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Maps, plates, charts, etc., may be filmed at different reduction ratios. Those too large to be entirely included in one exposure are filmed beginning in the upper left hand corner, left to right and top to bottom, as many frames as required. The following diagrams illustrate the method: Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent dtre film6s d des taux de reduction diffdrents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour dtre reproduit en un seul clich6, il est filmd i partir de Tangle supdrieur gauche, de gauche d droite, et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre d'images ndcessaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la m^thode. 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 POPULAR BOOKS BY Joseph Banvard, D. D. FIRST EXPLORERS OF NORTH AMERICA; or, Discoveries AND Adventures in the New World. PIONEERS OF THE NEW WORLD. SOUTHERN EXPLORERS AND COLONISTS. PLYMOUTH AND THE PILGRIMS; or, Incidents of Adventure m THE History of the First Settlers. SOLDIERS AND PATRIOTS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLU- TION. Every library should be furnished with this series of American Histories.— New England Farmer. No more interesting and instructive reading can be put into the hands of ^c,\sX\\.— Portland Transcript. Every American should own these hooVs.— Scientific A merican. All published uniform with this volume. Price $1.25 each. Sold by all Booksellers, and sent free of postage on receipt of price, by D. LOTHROP & CO., BOSTON. n»' I ^ M N K r Council of Chiefs and Wairiors. A candidate for Medicine Man " Looking at the Sun." FIRST EXPLORERS OF ^ K i f I '.< 1 y k.covrv- TJ : rUK.ES IN 5RLI). JO'^RPH PANV,A]7r)^ n. n ■n : .. 1- I 5 PUBLISHED BY T; .THPO ' ..X). i 1^ <,■ ^-^ r IV / 1^ k ,;t_:.. i 1/ ^ <^^y J I.. .> ..*' 'K\ .s\ ■••, 1 <\ ^^^ \ lUncil of Cliirfs a: il Wji- ri.ui?. *.f -/-- ♦,v !fc# •.jt. ■£ -im. // FIRST EXPLORERS OF // NORTH AMERICA; OR DISCOVERIES AND ADVENTURES IN THE NEW WORLD. •i BY // JOSEPH BANVARD, D. D. WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY G. T. DAY, D. D. BOSTON: PUBLISHED BY D. LOTHROP & CO. DOY£^ N. H. : G. T. DAY AND CO. W^ Nl a^ = i rRISTED BT DUFFT, CabHMAN & Co. 603 Washington St., Boston. Thii advent counti" that th find th< heroic perienc engage ( its disc( dangers adventu est port played a has been to lay o| world, ai turn the cities wh INTRODUCTION. This volume deals with those adventures and adventurers that are connected with our own country. And the readers will easily perceive that they need not go far from home in order to find the points where strange and wonderful and heroic deeds have been done, and thrilling ex- periences have been shared. The men who were engaged in exploring and settling America, after its discovery by Columbus, often met difficulties, dangers and surprises equal to those which later adventurers have met while traversing the wild- est portions of Asia and Africa; and they dis- played a bravery amid hardships and perils which has been seldom equaled. To know what it cost to lay open this country to the knowledge of the world, and prepare the way for those who now turn the forests into fruitful fields and build cities where so lately stretched the wilderness, 5 . A 6 INTRODUCTION. will help to make us prize the homes where we now live amid peace and plenty. And the coun- try will wear a fresh interest in our eyes when wo have learned of the striking adventures connected with the portions of it with which we are perhaps every day brought in contact. In this volume, the author has told the story of these early adventures and adventurers, in a way that can hardly fail to awaken a deep interest in the readers and add to their valuable knowledge. G. T. D. Aftei of years ments w portion ( and alsc couragec I explorati coab!:-, a these ex< with the in their as the \v this intei ligerent. romantic graphicaj Togiv these ad of the f has been fere witl particula PREFACE. After the discovery of America, a numoer of years elapsed before any permanent settle- ments were formed, especially on the nonL" rn portion of the continent. During this interviiJ, and also after colonies began to be p] mtod, courageous Dnd enterprising men made various explorations along its almost intermiribtc coaslh, and into its vast, unknown interior. In these excursions they had numerous interviews with the natives, to whom they were as strange, in their appearance, language, and manners, as the wild natives were to them. Sometimes this intercourse was friendly, at other times bel- ligerent. It resulted in many adventures, both romantic and tragic, and also in many geo- graphical discoveries. To give an account of the more important of these adventures and discoveries is the object of the present volume. Chronological order has been observed, so far as it would not inter- fere with the continuous narrative respecting particular individuals. li I! f i 'A 8 PREFACE. Beginning with a brief account of Christo- pher Columbus, we have given the adventures of John and Sebastian Cabot, the discoverers of North America ; Cortereal, the kidnapper of the Labrador Indians ; Ponce de Leon, the romantic wanderer after the fountain of perpet- ual youth; Verazzano, the Florentine adven- turer ; Narvaez, the Floridian gold-seeker ; Car- tier, the discoverer of the St. Lawrence ; De Soto, the proud cavalier, who discovered the Mississippi only to be buried beneath its waters ; Frobisher, who carried home cargoes of worth- less stone, under the impression that it was gold ore ; John Davis, the bold navigator among the icebergs of the north ; Hore, with his man- eating crew ; Weymouth, and his conspirators ; Hudson, who first discovered the great artery of New York ; Champlain, the Canadian pi- oneer; Marquette, the gentle missionary; La Salle, the indomitable explorer of the Father of Waters ; and Father Hennepin, the discov- erer of the Falls of St. Anthony. From these accounts a correct opinion may be formed of the kind of experience which those underwent who first traversed the coast and explored the interior of this great continent t t LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. I. II. III. IV. V. VI. VII. VIII. IX. X. XI. XII. xin. XIV. XV. XVI. FRONTISPIECE, ILLUSTRATED TITLE PAGE. NOVEL MODE OF BARTERING, . 43 MAN-RIDING KING, ... 47 DE SOTO'S LANDING IN FLORIDA, . . 83 FIRING OF DE SOTO'S CANNON, ... 191 DE SOTO OFFERING PRAYER FOR BAIN, 135 FROBISUER SEIZING AN INDIAN, . . 149 THE STERN THIEF, 225 LA SALLE'S VOYAGE DOWN LAKE MICHIGAN, 26S SHOOTING A BEAR AFTER GRAPES, ,LA SALLE HUNTING OPOSSUMS, . RAISING THE THREE CALUME TS, . INDIAN DANCE INDIAN MODE OP KINDLING A FIRE, INDIAN WEAPONS, . . . , 268 278 300 303 825 i i \ America ni Island. — Third Vo) He discovi Indians.— bis Coastii desired. — tion.«. — Ti Second Vt tereaL — h Leon. — S< Effect of Cliimerical eries. — Oi tions. — Pc ing.— His Traffic in bui ica.— A nj covered. — CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. America unknown. — Columbus. — His Difficulties.— .DfscoTen C«t Island. — Erroneous Conjecture. — Columbus's Second Voyage. — Tliird Voyage. — Discovers the Main Land. — John Cabot's Patent— He discovers Labrador. — The Natives. — Productions. — He kidnaps Indians. — Sebastian Cabot. — Discovers a great River. — Extent of his Coasting. — Caspar Cortereal. — Old Way to India. — New Way desired. — Cortereal's Object. — Reaches the Coast — His Observa- tioiu<. — Turns Kidnapper. — Enthusiasm on his Return Home. — II is Second Voyage. — Discovers Greenland. — His End. — Miguel Cor- tereaL — His Voyage. — Results. — Spanish Conquests. — Ponce do Leon. — Seeks for Gold. — Imprudent Cliie£ — Ponce's Promotion. — Effect of Imagination. — Welcome News. — Ponce enthusiastic.— Chimerical Voyage. — Mysterious Fountain. — Accidental Discov- eries. — One by Ponce. — Origin of "Florida." — Spanish Assump- tions. .— Ponce a Governor. — Loses Reputation. — Attempts a Land- ing. — Hia Reception by the Indians. — Defeat and Death. CHAPTER II. Traffic in human Beings. — John de Verazzana — Coasts North Amer- ica. — A narrow Escape. — Fears and Friends. — Two Squaws dis- covered. — A Child stolen. — Verazzano'a Discoveries. — Eaten 12 CONTENTS. I h- Newport — Block Island. — Suspicious Indians. — Fears overcome.— Two Kings. — Their Attire. — Effects of Prejudice against Yellow.— Mirrors rejected. — A novel Mode of Bartering. — Contemptuous Con- duct. — Verazzano returns. — First Description of North America.— Claims of France. — Verazzano'a Death. 34 iti \'W (JHAPrER III. Attempts at colonizing. — Failures — Pamphilo de Narvae/.. — Terrific Hurricane. — Sacrilegious Proceeding — Narvaez seeks for Gold. — A Man-riding Chief. — An Accident — A Town taken.— Ambush.— The Party diminished. — The Sea found. — Original Boat-building.— Perilous Coasting. — Boats scattered. — End of the Expedition. — Al- ▼aro Nunez escapes. — Juan de Ortiz remains behind. CHAPTER IV. James Cartier. — Island of Birds. — Effect of Musketry. — Efiect of Presents — Timid Damsels. — Miserable Livers — Great Gulf dis- covered and explored. — Donnacouna — Gives away two of bis Children. — Frightlhl Stories. — Strange Mode of Warning. — Tbe River. — HoChelega Native Hospitality. — Venerated Chie£ — Meaning of " Montreal."— Dreadful Disease. — A deceptive Device. ■— Ceremonies and Vows. — Indian Remedy. — King stealing. — Th« Trap laid, and sprung. — Grief turned to Joy. — Kidnapped Kmg introduced to Court. — Lord of Roberval. — Expedition of Hore. — Fat Birds. — Following the Natives. — Primitive Cooking.— Intense Sufferings. — Cannibalism. — The fatal Lot — Starvation in the Midst of Plenty. — Welcome Arrival. — Piracy. — The two Ki ngs SI CHAPTER V. Hernando de Sotd. — His Bravery and Skill. — His Horsemanship be- fore the Inca. — The Inca's Cruelty. — De Soto's Wealth. — His Appearance at Court. — Isabella de Bobadilla a Bride. — Return of I-: Mi; CONTENTS. 13 Nunez. — His exciting Reiwrts. — Mode of rondurting ExpediticuH of Discovery. — De Soto assumes all Expense. — Portuguese Volun- teers, — Their Enthusi. — Visitors. — Indian Alliance. — Mr. Heckewelder. — Interesting Tra- dition. — The long House. — How it was shortened. — The Conduct of the Natives. — The Crew land. — What they saw. — Hudson sus- picious. — Unfortunate Adventure. — A gloomy Night. — A sad Spectacle. — The Burial. — Coleman's Point — Precautionary Meas- ures.— More Visitors. — Indian Stratagem. — Indians captured.— One escapes. — Red Coats. — Discovers a great River. — Its Names. — Show of Love. — Want of Confidence 194 CHAPTER XV. Suspicious Visitors. — Hudson's Progress. — The Highlands. — Thick Fog. — Effect of its Disapfiearance. — The two Captives again. — Catskill Mountains. — Loving People. — Cause of bad Luck. — Trade. — Hudson. — Shoals. — Adventures of the Mate. — Proof of Friendship. — Feeling the Way. — Hudson intoxicates the Indians. — Modest Wife. — Drunken Chief. — Effect upon the People. — Wam- pum. — The Chief recovers. — Thank Offering. 205 till!! ! Hi CHAPTER XVI. Effect of Ardent Spirits. — Heckewelder. — Singular Tradition. — Great Surprise. — Opinionsxonceniing the Arrival of the first Ship.^ Effect upon the Indians. — Preparation for its Reception. — Grand Dance. — Exciting Reports of the Runners. — Salutations ex- changed. — A Man tn Red — How he is received. — He drinks, and t CONTENTS. 17 oflkn the Glass to the Indians. — Their Conduct — One of them, after a Speech, drinks. — Its EfTect. — His Assertions. — His Exam- ple loUowed. — General Intoxication. — Presents. — Their ridiculous Use of them. — The Whites considered Gwla. — Story of the Bul- lock's Hide. — Indians outwitted. — Locality of this Scene. — DitFcr- ent Names of Manhattan Island 213 CHAPTER XVII. Hudson's highest Point — He descends. — Lands — Trees. — The old Man again. — Disappointed Chief. — Fishing. — Newburgh. — Hard Metal. — A Boat Thief. — An Affray. — Effect of a Gun. — • The two Captives again. — An Attack. — The RepuL^e. — Attack renewed. — Falcon. — Its Execution. — Both Parties retreat — Appearance of Ore. — Sail along Manhattan. — The Half Moon at Sea. — Magic Change. — Different Rates of Travel. — The Time Hudson occupied in exploring the River. — Extent of the Country. — Population.— English Prohibition. — Crew mutinies. — Hudson returns 229 CHAPTER XVIII. Rum and Gunpowder. — Samuel Champlain. — His Discovery. — French and Indian Allies. — A War Party. — The Five Nations.— Champlain passes up the St. Lawrence. — Lake St Peter. — Sorelle River. — Indian Deception. — Dangerous Rapids. — Vessel sent back. — Vigilance. — Beautiful Country. — Superstitious Incanta- tions. — Champlain's pretended Dream. — Its happy Effect — Pas- sage through Lake Champlain. — Transparent Water. — Unexpected Meeting. — Singular Message. — Morning Battle. — Novel Expedi- ent — Effect of Fire-arms. — Victorious Rejoicings. — Indian Prac- ti te after a Battle. — Tortures. — Champlain returns to France 231 CHAPTER XIX. Rumors of a great River. — Opinions concerning it. — Reasons for visit- ing it — The exploring Party. — Wild Rice India..s. — Their Ad- 8* I' hi r ' ■ -^ 18 CONTENTS. !l!l|l| yiee. — Alarming Stories. — Bait Bay. — No Salt — Dcautiful Land- Bcape. — A Cross discovered. — Village in Commotion. — Tti« Portage. — Pleasant Sail. — Iron Mines. — The Mississippi Mode of Travailing. — Welcome Paths. — Romantic Cluster of Villages. — Their Judicious Approach. — Friendly Reception. — Courteous Enter- tainment — The Calumet. — Council. — Feast. — Escort. — Meaning of " Illinois." — Departure. — Looking out for a River. — Discover huge painted Monsters. 941 CHAPTER XX. ''•n ii m Mil '■■ill i m Marquette discovers the Missouri. — Effect of its Waters upon the Mis- sissippi. — Marquette's Opinions. — The Platte and Colorado. — The Ohio passed. — Spirit's Residence. — Ochres. — Reeds. — Interview with Indians. — Possess European Articles. — Warlike Movements allayed by the Calumet. — Interpreter discovered. — Arkansas In> dians. — Escort of ten Canoes. — Distance of the Sea. — The Party in Danger. — The Peril escai)cd. — Reasons for returning. — Enter the Illinois. — A Chief invites Marquette to return. — Reach Chica- go. — Time of Absence. — Marquette settles as a Missionary. — His Presentiment. — His rural Worship. — His Retirement. — His singu- lar Decease. 253 CHAPTER XXI. La Salle. — His Opinions about China. — His Desire for Adventure. — His Patents. — His Company. — Builds a Vessel. — First Voyage. — Great Storm. — A Vow to St. Anthony. — False Rumors. — The Griffin lost. — Noise forbidden. — A Bear shot. — EflTect of the Re- port. — Robbery False Friendship. — Case of Perplexity. — A Bat- tle at Hand. — Effect of a Parley. — The Difficulty adjusted. — Want of Food. — Arrival of De Tonty. — La Salle lost. — Kills Opos- sums. — Finds the Company. — Disagreeable Voyage. — The wel- come Buffalo. — Forsaken Village. —The Reason. — La Salle seizM CONTENTS. 19 Corn. — Now Year's Day. — M.ih.4. — Hennepin exhorts the Men. The EducL — Lake i'ouria. — Muiining of tlie Name aci CHAPTER XXII. A Villapo. — Bold ApproacJj. — La Sallo's Policy. — Three Calumets. — Friendly Undorstandin)^ — Ccrciuonious Hospitality. — La Sallo'a Explanation. — Pay for Com. — Sudden Change. — ElTcct of Slan- der. — More terrible Stories. — Deserters. — A ProjKJsition. — Fort of the Broken Heart. — Ship-building. — Bold Resolution. — Troulilofl accumulato. — A constant Friend. — Change of Plan. — Tonty with the Illinois. — Alarming Ucport. — Tonty'a Danger. — Sudden Re- treat. — Father do la Ribourdo walks in tho Wood. — Never re- turns. — His Dcatli. — Painful Travelling. — Sieur de Boisrondr*. lost — Ills Advcuturea. — Three great Captains 27(1 CHAPTER XXIII. The Party. — Women and Children with them. — Employments of th« Women. — Ice. — A Man lost — Unnecessary Alarm. — Means of Defence. — Friendly Relations. — La Sallo takes Possession. — In- dian King. — Native Royalty. — Permanent Dwellings. — A Canoe ciiaaed. — Numerous Natives. — Respect for tlie Calumet — Natch- ez. — Escort — Abandoned Village — Horrid Spectacle. — Tliree Channels. — A Party explores each. — Tho Gulf of Mexico reached. — La Salle takes Possession of Louisiana. — Evidence of Possession. — Uo returns. — Ascent of the River difficult 387 CHAPTER XXIV. Fatlier Hennepin. — A Fleet of Canoes. — Hennepin interrupts it — Ii caiHurcd. — Crjing Indians. — Prisoners doomed to die. — Hennepin's Cuurae.- Captivity instead of Deatii.<— Strength of the Nativea — ii i! ■^ 20 CONTENTS. Dancoof the Rood. — Chief Aquipaguetin.— Makes a Feaflt. — Sin- giilar Conduct. — Indian Cunning. — Lake of Tears. — Captives in BuH|)cn8e. — Mode of kindling a Fire. — Falls of Su Anthony. — Separation of the Captives. — Pace quickened hy Fire. — The Chalice a Bup|)oaed Spirit. — A comic Musician. — Hennepin adopted. — Flia Treatment — Ridiculous Scene. — Indian Sweat. — Tlio ConipaHs. — The Pot and Lion. — Mode of learning the Language. — Putting Black to White. — Infant Baptism. — Infant dies. — Hennepin's con- Foling Reflecttons. 296 CHAPTER XXV, Pierced Pine. — An Offering and I'rayer to the Falls. — The Vow ful- filled. — Picard forgets his Powder. — A great Seriwnf. — Disturbance in Camp.— 'I'ho Law of Hunting. — Hennopin goes to the Wiscon- sin. — His Disappointtnent. — Is reduced to great Straits. — Indian and Thorn. — Effect of Excitement. — Groat Alarm. — A Drove of Stags. — Fire Spirits. — Sieur du Ijtith. — His Eipiipagc. — Henne- pin's pretended Relationship. — Digs up his Properly. — His Discov- eries. — The Party leave the Indians. — They fire a parting Salute.— Its Effect — They steal a votive Offering. — Arrive at Mackinaw. — Hennepin's Description of Niagara Falls. — Columbus and the Birds.— Small Vessels. — Watchful Providence 3tt f CHAPTER I. America unknown. — Colnmhus. — Ilia DifTicullics. — Disroi « Cat Island. — Erroneous Conjecture. — Columbus's Scc(>.,ti Voyage. — Tliird Voyage. — Pisrovcrs the Main Land. — John Cabot's Patent, — lie discovers Labrador. — The Natives.— Productions. — He kidnaps Indians. — Sebastian Cabot. — Discovers a great River. — Extent of his Coasting. — Caspar Cortereal. — Old Way to India. — Now Way desired. — Corte* real's Objec — Reaches the Coast. — His Observations.— Turns Kidnapper. — Enthusiasm on his Return Home. — His Second Voyage. — Discovers Greenland. — His End. — Miguel Cortereal. -^ His Voyage. — Results. — Spanish Conquests. — Ponce de Leon. — Socks for Golil. — Imprudent Chief. — Ponce's Promotion. — EtVcct of Imagination. — Welcome News. — Ponce enthusiastic — Chimerical Voyage. — Mysterious Foun- tain. — Accidental Discoveries. — One by Ponce. — Origin of "Florida." — Spanish Assumptions. — Ponce a Governor. — Loses Reputation. — Attempts a Landing. — His Reception by the Indians. — Defeat and Death. Previous to tlie voyages of Christopher Colum- bus, the existence of the immense continent of America was unknown to the nations of the eastern hemisphere. Here was a territory of maiiy thou- sands of miles in extent, containing the largest riv- ers, lakes, and mountains in the world, with numer- ous towns and villages, some of whose inhabitants, especially in the southern part of the continent, had made considerable progress' towards civilization ; ?! f v% 22 DISCOVERY OF AMERICA. and yet a knovvled<^e of those facts was concealed from all the rest of the world. The ocean, which, hy the art of navigation, is now converted into a hif^hway of communication hetween the two conti- nents, was then an impassahle barrier. It is no etisy task, at the present time, to conceive the difficulties which must have beset th.ise who were the pioneers in the discovery of the different parti of this western world. Columbus, a native of Genoa, in Italy, from the time he first projected a voyage for the purpose of discovering either a new continent, or a western pas sage to the East Indies, until he landed upon the new world, was surrounded by embarrassments suffi- ciently numerous and great to have totally dis- couraged any other than a man of indomitable per severance. But he was not doomed to a disappoint ment. His unfaltering hope, his ceaseless industry his patient self-denial, and his inflexibility of pur- pose, were all rewarded when, at midnight, on the 12th of October, old style, 1492, the cheering cry of *« Land ! land ! " was heard from on board his vessel, which, for two months, had been tossed about upon the restless billows of an apparently shoreless ocean. The land proved to be Cat Island, sometimes called San Salvador, one of the Bahamas. As Columbus had sailed under the auspices of Ferdinand and Isabella, of Spain« he took posses- H JOHN CABOT. 23 sion of the newly-discovered country in their name. After visiting various other islands, he returned to communicate the results of his voyage. The im- jM^rtant intelligence was soon diffused, and every where elicited the spirit of inquiry and adventure. It was generally supposed that the lands which he had discovered were the western extremity of India. For this reason they were generally spoken of as the Indies. After this opinion was known to be er- roneous, they were still designated the West Indies, which name they have always retained. On the 25th of September, 1493, Columbus set sail from Cadiz on his second voyage, and on the 2d of November he discovered one of the Caribbee Islands, to which he gave the name of Dominico. After cruising several weeks among these islands, and establishing a colony, he returned without see- ing the main land. This was reserved for his third voyage, when he had the honor to land on the coast of Paria, in South America. Columbus made one voyage more, but without effecting any addition- al important discoveries. He never saw North America ! Previous to his third voyage, Henry VII., King of England, was aroused to the importance of en- gaging in maritime adventure. He gave to John Cabot, a Venetian merchant, whose residence was in Bristol, a patent, authorizing ^lim and his three sonsi i\ I 24 cabot's discovkry. or either of them, their heirs, or tlieir deputies, to explore the eastern, western, or nortliern sea, at their own expense. Tiiey were to raise tlie royal hanners of England over any castles, towns, cities, islands, or continents which they might discover, and rule over them as governors, subject to the crown of England. They also had guarantied to them the monopoly of the trade of the countries which they should discover, on condition that all their pro- ductions should be brought into the port of Bristol, where they were to be received free of duties, and also, that, when sold, one fifth of their net profits should be paid into the royal treasury. Under this patent, Cabot set sail from England in May, 1497, in a vessel called the Matthew, and on June 24th, came in sight of land near the fifty-sixth degree of north latitude — probably the coast of Labrador, which afterwards was sometimes called Newfoundland. Thus the North American conti- nent was discovered by a private commercial com pany, under the protection of the King of England, more than a year before the main land of South America was seen by Columbus. This original dis- covery established the right of England, above other European nations, to take possession of the newly- discovered lands on the North American continent. But justice demanded that previous to their occupancy by colonies, they should be purchase It was a great desideratum to find some other pas- sage which would be less tedious and costly. It had been by some conjectured that possibly a new route might be found by sailing in an opposite direction from the Cape of Good Hope, to the north-west. If the earth was round, why could they not reach the Indies by sailing to the north-west as well as the south-east 1 One object of Caspar Cortereal was. to disc Spice he dir and ro rador, tions coverec adapte( were fi hardy, of the caves, tlieni o afterwa as the que nee APPEARANCE OF LABRADOR. 27 to discover tliis nortli-west passage to Cliirm and the Spice Islands. Having arrived at Newfoiindlaiid, lie directed liis course northward along the bleak and rocky coast, to which he gave the njinie of Lab- rador, which it still etains. He observed that por- tions of the country along which he sailed wore covered i^ith forests, the timber of which was well adapted for masts and spars of ships. The waters were full of fish. The inhabitants were robust and hardy, though poor. They were skilful in the use of the bow, were clothed in skins, and lived in caves. Cortereal managed to get fifty or more of them on board his vessel, whom he kidnapped, and afterwards sold as slaves ! He sailed as far north as the fiftieth degree of latitude, when, in conse- quence of the severity of the cold, and the dangers arising from the icebergs which were floating around him, he concluded ti postpone further operations till next year. He returned, and gave such a favor- able account of his voyage, and expressed such san- guine hopes of discovering the long-Iookcd-for north- west passage, that the court caught his enthusiasm, and authorized him to make another voyage, with twc vessels under his command. He did so. The voyage proceeded favorably till they reached a coast to which they gave the name of Terra Vfi'dc, (Greenland;) not the country which is now called (ireenland, but some part of the coast which they t t > Si 4 V i 28 THE C0UTKUHAL9. illll had visited before, but wliicli j)r()bul)ly appeared to tiiem more verdant than on their former voyagfe. Here a violent storm arose, which separated the two vessels. The one which contained Cortereal was never seen ajjain. It is said by some that he was slain in a conflict with the natives, whom he was en- deavoring to kidnap. If so, he received no more than was his due. The practice of the early voy- agers to this country of kidnap|)ing the free sons of the forest, and reducing them to slavery in a foreign land, cannot be too strongly denounced. Gaspar Cortereal had a younger brother, whose; name was Miguel. Being deeply aillicted at the long absence of his brother, he went, with the permission of th*! king, in search of him. He had three ves- sels. When they arrived near the coast of North America, they each took a separate course, with orders to me; at a designated place of rendezvous by the 20th of August. Two of them kept the appointment, but Miguel did not. He was never heard from after parting with his companions. A third brother still remained, who would have gone in pursuit of the other two if he had not received a prohibition from the king. Since these unfortunate voyages, the Portuguese have made no attempt to form a settlement on any part of the coast, though they were among the first who engaged in the Newfoundland fishery, and carried it on upon au extensive scale. A GOLD SEEKER. '^ After this, the attention of adventurers was drawn to tlie southerly part of the coast. The Sj)aniards had ah'eady coninicnced tlieir successful career of conquest in the gold-producing countries of South America. This not only whetted the aj)- petite of the nation for similar conquests elsewhere, but also trained up a band of hardy, adventurous soldiery, to whom nothing was more attractive than a field for new discoveries, where, with their Toledo blades and noble steeds, they might carve out a for- tune for themselves. Among these was Juan Ponce de Leon, a renowned cavalier, who had served with much distinction under Columbus. Ilavinjj been informed by the natives of one of the West India Islands that Porto Rico, an island lying east of Ilayti, abounded in gold, he could not resist the temptation to make it a >isit. After successfully effecting a landing, and being well received by its inhabitants, he made inquiries for the precious metal. The cacique, or chief, led him all over the island, and pointed out to him the different localities where the treasure could be found. After subjugating the natives, Ponce de Leon established a colony, and, as a reward for his discovery and services, was appoint- ed governor of the island. Although he obtained some gold, his expectations of great wealth were not destined here to be realized. He found it diffi- cult to compel the natives to work us slaves. Insur* 3* p f » • !l l\ ao A ROMANTIC ENTERPRISE. rections broke out among tliein, and many Spaniards were slain. Individuals who possess a vivid imagination and a spirit of romantic adventure can be easily excited by the most visionary projects. Sometimes, the more unreal and improbable these objects are, the higher will be the entiiusiasm they awaken. So in- fatuated do their votaries become, that repeated dis- appointments fail of effecting a cure. No sooner had the golden bubble of Porto Rico burst before the enraptured eye of Ponce de Leon, than he became almost wild with excitement at the extremely grati- fying intelligence, that on one of the Bahama Ishmds was a remarkable fountain, which possessed the marvellous property of renewing the youth of all those who bathed in its magic waters. However aged, wrinkled, and infirm they might be, let them but plunge into this mysterious laver of nature, and by its wonderful influence they would be restored to all the vigor and beauty of youth. To discover this fountain, and enjoy the benefit of its renovating power, was henceforth the great object of Ponce de liCon's pursuit. He embarked on this chimerical voyage with three vessels, and spent many months in sailing altmg the coasts, and winding, ofttimes in great peril, among the rocks and shoals of the Ba- hamas. He made freipient landings, and Gvary stream, lake, or pool, whether clear or mud ly, wliL'fh L'lirpot with 1 But II gray wrinki that tl the ela (lirectlj that, ii second same i before this vo alchemi j»her's touched tent virt a!)Ie to bled upc though Bi mmi, heatinir his searc away to seen. A with imn sion of t PONCr, S FOM.T. ai f: \ wliL'tlier liavinjr a surface like a polislicd mirror, or carpeted with a rich green scum, he phin'i I 40 WHO DISCOVKUED THE HUDSON UIVER 1 which we saw all around its shores. . . . We (lid not land there, as the wcatiier was unfavorahle, but j)roceeded to another j)lace liiteen lea<>ues dis- tant IVom the island, where we found an excellent liarhor. . . . This region is situated in the par- allel of Rome, being 41° 40' of north latitude, hut much colder from accidental circumstances, and not irom nature, as I shall heieafter explain to your majesty, and confm-i mysi If at present to the de- scription of its loci Uion. It looks towards the south, on which side e harbor is half a league broad ; afterwards, upon entering it, the extent be- tween the coast and north is twelve leagues, and then enlarging itself, it forms a very large bay, twenty leagues in circumference, in which are five small islands of great fertility and beauty, covered with large and lofty trees. Among these islands any fleet, however large, might ride safely, without fear of tempests or dangers. Turning towards the south, tit the entrance of the harbor, on both sides, there are very pleasant hills, and many streams of clear water, which flow down to the sea." It is upon this indefinite and unsatisfactory de- scription of Verazzano, unaccompanied byanyciiart from him, that some authors have asserted that he refers to Hudson River and the Bay of New York. Others deny this, and maintain that his description will not apply there. After a careful examination ^^9 n INDIANS ASTONISHED. 41 of tlie siil)joct, Yates ami Moiiltoii, in tlioir History ot New Yolk, say, " AVe believe that, altlioiiirh Verazzjino may have touched at Sandy Hook, coasted Long Island, and visited one of our former islands in its nortii-eastern vicinity, and in the lati- tude mentioned by him, yet he never entered our bay or river, (Hudson.) It appears to us that tliis description may apply with tolerable precision to Newport, in Rhode Island. There are the small islands, the gulf, the safe moorinjj for a navy, the outlets to the sea of many rivers, whether we in- clude those of Taunton, Lees, Coles, Palmers, and Seakonk or Pawtucket, euiptyinj^ into the gulf or sea, or tlie east passage and other outlets to the ocean." The island of triangular form, resembling the Island of Rhodes, is believed to be Block Island, situated near the eastern extremity of Long Island, and south of Rhode Island. At the place which Verazzano mentions as being fifteen leagues distant from the island, he was met by twenty canoes, full of peoj)le, who rowed around the ship, uttering exclamations of astonishment. Being fejirful of these strange visitors, the Indians kept at a safe distance. They seem to have been sus- picious of the Frenchmen's kidnapping propensities. At tirst they would not come nearer than within fifty paces ; but afterwards, by the show of presents and signs of friendship from the vessel, they approached I t > (! 'i V i i1 fJOLD NOT VALUED. siifliciently close to cntch the articles, such as bells, mirror^i, and other toys, which were thrown to them, with which they were greatly })leased. They after- ward'! came on hoard without fear. Among them were " two kings, more beautit'nl in form and stature than can |)ossihly he described." They were clothed with deer skins, handsomely embroidered with dam- f«sk figures. Their heads were uncovered. Their long, straight, dark hair was tied back with various knots. Their necks were ornamented with a large chain, containing many different colored stones. These were the best lookinj; tribe that Verazzano saw on the coast, Their faces were narrow, their eyes black and piercing, and yet the general expres- sion of their features was mild and pleasant. Tlie women, though but partially dressed, were more or- namented than the men. Copper was more highly esteemed among them than gold. As yellow is a color which they es})ecially dislike, they set but little value on gold. They are particularly pleased with red and azure. Of the presents which they received from the French, they were the most gratified with bells, azure crystals, and jewels to suspend in their ears or hanj!: around their necks. It is somewhat singular that tiiey had no desire for looking-glasses. They did not even keep them when given to them. They looked into them, smiled, and then returned them. They were hospitable and generous, giving away any articles thr'v possessed. A strangf: mkthod of bartkring. 43 On tl)(! 5tli of AImv, l'y2\, Vcra/./.juio \r.