ing them to yie'd full obedience to
Tonti in his absence. The building
of the fo,t having been accomplished
with greet rapidly, he hoped to be
able to make the voyage to the gulf
and back in time to reach Quebec be-
fore the ships made their autumn voy-
age 10 France, so that they would
bear the news of his discoveries to
the king.
Accordingly, he padded away one
bright May morning and began the
difficult journey that he had long
wished to make.
Down the sluggish bosom of the
Illini they passed into the broad cX-
panse Of the Mississippi. Soon the
mouth Of the Ohio was seen and the
heat of summer became more and
more intense. Here and there they
met with bands of savages living on
the banks of the mighty river. These
were approached with the calumet,
the sign Of peace, and the white trav-
elers were entertained with feasts and
dances, while presents and promises
were interchanged. La Sale ha-
rangued the listeners, assuring them
Of the great kings friendship and
power, and claiming all the territory
through which he passed for his SOW
ereign.
Soon the great stream writhed in
sinuous course, many marshes were
passed, and the sultry heat of an al
most tropical sun rendered the work
Of padding very fatiguing. They
stopped to rest at one place and WIS.,
tied at a short distance inland the
great town of the Taensas. Here
Father Membre was shocked to find a
temple Of the sun, with a sacred fire
kept constantly alight. The chief
admitted them to his temple as well
as his lodge, and eternal friendship
with the French was sworn. Thus
over many a weary league Of tortuous
wa~ter-course did they pass until the
overwhelming river told them of the
approach Of their journeys end. The
channel divided into three, and talk
Ing the middle one, they o 70 found
before their wearied eyes the dancing
waters of the gulf.
Here they LANDED, and a column vas
erected bearing the arms Of France,
on which was inscribed:
LOUIS LIE GRAND, ROY DE
FRANCE EFT DE NAVARRO
REGIME"
A TIE Deum was chanted, and amid
the shouts Of savage voices, the cries
OF 'Vive lie Roll" from the French,
and the firing of guns, La Sale took
possession Of all the country drained
by the great Mississippi and it's tribu-
taries under the name of Louisiana,
for the French king and his successors.
Thus on a summer day did that vast
expanse from the Alleghanies to the
Rockies, from the unknown country
far northward of the great lakes to the
gulf, pass to the crown of him who,
thousands of leagues away, was en-.
gagged in wasting the revenue of q
great nation on the fripperies of a cor
rupt court and the transient glories OF
Versailles.
CHAPTER XIV. Il
IN WHICH POMPON BRINGS HAIR
MONY OUT OF DISCORD.
During La Sales absence Tonti