\i\v tliesc friciully natives ndirn, and, dircrtiny' hi.s course by the coast, lie sailed a liundred and fifty leajrues. Ife observed that the land rose hi'iher, and appar- ently contained minerals. The people whom he met were far more rude and savaj^e than those he last left. He went ashore and examined their Novel .Mode ol IJiiricriug. dwellings, and found that they lived uixvn fish, fruits, rind roots. He could hold no satisfactory commu- ui ;ation with them. When the French wished to trade with them, so timid were these Indians that ihey came to the chfl's, near iV^> ocean, and then lowered down by a cord whatever articles they had to barter. The Frenchmen ' below would untie i f t u i 0* i ^ mtgHmmmmmmmmmmm 44 VERAZZANO'S DEATH. lliem, and in their place fasten tlie articles which they exchanged in their stead ; the Indians at the same time crying* out for them to come no nearer, and demanding that the exchanges should he in- stantly made. They would receive nothing hul knives, fishhooks, and sharpened steel. No atten- tion was paid to signs of friendship or courtesy ; and when the French departed from the shore, the savages, by certain significant gestures, exhibited towards them the greatest contempt. Tfcj,ey at- tempted to prevent their landing ; but whSn tluy found this impossible, after pouring into them a shower of arrows, they fled to the woods, uttering loud and horrible cries. After sailing along these shores for the distance of seven hundred leagues, and collecting all the information he could, Veraz- zano returned to France and made his report to the king. This report is the earliest description of the coast of North America now known to be in ex- istence. His discoveries gave France a claim to large portions of the new world. He had actually sailed along the whole coast of the United States, and a considerable portion of British America. It is generally supposed that Verazzano made a second voyage, when he came to an untimely end. He is said to have been seized by the savages, ki/ledi and eaten. Tliis, however, is not certain. 45 CHAPTER III. Attempts at eoloiiiziiij^. — Failures. — Pamphilo dc Narvaez. ■^ Terrific Hurricane. — Sacrilegious Proceeding. — Narvacz sccka for Gold. — A Man-riding Chief. — An Accident. — A Town taken. — Amhusli. — The Party diminished. — The Sea found.— Original Boat-buililing. — Perilous Coasting. — Boats scat- tered. — End of the E.\pedilion. — Alvaro Nunez escapes.— Juan de Orliz remains behind. After the discovery of Florida by Ponce de Leon, ill addition to tlie Freiicli, various Spanish adventurers made it a visit, and coasted many miles alonjr its shores, obtaining some idea of the size of the immense continent to which it belonged. There were tho.se, also, who desired to make explorations in the interior, with the hope of finding it as pro- ductive in gold and precious stones as they had dis- covered South America to be. Among these was Pamphilo de Narvaez, who, in June, 1527, em barked at St. Lucas, with five vessels and six hun- dred men. Whilst stoj)ping at Dominica, one of the West India Islands, he experienced one of those terrific hurricanes common in that climate. The walls and houses of the city were blown down ; trees were torn up by the rocts ; the sea was in violent commotion ; the lives of men were de- stroyed ; the vessels were tossed about like chips Ji Si il 4 IHHIHIH 46 SEARCH FOR GOI.T>. li: upon tlie water, and when tlic storm abafcd it wa fonnd that the vessel of Alvsiro Nnne/, the secretary and treasurer of the expedition, was entirely de- stroyed. Sonje of the rnen here abandoned the enterprise, so that the six hundred folh)wers of Paniphih) were reduced to four hundred. Tl»ey remained here till sjjring, when they set sail f<»r I'lorida, the land of promise, which they reached on the 12th of April. They soon landed, and pushed into the interior. They discovered a nund)er of chests, containing the bodies of the dead, which Narvaez conjectured were in some way connected with idolatry. He therefore ordered these cases and their contents to be consumed to ashes — a pro- ceeding which was directly adaj)ted to excite the abhorrence of the natives, and induce them to treat with hostility those who could in this manner abuse, without any just cause, the remains of the dead. The eyes of the Spaniards were especially attracted by certain golden ornaments worn by the Indians ; they earnestly incpiired where this metal could be found. The wily savages, to get rid of their un- welcome invaders, told them that the precious metal abounded in the interior of the country, at a place called Apalachee. Narvae/, though opposed by some of his officers, determined to set out at once in pursuit of the gold region. Taking with him three hundred men, of whom forty were mounted MAN'-HIDINr. KING. 47 upon horses, eacli liaviri^: two pounds of biscuit ar.(J half a ])ound of j)oik, ho coninuMH'cd liis niandi. After a dreary journey, aeconipanied with heat, liun- ger, and fatiijue, of fifteen days, without seeinVENTTTRES Or ALVARO. as: ^iSi tile tribe, and fled, leaving the Spaniards to dcfetm themselves alone. Narvaez and almost all his men were wounded before the enemy were repulsed. They were glad to hasten from such belli<^ercnt neighbors. They soon after discovered another populous harbor, and managed to create a quarrel which obliged them to make a hasty retreat. They were again reduced to a forlorn condition. Tiicir provisions were almost gone, and the boats found it difficult to sail in company. Alvaro Nunez asked of Narvaez what should be done. " Every man must look out for himself," was the answer ; and soon after he was out of sight, never to be seen Hgain. Thus fatally terminated the expedition of Pcimphilo de Narvaez after Floridian gold. Some of the Spaniards, after they were abandoned by Narvaez, their leader, were seized by the In- dians and reduced to servitude. Among these were Juan de Ortiz and Alvaro Nunez. They were also compelled to practise as physicians. In vain did they plead ignorance of the art. Their captors would not beheve them. To satisfy them, the Span- iards breathed upon their patients and pronounced over them some Spanish words, whicii the ignorant and superstitious savages believed were of great effi- cacy ; for from that moment the patients declared that they experienced very great relief. Alvaro managed to escape and penetrate into the JUAN DE ORTIZ LEFT. 5r interior. He carried with him marine phmts and shells, which he exchanged with the inland tribes. With his exchanges he returned to the coast, and traded them oft' to the natives there. In this man- ner he spent several years as a pedler between tlie tribes on the coast and those who were inland. As these tribes were at war, they would not trade direct- ly with each other, but they were very glad to have a neutral communication opened between them During this time Alvaro was gathering information so as to know what course to pursue in order to reach Mexico. After obtaining sufficient knowledge to start, he slipped away and directed his course to the west. He crossed the Mississippi ; reached the confines of Texas ; pressed on towards Mexico ; struggled through swamps ; wandered, faint and weary, through deserts and over mountains ; fled from some tribes, was captured by others ; now working as a slave, and then practising as a physi- cian, he finally, after incredible hardships and ad- ventures, some tragic and others romantic, arrived at Compostella, a Spanish settlement in Mexico, about fifty miles from the Pacific Ocean, where he was received with kind hospitality. He was accom- panied in these long and tedious rambles, across an uncivilized continent, from the Atlantic to the Pa- cific, by two or three Spanish comrades. Juan de Ortiz was left behind. t f r f r' i\ 4 ft-s *^ k k H i I 54 p CHAPTER IV. James C'-^rlicr. — Islaiifl of Birds. — Eflect of Musketry. — Eflecl of Presciils, — Timid Damsels. — Miserable Livers. — Great G ilf discovered. — And Explored. — Donnacoiiiia. — Gives away two of his Children. — Frijfhtfiil Stories. — Strange Mode of Warning. — The River. — Ilochelcga. — Native Hospital- ity. — Venerated Chief. — Meaning of Montreal. — Dreadful Disct'ise. — A deceptive Device. — Ceremonies and Vows. — Indian Remedy. — King stealing. — The Trap laid, and sj)rung. — Grief turned to Joy. — Kidnai)ped King introduced to Court. — Lord of Roberval. — Expedition of Hore. — Fat Birds. — Following the Natives. — Primitive Cooking. — Intense Suflerings. — Cannibalism. — The fatal Lot. — Starvation in the Midst of Plenty. — Welcome Arrival. — Piracy. — The two Kings. In tlie year 1506, one Jean Denys sailed from Hon fleur, a seaport at the mouth of the Seine in France, to Newfoundland. He explored and drew a map of the Gulf of St. Lawrence and tiie adjacent coasts In 1508, Thomas Aubert sailed from Dieppe, itt Frauce, to Newfoundland, passed up the St. Law rence, kidnapped some of the natives, and tool» tliem to Paris. Ir. the course of a {ew years, he was followed In .lames Cartier, a bold mariner of St. Malo. He se sail from France, April ^Oth, 15!ll, and came in sigh of Cape Bonavista on the 10th of May. Though ii was whicfl tion wVticI liaysj arres digi7 He relumed to France, and was soon fitted for another voyage to the same coast. On this second voyage he saw a large gulf, which, as lie passed it on the day of St. Lawrence, he called the (iulf of St. Lawrence. Having been informed by the In- dians that it was the outlet of a large river, he sailed into it, and found it gradually diniinishing in width until it v/aa indeed only a river. He passed up it, till he reached the Island which is now called Orleans. He was here visited by Domiaconna, the ruler of this region, with about five hundred of his subjects, of all ages and sexes. Donnaconna made a long speech, in a language not one word of which the French understood, but which, from his tones of voice and general appearance, they interpreted as of a friendly nature, at the close of which his whole p«irty gave " three tremendous howls, as another sign of welcome." Donnaconna then made to Cartier a present of a boy and girl, which he said were his own son and daughter. Cartier desired to ascend the river still higher. Donnaconna was opposed. One of the chiefs int - mated that if they had been aware of his intention, he would not have been presented with the children. Cartier offered to relinquish them rather than not sail up. They endeavored to dissuade him from his purpose by stories of ire, rocks, rapids, and other perils. Being unsuccessful with these, they resorted £3 i F 58 A SINGULAR EXPEDIENT. :\ !iP': I" to other methods. Tliree Indians, painted in a most hideous manner, with their heads armed, heast- hke, with horns, came out in a small canoe, rowed r.)und the vessel, and made short si)eeches and straiifTC {gesticulations. As interpreted to Carticr, these three repulsive looking ohjects were messen- gers from the Indian supreme deity, who had been sent to warn the French that if they attempted to ascend the river any farther, they would meet with disasters, and all would inevitably die. It is prob- able that all this opposition only served to increase the desire of the French to see that which tlie In- dians were so anxious to conceal from them. Car- tier determined to penetrate to a place called Ilocbe- h;ga. In doing so, he was obliged to take small boats. As he ascended the noble stream of tlie St. Lawrence, he was delighted with the banks, wliicb, on cither side, were crowned with lofty trees, inter- laced with vines bearing grapes, which, though not equal to those of Franco, were quite agreeable to the taste. As he ])roceeded on his way, he fell isi with a native lord, who presented him with another princess, eight years of age, and who also endeav- ored to dissuade him from ascending farther. But he persevered until he came to Ilochelega, an In- dian town of a circular form, strongly protected by a palisade of stakes. It consisted of .about fifty houses, each containing a number of difierent a})art- ll A VENERATED CHIEF. r>9 ments, as sleeping^ rooms for separate fimiilios, with a lar«»c iiall in the centre, wliich was used as a com- mon diniacr saloon, and gatherinj^ place for all the tenants. They were well supplied with dried i\>\i and grain, with cucumhers, melons, and other fruit >. The visit of these white strangers soon dn'.v together as many as a thousand Indians, wl.o extended to them the usual Indian welcome, hy addresses, dances, and savage howlings. Some even wept for joy when they saw the valuahle presents which their visitors hrought them. Cartier was led to the largest house in the city, which proved to he the j)alace, such as it was, for in it he was intro- duced to the prince, or governor, whom he found to be an old decrepit man. In his personal appearance he was distinguished from the other Indians only hy a cap made of furs, which were regarded as pecu- liarly rich and beautiful. He was greatly venerated by the people, several of whom brought their sick, to receive the benefit of his healing touch. Behind Ilochelega was a high elevation of land, which Cartier ascended and named 3Iont-rcal, (]M(»n- treal,) i. e.. Royal Mount, by which it is called to this day. On his return down the river, his crew were . attacked with what to them was an unkntiwn dis- ease, the sym])toms of which were discolored blood, swollen and putrefied ginns, {ittendcd with general prostration of strength It was probably that dread It m b-O FARCK ON SHIFHOAItD. fill disease, the scurvy. Not tliree of the whole number escaped it. So fatal were its ravages, Ihat tlie survivors had not strenjj^tli to bury the dead. Being unable to dig their graves in tlie frozen ■ground, tiiey were obhged to leave them witii merely ft coverinjf of snow. Cartier was learful lest the natives should discover the crippled state of his crew, and, by taking advantage of it, make them al. prisoners. He therefore pretended that he was car- rying on great repairs within his vessel, and no one must come on board. Whenever the Indians came around his ship, in order to keep up the deception he obliged all the crew who could to come on deck, and to walk busily backwards and forwards, as though they were hard at work ; and such as had strength enough to carry any thing were loaded with whatever happened to be at hand, with which they were ordered to make as much noise as possible, whilst the captain himself was constantly crying out to those below to increase their industry, or they should be punished — all of which was a mere farce to blind the Indians, and might have been appropri- ately styled " Much ado about nothing." To arrest the dreadful malady, recourse was had to superstition and religious vows. Cartier ordered an image of the Virgin Mary to be elevated upon a tree a short distance from the river, and the service of mass to be performed. All of the men whu THE SCURVY. Gl were able to walk, were recjuived to attend it in pro- cession, lie also made a solemn vow, that it' lie should he i)erniitted to return to France, he would go on a pilgrimaj^e to the shrine of Madimna de liocq\iemado. But the mass and the vow were at- tended with no healiiij^ properties. Yci Cartier ob- served that the Indians who were attacked soon recovered. lie desired to learn their mode of treat- ment. After earnest solicitation, they pointed out to him a tree, of the leaves and bark of which they made a decoction, which proved a sovereij^n reiuedy. This tree was white [)ine. Cartier resorted to it, and used it according to the directions, and soon had IfJie pleasure of seeing all his crew rapidly im- proving. After this discovery of the Si. Lawrence, and its exploration to Montreal, Cartier concluded to return home. Previous to this, he formed the unrighteous design of capturing Donnaconna, anrcat sensa- tion amon«^ that excitable people. Yet no attenpt was made to follow np these discoveries tor four years. At the end of this period, Francis de la llo(jue, lord of Robervul, a nobleman of Picardy, undertook to found a colony on the newly-iliscovered river. To encourage him in the enterprise, the king conferred upon him the office of viceroy nnd lieutenant-general of Canada, Hochelaga, Norim- bega, and all other territories in that vicinity. These proved to be empty titles. The expedition was a failure. Cartier was sent out first as his pioneer, in May, 1541, with the titles of captain-general and chief pilot of the enterprise. The commission which he received authorized him to ransack the prisons of France and take with him, to be founders of the new colony, fraudulent bankrupts, robbers, murderers, and all other criminals except those guilty of counterfeiting and treason. Francis de la Roque did not accompany him. They were jealous of each other, and did not act in ccncert. Cartier penetrated the St. Lawrence to Hochelaga, and near there built a fort, which he named Charlebourg. When his vessel came in sight, the Indians, who had been waiting impatiently for the return of their absent chief, hailed it with joy. They surrounded SI % r h i 64 COLONIAL FAILURES. it, and inquired for Donnaconna. Alas, he had i ot returned, as was promised ! The kidnapped prince hfid died in France. Tl»e disappointment of the In- dians was severe. Under the combined influence of grief and anger they assumed an attitude of iios- tihtj, and gave the colonists great trouble. Cartier made out to keep his company together through the long and dreary winter. They proved a sorry f^A^ and had to be controlled with an energetir hand. They were very unsuitable persons to form the foundation of a state, especially in the midst of an uncivilized people. Diiring this first and only winter of their residence there, such was the wickedness of their conduct that a number, both men and women, were whipped, several were bound with iron fetters, and one was executed for theft. How different from the colony afterwards formed by the Puritans at Plymouth ! Cartier left on his return in June, h.aving heard nothing of the main body of the colonists a ho were to have come out with Francis de la Roque ; but after sailing through the Gulf of St. Lawrence, he met Francis at Ncwfo>mdland, on his way to ITochelaga with a large recnforcement of colonists, and abundantly ecpiipped with e.very thing necessary for the enterprise. The whole business had now become so repulsive to him, that Cartier managed to give Francis the CAPTAIN HOUR. 65 slip, and liai^iened on to Franrc. Frant'if«, Lord of Uoherval, remained in the country about a year, when lie also returned witliout tsecuring any perma- nent results. Durinjr the period tliat Cartier was n.aUinj^ his i .vplorations along the American coast, the English xsere als(' interested in maritime adventures. The same year (li>}()) that this French navigator returned to his own land from his second vovajje, taking with him the captive Donnaconna, an expediti(»n was fitted out in England under the direction of a person by the name of Ilorc. He was furnished with two ships — the Trinity and the Minion. He crossed the Atlantic without the occurrence of any thing unusual, and arrived at Cape Breton. From thence he sailed to the north-cast, and arrived at an island situated at the south of Newfoundland. This island they found covered with a species of ^^ea fowl, which, on account of their being very fat, were called by the Spaniards and Portuguese, pcn- ffuins. They dwelt there in such immense numbers, that from this circumstance the island was called Piniru'm hland. llore and his company next visited Newfoundland. Here curiosity attracted some of the natives to visit the ship. The men |)ursued llnun, and found that they retreated to a snmll island. In continuing the pursuit, the men landed, and soon came to a place where cooking was in progress. A t w\ I*- 1 T^^WB" GO CIVILIZED CANNIBALS. I wooden spit was erected, on which a piece of bear's flesh was roasting. After this, tlie men were accus- tomed to amuse themselves by hunting' bears for tlieir own use. Sometimes they fell in with a black, at other times discovered a white one, and in either case they gave chase. The flesh furnished them with very palatable food. Before long, however, they were reduced to great straits. The provisions which they carried out with them were all consumed. Game could not be obtained. They were obliged to feed on roots and herbs. Some fish, which an ospray had carried to her nest as food for. her young, furnished them with an acceptable meal. Their condition daily became worse. Famine stared them in the face. Their sufterings were intense. Humanity revolts at the measures they adopted to prolong life. The captain discovered that the number of his men decreased. Upon ex- amination, he ascertained that they had been mur- dered and eaten bv the others! One was digging for roots ; anotiier came up stealthily behind and suddenly attacked him. After he was slain, and the murderer was cot)king a part of his flesh for a meal, the odor of it attracted one of his compan- ions, who, not knowing what it was, with thn-ats and menaces declared he would have a portion. This led to a disclosure of the horrid act. Although the captain reprimanded the men for their cruelty PIRACY 67 and cannibalism, yet to such extremities were they reduced, tliat tl«ey cast h)ts in order to ascertain who should die to furnish food for the others. It may well awaken astonishment that such revolting and inhunian measures should have been resorted to 11 a place which abounded with fish. For thirty years the French, Spaniards, and Portuguese had been engaged in fishing on the Banks of Newfound- land. Yet in the very place where they obtained provisions for thousands, these Englishmen were starving to death. It seems equally surprising that they were ignorant of the fact that fish were abun- dant there, or that they could contrive no means to take them. One day a French vessel made its appearance. The English, not satisfied with the supplies received from it, seized the ship, took possession, and Ict't their own for the use of the French crew. They also distributed a quantity of provisions among them, which vrere taken from the French vessel, and then set sail for England, where they safely arrived. So soon as the King of the French 1 card of the high-handed piracy, he preferred a complaint against the offenders for the seizure of the vessel. But when the King of England became ac(]uainted with the facts, he indemnified the French out of his own purse, and prevented the culprits from a crim- inr.i prosecution. V ■ 'i i\ A i r: 68 $ x 11 CHAPTER \ Hernando do Solo. — Ilis Rravcry and Skill. — flis Ilorscmnnship before llie Inca. — The Inca's Cruelty. — Dc Soto's Wcalili. — Ilis Appearance at Court. — Isabella dc IJobadilla a Rride. — Return of Nunez. — Ills exciting Reports. Mode of conduct- ing Expeditions of Discovery. — De Solo assumes all Ex- pense. — Portuguese Volunteers. — Their Enthusiasm. — Andrew de Vasconselos and Followers. — Grand Review. — Appearance of ihc Spaniards. — Armor of ihe Portuguese. — Second Re- view. — Humiliating Contrast. — The Number of Adventur- ers. — Conversion of the Indians desired. — Priests and Monks. O ni at til mi \v\ I k After the uiKsiicces.sriil termination of Hole's voyajjfc, the Spaniartls ajiain enteied the lield ancf projected an expedition lor the concpiest of Florida on an extensive scale. The expectation.s of the court and peoj)le of Spain were hiohly raised hy it. IIow those expectations were met will he seen hy the following account. It was under the direction of Hernando de Soto. Among the early exj)lorers of the unknown terri- tories of the new world, none were more distin- guished for jiersontd qualities, exalted r.ank, and splendid ftutlit and retinue than this renowned cava- lier The history of his hrilliant expedition for the con(|uest of Florida is filled with chivalric and ro- mantic adventure. As we follow him and his hand HISTORICAL RKCOHDS. (\9 of enthusiastic fi)Ilowers in tlieir lonjj and tedious marcli tlirouj^li the UMtn»ddeii forests of the south and the boundless prairies of the west, at some times stnijiTifhng for hfe amid daii<2;erous swamjjs and deceitful everj^lades, and at others contending witli treacherous Indians, as numerous and hK)od- thirsty as the torturing insects which were constantly piercing their flesh, we cannot but admire tl)e vigi- hmce, the h)fty bearing, the fearless bravery, and the patient, hopeful endurance of the noble Spaniard ; whilst, at the same time, we see not a few things in his treatment of the aborigines, especially of the chiefs and tlie women, which we cannot fail to condemn. Fortunately for the historian, records exist of the long and fatal wanderinjis of tmr hero for the con- quest of a kingdom supposed to be the treasui y of untold amounts of gold, pearls, diamonds, and other articles of value. These records enibrace a letter of De Soto himself to the municipal authorities of St. .lago de Cuba ; " A Narrative of the Expedition of Hernando de Soto, by Luis Hernandez de Biedma, (factcur de sa majeste,'j presented to the King and Council of the Indies, 1544;" "A Narrative of the Expedition of Hernando de Solo into Fh»rida, by a Gentleman of Elvas. Published at Evoru, L>j7. Translated from the Portuguese by Richard Hack- luyt, London, 1609." Those three works, translated V % Sf^ I V'. ! 70 niFFERENT OPINIONS. m il I I t into English, are contained in tlie Historical Collec- tions of Louisiana. To these must be added a fourth, which is a more full, minute, and graphic account than either or all of the above combined. It is i.i Spanish, and is entitled " The Florida of the Inca, or the History of the Adelantado, Hernando de Soto, Governor and Captain-General of the Kingdom of Florida, and of other heroic Cavaliers, Spaniards, and Indians. Written by the Inca Gar- cilaso de la Vega." Bancroft says that the Inca Garcilaso is " very extravagant in his account ; " *' numbers and distances are magnified, and every thing embellished with the greatest boldness. His history is not without its value, but must be consult- ed with extreme caution." The Portuguese " Nar- rative by a Gentleman of Elvas," who was an eye- witness, he regards as " by far the best account." This he generally follows. On the contrary, Mr. Theodore Irving, in his " Conquest of Florida," ex- presses the opinion that the work of the Inca has not been properly appreciated. It was written from "the testimony of three eye-witnesses." It agrees with the Portuguese account in the prominent facts, and where it differs from it as to the plans and vi(!ws of De Soto, he gives the preference to the [nca, because, being a Spaniard, it is more probable that be was admitted to the secret councils of his eader than one of another nation, besides being HERNANDO DE SOTO. 7i !ree from that luitioiml jealousy which may have tiiijjed the account of the Portuguese. In the condensed narrative whicli we have given in the succeechng pages, we have not foUowed ini- pheitly eitlier of the ahove authors. We have com- pared their ditterent accounts with each otiier, and, rejecting the extravagant and apocryphal, we have recorded those events only which appeared to us truthful. Those who desire to trace more minutely the incidents of this chivalric expedition will he de- lighted with the charming work which we have just alhided to, hy Mr. T. Irving. It has all the interest of a historical romance. Hernando de Soto, a descendant of nohle hlood, was horn ahout the year 1500. The j)lace if his hirth is enveloped in some ohscnrity. The "Gentle- man of Elvas," the author of the Portuguese narra- tive of the exi)edition, says that he was " son of a squire of Xeres of Badajoz ; " hut the Inca Gar- cilaso asserts that he was horn in Villa Nueva of Bar carota. He followed the train of Pedro Arias to the West Indies, where, hy the skilful use of iiis sword and huckler, which were his only reliance, he produced so favorahle an impression upon his com- mander that he received from him the appointment of captain of a troop of horse. He was soon after commanded to assist Fernando Pizarro in the con- quest of the rich province of Peru. In the I J-' r i 73 SURPRISINO HORSEMANSHIP. sanj^uinary contests which were there endured, De Soto, hy the caution, hravery, and power of his attacks, surpassed all liis companions in arms. Eye- witnesses of his cahn, coura«^eouH, and successful conduct amid tlie excitiii«jf scenes of dreadful conflict assert, that so great was his skill in the use of weapons, that he was equal to ten ordinary men. Pi/arro rewarded him for his soldier-like bearinj^ with a lieutenancy, and often called upon him for the execution of orders which required a rare com- bination of patient endurance, cool deliberation, and fearless bravery. When sent as an ambassador to the far-famed Inca Atahualpa, he exhibited in his presence feats of horsemanship of a most surprising nature, lie made his noble war-horse run, gallop, suddenly stop, then caracole oblicpiely, as if dancing to nnisic, then dash oil*, bounding, rearing, and frisk- ir'ji; like a wild Arabian steed amid the freedom of the desert. Suddenly wheeling him, he pierced him with his spurs, and made him spring so near the ga/ing Inca that the foam of his snorting breath sprinkled the Inca's tawny face. Not a muscle moved upon the marble countenance of the imper- lurbable chief, lie looked as calmly as though from his youth he had been accustomed to similar feats, when he had never seen a horse before. Many of his |ieoj)le, however, being terror-stricken at the ex- citing scene, fled to places of concealment. Tim DE SOTO S STYLK OF LIVING. 73 Inca was so enra|^<;(l at their cowardice that he gave iininediale orders tor tlieir execution. Poor mail! he soon after learned iliat therropitious circumstances, with so much that was desirable in cliiiracti.'r, blood, and foriime, he made a favorjildr' impression upon the heart of Isabella de Bobadilla, daughter of his old commander, Pedro Arias, of Avila, and I'jarl of Puno en Rostro. To this voiim"' ladv he was shortly after united in marriage. 11(3 received from the Emperor the appointnuMit of (Jovcnior of (,'id»a »nd Adelantado, or President of Florida. To these {•■^ 74 GOLDEN REPORTS FROM FLORIDA. 11 oflRces were ndded tlic title of marquis of certain lands wliicli lie was expected to coinjiie ■, extending thirty leagues in lenfrtli by half that in breadth. At tiie time these offices W(;re conferred uj)oii De Soto, there was a gentleman arrived at court l)rinht be a|)pointed its Governor, when he would return and take possession. The glowing accounts which he gave inflamed the imagination of Ilernanst gaudily attired in showy costume, " with silk upon silk and many pinkings and cuts," but the Portuguese presented theniselves encased in heavy, though highly-polished armor, as if prepared for battle. De Soto was chagrined at this ill-timed vanity of his countrymen. Another parade was orderetl, when all were commanded to appear in armor. When the day arrived, the contrast be- tween the soldiers of the two nations was as great as on the former occasion, though it was of a differ- ent nature. The splendid silks of the Spaniards had given place to miserable shirts of rusty "mail, old helmets, steel caps, and poor lances, which pre- sented a humiliating contrast with the brilliant and perfect armor of the Portuguese. De Soto reviewed the whole, and accepted of those who appeared to l>o suitably fitted for the enterprise. ECCLESIASTICS. 77 Tdc Nvli(»l<^ ('on)|Kiiiy, ii('C()raniard. — Juan Oitiz. — A bappy .>feetin;i^. — The deft Slick. — Sfi;uiisli Captives. — 'I'lniir Tortures. — l-'emale Kindness. — Juan's StitVcrinj^s. — A liot Bed. — Miilni^^'ht l^nconnti>r in a (Jravexard. — Juan doomed a Sacrilii 0. — Feriale lulbrmer. — A Wile lost for Kindness' Sake. In tlie month of April, lo^i*^, on a SiiiKlii^', known ns St. Ljjziir ll.-i s I); 'J' tl IKS MDlCiU did iirnwnnt^nt set sjiil from St. Lnciir, iiniid tlic; sointdini*" of trinn- jH^'t.s nnd the thunder of nrtilleiy. Tliey were dis- trihuted in ten ve.~i.sels, the hirn shore, ti take possession of the country in the name nK S()T(t LANDS IN FLOUIDA. of the Spaiiisli EiMi)crt)r, Cliarirs V. As no liidiinis \v-i nuinU'r ol the enemy, commenced u confused retreat to tiie sea. The sound of iiie \r< 64 J''- -non l„.n,od,o bell" ■"''"''"' "'"''•'"•''""• ■^I'-re, umlor tl,„ c..,„,„. , T '" ""J' '" '!'« '""k "- l«..l wi,l. ,11 """""■"• ''""""" « Inch he w,„ a .,.-„„„«, °t, , "^ » P"«""' to ""cI Porcallo ret„nL' .,• , , , •""" ''"'•" '""'"'. «-' 'li^«plar .,f , , ' '""'''' *««'"«' -itl. „,i, "'" animal. I, „•„ ;„ , "^" ""= >•»'» "f "'"■•" " fell <|..,-.,|. p,,,,. ,,, , ''•"■'' "'«■' <"'".,,, «•»■" «'.e pro...a,e ..,,.,, ''TT' ''''•"'^" '■""- -"• '-in, ..a,,„, ";,;■;" ^""-•<' in .l,e ^ '>e reiiiaiiuler of flm ,. ^''"'vts. '-■"^' .-"".at a „ ;;'"'"^.-»" after la„,,e.l, -"■"-..-.reel '>:^^'z::'""""""'""" '■""'-• -."r, inspired r„eV"""T " ""» » • • "'»' 'I'o de.,re f„r reno«„. BRILLIANT PAGEANT. 8f »j They presontcd an imposing appearance as tlnv wound tlieir way, in their sliowy costunie and pol- ished armor, over the plains and tlirough th(! IcMiir, )f th )rld. Fhished with th dim torests d{!.sire of conquest, huoyant witli hope, and fciirh/.-s of their enenues, they marched clieerfully onward in the track of their leader, who, tliey hail no douht, Vf'ould conduct them to glory and to wealth. We nuist not suppose, however, tliat their advance into these unknown rei;ions was conducted with the precise regularity of military order. This was im- possihle. In addition to the inconvenience of find- ing no roads, it must he rememhered that a part of the company were on foot and a part n.oimted. Large (juantities ci' luggage had to he carried, a piece of ordnance drawn, and, wiiat was worse than all ti»e rest, there were three hundred slow-moving, stuohorn, provoking swine to be driven tiirough the forests and swamps which impeded their course. De Soto divided his little army into six compa- nies, four of horsemen and two of footmen, and aj>- pointed over each a captain. Two of the natives, whom Jimn de Anasco had kidnapped and taken with him to Havana, to qualify them to hecome in- terpreters, returned with the company to their own land. De Soto expected to derive from them nnich assistance. He was disappointed. The Indiana loved tlieir liherty too well to remain volunturiljr 5^ I 80 DESKRTKRS. Huhject to tliosc u'ho, in nn uiif<'(!lin«^ nuMuirr, had stolen tliein from tlieir own lionios. I'pon tlio first favorable opportunity tliey made their escape ; they otection .ly ay I> of the darkness of ni<^ht. The first Indian villajj^e which the army reached was csdied Ucita. It consistcti ol' a few thatched houses, one of which occupied a connnandinn an end)assy to Mocosf), l)rini dilhcult to tell which, — innnc(liat<'ly sailed away, without n)aking any effort to rescue their unfortunate comrades. Tiie captives were led to the chief of Ucita, hy whose orders several of them suflen'd a cruel death. They were deprived of their clothinj^, and then used as a tarjjet hy the Indians. The savages did not fire at them sinndta- ncously, but one at a time. The poor sulVerers ran in difterent directions around the wcll-jruardcd square, to escape the aim of their tormentors, hut they every where met a barbed arrow, until frcun pain and exhaustion they fell to rise no more. Ortiz was spared througli the intercessions of the wife and the daughters of the chief. He was treated, how- ever, with the greatest severity. He was to the In- dians what the Gibeonites were to the Jews, " a 8* ^^1 r ft"-* // ^ .:* <' C^ /^ i/j (/. i 90 STORY OF JUAN ORTIZ. T*"* hewer of wood and drawer of water." He was kept almost starved, was daily beaten, and on public occasions lie was given up to the Indians, to be tor- tured for their amusement. At one time the sava«re chief placed him over a bed of glowing coals, with the intention of roasting him to death. The ter- rific screams of the helpless victim drew forth the intercessions of the wife and daughter of the cacicjue, through whose entreaties he was again spared, lie carried tlie scars of his burns to the grave. As the bodies of the dead, in consequence of being but slightly covered, were sometimes dug from their graves by the wild beasts, Ortiz was appointed to guard the Indian cemetery. This, though a repulsive service, was far preferable to his previous condition among them. He was to keep watch the whole twenty-four hours, and in case he allowed any corpse to be carried off, he was doomed to die. One night a grave was oj)ened, and the corpse of a child was carried off by a wild beast. Ortiz quickly discovered the fact, and went in pur- suit. He soon came upon the robber, and fired at him. Not knowing whether his arrow had produced fatal effects or not, he waited till morning, when, to his great joy, he found the animal dead and the remains of the child near him. He replaced the stolen corpse in the grave, and then drew tlie dead STORY OF JUAN ORTIZ. 91 body of the victim into the town. The favorable impression which was produced by this acliievement, jpon tlie mind of the cacique, was of short dila- tion. He soon after determined to offer .Tuan in sac- rifice to the devil. The daujrhter of the cacique informed .Tuan of liis danger, and advised him to flee to Mocoso, a neighboring chief, who would no doubt receive him under his protection. Slie also pro- vided him, unknown to her father, with a faithful guide to conduct him a considerable distance on his way. He followed her friendly advice. After his guide had left him, so that, by his return before day he might excite no suspicion of having assisted in his flight, Juan discovered a couple of Mocoso's In- dians. With some difficulty he made them under- stand that he was a friend. They then conducted him to their chief, who received him with great favor. The young squaw who had revealed to Ortiz the murderous intention of her father, was betrothed in marriajje to Mocoso. When Mocoso ascertained that it was she who had sent the Spaniard to him for protection, he treated Ortiz kindly for her sake. But afterwards, when he had become better ac- quainted with him, he cherished for him a sincere and lasting friendship. Although his former master made repeated demands for his surrendei, Mocoso steadily refused to deliver him, although by his re- fusal he greatly offended the cacique, and forfeited # ' \ t\ < i 0^4 ^^'* ^ ^J ^'- t *■' fe ,. i 8-1 .^* £^ ^*. ^yi JM2 GRATIFYING RESULTS. Ills claims to her, wh(3in lie iiitentled to have made his hride. Alter tho meetinj^ of Juan with the Spaniards, he inimedii tely sent a messenger to Mocoso, to communicate to him the gratifying results cf .he expedition. 93 CHAPTER VII. The Vessels return. -^ Urribarractxi. — Treacherous Guides — Treatment of the Dead. — An Indian Freak. — A Sagarioii. Hound. — Its End. — A villanous Plot. — The Counterplot. — Deceitful Review. — Dreadful Conllict. — Warriors in \ie Water. — A second Plot. — A fearful Struggle. — A dcsperrile Captive. — A narrow Escape. — Indians compiellcd to mas- sacre. — Its Object. — A dillicult March. — Power of the Bovv. — Towns abandoned. — The Reason. A FEW dtiys after Juan Ortiz had been found, Mocoso visited the Spaniards. He was so higlily pleased with his courteous reception and hospitable entertainment, that he tarried with them more than a week. His visits were fre(iucntly repeated, on which occasions he was accustomed to bring to De Soto various kinds of presents. After all the men, horses, swine, provisions, and other articles intended for the expedition had been landed, the Governor, De Soto, ordered the vessels to return to Cuba. He appointed Pedro Calderoii, with a company of thirty horsemen and seventy footmen, to remain at the place of landing. He up- propriated for their use sufficient stores to last them two years. Bidding Calderon farewell, De Soto, with his band of hardy adventurers, pushed into the wild and unexplored territories of Florida, " not i * i i #" •»>=* , 1 go* , h r ■10 94 TREACHEROUS GUIDES. m- lili m ill!: knowin? the thiiiu-s tliat would befall him " t>it;re. Ili.s first st()|)|)iiig-})lac'e was at an Indian town, the name of who.se chief was Uiribarracaxi. As this chief desired to hold no communication with tl;e Spaniards, he had fled for concealment into the depths of the forest. All efforts to draw him into a })arley were unsuccessful. The march of the army was now impeded by deep morasses and a large im- passable swamp. A number of days were spent in endeavors to find a j)luce to cross. Great annoy- ance was experienced from the natives, who, accord- ing to their custom, concealed themselves along the route of the Spaniards, and sent among them, from behind rocks and trees, their fatal shafts. When a favorable o])portunity offered, they would make a sally upon the unguarded stragglers of the army, and then a skirmish would ensue between theru. In this way some of the Indians were slain, and others captured. De Soto used the captives for guides. They proved unfaithful ; for they led the Spaniards into ambuscades, M'here they were fired u[)on by the Indians and numbers slain. The Span- iards became indignant, and set their dogs upon them, who killed several of these treacherous con- ductors. Tht'y finally succeeded, through the as- sistance of one who feared to betray them, in reach- ing a rude bridge, made of the trunks of trees, over which, with considerable peril, they finally \. , !l! CAUTIOUS CHIEFS. 96 passed in safety. They then entered the territory of a chief named Acncra. He, like I rriharraeaxi, would form no alUanee with tliem. lie treated them as an invading army. Whilst within his do- minions, the Spaniards had occasion for ceaseless vigilance. The natives were constantly, but secretly prowling around them, and every one who wandered from the camp was certain to be captured or slain. If slain, they were beheaded. Not satisfied with this revenge, the savages would dig up the Span- iards who had been buried, decapitate them, and then hang their headless bodies upon tiie trees. They spent nearly three weeks in this province. In order to avoid irritating the haughty and in- dependent chief, De Soto prohibited his people from destroying the houses or injuring the fields of grain. At the end of twenty days, they took up their line of march for Ocali, which they found to consist of some six hundred houses. The wary chief of the place carefully avoided them at first, but being assured of their kindness, he consented to become their guide. At this place four Indians came into camp one day, who were received with special cour- tesy A meal was provided for them, to which they sat down ; but when the attention of the Spaniards was drawn in another direction, they sprang to their feet and ran off with the swiftness of the wind. 4- ifii- 'K-** J *^ ■ ^ € } ,■0 > J' 96 A SAGACIOUS HOUND. 1 1 i ! (I ' M * The Spaniards were provided with a number of hounds. One of these, seeing the Indians fleeing, darted after tluMu ; passing by three of them, he sprang upon the let^der and brouglit him to the ground. Wlien the next one came up, he attacked and brouglit him down in the same manner. lie then successively fell upon the two others. After he had brought them all down, he kept worrying them, as they successively attempted to rise, until the Spaniards came up and secured them. Upon examination, it appeared that their flight was designed only to exhibit their skill and fleetness in visiting the Spanish camp and then making their escape. A few days after this, De Soto, in company with the ch'ef, was exjimining a river in order to find a favorable place over which to throw a bridge. Some Indians were on the opposite side of the stream, v,ho used insulting language, saying, "Away, vaga- bond robbers, away ! " The hound, tearing away from the page who held him by a cord, leaped into the water and swam towards the threatening sav- ages. When they saw him coming, they sent their arrows with such successful aim that many struck him on the head and shoulders. But the cour- ageous animal kept on, amid their shower of shafts, till he reached their shore, when, from the effects of ills wounds and fatigue, he laid down and died. AN INGKNIOUS PLOT. 97 nr Its, Ilis death was sincerely laiinnted by tlie company for he was possessed of rare sajj^acity, bravery, and strenu^th. A rude but strong bridjjre was soon after con- structed over this river by means of cables and poles extending from one bank to the other, across which planks were placed, and over which the little army safely passed, much to the satisfaction of the engineers. The next province which they entered was called Vitachuco, over which three brothers exercised sov- ereignty. Two of these were favorably disposed towards their novel visitors, but the oldest of them was decidedly hostile. He pretended, however, to be on friendly terms, but only, as it afterwards a[> peared, to secure a more favorable opportunity for their destruction. Whilst moving among the Span- iards, and professing an interest in their welfare, he was secretly engaged in arranging an ingenious plot for their total overthrow. The stratagem was this : A large number of his followers were to be drawn up in battle array, but with their weapons concealed, so as not to excite suspicion, and De Soto was to be invited to review them. As the cacique and the Spanish leader came upon the field, and reached a certain designated spot, twelve strong Indians were to seize De Soto and bear him oif ; the others were then to rush upon the camp, take it by surprise, and i4 *.i»»' 10.-' ^:) '■1 J)8 AX APPROACH INC. CRISIS. slay the Spaniards. Tlie day was fixed, and, to all appearance, the fate of the army was sealed. This nefarious plot was confidentially reveakd to four Indiuis, who acted as interpreters for the Spaniards. They pretended to approve it, saying that it Mas worthy of the g^reat chief of Vitachuco. But, be- lievini^ that the vigilance and the good discipline of the S])anish army woqld secure its defeat, they made the whole plot known through .Tuan Ortiz to J)e Soto. In the mean time, the external friendly relations between the two parties were still kept up. The cacicpie visited the Spanish camp, the Inditvns went unarmed, and the Spaniards gave no intimation of the least suspicion. The chief encouraged his followers and confederates, telling them he had ten thousand men, well armed, and that, after the victory, some of the Spaniards should be roasted, others boiled, others hung upon trees, and others should be put to death with a slow poison, so as to see themselves gradually decay. When the day arrived, a large army of the In- dians were drawn up in battle array. Their left was j)rotected by a forest, and on their right were two lakes. They were arranged in three divisions — a main body with two wings. They were gayly dressed, having head-dresses of tall, waving, beauti- ful plumes. They appeared lo be unarmed, but their bows were lying at their feet, and their arrows A GREAT BATTLE. 09 concealed under grass. Every one of those thoii- satuls of savajre men was ready, at a moment'^ warniMfT, to enga|^e in bloody conflict. De Soto iiad iiifornicd his ofliccrs of tlie [)h)t, and of his own in- tentions, so that tliey knew what was coniinj^. Wiiea all things were ready, the deceitful chief very politely invited Governor De Soto to walk out and see his warriors. Without the least appearance of fear, he consented, but at the same time told the chief that it was their custom always to march out in battle array when they gave honorable reception to their friends, and perhaps it would be a gratification to his warriors to witness the Spanish mode of warfare. To conceal more successfully his designs, De Soto accompanied the chief on foot ; each was attended by twelve men, and for precisely the same purpose. We may imagine their feelings. The chief, sup- posing his plot entirely concealed, is sanguine of victory in the approaching contest ; De Soto, relying upon his brave cavaliers and his firearms, is ecpially sanguine. When they arrived at the designated place, where the chief was to give the fatal sign to his body-guard, Do Soto anticipated him, and ordering a gun to be fired as the signal to his army, the twelve Spaniards who accompanied him imme- diately sei/.ed the chief and made him a prisoner. De Soto sprang upon a horse and daslied after the Indians, who seized their concealed weapons and 4.'i S f ,a'- r-lH'- ».1(^ ■0 m{' # ' td^^ \ 1 :-^ m'^ i'*' 1 ^ t.^ r r' k i'l '^ ^^ ■:0 P i*/' '.00 THE VICTORY. :; ?'i!'i ill ■■is "eoeived liim with a sliowcr of arrows, nimed prin* jipally ut his horse, which soon fell under him. He mouiiUd another, and rushed, as usual, into tiie \l'ickest of the confhct. The battle now became sjeneral. The savages maintained their ground, •aowever, only a few moments ; for when the cav- alry bore down upon them they yielded to the shock tnd (led. All was now confusion. Some concealed ^iicmselves in the woods at the left, and others plunged into the lakes at the right of their position. The Spaniards had no desire to make this a san- guinary aflair. Instead, therefore, of killing those who had fled to the lakes, which they might easily have done, they endeavored merely to frighten them into a surrender. But the Indians continued to fight in the water, with the greatest obstinacy, during the whole day. Where the water was too deep to furnish them a footing, one would mount upon the shoulders of two or three others clinging together, and from that slippery position fire at the Spaniards. When the darkness of the night drew on, these cunning watermen would cover their heads with tli large, round leaves of the pond lilies, and cautiously swim to the shore, making as little noise and motion in the water as possible. But when their vigilant enemy saw through the gloom a leaf floating to- wards the bank, they attacked it, and drove the sheltered fugitive back again into deep water. One i'ii. THF. VICTOUf. 101 would occasionally jrive out tlirotimelling' any thin;^ unusual. After riding a mile or two farther, Pedro insisted upon it that he smi.lt fire, and that it could not be far off. The whole company were soon convinced that Pedro's olfacto- ries had not deceived them ; for after another exam- ination, a light was seen twinkling at a distance through the trees of the forest. Approaching it very cautiously, they discov cred a j)arty of fifteen or twenty Indians, men, women, and children, cooking and eating. The Spaniards resolved to capture them, ascerta'.. Caldcron's condition, and whether Mocoso continued on iVien»lly terms with him. If he did not, they would send these Indians to Cuha as slfives. They ap'proached in the darkness, slowly and noiselessly, (juite near to tliis breakfast party, witlu)ut detection. Then putting spurs to their horses, tiiey sprang suddenly upon the Indians, and succeeded in capturing some fifteen, nearly the whole of them. A few plunged into the woods and thickets, and made their escape. During the excite- ment of the occasion, tlie Indians frequently cried PAINFIL SrSF'KNSK. Ill " Ortiz ! Ortiz ! " as if to remind the Spaniards that they were friends, and were iictmainted witli Ortiz. The fish which the Indians had heen cookinjf now furnished the Spaniards u very acce|)tahle meal, which they ate without leaving their horses. The limited information which they ohtained from their captives was far from being satisfactory. Tiiey were still in doubt respecting Calderon. Tliey looked carefully around for the footprints of horses, but saw none. They pressed on with hearts sad- dened with painful suspense. They had now arrived near where Calderon was left, and vet they could discover no traces of him. They talked over the plan they would adopt in case Calderon had been slain, or had left the place. They would secrete themselves in the depths of some forest, rest a nuniber of days for their horses to recover from their fatigue, and then fight their way back through the enemy's country, if possible ; but if their enemies should prove too powerful foi them, they resolved to die fighting bravely to the last. Whilst pondering and conversing upon these things, with depressed spirits, they came to a pond, where they discovered prints of horses' hoofs, and indications that the Spaniards had made lye there for the purpose of washing their clothes, on the banks of the pond. Their suspense wa? now at an end ; they were as much overjoyed as was Robinson ^P j|(^^-" .■■^ m '•' i" 1! « .1 Ilk' ;'^ !- ^ 1 ^'* ■f !| t* ,* :l i\f -m n-2 A JOYOUS MEETING. Crusoe when lie discovered for the first time hiimnn footprints on the sandy shore of his desolate island. Not only did this weary company of cavaliers shout for joy — their horses caught their spirits. They Hcemed now to be as quick scented as Pedro him- self, and, snuffing the breeze, they snorted, reared, j)lunged, and neighed aloud, as if calling to other horses which they knew could not be far off. All, both horses and riders, now pressed on with renewed spirits, and in the edge of the evening they came suddenly upon Calderon and his company, just as the evening patrol were leaving camp. The mo- ment the two parties saw each other, they rent the ah* with lottd;r'Shouts, and rushed towards each other with the most joyous excitement. Alas for poor human nature! — Calderon, instead of asking after the health of De Soto and the adventures of the army, earnestly inquired, " Have you found any gold ? " The Indians which Anasco had captured on the way were brought into camp ; but when he found that their chief, Mocoso, continued the friend of tlip Spaniards, he released them and sent them home with presents, at the same time inviting, through them, their cacique to visit him with a company of his people. A few days afterwards, Mocoso came to the camp, bringing with him the horse and its accoutrements which Anasco had left in the fields calderon's march. 113 because it had given out. As the Iiuliaiis did not dare to ride the animal, two of them led him, wiiilst others hrouj^lit the saddle, and other articles that bchMiged to him, in their arms. In comphance with the orders which lie had re- ceived from De Soto before he left, Anasco, in a few days, embarked in the brigantincs for the Bay of Ante, or St. Mark's, where were the remains of the horses and forge of Narvaez. Another of the com- pany, Gomez Arias, sailed as the bearer of despatches, taking with him twenty Indian squaws to Donna Isabella, in Cuba ; and Pedro Calderon set out with a force of a hundred and fifty, seventy of whom were mounted, to find his way to De Soto by land. We shall not narrate the particulars of Calderon's journey to his Governor at Apalachee. It must sufllice to say, that it was very similar to the march of De Soto and that of .Tuan de Anasco, being se- vere and tedious. At the rivers, morasses, and woods, he was met by the Indians, who off*ered vio- lent resistance to his passage. By day and by night Ihey were howling, like so many hungry wild beasts, around his path, and at every favorable opportunity sending their silent, painful, and ofttimes fatal shafts among them. With heroic courage, Calderon fought his way through them, killing several of their chiefs and many of their men. He lost from his own company about a dozen soldiers and several horsea. 10* iiij'". tMl 114 A CORPULENT CHIEF. I 'I |p 1; When Cnklerou arrived jitoAjmlaclit'e, he was highly gratified to find Juan do Anasco there. Anasco Imd coasted ah)ng the shore of tlie Gulf of Mexico, until he saw the signals which had heen fixed in the highest trees at the Bay of Ante ; he then sailed into the harbor, and found a company of De Soto's men waiting for him, who escorted him to their commander at Apalachee. Whilst .Tuan de Anasco was absent on his em- bassy to Calderon, De Soto had a curious adventure with the cacique of Apalachee, whose name was Ca- pafi. This chief was unwilling to come to any terms, or even have an interview with the Spanish Governor. lie kept himself so closely concealed, that it was some time before De Soto found out his haunt. He had suflScient reasons for this ; among them was his own helplessness. He was an Indian Daniel Lambert — so heavy, fat, and unwieldy, that he could not walk. When at home, he crawled around his tent on all fours. If he went abroad, he was borne in a rough palanquin, or in the arms (S some of his people. His personal safety required total concealment. He therefore secreted himself in the heart of a dense forest, access to which was extremely difficult. There was only one entrance to his retreat, and that was so narrow that only one could enter it at once. This being barricaded in severa' different places, where also was stationed a A CORPULENT CAPTIVE. 115 fitrrmji • •'•. M ■ iiir C ^i^ ^ 116 CAPAFIS PROPOSAL. careful to avail themselves of every favorable oppor tunity. De Soto remonstrated with the chief for the ih conduct of his tribe. Capafi professed great regret for it, and revealed to the Spanish commander tiie hiding-place of some of his bravest followers. He even offered to go to them under a military guard, and order them to cease troubling their white visitoKs. His proposal was accepted. Under a strong escort, embracing both foot and mounted soldiers, the fat and wily old chief set out. When they arrived near the ] lace of concealment, the chief sent some messengers to the Indians who were secreted in the forest, ordering them to present themselves before him the next morning. At night, a strong guard was placed around the cacicpie, although it seemed unnecessary, for it was impossible that such a mass of fat should either run or be stolen away. Sen- tinels were also st^itioned a short distance off, to give notice of the approach of enemies, if any should venture to molest them in the dark. After every arrangement was made for their own security, and especi«Uly for the safety of the chief, those not on duty laid down to rest. The night wore away without any alarm, but when the morning can»e tiiejr amazement was extreme to find that the cor- pulent, helpless, cunning old chief was gone 1 Wiiere he had gone, or how, no 3ue knew. The MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE. 117 sentinels and guard all declared that they had been wakeful and vigilant, yet they had neither seen nor heard any thing during the whole night. The con- clusion to which they came was, that he had been, in some mysterious manner, whisked away from them through the air, either by evil spirits or by the potent influence of Indian necromancy. With fear and shame they retraced their steps to the camp, and related the wonderful disappearance to De Soto, with all the embellishments which their fears and superstition could invent. De Soto thought it best to take but little notice of the affair, although he was probably convinced that it was the result of their own carelessness in falling asleep at theil posts. I iiii: ■ -I .■1 ,„•>' HI* ^i; > m S-iii 3*-'* tit '^ :\P ill". « H' Ji' 118 CHAPTER IX. Wmicr n.xpcrioiicc. — Golden Reports. — Eflccts of Cruelty.— Tree shot down. — Cnnnon left. — Cofaqui. — Peter's Alarm. ^ His Ji;i[)tisni. — Lar<^e Escort. — The Course lost. — The Army be\vildero Mi^ ^i i^j' f,* «i« ";; ';J« DKf ■ ' i* iiJi'" f ■4 i i>) ■■■■ 'a i^ c. ;> i\-^ iir i .11 K* •1 ■It II r ■m 120 THE CANNON. i|!ii> ill which resulted in the death of six of the Spaniards After ten days' travel, they arrived at Cofa, the cacique of which received them with all honor, lie h.ade them a present of rabbits, quails, corn, and liuge numbers of dogs. He also appointed two thousand Indians as a kind of guard of honor tc :he strangers. De Soto had persevered in carrying his cannon with him through all tlie woods, swamps, and difli- cult passes which he had thus far met. Finding it but of little use in the guerilla mode of warfare adopted by the Indians, and it being a great burden to those who had the special care of it, he resolved to leave it in charge of this friendly chief. That he might know its wonderful power, De Soto or- dered it to be loaded and pointed at a tree at a considerable distance. When it was touched off, the Indians were astonished at the loudness of tiie report ; but when they saw its execution in cutting off, with only two charges, a large tree, which it would have required them a long time to fell, they were more amazed than ever. They received the care of this marvellous instrument as an evidence of the coniidence of these strangers, and promised that it should receive no injury. After resting here a few days, the army resumed their march to the country of Cofaqui, the brother of this friendly chief. A message had been sent to him by his PETER S FRIGHT. ]21 brother that the Spaniards were cominj]^, with tlie request that he wouhl give them a kind reception. He accordingly came out with a large retinue of his followers, richly decorated with graceful plumes Firins of Do Soto's Cannon. showy mantles of costly skins, and the usual orna irents of a full dress. Professions of mutual friend- ship were soon exchanged between the two parties. Whilst here, Peter, one of the young Indian guides, alarmed the whole camp. Two different accounts of the affair are given. The Portuguese narrative gays that the boy had a fit ; he foamed at the mouth and tumbled on the ground as one possessed with a devil " They said a gospel over him, and the fi> 11 I iU ■ ^ ,1^ 122 THE ARMY BEWILDERED. left him." But the historiograplier, Antonio de FTer- rera, states that tlie alarm was given by an Indian calling out that Peter was in danger of being killed. " All the forces were immediately at arms, and found Peter quaking, who said that the devil, attended by many of his companions, had threatened to kill him in case he conducted the Spaniards as he had prom- ised ; that he had dragged and beaten him so un- mercifully, that, had they not come to his assistance, he would have killed him ; and since the great devil had fled from two Christians, he desired that they would baptize him, that he might be a Christian as well as they." Herrera goes on very coolly to say " This appeared to be no fiction, by the bruises and swelhngs ; whereupon the Adelantado (De Soto) delivered him to the priests, who stayed with him all night, baptized him, and thv. next day he was mounted on horseback, because of his hurts." After leaving this place with an escort of several thousands of Indians, the army entered a vast wil- derness, where, after a short time, they lost the path, and knew not which way to go. The escort and the guides were equally ignorant. The Span- iards were here reduced to great straits. Their food was gone, their horses exhausted, the spirits of the men depressed, and no one could give the leii«t h i^rmation as to the direction they should tal< tvtricate themselves from their perilou.s THE BURIED L.ETTER. 123 condition. Beinjr on the banks of an unknown river, Dc Soto sent off four exploring parties, eaili accompanied with a thousand Indians, to foHow the course of this stream, in opposite directions, for pur- poses of discovery. Tlie swine which they had succeeded in driving along with them to the ])resent time now answered a vakiahle purpose. Enough of them were killed to furnish each man an allow- ance of half a pound. Though this was far from appeasing their hunger, it was better than nothing. The exploring party under .Tuan de Anasco, after three days' travel, succeeded in finding a country well inhabited, and where was an abundance of food. When this intelligence reached the army, they were greatly cheered. De Soto immediately started off for this land of plenty. He left a card upon a tree containing directions to dig at the root and letters would be found. When the other exploring parties returned, they saw this card, dug up the letters, and in this maimer learnt where their Governor had gone and what were his orders. The country dis- covered by Anasco, and whither the whole army had now gone, was in the far-famed province of (^ofachiqui, of which they were in pursuit. The Indians who had accompanied them were at war with this people, and therefore now seized, unknown to the Spaniards, every opportunity to murder old and young, of both sexes, wherever they could ■ :. '4 % •it,""i' 1 11 J24 INDIAN SUICIDE. m Ni ii find them. That he might not be implicated in their cruelties, De Soto released his Indian escort, made them presents for their services, and sent I hem home. The province of Cofachiqui was under the ad- ministration of an Indian princess. This squaw- chief is said to have been very beautiful, courteous, and generous. She made a visit of ceremony to De Soto, gave him provisions for his people, ofl'ered him houses for their use, and even took off a string of rich pearls which went three times round her neck, and with her own hands placed it upon the neck of the Spanish commander. In return, De Soto gave her a gold ring, containing a ruby, which she placed upon her finger. The mother of this lady-chieftain refused to have any intercourse with the Spaniards. All the efforts of De Soto to obtain an interview with her were baffled. The princess commanded an Indian to guide a company of Spaniards to the retreat of her mother. On the way this guide committed suicide with the sharp flint head of an arrow. Knowing that if he obeyed the princess he would greatly offend her mother, if he disobeyed he would incur the anger of the ;."in- cess herself, and by suicide he would escape both, he preferred this latter to either of the other alternatives. As no other person in the company knew the hiding- place of the old lady, the secret would die with THE BUBBLE BURST Via himself, and the lady would escape. This was the most plausible explanation of his conduct which could be given. To secure good treatment from her subjects, De Soto ca]>tured the young princess who had treated him so kindly, and kept her under close guard. As this was the place where the precious metals were expected to be obtained, diligent in- quiries were made respecting them. Specimens were brought, which at once put to flight all the dreams of luxury and wealth the Spaniards had cherished. The yellow metal which they had heard of, and which they had presumed was gold, proved to be nothing but light-colored coi)])er, and the specimens brought as samples of silver ore were nothing but useless sand, containing Miiite, shining particles, similar to mica. The golden bubble burst. The principal alleviation of their disajjpointment consisted in vast quantities of pearls which they found there, some of which were perfect, but others had been smoked and injured by lire. In the burying-places they found many bushels of them. They carried away only a few, and even these soon became burdensome. When examining the place for valuables, they were greatly astonished to dis- cover a dagger and several coats of mail, which had long been in the possession of these Indians. After diligent inquiry ccmcerning their history, i< 11 * in- ' ^'■- '? 1 1 .^ I : 126 THE CAPTIVE PRINCESS. M''-^ was tlie opinion of the Spaniards that they had be- longed to an expedition which had been fitted out, a number of years before, under the connnand of Lucas Vasquez de Ayllon. Vasquez died ; his en- terprise proved a failure, and these were its me- morials. Having staid in this rich and productive country until he had worn out his welcome and a state of ill feeling had been engendered between the natives and the Spaniards, De Soto broke up his encamp- ment and resumed his march. He took with him the captive princess, in order that through her influ- ence he might obtain guides and baggage-carriers for his army till he reached the limits of her domin- ions. Although this beautiful squaw-sachem was closely watched, she had art enough to contrive a method of escape, which she successfully executed. She secretly left tl»e camp, taking with her a box of valuable unbored pearls and two or three negro friaves who belonged to the Sj)aniards. Why she enticed these slaves away is unknown, unless slie wanted them as trophies because they had once be- longed to the Spaniards. She had slaves of her o*vn, but did not treat them very kindly. The^ were Indians who had been captured in war. In order to prevent their return to their own people she had them lamed, by having the sinews of the leg cut near the ancle. SANGUINARY CONFLICT. 127 A few days after, Do Soto entered tlie territory of a cluef named Tuscaloosa. He was of j(i Ii. .a I 1 IB VM DISCOVKHY OF TIFK MISSISSIPPI. They at last readied the hanks of a wide, turbid, and rapid river, uhich tliey named the Rio Grande, or Great River. liittle did they iniajrine they were then standinjj^ upon the borders of a stream which, in the course of three centuries, would be the great central artery of a vast republic, would be lined with numerous cities and villajres, and be traversed jy hundreds of floating palaces, Lome onward by the power of steam more rapidl} i the swiftest steed could travel. Yet so it was. Ti ri^er which they had reached was the renowned Mississippi, ai>- projjriately designated by the Indians " The Father of Waters." De Soto spent twenty days in building boats with which to transport his army and baggage over. During this time he was visited by the natives, who came in large fleets of canoes, gayly decorated, and made an imposing appearance. After the passage of the river had been eflected, a cacique came to him and besought him to pray to his God for rain, as there had been a long drought, and the fields were parched. He promised to comply. To do it in the most impressive manner, he erected upon a high hill, which overlooked the river, a large cross. He then ordered the whole army, with the exception of the guard, to approach it in procession and ofler prayers. A company of priests and friars headed the procession, chanting the litany, while the soldiers T^? ■H iiiMt l)e Soto ott'oriug pray it t'ur.ruin. — Tagu 135. II 4 l)E SOTO S DEATH. i:n gave the responses. When they arrived near the cross, they all knelt and ofFered prayers ; after whicli each iiidivi(hial approaclied, knelt before it, and kissed it. iMany of the Indians joined in the procession, whilst thousands of others were specta- tors. After the ceremony on the hill was over, the procession returned in similar order. During the nii»ht rain fell abundantly. After crossinji^ the river, De Soto broke up his boats, in order to use the nails and spikes for a similar service, if necessary, and marched farther into the interior. Ilow far he went, it is diificult now to toll. As he found no gold, and his men and horses were constantly dying, he retrnced his course to the iMississipj)i. He was here taken sick with a violent fever. Believing himself to be near his end, he made his will, appointed Luis de Moscoso his successor, bade his officers and soldiers farewell, confessed his sins according to the Roman Catholic custom, and died. His death was deeply lamented by all his follow- ers. As at that time they were among unfriendly Indians, it was considered of great importance that De Soto's death should be concealed from them. He was secretly interred. The Indiajis, however, discovered the place of his burial, iv^^'ing they would exhume and mutilate him, the Spaniards tliemselves opened his grave, removed his remains, 12* (iji) . ( HP': 'ilm .. J mii> si i, ■ I* !■ "si K j:» ROUTE OF THE SPANIARDS. I' li placed tluMu in tlie trunk of a tree, which they hollowed out for the purpose, and, amid the still- ness and darkness of niidnijjfht, they buried him beneath the waters of the Mississippi. His suivivors were conducted by Moscoso, after incredible hardshi|>s, much fi«>htin«j with the Indians, and after the loss of all the horses and many of the men, to Panuco, a river of Mexico, which empties info the Gulf of Mexico. In the precedinj^ sketch of De Soto's ramblings, no attemj)t was made to trace his course, nor fix the localities where the dilferent incidents occurred, be- cause of the great dilficulty of arriving at correct- ness upon these points. The best that can be done is to present the residts which have been reached by those who have given special attention to the sub- ject, but without our vouching for their accuracy. If the reader will cast his eye on a map of the United States, and follow us along, he will obtain as good an idea of the route pursued, and the distance travell(3d, as it is in our power to impart. Near the middle of the western coast of East Florida will be seen Tampa Bay. It was this bay which the Spaniards called the Bay of Espiritu Santo, or Ifoly Spirit. Here they landed. From this point they proceeded northerly to Vitachuco. Then, turning to the west, they crossed the Suwanee River, and arrived at Tallahassee, near the Apa* ^ I ii THE TIME OCCUPIED. UK) lacliee Bay, or Bay of St. Mark's. From this point tlicy j)en(3t rated tlie country norlliwardly to the Sa- vannah Biver toucliin iff -^¥i' . S.: Ill) DlSASTllOLS RESULTS. ^ ! S;!. if rcsju'ct to tlic nnnibcrs, wealth, and influence of those concerned, and also in reijard to the prohahlc pros- pects of success. AVitli high hopes, dauntless cour- age, and nohle hearing, did those gallant cavaliers set out from Spain to suhjugate the new world, and return ladened with rich spoils of gold and pearls. But, alas ! how different was their experience from their anticipations ! Of the one thousand persons who landed with De Soto in Florida, only three hundred and fifty reached Panuco. They had found no gold ; their clothes were worn out ; they were roughly clad in skins ; many of them were emaciated and diseased, so that they presented a most wretched and forlorn a[)pearance. They had formed no settlements, es- tahlished no trading posts, and left hehind them no garrisoned forts. The enterprise had })r()ved a si)lendid failure. Not only had there heen an im- mense pecuniary loss, but also the sacrifice of some of the bravest and most chivalrous si)irits of Sj)ain. Another unpropitious circumstance was, that, on al- irost all the tribes through which they passed, they had left an unfavorable imj)ression. How could it have b(jen otherwise ? 'J'heir great object was gold, gold. For this they made great sacrifices, and endured great hardships and dangers. They seem to have regarded any measures justifiable which would assist in the accomplishment of their TREAT.ME.Vr OF THE NATIVES. Ill cJierislx'rl pursuit. Tlicy actcfl us if tlu'V li;ul a jusl claiMi to every, tlan;^ uliirli they foniul U|);»m their route — as if the ahoriiiiiie.s liad no I'ijrhts, aiu] were destitute of all leeliuir. Iletjce they sei/e() seized and held in captivity whilst the army were passing through tlieir domains, in order to secure the services of their sid)j(!cts. If the In- dians were detected in making reprisals, or re- venging themselves, they would be liorribly muti- lated, by having their bands and their noses cut off, and in that condition would be sent borne to drag out a dejfrrided and miserable existence amonjr thtir friends. Ravenous bloodhounds were used to dis- cover and seize the poor natives when they attemj)ted to secrete themselves from tlieir unfeeling pursuers. In some instances these hounds were allowed to tear the Indians to pieces, as a punishment to terrify others. Another peculiar feature of this expedition was gten in the maimer of their observance of the Sab- bath. Alt!;»>ii};h the rites and ceremonies of the Roman Catholic form of worship were performed Oil tbit day, yet it was on a Sunday tbat De Soto, ;ii'i '1i! ■II'' ^ lll'll'- i«i"'ecame of them — whether they were held in captivity, whether tliey made the bold attempt to escape from this rej^ion of snow and ice by huid, and })crished in the attempt, or whether they were sacrificed — was never known. Tliey were never heard of a;^ain. Frohisher was now left in a trying condition. One of his vessels had foundered at sea, tlic other had cowardly sneaked off home, and now five of his own crew had perished. lie scarcely had men enough to navigate his vessel. In addition to this, his boat was gone, so that he had no means of pur- suing the savages or reaching the shore. lie was shut up to the narrow limits of his own deck. The natives were aware of his inability to leave his ves- sel, and they were sufficiently prudent to keep beyond reach of his guns. It was usual with those early navigators to take, as evidences of their discovery, specimens of the productions of the coimtrics visited, especially some of the natives. No one then, however evil-minded, could deny that the voyagers had been to unknown lands. After the loss of his boat, Frohisher greatly regretted that he had not seized some of the sav- ages who had visited him and retained them for that purpose. Now that he had mot with this loss, and the natives artfully ke[)t out of his way, he was fear- ful of being obliged to return without any. He THE COW-BELL. 119 40terniincd to resort to stratagem. " To deceive the deceivers lie wrought a pretty pohcy." Know- ing how greatly they were delighted with hells, he resolved to use one as a decoy or hait to draw tluiii within reach. For this purpose he brought on the k a showy-looking cow-bell, and rang it. The sav- ages made their appearance, hut kept at a respect In I distance After securing their attention, he signi- fied to them by signs that whoever would come and get it might have the bell. This was a strong temp- tation. They approached a little nearer, but not Frobishcr sci/.iii^; an Indian. wiihin reaching distance. They were suspicious of bome evil design. To ".onvince them of the sincvritf I nwf' I I 11: .1 If- ^ I' e •5S ii It I / I I<1^ 50 frobisher's honors. of his offer, Irobisher now threw the boll towards them, but purposely cast it so that it fell short of them and sank in the water. To increase their desire, he now rang a louder bell. Its merry tones were too attractive for resistance. One of them approached the vessel and reached up his hand to receive it. Frobisher handed the bell over the side of the bark, and then, letting it drop, suddenly seized the poor savage and drew him by main force on to the deck, boat and all. When the Indian found liimself a prisoner, so greatly was he enraged that, " for very choler and disdain, he bit his tongue in Iwain within his mouth." After taking possession of the country in the name of Queen Elizabeth of England, and com- manding each of his men to take home something as evidence of the discovery, he commenced his return, and safely arrived in England October 2d, 1576. He was received with great distinction. All classes united in honoring the man who had done 80 much towards the discovery of the long-looked- for passage to India by the north-west coast of America. Another circumstance which contributed greatly towards the enthusiastic reception of Frobisher was the report that the country which he had discovered abounded with gold, specimens of which had been br(»ught home. Intelligence of this nature will PSEUDO GOLD. 15 always make a man popular. No one is so highlr honored by the populace as he who reveals som? easy method of obtaininj^ a fortune. The oriinTJ of this rumor in regard to Frobisher seems to have been this : One of his men, whose name was Hall, brought home, as his evidence of discovery, n black stone somewhat resembling sca-coal. This stone accidentally came into the possession of a woman, who threw it into the nre. After it was well heated, she poured vinegnr upon it, wiien it |)res(jnted a bright, goUlen color. Curiosity was now awakened. Perhaps this yellow, metallic aj)pearance is caused by gold ! The stone was next sent to an assayer of metals, who examined it and said it contained a large proportion of gold. One account says that he extracted from it so great a quantity of the pre- cious metal that they gave it the name of gold ore. This was enough to excite the whole nation. Frobisher had not been home long before a second voyage was planned. The discovery of a north- west passage became suddenly very attractive, now that gold could be picked up on the way. So great was the number of adventurers who presented them selves, that all could not be accommodated. As the voyage promised to be profitable, the government took the lead in it. By the 2Gth of May, 1577, Frobisher was ready for sea. lie was provided, as beA>re, with three vessels — one belonging to th» llbM' 152 GOLD SEEKERS. I'M i I ill' Queen, of two hundred tons, called the A}de, an the two barks he had before, the Gabriel and the Michael. The Ayde carried a hundred rnen, of whom thirty were gentlemen and soldiers, the rest experienced sailors. Just before he started upon this second voyage, Frobisher was exalted by the • Queen to the high honor of kissing her majesty's hand. Leaving England the latter part of the month of May, he sailed first towards the Orkney Islands, then towards Friesland. When near the Orkneys he met vast quantities of driftwood, all of which was driven by a current in a north-easterly direction. Soon after leaving Friesland he entered the straits discovered by him in the former voyage. He at once proceeded to the place where Hall picked up his famous black stone which was supposed to be gold ore. It was called Hall's Island. Upon their arrival, many of the company went ashore, among whom were several professional gold finders, and all began to seek diligently for the prec'ous metal. But, alas! none could be found. They a.^o unfor- tunately had a collision with the natives, in which Frobisher himself was wounded, and had a narrow escape with his life. In another conflict they killed five or six of the natives and took two women cap- tives, one of wiioni, being so old and ugly, the mtj» i}ueslion(jd whether she was a human being- Tlij^ DOG-LIKE REMEDY. 153 suspected that she was a devil and had a cloven foot. But wlien it was uncovered for examination it was found to be formed just like their own: Still, so repulsive did she appear that they gave her her lib- erty. The other was a yaung woman, with a child on her back. When first discovered, she was taken f;»r a man, fired upon, and the child was wounded. After she was taken, the English dressed the wounds of her child and bound them up ; but she, not knowing the design of their treatment, tore oft* the bandages, removed the ointments, and with her own tongue, in dog fashion, licked the wound well. Trobisher had previously captured a man, so that now he had three natives on board his vessel. Through these he was enabled to have intercourse with others. From them he learnt that the five men wlu v^re lost the preceding voyage were still living. This was good news, provided it should prove true. The natives agreed to take the cap- tives a letter, and to return with their answer. A note, dated August 7th, was accordingly written and committed to them. Frobisher waited two weeks for a reply, but none came. It was probably a stratagem on the part of the natives, from which they hoped to derive some advantage. In their conflicts with the EngUsh, the Indians exhibited great resolution ; for when any of them were wounded, instead of allowing themselves to be ^ I' ■ I I " I it * IE i ! irA THE SILKNT PICTURE. taken prisoners, they pliiiigetf into the sea and were drowned. They practised different arts to induce the Eng- lish to leave their boats and pursue them. One of tijem pretended to be lame, and got another to carry him on his back. But when the English fired their guns, the pretended cripple ran away, without linn> ing, as swiftly as the rest. By none of their meth- ods could they entrap the English so as to take them captives. The one whom Frobisher took to England in his prevj»)us voyage died soon after his arrival. . But previous to his death his ])ortrait was painted. This picture Frobisher had suspended in the cabin of his vessel. When the other native, captured on the second voyage, saw it, he supposed that it was his old friend returned alive, and addressed him as such ; but receiving no answer, he became offended, and thought that the English had it in their power to make men live or die at their pleasure. As the season was advancing, and as the "com- mission of Frobisher was for procuring gold ore, rather than the further discovery of a passage to the Pacific Ocean, he gave orders to load the vessels with ore, as he called it. Accordingly, the men went to picking up stones and shovelhng up dirtj Buch as they ^ould get, and soon ladened the vessels. This was GJj an island in Frobisher's Straits. On UNKNOWN GOAL. 153 the island was a high mount. Some of the com- pany ascended this mountain, huilt lires on its sum- mit, and then firing, at the command of Frohisher, a volley in honor of Lady Anne, Countess of War- wick, after wliom he named the island, they set sail for England, where they arrived, after a tempestuous voyage, with the loss of only two men, one from sickness, and one, the master of the Gahriel, hy heing washed overboard. This second voyage resulted in no profit nor honor. No new discoveries were made, and no precious metal was brought home. What was sup- posed to be gold ore proved to be nothing but worth- less stones and sand. Before this latter fact con- cerning the worthlessness of the ore was ascertained, another voyage was planned. TJie land which they had visited was called by tlie Queen Mda Incognita, (The Unknown Goal,) and she resolved to plant a colony there, through whom she probably expected to compete with Spain in coining gold for the circu- lating medium of the world. Fifteen ships were prepared, and one hundred persons obtained for colonists. It was agreed that they should remain in this new El Dorado at least a year, and retain during that time three of the ships; the other twelve were to return with cargoes of gold ore. Sir Martin Frobisher was appointed admiral if the fleet. As a token of her special esteem and i 1^ muf ' 150 DOfiS TAKKX. ! II \l i> I encourairciiuint, tlie Queen presented liiin with a j^old chain, and perniitled liis captains to kiss her hand. Tliis flL'et of fifteen sail commenced their vovassed about by the waves and currents, they occiisioned the fleet much trouble to keep clear of them. Much of the tin;;; dense foijs and thick snow storms j)revailed, which prevented them from discovcrinj^ these lloatini^ mountains of ice until they were almost upon them, and then {Treat presence of niiiid, skill, and str.'^il)le, Frobii?ber began his j)reparations to return. A>i the house and the provisions desij;fned for the colonit^ts were de- stroyed with the Deiuiis, it was considered inexj)e- dient for any of the people to remain. Nothing further, therefore, could be done but to load the ves- sels with the precious metals, and return. A>!says were made of different kinds of ore found in two different places, and all the vessels were ladened with large quantities of both. Upon the arrival of the fleet at home, which oc- curred in the begiiming of October, 1578, the ore was carefully deposited in the Queen's storehouse on Tower Hill, that being a place of great safety. Ex- tensive arrangements were then made for assaying and refining it. Large works were erected, and the most experienced men were obtained for this pur- pose. Of course, the curiosity of the nation was awakened to know the result. All were in(|uiring what amount of gold was obtained. Stories were invented sufliciently marvellous to excite the admira- tion of the credulous. vSo extravagant were the re- ports concerning the richness of the ore, that Holin- shed, an historian of th;it day, recorded it as his sober opinion that that nuist have been the place where King Solomon in anciciit times obtained his vast qua.itities of g(>id. Hut deception could not long 14* i ''it m>. DECEPTION DISCOVERED. •(i <« !V continue in a case like tliis. It was too expensive an operation. In process of time the illusion slowly vanished — the huhble hurst. It appears thfit, when the parties concerned, found that the great quantity of dirt which they had on hand, amountinjr to niration of its eastern cotist. Of tlie character of its western cojtst Europeans were ignorant. After Frohisher had completed his first voyage, another bokl navigator set sail from England, for the jHirpose of examining the west coast of America and cir- ciminavigating the globe : this was Sir Francis Drake. Omitting all account of his previous voy- ages to other parts of the world, it will l)e in har- mony with the design of this volume if we com- mence our account of him from the time of his vis- iting Aguajudco, or Acapidco, on the south-western coast of Mexico, which was April ir»tji, L'iTT. He had coasted down the eastern side of South Atnerica; sailed through the Straits of MageUan ; been driven, ill' /'» i: • ft' a I 164 DRAKE DISCOVERS S\N FRANCISCO. •m U tr by uiifavoral)le wiiuls, south of Ca|)e ITorn, the ex* tremc ])()int of Soutli Aincritra, and had coursed his ^vay up the western coast as far as Acapulco. Leaviuf^ this port, Drake penetrated fartiier north, until the cold became so severe, and f^ave the men so much annoyance, especially in freezing the rcpes and hindering the nuuiagement of the vessel, as to occasion great complaints. lie sailed as far as the 48th degree of latitude, near Vancouver's Island, where he found a harbor. But dense fogs, sudden flaws, and violent tempests, prevented him from tarrying there very long. His men being strongly opposed to proceeding farther north, and the wind being against him, he concluded to run down the coast to the neii»hborhood of the 38th de- gree of north latitude, where he found another harbor, which Mr. Burney, hi his " South Sea Discoveries," says there can be but little doubt was San Francisco. The country was inhabited, and many of the natives had erected their huts close by the water. On approaching this har- b >r, they saw a .'tingle native coming off to tliem in a canoe, who, when he came within speaking dis- tance, made a long address to them, and then, with marks of great reverence, returned to the shore. What the address was, whether it was made up of threats, information, or offers of submission, they knew not, as they were unacquainted with tho i! '-' EXPRESSION'S OF FIITF.NDSHIP. U}5 l!m«]^iia're. Tlic vrssci havinva3 iiccessarv to liiihtcn licr, in orth-r to repair licr. Tents were raised on the shore lor th(! men, inul a rude fort constructed lor the protection of the stores and car«^o. The natives h>oked on from a tlistanee, not knowing what these thinj^s meant. IJy and by tliey came down armed, in great nmnbcrs, but gave no evidence of hostile design. Tliey were ordered, by sigrjs, to lay down their bows and arrows, and at once complied. The admiral, in order to secure their good will, gave them a number of presents of European manufacture. In return, they presented him with articles of their own handiwork, and also some feathers and skins. At niglit they withdrew to their own village, about a mile distant. They there made demonstrations of a most noisy cluiraeter ; the women, especially, shrieked in a terrific manner, as if they ex|)ectcd to be led to captivity or death. For two days after this, none of them came near the English ; but on the third day a company pre- sented themselves, mucb more numerous than those who first appeared. One of them, who was prob- ably a chief sp(!aker among them, delivered a long address. When he had finished, the whole com- pany laid down their weapons, and came to Jie English camp. Judging from their conduct, it would seem that the women had no sympathy with the proceedings of the ineu. They made d(>lefu. 11) Ilk II 166 INTERKSTINT. VISIT. I Ik III lamentations, tore tlie flesh from tl>eir cheeks, and appeared to be overwhehned with sorrow. Perhaps, however, this was their method of fj^ivinj]^ more in- tense expression to tiie same feehngs as those of the men. The EngHsh suspected that they were about to offer a sacrifice. Wliereupon the admiral, with his company, eng^aji^ed in prayer, and in tlie reading of tlie Bible to them, to wliich the natives gave good attention, and seemed much impressed by it ; but when they cfime to the English, they restored the gifts which they had previously received from them. Presently the King himself made his appearance, ac- companied by many of his followers, of stately and warlike appearance, and painted in various colors. His Indian nicijesty was preceded by two ambassa- dors, who came to announce his approach. Their address continued about an hour, at the end of which the King advanced, surrounded with all the trapi)ings of royalty at his command. During his stately march to the English camp, the followers who composed his train " cried continually, after a singing manner, with a lusty courage. As they drew nearer and nearer, so did they more and more strive to behave themselves with a certain comeliness and gravity in all their actions." So friendly was the manner of their approach, that Drake, being disarmed of all suspicions, gave \f*, SIGNIFICANT CERE;40NY. 167 orders for tlieir admission Avitliin the enclosure of die camp witlioul iiiterrii|)tioii. Tliey entered the fort with sonjjs and dances. Durinji" the continuance of the festivity, the Kino- approaclied the achniral with singin"', and, with the consent of all the rest, placed upon his head, with jjreat reverence, an ornamented feathered cap, as if it were ati act of conjiuition, threw over his neck many chains helonjiinur to his followers, presented many other thinjis as fjifts, and then ji^rceted him with the salutation, Iliu/i, which the En«^lish supposed was either his own name or else the Indian title for Kinii:. They then added what was siij)|)osed to he a sonii' and dance of tri- um|)li. The women, not satisfied with sonf»;s and dances, tore their laces and hrcasts until they were horrihiy distijrured with wounds and bliKxI. The ceremony of coronation which we have de- scrihed was interpr('t(;d hy Drake as a ionnal and otli- cial a«*knowled«inient of allejiiance to him, by which the King resigned himself, his pcojile, and all their lands, into his hands, and bound themselves and all their posterity to become his subjects. In reply, Drake gave them to understand, as well as he was able, that he accepted them and their lands in the name and for the use of her majesty Queen Fdi/abeth of England. It is very uncertain whether the interpre- tation of the admiral was corr(!ct. The ceremony of the Indians was undoubtedly an e.xpresj^ion of 'ill SB* ;VM 108 STIlENnTII OF THE NATIVES. t m. lit iSS; n If* i' 1, .'.» 1 ^' 1 il J great r(;i5[>oct and reveronce for tlic Fin^:li.si ; hut it seems l>;»l)le that they shoiiM voluntarily have olVercd thcinselve.s, their lands, and tliiir pos- terity to these stran<;j(!rs, witliout rcceivinj;^, or even asking, any ecjuivahnit. Such an act is not in liar- mony with Indian character. These people are descrihed as teachahle, confid- inj(, and aniiahle, destitute of du])Ucity, treachery, and revenj^e. Their bows and arrows were com- paratively harmless, being weak, and more appropri- ate for children than adults. Yet the men were unusually strong. A burden, which two or three of the English found it diificult to lift, one of them would carry over a rough road, up hill and down, a long distance. It was observed also that, although they had never heard the apostolic injunction, *' Wives obey your husbands," yet the women were very obedient and serviceable to those whom they had married. Before the admiral left this place, he erected a post, or column, on which he fastened a brass plate, contfaning the date of his arrival, the voluntary prolfer of the country by the King and people to him, with his own name underneath. He also had skilfully set in the j)late a current English sixpence, on which were impressed the picture and coat of arms of her majesty. In this manner he left evi- dence of having taken formal possession of the place in the name of Queen Elizabeth of England. NF.W AI.RIOV. I Oil !0 a c, iry to lad B, ..f ;vi- the lid. As .1 toUni of rcs|K'(t t«» his own country, and nl.so l)<'rjin.s(; lie had ohserved on (lifV«'rciit parts of tliis coast wliitc chlls similar to thhiii(l, he caMrd all the land lie iiad liere seen New All)i«>n. • Al'ter remaininjif in this port thirty-six days, re- pairinva •lit -'11, [scs Imcl less Sjmniard wlio liad concealed liims<;ir in tlie irrasa tired at liiin and shot liiiii tliroiii>li the h<'ad, and then pierced iiis body with many uonnds. Tho (lovernor of the place iiad retired to St. Alalheo, leavinj; not a .sin}»le inhabitant u the town. Drake noticed that St. Auj^astino appeared to he in a pros- perous condition. Ainon;^ other edifices it contained a town-house and church, and was ornamented witii a innnher of gjirdens ; but all these nieasant thin«jfg were burnt and laid waste by the En<; Jsh, in re\'en"e for tiie death of Major l*owel!. It was Drake's intention to have visited an«)tlier Spanish settlement, about thirty miles fartiier on, called St. Helena, and to have dotroyed that also ; but the weather beinij,' unfavorablf;, and the shoald danj^erous, it was considered advisable to relin([uisli the attemjjt, especially as he had no pilot who was accjuainted with the chamiel. Abandoning" this design, Sir Francis Drake pro- ceeded farther north, in search of Sir Walter Ra- leigh's colony, which had recently been planted in V^irginia. lie had received orders from her majesty the Queen, before his departure from England, to extend to this infant settlement every encouragement and assistance in his power. He found the shore inaccessible on account of shoals, and was there- fore obliged to anchor in an open, exposed situa* tion, two miles from land. To Mr. Ralph Lane, 3 :ii' ke, lie s(.'iit an oUct of assistance and supplies. Tlie (jovernor, with some of his men, visited the t^dmiral, and recjuested hinj to furnish the colony with more men and j)rovisions, and also a si. jail vessel and boats, so that, if an extremity should occur they mif^ht be able to return to Enjjland. In compliance with their recjuest, the admiral immedi- ately fitted up one of his ships and bountifully sup- plied it with all manner of stores for their use. A fstorm now Jirose, which drove that ship and some others out to sea, and Drake did not see them a^ain till his return home. lie now ])roposed to furnish another of his ships for thoir use. But the Governor nnd his colonists, havini!; passed through many hard- ships, had become (juite disheartened. And now that this recent calamity had been visited u|)on them, and the j)romised stores from I'in<;Iand had faihnl, they construed it into an ex])re.ssion of the disa|)pro- bation of Providence of th(.'ir design to establish a coh»ny. After nnitual consultation among them- Sidves, they requested Sir Francis Drake to remove them from the coast and take them home. When they landed in Virginia, their number was one hun- dred and eight; it was reiluced to one hundred and three, all t wlio iiitrodiict'd tobacco iiilo Kii^ilajul as an article for iisc. It derived ils name iVoni the Islaiul of TohaLTo, (Ml wliicdi it was llrst lound. Sir Waller Ivnlciuli accustomed liimscll' to its nsc, and tiirou^ii liis example ami intlu<'n<-e it soon hcc.anu; a fashion alile |)racti<;e at the English court and iu the circjea of the nobility. 15 • 174 CHAPTER XIII. ife m ... ! 2 * to ' " explain Jolin Davis. — C«rrat lioariii'r. — lis Canst — Land ol Ocsolafloii. — Haiiil of Mii>ir. — Its IllVi-cl. — Fri('ii's Dis- rovorics. — .\inuNSt:i;j Jliint. — 'I'Im! ."Maniuis de hi Kociie. — SaMe I>land Snll'erer}:.— Captain Geor^-c Wevnumth. — I'lesli W.ucr tioni Icehern's. — Elleot ol" \iv u\H)\\ llie \'i'>sel. — Sailors a|i|)allecl. — They niii- tiiiy. — M 'yniniiiii yi» Ids. — I Ic s;iil.> Souili. — I'iiid^ an liilri. — IVain. — (iii-at Storm. — Ills IJci urn. — I'arllioloniew (iovnoid. — Indians with an l!iiro|iean Sliallt j»assiii»e> to IikUji had proved ahoitivc, ytt the /lal of the l.ii^ihsh for adventures in that (Urec- tioii was not entirely destroyed. The suhject was oj^jun arisinn" ujereliiuits, opident land proprietors, anti nose, tmtl eonnnitted the A PIIENOMKNON SOLVED. 175 mi 'ill lircc- was inu'< laud (I an ll ll>« execution of it to Captain Joliti Davi.«. lie was furnished with two small vxv^isels, one of fifty, the otiier of thirty-five tons, christened with the siij^nifi- cant names, the Sunshine and the Moonshine, as if expressive of the desire that lie nii hear a <^reat roarin sending its hui>e w:ives ajrainst a rocU- hound coast. The lead was immediately thrown over, which indicated that th<; water was three hun- dred fathoms deep. The ca()tain j)ut oft' in a small hoat to discover the cause of the phenomenon, and soon ascertained that it was owinjjfto larj^e numhers of iceherg^s, which w(!re corstautly dashiiij^ ajiainst each other. He landed on some of the larjicr one<, and was gratified to lind that they tasted fresh. He hruke off a quantity and carried it to the vessel, v hicJi, when melted, furnished ihem with cool fresh water. The next day, the scaith-western coast of (Jreenland was in sigiit, which is descrihed as ♦' deformed, rocky, and mountainous, like a sugar loaf, standing to our sight ahove the clouds. It towered ahovu 176 EFFECT OF MUSIC. 1 e to is the fog like a wliitc list in the sky, the tops alto- f^etlier covered witli snow, tlie shore Ueset with ice, inuking such irksome noise that it was called the land of desolation." It was also ohserved that the water of the ocean here was dark and thick, like a t'(a*j;nant pool. Numerous seals and hirds were seen, hut all attempts to take them were vain. The coast was inaccessihle, on account of the fields and mountains of ice. Davis now sailed to the nt)rth- west for several days. On one occasion, when the weather and the ice permitted, he went on shore with two conjpanions. When the shii;iive in exchange. They promised to retnrn the next day, but failing to do so, Davis sailed across the straits which now bear his name, and discovered a hifjfh mountain which trlistened like uold. This was Mount Raleiirh. The northern |)romontory of it uas Dyer's Cape, and the southern was called Cape Walsinjrluun, after Sir Francis Walsinjiham, who was then secretary of stite. Tin men here saw three animals ut a tli.-tance, which they believed to V 178 BEARS AND 00(59. 1 Ik s « I » i n ' II Hi « It ■I 1 be white «roijt.s. Being in want both of sport i.nd of fresh meat, they set ont in pursuit of these harm- less animals. To their anta/ement, they found that, instead of j^oats, they were hir<;e white hears ! The animals rushed towards them, fearless and furi- ous. When they arrived sullicuMitly near, the men levelled their guns and greeted their approach with several halls. Not anticipating such a warm recej>- tion, the hears were glad to retreat ; they were pur- sued by the men and killed. They ap|)eared to have fed only on grass, yet so corj)ulent were they that large quantities of fat had to be cut away be- fore their flesh Wiis fit to be eaten. The next day another enorm(»usly large one was killed, whose paws were fourteen inches in breadth. After coasting about for some days without any important results, Davis found himself in the neigh- borhood of the ca])e which he first saw when he crossed from Greenland, and which he named God's Mercy. lie doubled this and entered a sound, which, after ascending sixty leagues, brought him to a nund)er of islands. As he could pass between them, his expectation was daily strengthened of fmding the great object of his search — the north- west passage to China. On one of these islands he saw some dogs. As he supposed they coidd not be otherwise than wild, he fired at them, killing two. To his surprise, he nist'oVRun:s of n.wis. ni> f(MiiHl Oil tlie lunk of oik* ol" tliriii ;i collar, wliicli was a part of his liariH'ss. Prosrntly lu' discovert'd tlio slod to uliicli it liad I)foo ley were not cured, however, ol their uisulting disposition. Some days afterwards, five came with proposals ol' friendship. One of them was the i ill GAME AND FISFI. 181 ringleader in all the mischief. Davis made him a captive, and earried him away. On c»ne oeeasion, when tlie men were rms. • lie then returned. He nnuh' no advance towards the i^reat ohjcr re- spects. It is dillicnlt to tell with inccision what ])laces he visited, hecanse his own sed them, j?oin<»' to the west. The ne<'dle \uvi^ varied thirty de;jfrees west. As they retraced their course they were hecahned, and the weather hecame ex- cessively hot. 'I'lu' men who went on shoi-e saw fj^raves, and t'oinid a phiee w!nre train oil had het'ii spilt. Doi^s were si't'W so fat as to he scarcely ahle to run. Ilavinir reaihed the open sea, he dis- covered mi iidet, which he named, alter my Lord Lundey, Lundey's Inlet. On the IJIst of .Iidy he saw a prom(mtory, whicdi he called Warwick's Foreland. lie also discovered an island, which, alter liord l)an-y, he called Darcy's Islan €^ IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) y A :/. 1.0 I.I I- m M IM 1.8 1.25 1.4 1.6 .« 6" - ► <^ w n / "^3 r o*^ em ->. ($>i ■ / / o 7 /A Photographic Sciences Corporation 33 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, NY. 1 ^5bO (716) 872-4^)03 .^' Wj. Us i rv ^m 184 MARQUIS DE LA ROCHE. It';1 I 4'"*^ I I (ill [■'>*'■ IN il ) and returned immediately home, where he found the missing vessels. In the year 1598, tiie Marquis de la Roche, a Breton gentleman, obtained a patent from the Kiu<( conferring upon him the same powers which had been granted to Roberval. He sailed in an armed vessel for Nova Scotia the same year. He took oiit with him a company of miserable convicts, drawn from the prisons of France, with wliich to plant a colony. He landed forty of these on the Isle of Sable, situated nearly a hundred miles from Nova Scotia. Whether he ever reached the continent is unknown, but he returned to France, leaving these unfortunate criminals upon this island to drag out a lingering, wretched existence. It was a fate more dreadful to many of them than the original penalty of their crimes. After enduring seven years of ex- treme suffering, during which twenty-eight of their number died, an expedition was sent to their relief, who brought away the remaining twelve. They were reduced to abject wretchedness. In appear- ance, they were the most miserable specimens of humanity ever seen. So great had become the public interest in them that the King ordered them to be brought into his presence in the same condi- tion in which they were fotmd. They presented a truly affecting siglit. So great had been their dulferings upon that island, whilst exposed to ihe CAPTAIN WEYMOUTH S EXPEDITION. 185 inclfcmencit's of a severe climate, that they were regarded as more than an equivalent to the penalties which their oftences had incurred. They wee, therefore, pardoned of their crimes. Money was given to them, and tlie furs which they had collected during their residence there, but which had been unlawfully taken from them by the captain who had brought them home, were restored to them. The Marquis de la Roche, who had been guilty of this inhumanity, being harassed by persecutions, perplexed with vexations, and ruined by the failure of the enterprise, died wretchedly of a broken heart. After the third failure of Davis to discover the north-west ])assage, two events occurred which prf)- duced a disheartening effect upon the spirit of marine discovery : the first was the death of Secre- tary Walsingham, and the other was the invasion of England by the Spanish self-styled and misnamed Invincible Armada, preparation for the reception (»f which engrossed the whole attention and energicsj of the English nation. In 1602, efforts were resumed, under the combined auspices of the Muscovy Company and the Levant Company. They deputed Captain George Wey- mouth, with two fly-boats, one of sixty and the other of seventy tons, called the Discovery and the Godspeed, to make one more attempt. He departed 16* ■"!ir I i::;::!" ,..;||.. 'ili'' .^* It) 186 ICED VESSELS. from London on the 2(1 day of May, and on tin; I8ti of June he arrived oft' the coast of Greenhuid Here he ohserved the same peculiarity in the water which Captain John Davis had described. It was " thick as puddle," occasioned perhaps by number- less animalcuIoB. On the 28th, he came in sight of America. The bald head of a conspicuous promon- tt»ry presented itself to view, covered with snow, which he concluded was Warwick's Foreland. He here had a narrow escape from being wrecked. So strong were the currents, so violent the sea, and so dense the fog, that he had almost rim upon an ice- berg before it was discovered. As their water was brackish and nearly exhausted, the crew landed upon it and loaded their boat with cakes of ice, which furnished them with a very agreeable drink. As a loud and continuous roaring, like the break- ing of the surf upon the shore, was heard, the men made towards it, and found it was produced by the rolling in and dashing of the waves upon the icy barrier of the coast. So dense was the mist that it was impossible to see but a very short distance in any direction. Prudence dictated the order of the captain to take in the sails ; but when the men made the attempt, they were horror-struck to find them so frozen as to be unmanageable. The next day they renewed the attempt ; but so large had the ropes become by the accumulation of ice upon them, that A MUTINY. 18? Dreak- mcn )y the icy lat it ce in )f the made m so they ropes , tliat they could not he worked until large quantities of the ice were cut away. The day following, matters? were still worse. Though it was midsummer, ropes, sails, rigging, every thing on which tiie mist and the spray settled, was thickly incrusted with ice and rendered immovalde. The Godspeed and the Dis- covery were tossed about by the billows as if they were vessels of glass. The sailors were appalled. If this is the climate of summer, who can conceive the severities of winter ? If the suns of .July can- not prevent the formation of vast masses of ice, what may be expected in December ? A conspiracy was formed among the men, and they resolved to leave this climate, where the atmosphere was filled with snow, and the water with mountains of ice, and bear away to England. Their plan was, to seize the captain and confine iiim until they obtained his consent. Before they commenced the execution of their iniquitous scheme, Weymouth obtained in- formation of what was in progress, and immediately called the men to an account. Without the least exhibition of timidity, they manfully justified their conduct Dy what appeared to them sufficiently co- gent reasons. Their defence was, that, if they be- came frozen up in that unknown and dangerous sea, their destruction was highly probable, or, if they survived the sufferings and horrors of an arctic winter, they could not recommence their explorationi 1 .^'''H I .Mi''"' mi ■I • 188 STRAIT DISCOVERED. s I M h I next year (3ar1icr than May ; wliereas, iftliey set out at once for lin^laiul, they wouhl he ahhj to retnrn here hy that time, he.sitlcs escapin;ir the severities of the ehniate and enjoying a visit to their friends. The captain went helow to consider the snhject. The men remained firm in their determination, and as soon as the captain was out of sight they directed tlie course of the vessel towards England. Wey- month was soon informed of what had occurred, and hastening on deck, and finding tiie vessel sailing in a direction different from his orders, he inquired by whose authority it was done ; the answer was, by " one and all." Finding the conspiracy general among the men, the captain deemed it the part of prudence to yield, at least for the present, though at a subsequent period he brought the ringleaders to punishment. As the men expressed a willingness to prosecute discoveries any where to the south, even at the risk of their lives, Weymouth, rather than return prema- turely to England, directed his course to the south- ward. Finding an inlet, he entered it, and pene- trated to the south-west a hundred leagues ; but the fog being thick, gales severe, and the winter ap- proacliing, he was compelled to return to the open sea. The discovery of this inlet awakened hopes of the ultimate success of his enterprise. It seemed to present the most feasible course to the long- A HURRICANE. 189 (ooked-for nortli-nest passajro. This is believed to have been the priiicij);!! entrance to Hudson's 15ay. In latitude fifty-five lie fi)mid hind, with ishmds and harbors fiivora!)le fi)r a settlement, |)robably tlie ph»cc where tlie indefiiti;ir;ible and fearless Moravians af- ter'.vards established a missionary station atid called it Nain. Though Weymouth had now regained the open sea, he had not escaped from danger. A violent hurricane came down upon him from the west, which threatened to tear the vessels in pieces and strew the ocean with their wrecks. The water was agitated in the most violent maimer. The ships were driven on with the speed of the wind, but for- tunately it blew off the shore, otherwise nothing could have saved them. They soon afterwards re- turned home. The same year that Captain Weymouth was endeavoring to find a passage to the sultry clime of India, by ploughing through the ice and snows of the arctic regions, another bold adventurer was creeping along the less bleak, but perhaps not less rock- bonnd, coast of New England, to find a desirable location for a colony. This was Bartholomew Gos- nold. The route pursued by this navigator was dif- ferent from that which was usually taken by visitors to the new world. Instead of sailing to the Cana- ries, or touching at the Bermudas or the West Indies, 1 •:)!•<" •! M««^ ,^i;i(« II .<<« 190 DISCOVERY OF CAPE COD. wtt ^ I he steered, as neavly as the winds would urllow, due west. He is distinguitilied as heiiig the first Eiijiflishinaii who came to tliis part of the country hy a direct course across the Atlantic, by which the >ld was at first at a loss to know whether the boat was manned with natives or with Europeans. His sus- pense was not of long duration. As the craft ap- proached, lie perceived that it contained Indians. After exchanging professions of peace and friend- ship, the savages caine on board and engaged in traffic. The shallop, so different from the canoes which were in common nse among them, was prob- alily some fishing vessel which had been driven ashore juid abandoned. In managing it, the Indians used both sails and oars. Directing his course south, Gosnold discovered an arm of the main land projecting far into tlie ocean, with a singular, con- tinuous, scroll-like bend. He found at its termina- tion a 0(mvenient and safe harbor, but so circui- tous was the course to reach it, in consequence of the bending of the cape, that in entering it he sailed to nearly all points of the compass. Near this pldce A NAME UNCHANGED. 19i Gosnold's crew cauffht larjje miinbers of cod. One of the company, in a journal wliirli lie kcjit, says, "In five or six hours we pestered our ships so with codfish that we threw numbers of them overboard again." From this circumstance he named it Cape Cod. Since then it has received various other a|)- pellations. By the Dutch, in 1659, it was called Staatcn Hoeck, or State Point, and IVitfe Ilorck, or White Point, perhaps from the white sand liiHs with which it was covered. For the same reason the French named it Cap Blanc, or White Cape. Charles, Prince of Wales, ordered it to be called, in honor of his father, Cape .lames. It retained, however, none of these ai)pellations. The old, original, significant name of Cape Cod, given to it by Gosnold, it bears still, " a name," says Cotton Mather, " I suppose it will never lose, till shoals of codfish be seen swimming on its highest hills." Gosnold coasted southerly, and on the next day after leaving the cape he attempted to double another point of land, when he suddenly found himself in shoal water, where he was in danger of getting aground. No little care was required to extricate himself from his unexpected peril, from which cir- cumstance he named the place Point Care. This is supposed to have been the southern point of the cape, which forms the elbow, and is now called Cape Malabar. Whilst here he was visited by the 'I 111 <»'■■ .V If' 192 gosnold's discoveries. natives. Passing on farther, they came to an islandr whicli they named Martha's Vineyard. Dr. Holmes, in I»is Ameriran Annuls, says, " Tliis was not tiie island that now bears that name, but a small island now called Noman's Land." But as this is situated a short distance to the south-west of the island now known as Martha's Vineyard, it is probable that he also saw this latter, as he must have passed it in his course. He also discovered Gay Head, to which he gave the name of Dover ClitF. The next day he entered a large bay, which received the name of Gosnold's Hope, but is now known as Buzzard's Bay. About twelve miles to the south was an island called, by the Indians, Cuttyhunk ; it was one of a cluster which Gosnold christened Elizabeth Island, in honor of his Queen. This name, hke Cape Cod, has proved to be permanent. A little to the north were two small elevations, which they called Hill's Hap, and Hap's Hill. As Gosnold had visited the country for the pur- pose of founding a colony, he was constantly on the lookout for a suitable location. After an examina- tion of the place, it was agreed, upon mutual con- sultation, to make the attempt upon the western part of Elizabeth Island. This island was found to con- tain a large pond of fresh water, having in its cen- tre a small rocky islet. They here commenced the erection of a fort and storehouse, which they COSNOLI) S COLONY. 193 finislicd in nineteen (lnv>. Wliilst the nien were en- gu<:;e(l in l>nil(lin«j:, (iosnold crossed the hay to the main land, and opened a trallic with the natives ; he also discovered the months (»f two rivers — one in the vicinity of Ilap's Hill, and another on which JNew Bedford now stands, called, by the Indians, Acnshnet. He was absent five days. This colony was never established. Difficnltics and dissatisfac- tion arose among those who were to have consti- tnted it. On this account it was agreed, after con- sultation among the parties, to abandon the project and return to England. This ephemeral settlement of Gosnold's was sometimes called Old Plymouth, whilst that commenced in 1G20, in Massachusetts Bay, was known for a time as New Plymouth, evi- dently to distinguish it from the first. In 1797, several gentlemen, one of whom was the Rev. Dr. Belknap, visited EUzabeth Island, for the purpose of examining the ruins, if there were any, of Gosnold's buildings. They had the satisfaction of finding the cellar of the storehouse, which they noticed was built of stones taken from the beach, as the rocks of the island were less available, being in solid ledges. The ruins had then lasted a hundred and ninety-five years. 17 -»■•:'", m ■;;3iii .„«<# 104 CHAPTER XIV. '■tfa no i.; m mi' Dutch Enterprise. — Ilonry Hudson. — Arrives at Siindy Hook.— Horseshoe Harbor. — Somuliiifrs. — Coney Island. — Produc- tions. — Visitors. — Indian Alliance. — Mr. Herkcwoldcr. — In- tcre«!ting Tradition. — The long House. — How it was short- ened. — The Con(hiPt of the Natives. — The Crew land. — What they saw. — Hudson suspicious. — Unfortunate Adventure. — A gloomy Night. — A sad Spectacle. — The Burial. — Cole- man's Point. — Precautionary Measures. — More Visitors. — In- dian Stratagem. — Indians captured. — One escapes. — Red Coats. — Discovers a great River. — Its N^-^'^' —Show of Love. — Want of Confidence. Not long after the abandonment of this entei- prise by Gosnold, we find the Dutch engaged in ex- plorations, and in attempts to open trade with the aborigines of North America. In their employ was an Englishman, whose name was Henry Hudson, one of " the few whose names were not born to die." He was a gentleman of intelligence, of great physi- cal and moral courage, and p.-sessed of no small share of fortitude — an essential quaUfication for one who aspires to the honors of geographical dis- covery. On the 3d of Se|)tember, 1009 Hudson, in a ves- sel called the Half Moon, arrived at Sandy Hook, and came to anchor. .Asa precautionary measure, ^.'^ HUDSON S FIRST LANDING. m O he sent liis small lunit alicud, to souiul and ascertain the de[»th of tlu; water. Ijoiiiii;' .salisl'h'il tliat the rnovcinent would he safe, lie advanced the next mornni<>; farther in the hay, and anehoreil in Ilorse- fihoe llarhor. In a journal which was ke[)t on board his vessel is the followin<^ entry at that date: "At three o'clock in the afternoon we came to three ^reat rivers. So we stood alon ip^ilp ■:«■ wmt uHffta: 202 STRATAGEM DETECTED. tunate Ci leiiian was taken on shore and buried upon a point of land, supposed to be Sandy Hook, but to wliicb they gave the name of Coleman's Point. Hudson now increased his r eans of defence. He raised his small boat on board and built a temporary bulwark, behind which the men might be protected if they were again attacked. It was expected that this act of hostility would have interrupted the friendly relations between the ship and the shore ; but the second day after Coleman's death the na- tives came on board the same as before, and ap- peared to be unacquainted with the sad event which had taken place. They brought tobacco and Indian wheat, in order to exchange them for knives and beads. Nothing of an unfriendly nature was detected in their ccmduct. But on the morning of the 9th two large canoes, full of men, were seen to leave the shore. Dipping their light, short paddles gracefully in the water, they soon attained a rapid motion. Their course was direct towards the ship. Are their intentions amicable, or warlike ? As they approached nearer, one of them was seen to be filled with armed Indians. Their bows and arrows presented a very threntening aspect. The men who were in the other pretended to have come for purposes of trade, when their real object was to betray them and get possession of the vessel. Hudson was not to be de- ceived. He at once discovered their object. He ^^ E^MR A GREAT DISCOVERY. 203 the tide, get de- Ho tliLM'efore allowed but two of the Indians to come on hoard, und ohlijred the others to keep at a dustauce, who soon returned to land. Presently another canoe visited them, with only two in it. One oi' these he allowed to come on hoard, with the inten- tion of keeping him. But this wild rover of tlie forest had no idea of having his liberty restricted to the narrow limits of the deck of a vessel ; he seized the first opportunity that presented itself, and leaped overbo.ird. The other two who remained prisoners Hudson clothed in dashy red coats. That night he spent in the channel of the Narrows. The next day he went farther into the bay, and on the 11th he entered the mouth of a large and beautiful river, between the Island of Maidiattan and Hobo- ken, which, from the circumstance of his being the discoverer, has ever since been called th*^ Hudson. It did not, however, receive this name by his author- ity. He called it the Great River.* It was also very early denominated Riviere dcs Montagues^ or River of the Mountains, in consequence of the high- lands or mountains through which it flowed. By the New Englanders it was subsequently called the Mohegan River, because a tribe of that name inhab- ited its banks. By the Alohegans themselves it was denominated the Mahakaneghtuc. By the Iroquois it was known as the Coliohatatea, and among the Wiccapee Indians of the Highlands as the Shate- '^ ,!("■ .,.«<» A y**' '•>?!' 204 SHOW OF LOVE. muc. At the present time it is also, especia.Iy by the citizens of New York, fre(]uently called the North River, whilst the narrow outlet of Long Island Sound, on the opposite side of the city, is denominated the Efist River. Soon after the Half Moon came to anchor, the natives came on board, probably different tribes from those who visited them at the Narrows. They made a " show of love," left a present of tobacco and Indian wheat, and departed. Hudson, how- ever, placed no confidence in their professions of friendship. - i*ll .,M , (!. 205 CHAPTER XV. S'jspicioiis Visitors. — Hudson's Progress. — The Highlands. — Thick Fog. — Eflcct of its Disappcaranrc. — The two Captives again. — Catskill Mountains. — Loving People. — Cause of bad Luck. — Trade, — Hudson. — Shoals. — Adventures of the Mate. — Proof of Friendship. — Feeling the Way. — Hudson intoxicates the Indians. — Modest Wife. — Drtmken Chief. — Eft'ect upon the People. — Wampum.' — The Chief recovers. — Thank Otfcring. On the morninji: of the next day the water aroiiiicl the ship was covered with canoes of different si/.es, which were restlessly p:id(llin<^ ahout in various directions. They were filled with men, women, and children, ;ind were evidently there for an evil purpose. Hudson allowed none of them to come on hoard, althou«»h he purchased of them a supply of oysters and beans. They had large tobacco pipes of yellow copper, and earthen pots for cook- ing purposes. Hudson had now fairly entered upon the explora- tion of this noble river. Whither it would lead him, or what would be the extent or nature of his discoveries, of course he knew not. As the great object of his voyage was to find a north-west passage to China, he may perhaps have been cheered by th« 18 'ill; rri V »!»: fhii :'»!»» •il mm 11 2!)6 ASCENDS THE RIVER. hope tliat be was now on the right track to that 8))hMidici discovery. The next day he ascended four miles farther Ue seems to have been borne onward more by tlie lide than the wind. Four canoes came off from the shore to the ship, but none of the men were alh)^^ed to come aboard. I'bey had hirj^e quantities of oys- ters, wliich they sokl for a few trifles. Wlicn the afternoon tide came in, he weiglied anchor and floated up about cigljt miles farther, in tiie neigbbor- liood of Pliilli])sburg or Yonkers, where he passed tlie night. On the I4th he |)roceeded, according to Moulton, through Tapjian and llaverstraw Bay, passed between Stoney and Verplanck's Point, left beliind him Peekskill, and ascended as far as West Point, where he passed the night. The journal states that a ])ortion of the river through which they passed was a mile wide, and " very high land on both sides ; " and at the i)!ace where they an- chored 'M,he land grew very high and mountainous. The river is full of fish." On the morning of the 15th the mountains and the river were found to be covered with a thick fog, which effectually shut out from view the surrounding scenery. But when the warm rays of the sun were poured down upon it, the mist was gradually dispersed, until the lofty highlands stoovl forth in all their magnificence, and the river was seen winding around their base in THE CAPTIVKS ESCAPE. 2(>? ich and an- ions, the to be out the )u it, lofty , and ,se in quiet beauty, half concealed by the dark shadows of the mountains. Tlie two Indians whom thev took on board at the mouth of the river and ch)thed in showy red coats had been exceedingly impatient. They were totally averse to this involuntary impris- <>miient in the floating-house, and wanted to be re- leased. As Hudson was not disposed to give them their liberty, they took occasion this morning to leaj) from one of the portholes into the water and swim ashore. After Hudson had weighed anchor and was under sail, these two Indians called after him in a contemptuous manner, and indulged in various in- sulting gesticulations. It will be found hereafter that, not satisfied with this scornful conduct, they sought another mode to revenge themselves upon their captors. At night, the Half Moon came to other mountains, which are supposed to be the Cats- kill, and the height of which is nearly four thou- sand feet above tide water. "There," savs the journal, " we found very loving people and very old men, where we were well used. Our boat went to fish, and caught great store of very good fish." The next day being cloudless, gave the sun a fair chance to pour down his burning rays. It was oppressively warm. The men went a fishing, but met with poor success ; the reason of which was,- according to their own belief, that the Indians had been there with their canoes all the preceding night. A number % iliiii' ;itW iiiii" ;«•■• 206 CITY OF HUDSON. I > m ■"* « 14' H mi Xt of the natives came aboard, bringing Indian corn, *♦ poinpions," and tobacco, wliicb they readily ex- changed for a few trifles. Part of the time the men were employed, in replenishing the casks with fresh water. This was near where a city of over ten thousanti inhabitants now stands, and wliich is called, after the intrepid navigator who here paused to replenish his Half Moon with water, the city of Hudson. Early the next morning they weighed anchor and sailed up about twenty miles, and found shoals in tho middle of the river, with a channel on each si' Some small islands were there. In endeav- or J to avoid these shoals, the Half Moon grounded oj che shore. They warped her off, but before long she ran upon the. shoals in the river. AVhen the tide rose she got afloat and passed out of danger. On the I8th, one of the prominent Indian saga- mores, who is called in the journal the Governor of that country, took Hudson's chief mate to his house and " made him good cheer." This is probably th same visit to which De Laet refers, when giving an account of Hudson's reception in latitude forty-two degrees, fifteen minutes. He states that he went on shore with an old Indian, who was chief of forty men and seventeen women. He was escorted tc a house made of bark, exceedingly smooth, and well finiihed in every part. Here was an abundance of INDIAN HOSPITALITY. ^09 long corn and beans. On the outside of tlie house there were quantities of these articles, sutlicent to fill three ships, besides more that were in tlic fields. When he arrived at the house, two mats were spread upon the floor to sit on; Food was then broiijjjht ill red wooden howls, which exhibited considerable skill in their manufacture. The old chief sent oft* two of his men, with their bows and arrows, who returned in a short time, bringing with them two pigeons. Not satisfied with providing this fare, they killed a f»i.e fat dog, and skinned it with shells, for want of better implements. They had expected that Hudson would remain with them all night, ibut when they found him determined to return ,.j his vessel, they imagined that it proceeded froni ; his fear of their bows and arrows. To convince him of their sincere friendliness, they broke their bows and arrows to pieces before his eyes, and threw them into the fire. This was certainly a strong expression of good will, as it must have cost them much labor to make their weapons, without knives or other convenient tools. Moulton says that these Indians were the Wabingi, or the Mohawks. This must have been somewhere near Castleton. On the 19fn, at about eleven o'clock, A. M., he sailed up six miles farther, and anchored in eight fathoms water. He was here visited by many of the natives, who brought on board grapes, pumpkins, 18* Hit ll.li' -m l! ti^'H It III Wl iHint 210 RUM AND INDIANS. beaver and other skins, wliicli they exchanged for beads, knives, and hatchets. The next day Hudson sent his mate with four men, in a small boat, to sound the river above. They returned in the even- ing, and reported that two leagues farther up the channel was very narrow, and the water only two fathoms deep. But above that, the river increased in depth to seven or eight fathoms. The next day, as the weather was fair and the wind south, Hud- son desiied to push his little craft still fartiier up, but was prevented by the great number of Indians who came on board. He sent his carpenter on shore to get timber and make a fore-yard. There can be no doubt that, notwithstanding Hud- son's familiarity with the Indians, and his [)crmis- sion for them to come on board his vessel in con- siderable numbers, he had not full confidence in the sincerity of their professed friendship. He was con- stantly distrustful. He therefore resorted to a sin- gular expedient to detect, if possible, their treachery, if any existed. He and his mate invited some of the Indian chiefs into the cabin, and then treated them freely to wine and " aqua vitcSy" that is, ardent spirits. Their design probably was to intoxicate them, so that they might in some way unwittingly disclose their evil intentions. In a short time the liquor took effect, and they all became very merry. One of them had his wife with him, who conducted DRUNKEN SAGAMORE. 211 herself with jiront deconim ; for she " sate so mod- estly ns any of our country women wouKl doe in a stranne middle of the afternoon, bringing tobacco and more beads, which they gave to Hudson, and then " made an oration, and showed him all the country round about." Being desirous of producing as favorable an impression upon these mysterious strangers a.s possible, the Indians sent one of their number ashore, who soon returned with a large platter full of veni- son, which they hjid cooked after their own style, and which they gave to Hudson to eat. After hav- ing given other expressions of their respect, they all departed except the old chief, who, for the first time, had experienced the disgrace of intoxication. He preferred to renr.ain longer on board. 213 CHAPTER XVI. Effect of Ardent Spirits. — Hcckewelder. — Singular Tradition. -■ Great Surprise. — Opinions concerning the Arrival of the first Ship. — Effect upon the Indians. — Preparation for its Recep- tioji. — Grand Dance. — Exciting Reports of the Runners.— Salntations exchanged. — A Man in Red. — How he is re- ceived. — He drinks, and offers the Glass to the Indians. — Their Conduct. — One of them, after a Speech, drinks. — Its Effect.— His Assertions. — His Example followed. — General Intoxica- tion. — Presents. — Their ridiculous Use of them. — The Whites considered Gods. — Story of the Bullock's Hide. — Indians out- witted. — Locality of this Scene. — Different Names of Manhat- tan Island. The introduction of ardent spirits among the aborigines of this country has been among the most fruitful causes of their degeneracy and ruin. It has produced alienations between friendly tribes, led to murders which have resulted in sanguinary wars, attended with all the horrid atrocities of Indian bar- barity. Under its influence they have entered into treaties, and disposed, for a mere trifle, of immen::c tracts of valuable land, containing their hunting- grounds, their gardens, and the graves of their fathers. Hudson has the honor or the dishonor of being among the first Europeans who initiated the renowned Iroquois into the fatal pleasures of ita use. hi** ' U- -. ■ •1 It 4 ■)■■! i^iL 214 SINGULAR TRADITION. It is a fact worthy of remark, tliat a tradition pre- vails at the present time among* these Indians, that a scene of inloyication occurred among them at the first arrival of a siiip. A similar tradition has also been found among the Lenni Lenape, or Delawares, a branch of whom resided opposite Albany when [Tndson visited that place. Other branches of the Iroquois confederacy, the Monseys and Delawares, resided on Manhcittan and Staten Islands and the .lersey shore. The tradition is given by Rev. Mv. Ileckewelder at length. In a letter dated at Beth- lehem, Pennsylvania, January '2(5, 1801, he says, " As I receive my information from Indihns in their language and style, I return it in the same way. The enclosed account is, I believe, as au- thentic as any thing of the kind that can be ob- tained." He further says it was related to him by aged and respected Delawares, Mohegans, and IMahicanders, nearly forty years ago. It is copied from notes taken on the sj)ot. This tradition is so peculiar, and contains so many points of interest, that we should do it injustice if we failed to employ Rev. Mr. Ileckewelder's own language. We copy it from the New York Historical Collection, New Series, Vol. I. " A long time ago, when there was no such thing known to the Indians as people with a white skin, (their expression,) some Indians who had been out u THE FIRST SHIP. 215 fishing, and where the sea widens, espitd at a great distance something remarkahly large swimming or floating on the water, and such as they had never seen before. They, immediately returning to the shore, apprised their countrymen of what they had «; might send off in every direction for the warriors to come in. These arriving in numbers, and their- selves viewing the strange appearance, and that it was actually moving towards them, (the entrance of the river or bay,) concluded it to be a large canoe, or house, in which the great Mannitto (Great or Su- preme Being) himself was, and that he probably was coming to visit them. By this time the chiefs of the different tribes were assembled on York Islandi iilM If' 216 REPORTS OF THE RUNNERS. and were counselling or deliberating on the manner they should receive their Mannitto, on his arrival. Every step had been taken to be well provided with a plenty of meat for a sacrifice ; the women were rt!(juired to prepare the best of victuals ; idols or Images were examined and put in order ; and a grand dance was supposed not only to be an agree- able entertainment for the Mannitto, but might, with the addition of a sacrifice, contribute towards ap- peasing him, in case he was angry with them. The conjurors were also set to work to determine what the meaning of this phenomenon was, and what the result would be. Both to these and to the chiefs ar J wise men of the nation, men, women, and chil- dren were looking up for advice and protection. Between hope and fear, and in confusion, a dance commenceu. While in this situation, fresh runners arrive, declaring it a house of various colors, and crowded with living creatures. It now appears to be certain that it is the great Mannitto bringing them some kind of game, such as they had not before ; but other runners soon after arriving, declare it a large house of various colors, full of people, yet quite a diiferent color than they (the Indians) are of; that they were also dressed in a different manner from them ; and that one in particular appeared al- together red, which must be the Mannitto himself. They are soon hailed from the vessel, though in a SUPPOSED MANNITTO. 21? language they do not understand ; yet they shout or yell in their way. Many are for running off to the woods, but are pressed by others to stay, in order not to give offence to their visitors, who could find them out and might destroy them. The house (or large canoe, as some will have it) stops, and a smaller canoe comes ashore, with the red man and some others in it ; some stay by this canoe to guard it. The chiefs and wise men, or counsellors, had composed a large circle, unto which the red-clothed man, with two others, approach. He salutes them with friendly countenance, and they return the salute after their maimer. They are lost in admiration, both as to the color of the skin (of these whites) as also to their maimer of dress, yet most as to the habit of him who wore the red clothes, which shone with something (the lace) they could not account for. He must be the great Mannitto, (Supreme Being,) they think ; but why should he have a icliite shin 1 (their own expression.) A large liockhack (their word for gourd, bottle, decanter) is brought forward by one of the supposed Mannitto's servants, and from this a substance is poured out into a small cup, or glass, and handed to the Mannitto. The (ex- pected) Mannitto drinks, has the glass filled agam, and hands it to the chief next to him to drink. The chief receives the glass, but only smelleth at it, and passes it on to the next chief, who does the same. 19 ill w ,11(1. ii<(|i i *• .11 41 '■^i 218 THE FIRST GLASS. The glass thus passes through the circle without the contents being tasted by any one; and is upon the point of being returned again to the red-clothed man, when one of their number, a spirited man and great warrior, jumps, harangues the assem- bly on the impropriety of returning the glass with the contents in it ; that the same was handed them by the Mannitto, in order that they should drink it, as he himself had done before them ; that this would please him ; but to return what he had given to them might provoke him, and be the cause of their being destroyed by him. And since he believed it for the good of the nation that the contents offered them should be drank, and as no one was willing to drink it, he would, let the consequence be what it would ; and that it was better for one man to die, than a whole nation to be destroyed. He then took the glass, and, bidding the assembly a farewell, drank it off. Every eye was fixed on their resolute com- panion, to see what an effect this would have upon him ; and he soon beginning to stagger about, and at last dropping to the ground, they bemoan him. He falls into a sleep, and they view him as expiring. He awakes again, jumps Lj,, and declares that he never felt himself before so happy as afler he had drank the cup. Wishes for more. His wish is granted ; and the whole assembly soon join him, and become intoxicated. INDIAN MISTAKES. 219 " After tliis general intoxication liatl ceased, (dur- ing which time the whites had confined theinsehes to tlieir vessel,) the man with the red clothes returnee! again to them, and distributed presents among them, to wit, beads, axes, hoes, stockings, &c. They siiy that they had become familiar to eacili other, and were made to understand by signs ; that they now would return home, but would visit them next year again, when they would bring them more presents and stay with them a while ; but that, as they could not live without eating, they should want a little land of them to sow some seeds, in order to raise herbs to put in their broth. That the vessel arrived the season following, and they were rejoiced at seeing each other ; but that the whites laughed at them, (the Indians,) seej|ig they knew not the use of the axes, hoes, &-c., they had given them, they having had these hanging to their breasts as orna- ments ; and the stockings they had made use of as tobacco pouches. The whites now put handles (or helves) in the former, and cut trees down before their eyes, and dug the ground, and showed them the use of the stockings. Here (say they) a gen- eral laughter ensued among the Indians that they remained for so long a time ignorant of the use of so valuable implements, and had borne with the weight of such heavy metal hanging to their necks for such a length of time. They took every white It; Ijfll lit it (H'j \ll IIP liiK •fn 220 THE NATIVES OUTWITTED. f' •*' ■ •m man they saw for a Mannitto, yet inferior and attend- ant to the supreme Maiuiitto, to wit, the one which wore tlie red and laced clothes. Familiarity daily increasing between them and the whites, the latter now proposed to stay with them, asking them only for so much land as the hide of a bullock would cover, (or encompass,) which hide was brought for- ward and spread on the ground before them. That they readily granted this request ; whereupon the whites took a knife, and, beginning at one place on this hide, cut it up into a rope not thicker than the finger of a little child, so that by the time this hide was cut up there was a great heap. That this rojie was drawn out to a great distance, and then brought round again, so that both ends might meet. That they carefully avoided its breaking, and that, upon the whole, it encompassed a large piece of ground. That they (the Indians) were surprised at the supe- rior wit of the whites, but did not wish to contend with them about a little land, as they had enough. That they and the whites lived a long time content- edly together, although these asked, from time to time, more land of them, and, proceeding higher up the Mahicanittak, (Hudson River,) they believed they would soon want all their country, and which, at this time, was already the case." The precise spot where the landing ana carousal referred to in this tradition took place is unknown MANHATTAN ISLAND. 221 rousal There is a strong probability of its i^encral correct- ness, tlioiigb it is possible that incidents which took place at ditVcrent times are blended together in the legend. Hudson was dressed in red. He did give liquor to the natives ; he also made them presents of various articles ; and it is not at all unlikely that the scenes took place very nearly as they are de- scribed. Some contend that the locality of this adventure was Manhattan Island, on which the city of New York now stands. As one evidence of this, it is said that, to the present time, the Delawares call this island Mannahattanink, or Mannahachtanink, which means the island or place of general intoxi- cation, and that this name was given to it in con- sequence of the intoxication of the Indians by Cap- tain Hudson. The Mohegans call it by the same name, but suppose that it arises from a certain kind of wood which is found there, which is well adapted to bows and arrows. Other natives call New York Laaphawachking, which means the place of string- ing beads. This name arose from the fact that, after the whites had left in their vessel, the Indians vere seen in every direction engaged in stringuig beads, or wampum, which the visitors hud given them. 19* P IIP rtDII* ■ i VT m :l 222 ^ CHAPTER XVII. Hudson's highest Point. — lie descends. — Lands. — rrccs. -^ The old Man again. — Disappointed Chief. — Fishing. — Ncw- hiirgh. — Hard Metal. — A IJoat Thief. — An AtVra^ . — ElVcPt of a Gun. — The two Captives again. — An Attack. — The Re- pulse. — Attack renewed. — Falcon. — Its Execution. — JJolh Parties retreat. — Appearance of Ore. — Sail along Maiihal- lan. — The Half Moon at Sea. — Magic Change. — Different Rales of Travel. — The Time Hudson occupied in exploring the River. — Extent of the Country. — Population. — English Prohibition. — Crew mutinies. — Hudson returns. IC «•■'«• Hudson's explorations extended as far as to Fort Orange, or Albany. Some think that liis vessel (the Half jNIoon) a.scended as iiigh as that, and that then he sent some of his men higher up in the small boat, who reached a place now called Water- ford, in the town of Half Moon. The journal states, " The two and twentieth was fair weather. In the morning, our master's mate and four more of the company went up with our boat to sound the river higher up This night, at ten o'clock, our boat retitn .ed, in a shower of rain, from sounding of the river, and found it to be an end for shipping to go in ; for they had been up eight or nine leagues, and found but seven foot water." The language of the journal is not sufficiently precise to HUDSON i>i:s(:r:\Ds tiik uivkr. 2-i3 •iu lier. oi the ten from id for Iht or Tlie be to enal>le us to fix (lefinitoly the hijrhest pciiiit that was reached. The next day Hudson connnenced his descent On the 24tii, he got ajjronnd, l)nt was tloiited oil' with the rising of the tide. On tlic '^5th, a " stiff gide " blew from the soutlu As they conUl make no progress down the stream, tliey went asliore on the west side of tlie river, and found large quanti- ties of oak, walnut, chestnut, and yew-trees, and " trees of sweet wood in great abundance, and great store of slate for !iouses, and other good stones." This is believed to be the spot where Athens now stands. The next day they were visited by the old man whom they had intoxicated, who was accompanied by another Indian, with their wives and two young squaws, sixteen or seventeen years of age, «♦ who behaved themselves very modestly." Hudson in- vited the men and one of their wives to dine with him, nw^ exchanged a knife for some tobacco. Be- fore the visitors dep.arted they invited the captain to visit them when he should reach their place of resi- dence, which was a few miles below where tney Jien were. September 27th was Sunday. They weighea anchor and ran the ship down until she struck upon a shoal and grounded. The old chief came aboard again and invited them to go ashore and visit his IP • nil' • Ml !■« 1 if « H« •»* 224 A CORRECT OPINION. people. But tlie vessel ajrnin floatinjr, and the wind becoming' fair, tlicy declined liis request, much to his regret. At live o'clock in the afternoon they an- chored in fourteen fathoms water. Some of the crew amused themselves with fishing. They were successful in taking between twenty and thirty mul- lets, breams, bass, and barbils. Ry the 29th they had gotten down as far as Newburgh. The writer of the journal states, " This is a very pleasant place to build a town on." He was correct. A large and flourishing city has risen upon the spot. Whilst lying here the people brought to Hudson a stone, in aj)pearance like emery, which was harder than iron or steel, and would cut them ; when pulverized and mixed with water it made a shining black color, and glistened like black lead. The 1st of October was signalized by an unfortu- nate occurrence. The vessel had dropped down the river some distance below the Highlands, some- where near Stoney Point, and came to anchor. The Indians came off from the shore in canoes in con- siderable numbers. Some of them came aboard for traffic. One was seen as if carelessly floating under the stern of the vessel. He excited sufjpi- cion, and was ordered off. He soon returned to the same position, and would not leave it. The men, however, kept a vigilant eye upon his move- ments. When he supposed their attention wae A STERN THIEF. 22,'> diverted in another direction, he left; his canoe, chmbed up the rudder, and entered the cabin win- dow. He took a ])illow, two shirts, and two bando- leer?, — small wooden cases, covered witli leather, sufjpi- hed t«> The niove- |n vaa The Stem Thiet containing each a sutlicient (juantity of powder to charge a musket, — dropped them into his canoe, and made off. lie was detected. The k •■te, see- ing him flying off \vith his booty, seized a musket, fired at him, and kilhd him. Instantlv there was a great scampering among the natives. So frightened were they, that some leaped out of their canoes and Bwam rapidly away. Hudson ordered his small boat to be manned and go after the stolen articles. KNI ^smmr CCNFLICTS. tt» ^■! •»"« m l€23" Whilst the men were executing the orJer one of the Indians, who was somewhat more courageous than the rest, swam to the boat, seized it, and made eflforts to overturn it. The cook, having a sword with him, immediately cut off one of his hands. The poor fellow ^ank and was drowned. This was a severe punishment, but perhaps the lives of the men were in danger. After this painful adventure, they descended the stream about two leagues. The next day they proceeded seven leagues farther, and anchored near the upper end of Manhattan Island. Whilst lying here, one of the two savages whom they took with them up the river, and who jumped overboard and swam ashore, came out to the ves;>el, accompanied by a large number of others. His object was to seek revenge for the captivity he had endured on board the ship. Hudson perceived his design, and suffered none of them to come aboard. But they were not to be defeated in this manner. They paddled around to the stern of the vessel, and then poured a shower of arrows into her. This was too much for patient endurance. Iheir fire was returned by a discharge of six muskets, which took fsital effect upon two or three of them. This added fresh fuel i) the fire of revenge which burnt in the hearts of the ignorant savages. A hundred of them assembled on a })oint of land for another attack upon the vessel. But Hudson caused a small one of ageous J made sword hands. his was of tho venture, . The ler, and Island. i whom jumped 5 vesi^el, |s. His he had ived his aboard. manner. sel, and . This leir fire ?, which . This h burnt liundred another a small RENEWED ATTACKS 227 cannon, called a falcon, to be fired upon them, which killed two more, and caused the others to disappear in the woods. A i'cw of them soon g;atii- ered courage and returned to the attack. Nine or ten of them pushed off in a canoe once more to the vessel. The falcon was brought to bear upon them a second time. The ball which it sent killed one of their number and went through the canoe. Not- withstanding this mysterious mode of warfare, by which fire was brought into requisition to send invis- ible missiles among the enemy, and notwithstanding some of their number had fallen by the power of these unseen weapons, and their canoe had been completely bored through, yet the Indians did not seem disposed to retreat. But when another volley of musketry was poured upon them from the Half Moon, which killed three or four more of them, they adopted the principle that discretion is the bet- ter part of valo'", and fled. Hudson, actuated prob- nblv by the same f)rincii)le, dropped down the river, and came to anchor in a bay on the opposite side of mi;: Rtr'^nm, "clear from all danger of them." .luet, in '»(<« ! if.nal, states, " Iljird by there was a cliff, that looked of the color of white green, as though it were either a copper or silver mine; and I tlTudt it to be one of them by the trees that grow upon it, for they be all burnt, and the other places are green as g'^qss. It is on that side of the river that is called V mw 228 MAGIC change:. •ft W if Manna-hatta." They remained there undisturbctl all ni«rht, though they had much wind and rain. The next day the weather continued boisterous ; hut on October 4th the wind became fair. They weighed anchor, sailed down between the shores of Manhattan Island on one side, Weehawken and Hohoken on the other, find, passing by the Battery and Governor's Island, in a few hours were beyond the Narrows /it on the wide ocean. How mag;c - the change which has taken place on the shoi..j of this noble stream since its lirst exploration by him whose name it buars ! Where then his eye fell upon nothing but the nat- ural scenery, with here and there an Indian en- campment, are now seen heautiful palaces, flourish- ing villages, splendid cities, and well-conducted, profitable farms. The water, whose surface was troubled only by the rude canoe of the aborigines, clumsily made out of the bark or the trunk of a tree, is now covered by vessels of all shapes and sizes, some of which, for the perfection of their architecture and the splendor of their decorations and furniture, have a]>propriately been called float- ing palaces. Equally surprising is the increased speed which has been attained in navigation. The distance up and down the river, which occupied Hudson twenty-two days, can now be accomplished in as vmny hours. Similar traiLsformatious, to a THE CREW MUTINIES. 229 its great extent, have taken place in all parts of the land ; so that the country which at the time of his visit was an uncivilized waste, is now occu|)ied hy one of the most enlightened and powerful nations upon earth. Henry Hudson was an Englishman ; hut when he discovered and explored the important river which now bears his name he was in the emplij/ of the Dutch. Some of the men who accuinpanied him were also Englishmen. This circumstance after- wards resulted in an entire change of his plans and of his whole subsequent history. His crew were strongly dis})osed to mutiny. He found it ditficult to control them. After his exploration of the river, he held a consultation with them as to what course he had better pursue. Their opinions and wishes did not agree. The mate proposed going to New- foundland, passing the winter, and seeking Davis's Passage. To this Hudson was decidedly opposed. He suggested that, if they went to the north, their provisions would probably not hold out ; that they would be unable to replenish their stock ; that a num- ber of the men were on the sick list, and that they would probably never return to Holland. No one but himself, however^ mentioned HoUand. The English sailors did not, because they did not want to go there; the Dutch did not, because they knew that tlie English on board would be strongly opposed to 20 w* ■ '^^^ ,,J lis S! Of .» ! I I <• -'-Si M Ik •■'Si* "I " •jst-'d Wff- 230 ENGLISH INJrSTTCE. it. The consultation protluced no decided results. Hudson directed the prow of his vessel towards England. He kept on for a month without seeing any land. It was his intention to return to Amster- dam and make a report of his important discoveries to his employers. But as he neared the coast of England, his crew mutinied. The English were unwilling to sail by their own country and proceed to Holland. They longed for home. They com- pelled him, therefore, to put into Dartmouth, where he arrivcJ November 7, 1G09. The rumors of his discoveries soon became noised abroad Jn Ej.-land, and secured to Hudson great honor. He was treated as a person of more than ordinary consequence. He soon sent an authentic account of his voyage and its results to Holland, and had some correspondence with them concerning another voyage. But the English government, who wanted to secure to themselves all the benefit of his discovery, prohibited, it is said, his sailing again in the employ of the Dutch. They also forbade the English portion of his crew to reenter that ser- vice. If it had not been for these English sailors, Hudson would have proceeded to Holland, without stopping at England, and in that case he would, in all probability, have continued in their employ. So that the mutinous disposition of these few English Hudson's fate. 231 seamen was the means of changing the whole course of Hudson's history. He made three voyages to this country. During Jjis third voyage liis nuitinous crew cruelly commit- ted him, in a sniall hoat, to the tender mercies of an arctic sea. They abandoned him to his fate, and he was never heard from again. iii li ! ■w-fwmim mm Ji -" V I i I I -€ ■;, If -I* I* '^ * 232 CHAPTER XVIII. Rum anu Gunpowder. — Samuel Cliamplain. — His Discovery.— French and Indian Allies. — A War Party. — The Five Na- tions. — Champlain passes up the St. Lawrence. — Lake St. Peter. — Sorclle River. — Indian Deception. — Dangerous Rap- ids. — Vessel sent back. — Vigilance. — Beautiful Country. — Superstitious Incantations. — Champlain's pretended Dream. — Its happy Effect. — Passage through Lake Champlain. — Trans- parent Water. — Unexpected Meeting. — Singular Message.— Morning Battle. — Novel Expedient. — Effect of Firearms.— Victorious Rejoicings. — Indian Practice after a Battle. — Tor- tures. — Champlain returns to France. Whilst Hudson was exploring the southern parts of New York, and initiating tlie ignorant savages into the mysteries of rum, anotlier intrepid and skil- ful adventurer was examining its northern borders, and introducing to the natives there a knowledge of another article of fearful energy. With rum coming upon them from one quarter, and gunpowder from another, and ere long both of these fatal agencies being furnished from every trading establishment, in quantities to suit purchasers, it is not in the least de- gree surprising that the aborigines have melted away so rapidly. The fearless and persevering pioneer to whom wc refer was Samuel Champlain. He first discovered and explored that long and beautifid lake in the north-eastern part of the state which now SA>rUKL CHAMPLAIN. 233 bears liis name. For many years it was called Lake Iro^juois, because it was in tbe country of the pow- erful Iroquois Indians. It is now universally known as Lake Cliamplain. After tbe settlement of Quebec, it was deemed by tbe colonists wise policy to keep on friendly terms with tbe neighboring Indians, among whom were the Algonquins, Les Montagnez, and Hurons. At tbe same time the Indians were gUwl to avail themselves of tbe alliance of their new neighbors, who, they thought, would render them efficient service in their attacks upon their powerful enemies the Iroquois. Having secured the friendship of the whites, it was not long before they obtained their consent to unite with them in vigorous measures against their com- mon enemy. A party of Indians, in company with a few of the Frenchmen of Quebec, set out, in 1609, ui)on an expedition against the terrible Iroquois. Sanuiel Cliamplain was one of their number. He was induced to join them with the hope that, by so doing, he might be able to bumble the proud Iroquois, and then, by negotiating a peace, bring all the tribes of Indians in Canada into a friendly league with the French. If this could have been accomplished, it would have been highly advantageous to tbe French. Cliamplain, however, found that it was much more easy to project the plan than to carry it into execu- tion. The confederated Iroquois, otherwise knowq 20* 234 CHAM plain's project. as the Five Nations, or sometimes as the Six Na« tions, who had lieltl in clieck, and were the terror of, the trihes for a space of tliree hundred miles around them, were not to he subdued. Another European nation, who liad watched with an eagle eye the ad- vancing power of the French in the new world, was to enter into league with the Iroquois, for the pur- pose of arresting the fartlier progress of France. This, however, was hidden from Champlain. He no doubt was determined to exert himself, to the utmost of his ability, for the accomplishment of the object he had in view. He accordingly embarked with his Indian allies at Quebec. The vessel pro- ceeded slowly up the broad and noble St. Lawrence. They passed the mouth of the Chaudiere River on the south ; then the River St. Anne, which came in on the north ; then the Becancour and the St. Mau- rice, nearly opposite each other. Here the St. Law- rence gradually widened into a broad lake, now called Lake St. Peter, twenty-six miles long, and containing several islands. They sailed through the whole length of this lake, passed by the islands, and then entered a river which came in on the south. 'I'his was the Iroquois, now known as the St. John's, or the Sorelle River. It unites the waters of the St. Lawrence with those of Lake Champlain. They had not proceeded far into this new river before a discovery was made which convinced Champlain of CHAMPLAIN's VIOIC.ANCE. the t»ey tlie unprincipled flu|)licity of his allies ; this was the discovery of impassuhle rapids. His allies, if they h;id heen true, would have given him information of these rapids; but, instead of that, they had carefully concealed them from him. His vessel could proceed no farther. He therefore sent her back to Quebec. Himself and two faithful Frenchmen, who would not forsake him, determined to press on, notwithstanding the secrecy and deceitfulness of the Indians. They carried their canoes around the falls, and then made preparations for their night encampment. The In- dians, according to their custom, sent out one of their nundier to reconnoitre and ascertain whether any enemies were in sight. He returned without making any discoveries. They then [)repared for sleep, without the precaution of appointing a guard. Champlain rebuked them for stupidity and careless- ness ; but all the reply they gave was, that those who were fatigued all day needed sleep at night. But as they approached nearer the settlements of their enemies, they redoubled their vigilance. They trav- elled only at night, and made no fires in the day, lest the columns of smoke might reveal their retreat. Champlain was delighted with the beautiful nnd romantic appearance of the uncultivated re^ ';:is through which he passed. The islands were well clocked with deer and other game, whilst the river abounded with fish. They found it a pleasant •*»•» 2:36 A piietp:ndei) dream. amusement to hunt and fisli in orde-r to supply them- selves with food. On tiiis excursion, Ciiam])lain obtained consider{U)Je information of Indian customs and character. lie was especially interested in th« implicit confidence which they reposed in the mysl rious powers of their sorcerers or powwows. One of these was in their company, who took occasion, at one of their encampments, to go through with his superstitious, terrific incantations. After this they inquired for several days, of Champlain, if he had not dreamed of seeing the Iroquois. He told them no. At this they were greatly troubled, and made no attenipt to conceal their anxiety from him. Un- der the i.npression that it would aftbrd them relief" and might encourage them to deeds of noble dan" in the coming conflict, he finally told them that, in u dream, he had seen their hated enemy, the Iroquois, drowning in a lake, but that he placed no confidence in it. They, however, were filled with joy. They had now no dojibt of victory. It is not improbable that the powwow, in his incantations, had associated Champlain, dreaming of the Iroquois, with a favor- able termination of the present expedition ; hence their enthusiasm when he informed them that he had seen, in a dream, their enemy overwhelmed in the waters of a lake. After this they pressed on with high hopes. They soon left the spot where St. John's now stands, and the Isle aux Noix, passed by A<' AN ITNRXl'KfTKr) MKF.TIXfi. 2frr )able liated [avor- lience had U the with St. !dby Rnns«>'s Point, and entered upini tlic rnmatilic Lake ( 'haniplain. For a hmidrt'd and ten miles did thoy paddle their liirlit cnukk.'s over this hvantil'id >lieet, pa.ssinjr by places whieh, since then, have been con- secrated by important national events, as classic h)- calities in tlie liistory of the country. On the south « »• '*mn *<»ii fe 241 CHAPTER XIX Rumors of a great River. — Opinions concorning it. — Reasons for visiting it. — The exploring Party. — Wild Rice Indians. — Their Advice. — Alarming Stories. — Salt Ray — No Salt. — Beautiful Landscape. — A Cross discovered. — Village in Com- motion. — The Portage. — Pleasant Sail. — Iron Mines. — The Mississippi Mode of Travelling. — Welcome Paths. — Ro- mantic Cluster of Villages. — Their judicious Approach. — Friendly Receptior. — Courteous Entertainment. — The Cal- umet. — Council. — Feast — Escort. — Meaning of Illinois. — Departure. — Looking out for a River. — Discover huge painted Monsters. Soon after the French had formed their infant settlements in Canada, certain vague nmiors began to be circulated among them that, many miles to the west, was a river of great width, which flowed many hundreds of miles through the country, and terminated no one knew where. On its banks, at different distances, villages of various Indian tribes were planted, and in its waters fish and monsters of gigantic size were said to exist. The reports concerning it, though indefinite and unsatisfactory, appear to have been tinged with no small amount of exaggeration and superstition. The curiosity of the French was excited, and their love of adventure called into action. Brave, enterprising spirits were not wanting among them, who panted for the 21 mmmmm '=# mt 242 RUMORS OF A GREAT RIVER. honor of being able, by their personal explorations^ to settle the questions concerning the locality, the course, the length, and the outlet of this mysterious stream. So limited and indefinite was the informa- tion which was derived from the Indians respecting the course of this river, that some believed it flowed in a south-easterly direction, and emptied into the Atlantic. Others maintained the opinion that, after pursuing a south-westerly course, it found its way to the Pacific through the Gulf of California; whilst others believed that it tended southerly, and emptied in the Gulf of Mexico. It was important, in a geo- graphical point of view, that correct information should be obtained. In addition to this considera- tion, whatever nation discovered and explored the river would be regarded as entitled to the territory through which it flowed. New sources of trade would be opened with interior tribes of Indians, and vast fields of benevolent labor would be thrown open for the cultivation of Christian missionaries ; for these Indians, being heathen, needed the elevat- ing and converting influences of Christianity. For these reasons, M. De Frontenac, who was then Gov- ernor of Canada, favored an exploring expedition. Father Marquette, a Roman Catholic missionary, who was then a resident of the old town of Mich- ilimackinac, the settlement of which is attributed to liis influence, and M. Joilet, were considered suitable ■A :ri] mar FATHER MAUqUETTL 243 persons to have charge of the perilous expeilition. Marquette was especially adapted to this service, on account of his bravery, discretion, rclij^ious zeal for the conversion of the natives, and his acquaintance with several Indian dialects which were widely spoken by the natives. Five others were associated with them. Father Marquette wrote an account cf the incidents which occurred on the expedition, by means of which a knowledge of their adventures has been perpetuated to the present time.* On the 13th of May, 1073, these seven individuals embarked in two canoes on their excitinjr and dan- gerous expeditioji. The first tribe of Indians which they reached were called Wild Rice, because their country produced this grain in great abundance. Father Marquette informed them of his design to visit the tribes of the remote west and ^outh, and make known to them the knowledge of the true God. These sons of the forest, being favorably impressed with the good father's appearance and doctrines, were unwilling that he should expose him- eelf to the perils of so hazardous an enterprise. They earnestly entreated him to abandon it. They pictured it as full of terrors. They represented the navigation of the river as extremely dangerous, the Indians as cruel, and the climate as insufferably hot, • Life of Ma-quette, by Jared Sparks. «K5 m « tm « 244 ALARMING STORIES. They moreover said tliat the water of the river teemed with gigantic monsters, with which it would he useless to contend. Their tales of terror were sufficient to have chilled the ardor of any other than the bravest hearts. But they produced no effect upon Marcpiette. Although he expressed his grati- tude for the atlectionate interest which they mani- fested in his welfare, he informed them he had no fear of the aquatic monsters of the river, and that he should use extra vigilance to guard against sur- prise from the Indians. True to his design, Mar- quette gave these Wild Rice Indians religious in- struction, and offered for them his prayers. We next find him at the Bay of Puans, on the north- western side of Lake Michigan. Its present name is Green Bay. As in the Indian language its name signified Salt Bay, our adventurers were induced to make some examination of the place, to ascertain if any salt springs existed in the neighborhood ; but none were found. Ascending a river which emptied into the bay, and which is now known as Fox River, they approached a village, beautifiilly situated on a hill, from which an extensive view was had of a landscape which, as it stretched away in every direction, presented to the beholder, in pictures(iiie combination, the gor* geousness of the many-flowered prairie, with groves of trees scattered over it, like islands in a lake, and A CROSS DISCOVERED. 245 a dense forest skirting the horizon, as if it were the green bank by which the waters of this golden hike were kept within their hmits. Here Marquette was dehghted to see a large cross — the symbol of his religion — erected in a conspicuous place in the centre of the town. He was even more gratified to perceive that it was covered with offerings which the natives had presented to the Great Spirit as an ex- pression of their gratitude for successes which he had granted them during the preceding winter. The cross had not been reared in vain. The year before this, Father AUouez, a Catholic missionary, had labored among this people ; and so deeply were they interested in his communications, that they scarcely allowed him time for necessary repose. They required him to teach at night as well as through the day. The cross, decorated with their thank offerings, was probably the result of his influ- ence amonjj them. From these Indians Marquette obtained two guides, and, in return for some presents, they gave him a mat, which w-qs used for a bed during the whole voyage. Like the Wild Rice Indians, they endeavored to dissuade the pioneers from their haz- ardous expedition, but in vain. The 10th of .Tune was a day of unusual excite- ment in the village. All the inhabitants understood the object of their visitors. And as they were well 21* ^IM 246 EXCITING OCCASION. acquninted with the fierce, warhke disposition of the powerful tribes to the south and west whom this small company intended to reach, they regarded the attempt as extremely hazardous, and one which would most probably result in martyrdom. When, therefore, the hour arrived for their friendly visitors to embark, the whole village — chief"!, braves, squaws, and naked children — assembled together and gazed with astonishment upon the temerity of this small handful of men, in exposing themselves to the power of the distant barbarous tribes, and to the perils of navigation which they knew would inevitably beset them. The voyagers entered a river which emptied into Green Bay, and followed it to a place known as the Portage. Here they were obliged to carry their two canoes across land to another river which ran west, called the Mescousin, but now known as the Wis- consin. Here their guides left them, to return. Until now, the natural current of all the water which they had traversed was towards Quebec. From this point the water flowed in an opposite direction — to the west and south. As they passed slowly on through the broad, but shallow Wisconsin, they found the river checkered with numerous islands of various shapes and sizes, covered with stately trees, and ornamented with brilliant flowers and the graceful drapery of innumerable vines. As the^ SAIL DOWN THE WISCONSIN. 247 isin, iiids tely the ;hc> swept along close by the shore, various kinds of wild fowl were started, some of which, as they left their nests or feeding-places, would fly away with a shrill, shrieking cry, and some with a whirring sound, whilst others darted off noiselessly, as if fearful of betraying the direction of their fliglit. Occasion- ally the timid deer and uncouth buffalo were seen, but no Indians. After sailing about thirty leagues, they discovered extensive iron mines, the ore of which appeared to be of good quality. They con- tinued their course for forty leagues more, and on the 17th of June they entered, with emotions of gratitude and joy, the far-famed river of which they were in search. The friendly Wisconsin had intro- duced them to the magnificent Mississippi ! It, of course, was not known at that time that the river, about which they had heard such vague, yet startling rumors, and which they had now reached, was the same as that beneath whose waters the re- mains of Hernando De Soto had found their last resting-place. A knowledge of that fact was to be the result of future discovery. Thus far every thing had been favorable, and they commenced their exploration of the Rio Grande, us the unknown river was sometimes called, under encouraging auspices and with high hopes. Although they had seen no natives since they left Green Bay, they were weP aware that they were 248 EXPLORING THE MISSISSIPPI. tif-' passing through Indian territory, and were liable at any moment to an attack. They therefore pro- ceeded with great caution. Some of the party were always on guard whilst the others took their rest. As they could not conveniently cook their food in their small canoes whilst floating down the stream, their method was, to approach the shore in the latter part of the afternoon, kindle a fire, cook their game, then push out into the middle of the river and an- chor for the night. They proceeded in this manner until the 25th of June, when, at a point some sixty leagues below the mouth of the Wisconsin, they dis- covered the footprints of men. They now knew that they were in the vicinity of Indian settlements. Looking around, they perceived a well-trodden path, which led into a prairie. This was no unwelcome sight. Although they were no war party, stealthily seeking their unsuspecting enemy, yet they were as highly pleased to find themselves in the neighbor- hood of Indians as were the bloodthirsty warriors of the forest when they discovered the hiding-places of those whom they were pursuing for purposes of revenge. The good Father Marquette rejoiced at the opportunity, which he now hoped would be afforded, of preaching the true faith to the benighted red men, who had never heard the history of the cross, and who were perishing for lack of knowledge ; whilst Joilet, being himself a merchant, was probably grat- A ROMANTIC VILL\GE. 249 ified with tlie prospect of discovering new fields for commercial adventure and speculation. After committing the canoes to the care of the boatmen, and giving them all necessary instructions, our two heroes set out in pursuit of natives. After following the beaten track about bijl miles, they came to a cluster of villages quite romantically situ- ated, two of them being perched upon a hill top, as if for purposes of observation, and the other nes- tling by the margin of a graceful stream, as if it were an outpost guarding the hill from the approach of danger. When they arrived within hailing distance, in or- der to avoid exciting suspicion by any appearance of concealment, they paused, and signified their pres- ence by a loud call. In an instant the Indians presented themselves at the doors of their cabins. After gazing at their unexpected visitors a few mo- ments, they deputed four old men of their tribe to advance and hold a parley with them. As those four messengers approached with slow and dignified step, two of them performed the interesting servi(;e of elevating ornamented pipes towards the sun, as a sign of friendship. Encouraged by this proffer of peace. Father Marquette broke silence and inquired the name of their nation. " We are Illinois," was their reply. They then offered pipes to the strangers, und invited them to their homes. As thpearanec was well fitted to excite the feurs of the superstitious. ■• III r i lit eS • M. 253 CHAPTER XX. Ifa; juctle discovers the Missouri. — Eflcct of its Waters upon the -Mississippi. — Marquclle's Opinions. — Tlio Platte and Colora- do. — The Ohio passed. — Spirit's Residence. — Ochres.— Reeds. — Interview with Indians. — Possess European Arti- cles. — Warlike Movements allayed by the Caliinicl. — Interpret- er discovered. — Arkansas Indians. — Escort of ten Canoes. — Distance of the Sea. — The Party in Danger. — The Peril escaped. — Reasons for relnrninjj. — Enter tlie Illinois. — A Chief invites Marquette to return. — Reach Chicag^o. — Time of Absence. — Marquette settles as a Missionary. — His Pre- sentiment. — His rural Worship. — His Retirement. — His sin- gular Decease. Without stopping to settle the question whether those uncouth figures on the rocks were natural or artificial, Marquette, after examining them as long as he desired, paddled ofl* down the stream. It waa not long before a rushing sound was hetird ; then rapids were discovered. Floating timber and dead trees, in gretit quantities, were seen coming into the Mississippi from its western side. TIh'v had reached the mouth of the Pekitanoni, (Mis.soin-i River.) Until now the water of the Mississippi had been clean ; below this it was very turbid. The sediment brought into it by the Peki'anoni colored and ren- dered muddy the whole river. As one object of this expedition was to discover oo mm ■aw 254 CORRECT rOXJECTURES. W-m • m «i the course and outlet of the Mississippi, this was made a subject of special attention and inquiry. After they reached the mouth of the Pekitanoni, Father Marquette formed the opinion that, if the Mississippi continued in general tlie same course it had thus far, it must empty itself in the Gulf of Mexico, lie also expressed the belief ihat, by fcjl- lowing the Pekitanoni, another river might he reached, which discharged its waters into the Gulf of California. The sagacity of the good father may be inferred from the correctness of his con- jectures. The Mississippi does empty, as he su|)- j)oscd, in the Gulf of Mexico, and tlie north fork of the PlMtte River, which is a branch of the Piki- tanoni, extends to witiiin a short distance of the sources of the Colorado, wliich empties into the Gulf of California. 'I'he Piatte and the Colorado Rivers both take their rise in tlie Cordilleras Moun- tains, and tlow in opposite tlircctions — tlie former through the (iulf of Mexico into the Atlantic Ocean, the latter through the (Julf of CaUf(»rnia into the Pacific Ocean. Marquette was right in both of his opinions. Another river which they came to, that dis'* charged its waters into tlie ^Mississippi, was cal'ed Ouabouskigou. This came in fr<»m the east, and is now called the Ohio. Near its mouth is a place which was regarded by the Indians as the residenc«» MARQrETTK S DISCOVKRIKS. 2.% s was ns upon Lake Ontario, and anionoi'tant was this event that a 7e J)(um was sun<(. As tlie current of the river ahove the falls is stronjr, the vessel, after heinjf completely rijrj^ed, was carefully towed alonjj the shore to the vicinity of Lake Erie. The Indians expressed j^reat nstonishment at it. Some of them even measured its size, that they miini to tlu; <;r<>und. La Salle was displeased. He appointed a <^nard over llie f!;oods which were shelt«M'ed under the inverted ranoes, and waitcul to s(;e what woidd he the result ol' this act of disohedience. Durinj:; the nijrht, several Indians cauti()usly cJiine into the camp, and, hy creepin camp was alarmed, and ev(!ry man s|)ran;i' to arms. 'I'he intruders now professed to he friends. La Salle told them that that was a very sin;iular hour for friends to make a visit. 'J'hey replied that, havinjj^ heard the riport of a gun, they were fearful that it |)roceeded from a hand of the Inxjuois who had c(»m(; out to murder tlwui, and they had taken this method to satisfy ihemselves ; hut now that tlu^y discovered they were European Canadians, their fears wt'r«? allaye»l, and they desired to smoke with theni the r alum(!t of peace. They proved to he a wanderin;r party of Outtajramies, or Fox Indians, from (Ireeii Bay. As La Salle had reason to believe that their minds iiad been poisoned with the report, which hi.s foes had widely circulated, that be was an enemy 23* ^am n^ 270 A STATE OF PERPLEXITY. ■*^? iii! to the natives, and was niakinjo^ arranffcmcnts to drive lliein from tlicir lands, or sulijuj^ate tliem to liis own power, lie deemed it the wisest poliey to keep on j^ood terms with them, if possihie, and hy kind treatment to disahnse them of this false and injnrion.s impression. lie therefore aHowed four of tlieir numher to come into the camp and smoke pipes witli them. In the mornin*^, after tliese nies- i^en^^ers liad retired, the rohhery was discovered. Phis clianjjcd tlieir relations ajjain. La Salle knew that, such was the ciiaracter of the Indians, if he allow(;d this otU.'nce to pass unnoticed he would lose their respect, ai»d he liahle to a repeti- tion of the same tliin<]r- H*-' determined to |)ut on II hold front and demand restitution. Findint time he learnt tiiat she had not been iieard of >ince she sailed from Green IJay. Tliis was a ^reat loss — the vessel and carji^o heinji^ valued at tv\tlve tluuisand dollar.-. La Salle, how- ever was not to be disccjiiraged. Le-aving the 272 LA SALLK GKTS LOST. E t 1 I pi?'*: It r Miami River, he piislied on with his party, which had IxMMi iiicreasj'il to thirty, to the j>orta<^e. He here j^ot separalfil froru his coinpaiiy. When niiiht overtook him, he fired liis <^im as a sijj^iial. \\r hstened attentively to hear from what (Hrection the answer would come, hut listened in vain. Pres- ently he saw a ligiit. He ap|)roa(.-lied it. It was a fire kindled in the woods, with no one near it. A bed of leaves was near hy, \\hin> the branches of trees. i\v attacked, and succeeded in killing them Avith a club ; thi-n fastening them to his belt, car- ried them int<» camp. After hanging \\\) letters in cnusoicuous places upon tlu; branches of trees. with instructions i'or the captain of th(.> (irillln, in case he should return, they carried their boats and merchandise! over tlu; portage, and laimched again njion the Kankakee, tli(; casttMU branch of the llli- lum It uas a ld, wet, disaureeable winter's tl voyage down tiie river in open canoes. Their A WILD mi.r. KIM.KI). 273 wMch . He When sijjiial. et'tioii It NVJIS ear it. il, at tlic \v{\. Wiicn the Indians saw the htth- llotiMa coniin*; holdly and raj)if a |>eaeelul character. He halted on the shore, to give them lime to recover from their surprise, and to exhihit hy their actions whether they were in a friendly or h('lli<»erent mood. After a while the Indians paused and trazed at their invaders. La Salle might have raised jjis calumet and made a profter of peace. I5iit as this miifht hnve heeii construed int(» cowardice hv the savages, he ])referred that the first deuionstra- lion should come fronj them. After making a dis- tant examination of them for a while, the savag(;s raisi'd three calumets. These La Salh; was pleased to see, and, in reply, he j)resented his. This inter- • hange of jieaceful proposals heing mutually ac- cepted, was f(dlowed hy loud shouts of joy. The two |)arties were at on<;e ii}>on friendly terms, and the remainder of the day was spent in merriment and festivity. The hospitality of the Indians was 24 IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) V ^/ o {./ /^ X? W- fe*/ /. (/j I 1 1.0 I.I 1^ IM M 1.8 1.25 1.4 1.6 ■* 6" - ► ^' <^ /2 % 'cf^l op. Photographic Sdences Corporation f^ «- \\ ^\^ A- ^1 ^<* <>. O^ 0".A ^J4> %^ '^'■ 23 WEST MAiN STREET WEBSTSI>', N.Y. 14580 (716) 3774503 m L ,^^ Lrtunate Viend in I to him ississippi ition was of using oncluded n Heart : ;y, at the tion of a n this, he It at Fort nd found deserted, luch mer- le provis- I educed] Tonty concluded to make it his home in the village of the Illinois, just ahove them, and take tlie men with him. His conduct among these IntUans was so discreet that he was successful in securing their con- fidence. He taught them how to construct a fort, and the mode of using fire-arnjs. The mi^^sionaries of the party. Fathers Gabriel de la Ribourde and Zenobe Mcmbre, employed themselves in their ap- propriate work of imparting religious instruction to the natives. They met, however, with but little success. In the month of September, the whole Illinois camp was thrown into consternation by the report that a large army of the Iroquois and the Miamis were coming upon them, and that La Salle was with them. This latter rumor of La Salle's confederacy with the enemy awakened the suspicion among the Illinois that all the French whom they had so hospi- tably entertained during the summer were also in league with them ; and, therefore, some were in favor of their immediate execution. Tonty had to exhibit great skill and shrewdness to convince them of the contrary. The report of La Salle's presence was false. It arose from the fact that one of the Iroquois chiefs had arrayed himself in a European dres3, and at a distance resemlrled La Salle. The enemy made their aj)pearance, but, through the in- ter )osr"tion of the French, a collision was avoided ■•"■"•I 284 SUDDEN RETREAT. The Illinois, however, secretly retreated, carrying all their movables with them, leaving the French to take care of themselves. Tonty now saw that he would be wholly in the power of the Iroquois, who would be likely to regard him and his conijjanions as helj)less enemies, whom they would not hesitate to plunder, and perhaps murder. Acting, therefore, upon the principle that discretion is the better part of valor, he and his companions secretly took their jeparture in an old canoe, and paddled up the river as rapidly as possible, trusting to a kind Providence to provide them with food, of which they were entirely destitute. The next day their canoe struck a rock, and was injured. They put into the shore for repairs. Whilst these were in progress. Father Gabriel de la Ribourde was tempted, by t'je beauty of the scenery, to indulge in a ramble along the river- side, taking with him his breviary and prayer book. He was absent so long that his companions were alarmed. When the repairs were completed, they ail started in search of him. They shouted and fired their guns to attract his attention, but to no purpose. The darkness of night set in, and he did not return. As they had discovered recent foot- prints, and fearing they might be those of the Iro- quois, they concl ided to spend the night on the other side of the river. The next day they returned and continued their search for their lost religious teacher FATHER RIBOURDE KILLED. 28.1 In this manner they spent nearly the whole day, hut without success. They then slowly prosecuted their journey, carefully looking out as they advanced, with the hope that he might have gone up tlie river shore, and be waiting for them upon some project- ing or shady bank above. In this they were disap- pointed. He was never seen again. They pur- sued their course with hea'-ts filled with sorrow. It was afterwards ascertained that he was murdeied with clubs by three Kickapoo Indians, beh)nging to a war party who had come from the Wisconsin Territory to fight the Iroquois. They scalped him, and carried off his breviary and prayer book. These afterwards came into the possession of a .Tesuit mis- sionary. The party were soon obliged to abandon their canoe and betake themselves to land. After travel- ling two hundred miles through forests and marshes, crossing a number of rivers, and living the whole time upon roots, nuts, or other articles which they could obtain, they reached a village of the Potta- watimies. Their garments were in rags, their feet torn, their strength exhausted, and their appetite voracious. Right glad were they to find a j)lace where they could rest themselves, find enough to eat, and sleep under shelter and in safety. One of their number^ the Sieur de Boisrondet, at one time got lost from them, and was gone ten 28G ADVENTURES OF BOISRONDET. (lays. lie carried a musket, but was destitute of balls and flint. But Necessity, that prolific niotber of inj^enious expedients, came to bis relief, aiMl taugbt bini to melt bis pewter disb into balls and to fire bis gun witb a coal. He managed in tliis man- ner to sboot some wild turkeys, wbicli furnisbed bim witb acceptable food. Tbe Pottawatimies, baving traded witb tbe Canadians, regarded tbeir Frencb visitors as friends, and treated tbem witb great kindness. Tbeir bead cbief was accustomed, witb some flattery and no little egotism, to say tbat " be knew of but tbree great captains in tbe world — Frontenac, La Salle, and bimself." In tbe spring tbis party reached Mackinac. Here tbey waited until June, 1(381, for La Salle, wben tbey bad tbe pleasure of seeing bim enter tbe barbor. He bad been down tbe Illinois, visited tbe Fort of tbe Broken Heart, had found it forsaken, and after examining the ruins of the Illinois village, which had been burnt by tbe Iroquois, bad returned again to Mack- inac. He bad also been t(» tbe fort which be bad erected at tbe mouth of tbe Miami River, and found it plundered and destroyed. Tbis had been the work of tbe deserters. He was now on bis way to Can- ada to get new recruits with whom to renew his €!xploration of the Mississippi. After spending a short time with them, he hastened to Canada and completed bis arrangements. 287 CIIAPTCll XX 1 11. '^'"r ?"■',<•" ^^^"""" ■'""' ^"''"'''■"" ^'•■'''' «»'«>"•- Kmplovment. of the W o.non. _ Ice. - A Man lost. _ Unnecessary Alarm. - Means of DefnTc. - Friendly Rela.ions. _ La .SaliJ takes Pos- session. - I„,!i.-,„ Kin- -Native Uoyally.- Permanent Dwell- nigs. — A Canoe cl.ase.i. — N.nneroi.s Natives. — Respect for the Calumet. - Natchez. _ Escort. - Abandoned Villa-e - Horrul Spectacle. - Three Channels. - A Party explores each. — Tiio Gulf of Mexico rcaclievaters, in the winter season, and through savage tribes, women should be found. These were IndiL wonieiA. The practice was universtil among the ab- origines of the country for the women to perform 1 ijk ■ ^» e •to *i ^ C 1 e-' J & 288 ANOTffKR EXPEDITION. the heaviest share of the hihor. Tlicy not only did tlie work of tlie \vi«;\vain, hut ohtaincd fuel, tilh.'d the ground, and on the journey:: carried tlie hardens. The \varri(n\s regarded it enough for them to do the fighting and tlie hunting. The women did tiie rest. They were tlie slaves of the men. This will account for their presence in this exjKHhtion. Whether it was a privilege or a right, the Indians insisted that the women should accompany them, and perform, as far as w-.xs necessary, their accus- tomed service. . The chiklren were probahly infants, which some of the s(juaws carried, suspended to their backs. The party were all assembled at the Ciiicago River, near the south-western shore of Lake Michigan, early in .Tanuary, 1G82. As the marslies and small rivers were frozen over, rough sleds were made, on which were placed the canoes, merchandise, and provisions, which were drawn in this manner up the Chicago, across the portage to the Illinois, and down the latter river to the lake of the same name, called by the Indians Pimiteony. As the river licr^ was found to be open, the canoes were launched, and the party fairly commenced their voyage. Passing by the Illinois village, which they found deserted, and Fort Crevecceur, which was re-garrisoned, on the 6th of February they came out upon the broad bosom of the Mississippi. Passing by the mouth of the Missouri on tlie west, UNNKCESSAIIY ALARM. 2S9 did Hod ens. t\»e the will ition. dians tlicm, iccus- \i\ints, lea to at the )re of Vs the , rough canoes, awn in tage to lake of iiitcony. canoes imenced e, which lich was 3y came ssissippi* lie west, and of the Oliio on tlie east, tliey arrived at the Cliickasaw IJh^i^^^ on tlie '^ikU of thi; same nuMith. A company of th(; iiimters liuuk'd, and went in pur.suit of game. Wlien tliey returned, one of tlieir numher was missing. His name was Pierre Priid- honnne. Tlie soUeitnde of tlie whole conipany was awakened in his helialf. Every etVort was employed to discover his fate. As a prudential arrangement La Salle threw up an entrenchment and dignified it with the name of Fort l*rndlionmie, hy which it wjis known for a long time. The - •nviction gradually settled in the minds of the company that the lost one was either slain or .ptured h\ the Indians. But after waiting nine days, tlicii- sadness gave place to joy at heholdmg the ahsciit oue come into camp. He had lost his companions, and had spent this whole time in wanderinji; among the forests to lind his way to the canoes. The party now resumed their voyage, and, after floating about a hundred miles, they were suddenly startled by hearing the mingled sounds of drums and of human voices on the western side of the river. The noise was a call of alarm. To be |)rc- pared for a collision, if one must come, La Salle crossed to the eastern side of the river, landed, cut down some trees, and constructed a rude place of defence. All this proved to be unnecessary. When the Indians, who were of the Arkansas tribe, made •25 290 LA SALLE TAKES POSSESSION. r,: llieir appetirance, the calumet which was presented to tliein was accepted. Friendly relations were at once established. They cordially invited the French to visit them, who accepted their invitation and went over to their village. Thev there found huts ijro- vided for their accommodation, fuel for their fires, and a plentiful supply of provisions. Several days were here spent in feasting and merriment. La Salle here took formal possession of the country in the name of the King of France. With as much of external pomp and religious ceremony as were at his command, he erected in a conspicuous place the symbolic crocs, and, adorning it with the arms of France, he with religious services, declared the country to be one of the possessions of his King. The savages were highly pleased at the dis- play, and probably regarded it as one of the amuse- ments of their pale-faced visitors. There is some- thing painfully aftecting in beholding these ignorant, but free sons of the forest gazing with joy at those ceremonies by which their own country is declared to belong to another. After spending two weeks with these Indians, who were found to possess a friendly and cheerful spirit, the voyagers bade them adieu, and passed on to the south. By the '20th of March they reached another tribe, called the Taensas. Their villages were ro- mantically situated on the borders of a lako> INDIAV ROYALTY. 291 rented ere at ^'rcnch d went ts pio- r fires, al tUiys of the With jremony spicuoiis with the declared is of his the dis- e amusc- is somc- isrnorant, lit those declared Uaiis, who ful spirit, on to the ud another s were ro- f a lake* Fnthcr Zenobc and the iron-liaiukd Tonty were ap- pointed by Lh Salle liis nnihassadors to re|)re?('nt liiin at the court of the Kini>-. Takinjij with thcin presents, they visited his villaj^e and sought an intro- duction. They found iiim iivinj'* in j^reater dignity limn chiefs in general aspired to. Like monarchs of civilized nations, he was surrounded witii cour- tiers and servants, who appeared to treat him witli the greatest reverence. lie received the ambassa- dors with great courtesy, and, after extending to them special civilities, he informed them tiiat he should visit their chief. A time was fixed for the visit ; but two hours previously a company of In- dians came to prepare the way for his majesty, and t«) erect an awning to protect him from the sun. Finally the King himself came in great state. He was not arrayed in a robe of furs or dried skins, which the chiefs usually wore on occasions of cere- mony, but in a white garment, made from the bark of trees. Before him walked three individuals, two of whom bore fans made of long white plumes, and the third carried two highly-polished plates of cop- per. With this display of barbaric splendor he visited the French camp, where iie was received in a manner befitting his rank. During the interview, though his deportment was marked by the usual Indian gravity, he gave evidence of confidence and of friendship. CIIASINfi A CANOE. These Iiuliaris were more civilized than the more northern trihes. Their dwelHngs were more perma- nently and suhstantially built, and were furnished in a more convenient and comfortable manner. Their dead were interred in temples, highly embellished. After leaving the Taensas, the party proceeded some forty miles, when a solitary canoe was discov- ered upon the river. The brave De Tonty immedi- ately gave chase ; but he did not pursue it far before a crowd of savages were seen upon the shore. This was sufficient to cause him to desist. La Salle or- dered all his men to make for the opposite shore. It was uncertain what the result would be. The Indians might construe the chasing of the canoe into a declaration of war ; and if so, they would proba- bly make an attack upon the French. La Salle adopted prudential measures. When, however, the two parties met, the revered calumet prevented all difficulties, and brought them into friendly relations. They were fishermen, and belonged to the Natchez tribe. By their invitation, some of the French vis- ited their encampment, where they received nought but hos|)itality and kindness. Here La Salle and his ecclesiastics again went through with the cere- mony of taking possession of the country in the name of the King of France. When they returned to their camp, they were ac- companied by a number of distinguished persons, THE OUTLET OF THE MISSISSIPPI. 293 the more e j)ernia- nished in Their Ih.shcd. )rc)ceeded IS discov- immedi- far before re. This Salle or- ite shore, be. The aiioe into lid proba- La Salle rvever, the vented all relations. I Natchez rench vis- id nought 5alle and the cere- ry in the were ac- persons, among whom was the chief of Koroa, a town six miles below, who invited them to visit his place, which they did. Alter floating a hnndred miles farther down the crooked current of the river, they discovered some Indians fishing, who hastily fled upon seeing the strangers. Four of La Salle's party were sent out as scouts. They were received with a shower of arrows and the loud shouts of war. The assailants proved to be Quinipisas. Without returning their fire, La Salle sailed on, and soon came to a village which presented a horrid spectacle. The houses were all forsaken ; but when they were entered they were found to have been scenes of war and blood. Many dead bodies, scattered about in the different tenements, showed tliat a terrific conflict had taken place. Three days after, being the (Jth of Ajiril, La Salle discovered a pleasing sight — it was the division of the river into three branches. lie knew from this circumstance that he was approaching its mouth, that his voyage was nearly at an end, and tliat he was on the verge of one of the greatest discoveries of his age. He formed his party into three divis- ions, and ordered one to each branch. In this man- ner they floated on, until the great question was solved by the discovery that the waters of the Mis- sissippi were discharged into the Gulf of Mexico- 25* •294 IMPRESSIVK SERVICE. ! I h'\ The three parties met, and on the next day the im- posing ceremony of taking possession was again performed. In an elevated place, above the reach of tide-water and of the rise of the river, a column and a cross were erected, on the former of which were suspended the arms of France, with the in- scripiion, " Louis the Great, King of France AND Navarre, reigns ; the 9th of April, 1G82." A Te Deum was solemnly chanted, after which, in honor of the important occasion, they fired their muskets, and mingled with the reports loud shouts of " Long live the King." Upon the erection of the column, the commander of the expedition made an official address, in which he claimed the whole of Louisiana, with all its people, seas, harbors, and all the rivers emptying into the Mississippi, (which he called the St. Louis,) for the French King. To furnish evidence which niight be of future ser- vice in proof of his having taken actual possession in the name of his majesty then on the throne of France, La Salle obtained a leaden platf, on which he wrote, in Latin, an inscription, stating that the first navigators of the Mississippi, from the Illinois to the Gulf of Mexico, were La Salle, Tonty, Ze- nobia, and twenty Frenchmen. This was buried at the foot of a tree. He also had an account drawn up in documentary form, properly certified by a notary, to which were affixed the names of thirteen i,i LA SALLE's death. 295 of the principal persons who had accompanied him. The great ohject of the expedition heing now ac- comphshed, through the adventurous, enterprising, and courageous spirit of La Salle, he commenced his return. This was found far more difficult than the descent of the river, in consequence of the strong current against which the canoes had to con- tend He was further delayed by sickness. He did not reach the Miami River till the end of Sep- tember. After this the Sieur La Salle adopted measures to form a colony on the banks of the Mississippi, in Louisiana. But, in attempting to reach the river by the Gulf of Mexico, he passed its mouth and lost his way. Ditficulties sprang up between him and Beaujeu, the commander of the squadron, who re- fused to return and seek for the river. The conse- quence was. La Salle and his company landed on the western shore of the gulf. His boats were wrecked ; his property was lost ; his plan failed ; and he was finally assassinated by some of his own mea. 296 CHAPTER XXIV. 1; liisll Father Hennepin. — A Fl.ot of Canoes. — Hennepin interrupts it. — Is capturcil. — Crying" Indians. — Prisoners doomed to die. — Hennepin's Course. — Captivity instead of Death. — Strength of the Natives. — Dance of the Reed. — Chief Aqui« paguetin. — Makes a Feast. — Singular Conduct. — Indian Cun- ning. — Lake of Tears. — Captives in Suspense. — Mode of kindling a Fire. — Falls of St. Anthony. — Separation of the Captives. — Pare quickened by Fire. — The Chalice a supposed Spirit. — A comic Musician. — Hennepin adopted. — His Treat- ment. — Ridiculous Scene. — Indian Sweat. — The Compass. — The Pot and Lion. — Mode of learning the Language. — Putting Black to White. — Infant Baptism. — Infant dies. — Hennepin's consoling Reflections. ; ^^.A- li,^ Vn i5s i:,- im i.mp ^-'--Wl Just before La Salle departed from Fort Creve- ccBur, on his return to Canada to obtain rio^ging" and stores for his new brigantine which he was building on the Illinois River, he sent Father Hennepin on a voyage of discovery to the sources of the Mississippi. He was a man of courage, and, in consequence of his travels and labors among the aborigines, he had much experience of Indian life and customs. Being also fond of the excitement of penetrating into new countries and among uncivilized tribes, he was a suitable person to go upon such an expedition. But before proceeding to give an account of Father Hennepin, it is proper to say that, in his ow» » i 1 . FATHER HENNEPIN. 2t): narrative of Iiis adventures, lie is constantly ainiiii<; at eflect. lie abounds with exaggerations, and some of liis statements are manifestly false. Besides, he is extremely egotistical, keeping himself constantly and prominently before the reader. His statements, therefore, should be received with all due allowance for these peculiarities. In drawing up the following sketch from his account, much was rejected, because It made too great demands upon our credulity. Taking with him two Frenchmen, Picard de Gay and Michael Ako, Hennepin departed from the Fort of the Broken Heart, February 29, 1G80. Nothing of importance happened till the 12th of April, when, as he was repairing his canoe, and his men cooking bustards on the bank of the Mississippi, probably in the neighborhood of Wisconsin River, they saw a fleet of fifty bark canoes, manned with a hundred and twenty naked Indians, coming down the river with great speed, in order to surprise the Miamis and Illinois below. Hennepin upset his dirmer pot, threw away the broth, and, carrying the half-cooked bustard with him, he pushed out into the river, hailed the flving fleet, and cried out three times in the Iro- quoisand Algonquin dialects, "Comrades, we are men of wooden canoes," as that is the appellation of those who sail in ships. This attempt at a friendly inter- view was unsuccessful. Some fired arrows at them, others leaped out of their canoes, some on the sand« 298 FATHKR HENNEPIN CAPTURED. Others in the water, and in a few moments the three voyagers were surrounded hy the whole band of sav- ai>es, wlio filled the air with their loud shrieks and oulcries. Resistance was useless. They showed their ealuuiet, and distributed some Martiriico tobac- co, better than that which the Indians could obtain ; l)ut all was unavailin*?. They were taken prisoners. The French informed their captors that the Miamis had fled to the Illinois. When they thus saw that their plot to surprise their enemies was discovered, they laid their hands on the head of Hennepin, and, as he says, " they wept bitterly, accompanying their tears with such mournful accents as can hardly be expressed ; till, with a sorry handkerchief of Ar- menian cloth which I had left, I made a shift to dry up their tears." The prisoners were now in- formed that they were doomed to death. Upon the reception of this intelligence, Hennepin went to the chiefs, presented them with six hatchets, fifteen knives, and some tobacco; Jilter which he bent down his head and pointed to a hatchet, signifying to them in that manner tluit he threw himself upon their mercy. This ])roduced the desired effect. The Indians, instead of executing the prisoners, gave them beaver flesh to eat, and informed them that, instead of slaying, they intended to carry them into captivity. To this Hennepin had but little ob- jection, as he thought it would be favorable to hia DANCE OF THK REKD. 299 mnkin<^ discoveries amonj*; tliem. As the canoe of Hennepin was more heavily hidcned than theirs, it was difficult for him and his two men to keep np with them. They therefore pnt four or live of theii own Indians in, to assist in rowing it. In this man- ner Hennepin kept in their company on the river for nineteen days together. Although the Indians were very powerful at tlieir oars, and wouhl row from morning to night, scarcely allowing themselves time to take their meals, yet, when evening came, instead of going to sleep, the youngest of the war- riors would go to four or five of their chiefs, and eniraire in the dance of the reed till midnight. The chief before whom they danced would then send, with some ceremony, a warrior of his own family to make them smoke by turns in his own reed of war, which is distinguished from a calumet by the character of its feathers. It is not unlikely that the young warriors went through this extra fatigue of the dance for the sake of the pleasures of the pipe which they knew would be their reward. On one of the nineteen days that he was with them upon the river they made a halt, at noon, on the west side of the Mississippi. A chief named Aquipaguetin had killed a large fat bear aiul invited the other chiefs to a feast ; after which the Indians, having their faces fancifully marked, the figure of some animal painted on their bodies, their heads ornu 300 INDIAN CRAFTINESS. mcnted with red Jiud wliite feathers, bcj^an a dance. They placed their hands upon their hij)s, stain|)ed with great violence upon the j^round, and jumped awkwardly about in uncouth figtires. During the dance, a son of one of the masters of ceremonies, who appeared to weep profusely, made them all smoke the pipe of war. His father, who was e(jually affected, would sometimes address the war- riors, and sometimes Hennepin, laying his hands upon his head and upon those of his men, and then, lifting his eyes towards heaven, would pronounce the word Louis, which in their language signified sun, appealing to him for justice, and striving to stir up his followers to avenge his son's death. All this was any thing but agreeable to the captives. They afterwards learnt that the chief was seeking their death, but, being opposed by some of his own peo- ple, he abandoned the intention. After this he re- sorted to a singular artifice to obtain from the captives their merchandise. He had with him the bones of one of his friends wrapped up carefully in the skin of some animal, ornamented with red and black embroidery of por- cupine quills. The crafty chief would, from time to time, call his followers together to smoke, and on these occasions he would send for the French ca|> tives, one after another, and make them cover the bones of the deceased with some of their Europeaa lance, nnped itnpcd lij tlio lonies, m all was e vvar- Imnds 1 then, ice tlie d sun, 5tir up ill tins They T their ^n peo- he re- nn tlie friends animal, of por- m time and on ch ca|> ver the iropeaa ^^mrm it! ^ r i ;.t,; ■iiW', SCI GRKAT WKKPING. 301 1 » ^; /- articlns, in order to nrssiinjj^o liis «;riof for tlic slain. Tlie captives, as hiddci:, would throw tobacco, hatchets, knives, heads, and hraceh'ts npon the bones ; the wily chief givin<^ them, at the same time, to understand that it was not for himself, hut for tlie dead and for the warriors around liim, that he demanded these thinj^s. As for liimself, he pre- tended that he would receive nothinjr from them hut what they freely presented. Hennepin called this place the Lake of Tears, in conseciuence of the tears which the cunning Aquipaguetin wept there every night. After he had wearied himself with crying, he obliged one of his s(ms to come and supply lus place. The object of this, as Hennepin thought, was to excite the Indians to murder him, and then to pursue their enemies and revenge the death of one of his sons whom they had slain. Aquipaguetin and his sons were not the only ones who manifested such deep feeling. Many nights in succession the elders of the Indians came and wept over them. They would then rub the arms and bodies of their captives, and afterwards lay their hands upon their heads, as if praying for them, or else bewailing their doom. The French knew not how to interpret this conduct. It was to 'hem a mystery. Their ai)prehensions were excited, so tnat they obtained but little rest by day or night. One day a chief came to Hennepin and his two 26 3112 NOVEL MODE OF KINDLFNG FIRE. I men, and, after cuttin<( down some grass, he placed it in three piles, and invited them to sit down upon them as enshions. Me then tln*nst a stick of hard wood into a juece of cedar fnll of small holes, and, by rubbing it raj)idly between the palms of his hands, soon kindled a fire from the friction. They Indian Mode of kindlirif; a Fire. h)oked on in ignorance of his object, confident, however, that in a short time it would develop itself. They were not mistaken. Having succeeded in producing fire, he took his cahimet, or pipe of peace, filled it with tobacco, and, after weeping over them Bonie time, gave the pipe to Hennepin and made him smoke, and then informed him that in sixteen ' 5 1 I ! iii^iJ-P ' PA1^FL'L TRAVELLING. 303 placed n upon if hard Bs, and, of his They Confident, lop itself. leeded in |of peace, ?er tliein id made sixteen days they would he at home. At the end of niiie- t«ji-ii days they had arrived within a short distance of the Falls on the Mississippi, to which Ileiiiiepin jwave the name of St. Anthony, in honor of the saint of that name. Tiiey here paused. After some con- sultation, the Indians separated the three French- men. This was a new trial. Whilst toffcthor, tlicy enjoyed the privilege of conversation ai»d of nnitual sympathy and encoura<^ement ; but when se|)aratc(l, as th(!y were ij^norant of the languaoe of the In- dians, they could converse with no one ; they were shut up to their own fears, reflections, and desij^jiesently Picard du Gay mad« his appearance, deck 1 in fantastic style. His hair and face were paintv^ ^ of different colors, and from the toj) of his head jOse a tuft of white feathers. The savages had learnt that Picard could sing. Perhaps he had amused them by displays of his talent when rowing on the river. They ordered him to exercise it now ; so that he could say, with the exiled .lews, " They that carried iis away caj)tive required of us a song; and they that wasted us recpiired of us mirth." Refusal was out of the (juestion. Whilst singing, as he had no violin or other instrument to aid him, he accompanied his voice with a vegetable rattle, made of a hollow gourd, containing small stones. Hen- nepin knew not what to expect, whether to be sacri- ficed or delivered. Presently great dishes made of birch-trees were brought in, filled with wild oats, mixed with other grain, of which they were invited to eat. It was a friendly service. In the distribution of the captives. Father Henne- pin fell to Aquipaguctin, who apparently adoj)ted him as a son, in the place tf the one whom he had lost in war. They smoked the calumet together, and exchanged other courtesies, by which they sealed 2G* 306 AN INDIAN ADOPTS HKNNEPIN. their friendship with each other. When Aqui- pagiietin brought Hennepin to his cabin, he intro- duced him to his five wives as his son, and ordered them to treat him as such, and to call him by his appropriate title. They then set before him a bark dish, containing brcmes and other frcsh-watcr fisli for him to eat. In the wigwam was an Indian very old, who wept, and seemed greatly concerned that the adopted son was so exhausted and feeble. He kindly rubbed his arras and head, and offered him a large pipe to smoke. A bear's skin was spread upon the floor, on which he was made to lie, and then one of the boys anointed his thighs, legs, and feet with the grease of wildcats, by which his skin was softened, and his joints, which were stiff and sore from his fatiguing journey, were ren- dered snpple. Whilst lying there, a ridiculous scene was pre- sented before him. One of the sons of Aquipague- tin took the brocade chasuble, one of the robes worn by Father Hennepin when engaged in his Roman Catholic ceremonies at the altar, and, spreading it out, he carefully placed upon it the bones of some distinguished Indian, whose memory was greatly re- vered, and tied them up in it ; then binding it round with the priest's girdle, another article of Hennepin's ecclesiastical dress, he threw the bundle over his naked back and pompously paraded around the wig- wam, crying out, " Louis chinnen," that is, " The fit c AN INDIAN SWEAT. 307 A.qui- intro- ileretl by his I bark cr fish [uJiaii nerned i'eebie. otTcred in was tide to thighs, ' which h were jre reu- as prc- lipague- es worn Koman iadiug it of some ■eatly re- it round inuepiu's over his . the wig- is, '* Tlie robe of the sun." Hennepin's reUgious feelings must have been sensibly affected by the scene. Aquipaguetin clothed his newly-adopted son in two robes, one made of the softest part of the skins of buffaloes, and the other of castor or beaver skins. As Hennepin found it difficult to move about, in con- sequence of the hardships he had experienced, his kind relatives obliged him to take an Indian sweat. A large oven was built, into whicli he and four oth- ers entered entirely naked. In it were then placed red hot flints and stones, to heat it. He was told to hold his breath as long as possible. As soon as his savage companions had let go their breath, which was done with much force, Aquipaguetin, in connec- tion with a number of others, began a song in a loud tone of voice, and at the same time, laying hold of Hennepin, they gave him a good rubbing. The operation almost caused him to faint. But the rep- etition of it thrice a week, in the course of time restored him to his usual visfor. After his adoption, Hennepin was not treated with much affection. Hard work and miserable food were assigned him. He was compelled to cultivate pulse and tobacco, and live on a small quantity of wild rice and the roes of dried fish. The mariner's compass which he had with him furnished the In- dians no little amusement. Jlis father Aquipague- tin would take it, show it to the spectators, and f ' > 308 THE POT WITH THE LION. then, turning the needle round, would let them see how mysteriously it would, of its own accord, slowly but surely move back again, and stop when it pointed due north. Whilst gazing with wonder at this strange machine, he told the Indians that it was this instrument which enabled white men to travel all over the world ; and not only so, but that white men were spirits, and possessed power to do many things which were beyond the ability of the Indians. Another article which seems to have been re- garded with more apprehension than the needle, especially by the women, was an iron pot which Hennepin had carried with him on his journey, and in which he was accustomed to cook his food. This pot had the figure of a lion upon it. The Indians would never touch it without first covering their hands with castor skin. So greatly did it terrify the women that they would not sleep in, nor even enter, a cabin where it was. They had it hung out of doors, upon the boughs of a tree. Hennepin would have presented it to one of the chiefs ; but none of them would accept of it, because they imagined it contained a spirit which would destroy them. Such is Hennepin^s account. It is not impossible that his story is overwrought. On some occasion, when the pot was heated, some of them might have taken hold of it, and got burnt ; and as they could not tell, from its appearance at any given time, whether H'UTTING BLACK TO WHITE. 309 it was lioated or not, tliey might ever afterwards, as a prudential arrangement., have covered their hands with skin before tliey touched it. It is a suspicious circumstance that Hennepin should enter into tiie n)otives of their conduct on various occasions, when he candidly admits that he was entirely ignorant of their hmguage, and was destitute of an interpreter. On this account, his explanations of their conduct, and his interpretation of their speeches, must be re- ceived with considerable allowance. In order to acquire a knowledge of their lan- guage, he made himself familiar with the children, and picked up words" from them. / er he had learnt how to ask, in their language, " What do you call this ?" he made rapid progress in ascertain- ing the names of different articles. But when he wanted to get the Indian word for a verb, he was obliged to act it, and then ask them what they called his conduct. To learn the Indian word run, he would run across his cabin, and then ask them what he had done ; he woidd then set the word down. When they ascertained his object — that he was endeavoring to learn their language — they readily assisted him by telling the names of different ob- jects. One day they told him the names of all the parts of the human body, and were amused to see liim write them down, or, as they expressed it, " put black to white." When they asked liim a question, 310 HENNEPIN A:;T> THE INT ANT. ■«;;!t he would look over his manuscript dictionary to find the appropriate words in which to reply. This greatly diverted them, and they would say, " When we ask Father Louis any thing, (for so they had heard his French companions call him,) he does not answer us. But when he looks upon the white (they have no word for paper) he then talks and makes us understand his thoughts. This white thing," they would add, " must be a spirit, which teaches him to understand all we say." As he became suiliciently acquainted' with the lan- guage to converse, he gave them what religious in- struction he could make them understand. One day Hennepin found, in one of the cabins, an infant dangerously sick. He told his two canoe men, Michael Ako and Picard du Gay, that he felt obliged in conscience to baptize it, as it was beyond recovery, and asked their opinion upon the propriety of his performing the ceremony. Michael Ako dis- approved it, because he thought it might offend the Indians ; he would not, therefore, enter the cabin and witness the rite. But Hennepin, having great confidence in the spiritual efficacy of the service, could not conscientiously omit it. In his mind it was intimately connected with the salvation of the dying child ; he therefore resolved lo perform it. We will give the account in his own language, leaving our readers to draw tlieir own inferences. INFANT BAPTISM. 311 Y to find ^ This " When hey had Joes not ite (they lakes us ^," they ) him to the lan- ious in- cahins, canoe : he felt beyond ropriety ^ko dis- end the e cabin g great service, mind it 1 of the R'rm it. nguage, 3rences. " Being followed, then, by none but Picard du Gay, who assisted as godfather, or, rather, witness of the baptism, I christened the child and named it Anto- netta, from St. Anthony of Padua ; and the rather, because the said Peter du Gay's name was Anthony Anguclla For want of more proper uten- sils, I took a wooden dish, and having put some common, ordinary water into it, sprinkled it upon the head of the little savage, pronouncing the follow- ing words: 'Creature of God, I baptize thee in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.' Then I took half my altar-cloth, which I had snatched out of the hands of a savage who had stolen it from me, and spread it over the body of the infant. " The baptism was accompanied with no other cer- emony, because I was no longer in a condition to say mass, my sacerdotal robes being all taken from me. I believed the hnen could not serve to a more proper end than a winding-sheet to the first infant of the country that had the happiness to be bap- tized. I know not how far its pains might be as- suaged by virtue of the linen, or what alterations it might feel. I am sure I saw it laughing the next day in its mother's arms, who believed I had cured her child. However, it died some time after, which affected me more with joy than grief. Had this child recovered, 'twas much to be feared 'twould 312 Hennepin's reflections. have trod in the steps of its forefathers, and been overgrown with their infamous superstitions, for Wfint of a preacher to instruct it. For indeed, if those of its nation dwelhnj^ in darkness and igno- rance continue to sin without law, they shall also perish without law, as we are told by the apostle. Upon these considerations, I was glad it had pleased God to take this Httle Christian out of the world, lest it might have fallen into temptations had it re- covered, which might have engaged it in error and superstition. I have often attributed my preserva- tion, amidst the grer-test dangers which I have ruE since, to the care I took for its baptism." 313 CHAPTER XXV. Tiercccl Pine. — An Offering and Prayer to the Falls. — The Vow fulfilled. — Picard forgets his Powder. — A great Serpent.— Disturbance in Camp. — The Law of Hunting. — Hennepin goes to the Wisconsin. — His Disappointment. — Is reduced to great Straits. — Indian and Thorn. — Effect of Excitement. — Great Alarm. — A Drove of Stags. — Fire Spirits. — Sieur dn Lulh. — His Equipage. — Hennepin's pretended Relation- ship.— Digs up his Properly. — His Discoveries. — The Party leave the Im/ians. — They fire a parting Salute. — Its Effect.— They steal a votive Offering. — Arrive at Mackinaw. — Henne- pin's Description of Niagara Falls. The Indians by whom Hennepin and his com- panions had been carried into captivity he calls the Issati and Nadouessians, since known as the Sioux. He remained among them about three months, and then commenced his return down the Mississippi under the protection of a chief named Ouasiconde, which means the Pierced Pine. He was accom- panied by Picard du Gay. His other canoe man, Michael Ako, preferred to remain where he was than to incur the dangers of the return voyage. . As they approached the Fails of the Mississippi, which Hennepin, their first European discoverer, had named the Falls of St. Anthony, after his patron saint, they perceived a mimber of savages, one of whom had ascended an oak-tree near the falls, and 27 314 AN OFFERING TO THE FALLS. hail fastened an embroidered r()l)e of castor skin t » one of the branches, as an ofTerin-^ to tlie tnrbulenf water. In addition to this sacrifice, he addresseU the falls in the followinff lanj^uajje : " Thou art a spirit ; grant that those of my nation may pass here M'ithout any disaster, that wo may meet with a great many wild bulls, and that v/e may be so happy as to vanquish our enemy and take a great many slaves, whom, when we have made them suffer accord- ing to their merits, we will bring liither and slay in thy presence. The Messenacks have slain some of our kindred ; grant that we may be able to revenge ourselves upon them for that offence." The promise or vow which this Indian made, of executing the captives which might be taken in war, was soon after executed ; for on their return from hunting buffaloes they fell in with their enemy, killed a number, and took several prisoners. These captives they took to the falls, and, after torturing them in a most barbarous manner, they put them to death. After our voyagers had descended about three miles below the falls, Picard du Gay missed hiss powder ho n. After looking for it all round the canoe rJtIiout success, he remembered that he had left it at the falls. As this was an important article, Picard was obliged to return and get it. When he came back, Hennepin showed him a huge serpent. r-.s ^Ym A GREAT SERPENT. 315 Its large round as a man's leg, and seven or eight feet in length. It was ascending a steep, craggy rock to get at the swallows' nests, hirge nnnil)ers of which were there. Tliey pelted it with stones until it fell into the river. It had a tongue of great length, in the form of a lance. Its hiss was sIju- tling, and could be heard a considerable distance. This adventure produced such an elfect upon our travellers that both of them dreamed of it frecjuently afterwards. When Hennepin overtook the Indians who had preceded him on the river, he found that they had encamped upon an island, and were plentifully pro- vided with buffalo meat, some of which they gave him and his companion, which was very acceptable. But in the course of a few hours, a dozen or more Indians came blustering into the encampment, with great clubs in their hands, and seemed desirous of provoking a quarrel. They overturned the tent of those who had extended to the Europeans their hos- pitality, carried off all the meat they could find, and the bladders of bears' oil they discovered they used in anointing themselves from head to foot. The Europeans supposed that these marauders were ene- mies, and prepared their weapons for an encounter with them. Fortun.itely, however, though there was much noise, bluster, and quarrelling, no blood was shed. Hennepin soon obtained an explanation of aii|M| 316 RULE OF IIUNTINU. the affair, it arose from a viol.ition of Indiati 1u\t or custom in buffalo hunting. The rule is, when any particular tribe are going after these aiiinialH, if a portion of the party arrive on the ground first, for them to remain until all the others of the tribe come, before the hunting begins, so that all may have an equal chance. But if the party who arrive first begin the hunt before the others are ready, it is lawful to plunder them of all that they take, as the)'- drive the buffaloes away, and thus make it difiicult, if not impossible, for the others to kill any. In the present case, the Indians who had extended their hospitalities to Hennepin and Du Gay had reached the ground first, and, without waiting for tlie rest of their tribe, had commenced the chase. When the others arrived, they found the game had been driven away ; this so enraged them that they made the attack which has been described. Wiien no impatience is exhibited, when the hunt- ers, as they come on the ground, wait until the whole band have arrived, they are then successful in surrounding large droves of buffaloes and cutting them nearly all off. As they are, to a great degree, dependent upon the success of the chase for their means of sup])ort, the observance of the established rule is a matter of great public interest. Whilst the savages were prosecuting the pleasures and profits of the chase, Hennepin, with his cance HENNEPIN S DISAPPOINTMENT. 31' idiati lu\r is, when animals, II 11(1 first, the tribe may have rive first iady, it is i, as the)'' difficult, In the ied their reached le rest of V^hen the en driven nade the the hunt- until the cessfid iu i cutting it degree, for their stablished pleasures lis cance man, went down to the mouth of the \A'isconsin River, where La Salle had promised to meet him, with men, stores, and merchandise. When 'le reached there, he found no evidence of La Salle's visit. He returned sadly disappointed. He was reduced to great straits. Ilis powder, consisting of only six charges, he divided into twenty smaller ones, which he resolved to use in killing turtles and pigeons for food. These were soon all gone. He then had to betake himself to three fish-h(H)ks, as his only means of suj)port. With these he occa- sionally caught a good fish. After much fatigue and privation, he succeeded in regaining the hunting- ground. The Indians had just finished their sjjorts, having obtained an abundance of buftalo meat. He joined their company. One day an Indian came to him for him to ex- tract a thorn which he had unfortunately run deeply into his fi)ot. Ilentiepin laid open the wound, and when in the act of putting a' plaster upon it, the camp was suddenly thrown into great alarm by gome unusual noise. All were in consternation. Two hundred warriors, armed w'*'i bows and arrows, immediately ran to ascertain the cause. The woimd- ed Indian, wnose foot iTenncpin was doctoring, darted oft", and ran as rapidly as the rest, that he might share in the approaching contest. But in- stead of an army of braves, all painted and decorated 27* 318 ALARM FROM A DROVE OF STAGS. for bloody warfare, they met with a drove of iibout a hundred stags, more frightened than tliemselves, which were running at the top of their speed. When the excitement was over, the poor tliorn- pierced Indian found it no easy thing to regain the camp. His race had lacerated his wound, and made it difficult for him now to walk. Some time after this, another alarm occurred. Some old Indians, who were stationed on the top of the mountains to look out for the approach of enemies, sent word to the village that warriors were advancing from a distance. The Indians immedi- ately sallied out towards them, each eager to be the first in action ; but all that they saw were two of their own women, who had come to inform them that one of the parties who had gone a hunting towards the Upper Lake had discovered Fire spirits — the name by which they designated Euiopeans. By means of interpreters, these spirits informed the Indians who they were, and learnt from them that other Europeans were with their people at home. This made them anxious to visit the encampment, that they might learn whether the Europeans of whom they spoke were English, Dutch, Spaniards, or Canadians. These strangers who were found in the vicinity of the Upper Lake proved to be Sieur du Luth and five companions, from Ctuuula. Both parties were m HENNEPfN AND DU LITH. 319 )f about mselves, • speed, r tliorn- 2;ain the lid made (ccurred. the top roach of ors were imniedi- to be the ; two of rm them hunting re spirits 1 1 opeans. rmed the liem that at home, impment, peans of paniards, e vicinity Luth and •ties were overjoyed to see each other. Havinff been Ion«r al)- sent from honAe, roaming about among the wild sav- ages, it was a great comfort to meet tliose with whom they could converse in their own lan<'-uaJ,J.II»> J 324 A KIND PROVIDENCE. form solemn acts of devotion, as if to prepare for eternity." As, therefore, notwithstanding their many tl" sad- vantages, these early voyagers accomplished so much in the way of discovery, their success fur- nishes an impressive illustration of the watchful care of a kind Providence. •;; i M » C a CO ; . '- .!...■ ^' , i . r - 1 1 i , ^i. A P P E X D I X . Note.— Pa^re 321. FATIIEU AXD SON IN BATTLE. During the intercourse of tlie white people with the Indians, nnniy interesting incidents occurred, wliieh were iUustrative of various traits of char- act(>r. Some of these have been narrated in the preceding j>ages. It is now proposed to present a variety of others, but without regard to chrono- logical order. We leave it for the reader to de- duce the traits of character which these anecdotes ilhistrate.* In the war between the English and the French, ioY their American possessions, a chief of the Five Nations and his father fought on opposite sides. Tiie chief was with the English ; his father with the Frenck In one of the battles, they met, and just as the chief was about to inflict a fatal blow ui)on his opponent's head, he discovered that he was his father. Instantly his hand dropped, and instead of killing him, he said to his fatJier, "You have once given me life, and now I give it to you. Let me meet you no more, fo ' nave paid the debt I owed you." • Drake's Book of tluj Ijulians of North America. 325 -».'» 326 APPENDIX. An Ottawa cliicf, who liad rcooivcd tlic pof'nli..-f naiiio of Wliitc Jolin, was very fond of li(iuor. One (lay Count Frontcnac asked liini, " what ho thouGjlit brandy was made of?" The chief replied tliat he "thonglit it must bo made of hearts and tongues, for," 1 led, "when I Ijave drunken plenty of it, my heart is a thou- sand strong, and I can talk, too, with astonishing freedom .and ra])idity." The following is an interesting illustration of overcomiiiG: evil with u^ood : — CD ' ' A hunter, when wandering for game among the woods of Virginia, vras overtaken bv a storm, and sought refuge Avith an English ]»lanler, whom lie met at the door of his house. Jjeing botli hungry and thirsty, he asked for some b'ead and water, but the planter answered, in eao' se, "No, you shall have nothing liere! Get yo.. ffISa rA.;R.li^.A.2T has the very desirable knack of impartfaf Tllbable ideas under the guise of a pleasing story." — T/i^ AVw Century. MRS. HURD'S NIECE. V>y Ella Farman. 111. %i 50 A thrilling story for the girls, especially for those who think they have a " mission," to whom we commend sturdy English Hannah, with her small means, and her grand success. Saidee Hurd 13 one of the sweetest girls ever embalmed in story, and Lois Gladstone one of the noblest. THE COOKING CLUB OF TU-WHIT HOLLOW. By Ella Farman, 16 mo. Eight full-page illustrations .... Worth reading by all who delight in domestic romance.— /W/ River Daily Newt. The practical instructions in housewifery, which are abundant^ •re set in the midst of a bright, wholesome story, and the littlo hotisewives who figure in it are good specimens of very humaOt but at the same time very lovable, little American girls. It ought to be the most successful little girls' book of the season.— The Advance. A LITTLE WOMAN. 'B^ Ella Farman, 16m. The daintiest of all juvenile books. From its merry pages, win- fiome Kinnie Crosby has stretched out her warm little hand to help thousands of young girls. A WHITE HAND. By Ella Farman. 12m. 111. A genuine painting of American society. Millicent and Jack •re drawn by a bold, firm hand. No one can lay this itory dowa . until the last leaf is turned. I 00 1 SO WIDE AWAKE. AN ILLUSTRATED MAGAZINE For the Young Folks. ea.OO I»3Eie, JV.IT2TX7M:. TOST^O-E I'ItEI>XI13- Edited by ELLA PABMAN. Pnbllihttd by S. liOTHBOP & CO., Boston, Maks. It always contains a feast of fat things for the little folks, and folks who are no km^er little findfthere lost childhood in its pages. We are not sayiiit; too much when we say that its versatile editor — Ella F'arman, is more fully at homa in the child's wonder>land than any other living American writer. She ii thoroughly en rapport with her readers, gives them now a sugar plum of poety. now a dainty ieUy-cake of imarination, and cunningly intermixM all th« eolid bread of thought th^k th* child^t miad can digwt MM •■■itnikifi^K>r<> 7W» '"^ V I ]<( ; 1 N I . \ . 1 Jy ;r. y/. 6-'. Kings ton. 1 6 mo. Illustrated $i 25 A Stirling r.tory of adventure upon sea and land. AFRICAN ADVENTURE AND ADVENT- URERS. By Rev. G. T. Day, D. D, 16 mo. Illustrated . . . . - . 1 50 The stories of Spel;p, flrant, Baker, Livingstone and Stanley are put into nimplc shape for the entertainment of young readers. NOBLE WORKERS. Edited by S. F. Smith, D. D. i6mo * S^ STORIES OF SUCCESS. Edited by S. F. Smith, D. D. i6mo . . . . . x 50 Inspirinfi bio'^rnpliics and records which leave a most whole- some and enduring effect upon the reader. MYTHS AND HEROES. 16 mo. Illus- trated. Edited by S. F. Smith, D. D . . i 50 KNIGHTS AND SEA KINGS. Edited by S. F. Smith, D. D. 12 mo. Illustrated . i 50 Two entertaining books, which will fasten forever the historical and geographical lessons of the school-room firmly iu the sti^ dent's mind. CHAPLIN'S LIFE OF BENJAMIN FRANK- LIN. i6mo. Illustrated .... UFE OF AMOS LAWRENCE. i2mo. III. Two biographies of perennial value. No worthier books wero e?cr offered as holiday presents for our American young men. WALTER NEAL'S EXAMPLE. By Rev. Thgron Brown. 16 mo. Illustrated . Walter Neal's Example is by Rev. Theron Brown, the editor of that very lucccssfiil paper, Tfie J 'mik^s Cotnpiinion. The story is a touchin;^ one, and i; in parts st> vivid is to - : drawu from the life. — .V. ]'. I nd£ pendent. TWO FORTUNE-S .^RS. Stories by Rassiter jFohnson, L. se Chandler Afoulton, E. Stuart Pfulps^ EUa Fa- man, etc. Fully illustrated i 50 » SO I 50 I 25 »tflSS J-TTI.1-A.^. E^STl^A.iTis ..nc of the most popular of our modern writers. YOU N G R I C K . Dy 7ulia A. Eastman. La r-e iCino. Twelve; illustrations by .Sol I'lytinj^e. $i 50 A bri;^ht, fascinatin;.; story of a little boy who was both a bless- ing :uk1 ;i bot]i(.r.— Boston Journal. The ninit (IcHuhtfiil book on tht; lj<;t for the children of tho family, being full of adventures .infl pay limine sc.nes and mrrry pl:iy-llnies. "Paly" would have done trcdit tu I)icken:i in hit pahnil.:^-t days. The stran;j;e ijlows and shadows of her character arc put in lovingly and linserjngly, wiih the pencil of a master. Miss Margaret's character of li-ht ii admirably drawn, while Aunt Lesbia, Deacon Ifarkawaj-, Tom Dorrance, and the master and mistress of Graythorpe poor-house are genuine "charcoal •ketches." STRIKING FOR TPIE RIGHT. By Julia A. Eastman. Laro^c i6ino. Illustrated By While this stor>' holds the reader breathless with expectancy and excitement, its civili/.ing influence in the family is hardly to be estimated. In all . Lothrop f* (7o., 32 Franklbi street^ Boston^ are perhaps ahead of all other jjulllahers in pro- ducijLi/ ttplcndld vulunua for the etiiertainment cf yoxmg people.'" — Ouk Qvxuca Vkvetk. ENTERTAINMENTS. OLS., SERIES, Workf, or younjf TORY iple, '-BOOKS. IIETY, for one* Boston^ in pr(h i^^merU cj Entertainments; Comprising Directions for Holiday Morryniakings, New Programmes for Amateur Perform- ances, and Many Novel Sunday-school Exercises. Collect- ed and Edited by Lizzie W. Champney. Boston: D. Lo- tlirop & Co. Price $1.00. Mrs. Champney is known as a p)pular magazine writer, a poet of no mean ability, Tiie volume before us is a specimen of her skill in another direction — that of selection and compilation; a work requir- ing rare Judgment and almost as much ability as would be necessary to produce an original work. The table of con- tents includes exercises for Temperance gatherings, Fourth of July, Missionary concerts, Decoration day. Thanksgiving and Christmas. Principally, however, they are intended for use at Sunday-school exhibitions and concerts. The ele- ment of entertainment, says the author, must enter even in- to religion, if it is to be dear to the popular heart. Enter* tainments, at any rate, the multitude will have; it only re- mains for Christians to decide whether they shall make this •mighty power a Christian force, or leave all the merry and bright things of this life to the service of Satan. Sundays school literature is very defective in dialogues and recitJ^- ti'>ns of an attractive character, and the preparation of a programme for such occasions is a matter of supreme diffl- culty. To make it easier, and to provide a source from which material may be drawn for almost any occasion, the present work has been prepared. Most of the matter is new, und is contributed by persons of experience in musical mat- ters and entertainments of all kinds. A chapter on " Accessories, Decorations, Scenery," etc., furnishes full information upon those subjects, and a num- ber of patterns for evergreen decorations for Christmas en- tertainments are given. Taken altogether, the book exactly fills the place for which it was designed, and will be warmly welcomed not only by schools and societies, but in every fam- ily where there are diiluren to be amused and Lustructed. liixKi^ IN rtr:T-ra or cant: and its characters are thoroughly natu- ral, such as any reader can recognize In the community In which be happens to live. The heroine, Rebecca, is intense- ly liuman, with a noble nature in which many weaknesses hide themselves and coine often to the sui-face. But she is a Christian of the best tyi)e, and her aspirations and hard- fought battles inspire enthusiasm in a reader. The Com- mittee on International Lessons couldn't do a better thing tlian to circulate this book in every part of the land. It shows how the lessons may he made lu'lpful in the dally life, and how the Old Testament may be taught with in- terest to an Infant School, or to men and women of every congregation. EciioiNO AND Rf.-eciioino. By Fnye TTuntington. Price $1.50. Boston: I), Lolhrt)p & Co., publishers. It shows great ignorance of the Sundaj'-school literature of our d:iy, when one calls it weak and namhy-stuff, with an equal mixture of Idvo-stoiies, and impossible adventures. The censure is just for a certain class of books, but a largo libi*ary may be gathered of llrst-class woi-ks admirable alike in moral tone and in literai-y execution, books which every- body can read with delight and profit. ''Echoing and Re- echoing" is a book of this sort, a well-fold story, abounding witli practical lessons, and inciting to a noble Chi'istian life. The most intelligent opponent of religions riovels will fiiul his prejudices giving way in reading it, and a fastidious lit- erary reader will be thankful that children have such good books for moulding tlieir literary tastes. rice, $1.60l lost class of 'liautauqua [ litcraliirc. worthy of a lo ono. It^ CO. (if scnti- ushly nalii- mimmity in I, is iutcnse- wealcnesBes But she is 8 and hard- The Com- betlcr thing \\c huul. It in \ho. daily ght with in- luoii of every ngtoru Price ool literature tuff, with an adventures. :s, hut a largo niirahlc alike which cvory- )ing and Re- y, abound] ng hristian life. ^vc\3 will find fastidious lit- iVQ 8ucb good EXCELLENT BOOKS. Six Months at Una. PiiiOR's. By Emily Adams. Illus- trated. Boston: D. Lothrop «fe Co. 1.25. *'In this fresh little story, which is addressed especially to young girls, the author tries to impress the lesson that the disagreable and annoying duties of life may be made pleasant by accepting them as inevitable, and asking help from above. Mrs. Prior is the widow of a clergyman, and has been left with five little ones to support. She discharges her servant, and divides the lighter duties of the household between herself and the two eldest of her children, Minnie and Helen. Unaccustomed to any thing but study and play, the girls find it very hard to have their old time appoiutmeuta for enjoyment circumscribed, and complain bitterly at first The book gives a liistory of their experience, and shows how the work that was so irksome at first became in the end a source of pleasure and means of healthful discipline. ** Six Months at Mrs. Prior's " is a sweet story of womanly tact combined with christian trust. A widow, with scanty means, makes a home happy for a group of children, restless, wayward and aspiring, like many American children of our day. The mother's love holds them, her thrift cares for them, her firmness restrains, and her christian words and life win them to noble aims and living. The influence of the christian household is widely felt, and the quiet transform- ing leaven works in many homes. We can't have too mauy books of this kind in the family or Sund.ay-school." Miss Pricilla Hunter, by Pansy, opens a new view for that charming writer, but one eminently popular at the presetit time. It deals with the payment of a church debt, and shows how an humble woman, with a Christian charao ter which gave power to her words, raised the money to pay off a debt which had long been a hindrance to church growth aiul to Christian benevolence. Why she did it, and how she did it, is told in Pansy's best fashion: her encounters with crabbed folks, and stingy folks, and folks determined not to give to the church debt, are highly amusing, as well as har devices to get something from everybody. V'J' ] r' BOOK NOTICES. II Walks to Emniaus, By the late Bev. Nchemiah Adams D. B. Edited l.y lih son, Kev. William II. Adams. First series. J:imiary-Febriiary. Boston: D. Lotlirop & Co. 12mo. pp 300. Price, $>1.00. "This is the first volume of one of the largest and most promising liomilotical works of the age. It will embrace two sermons for every Sabbath of an entire year. It is •' a Christian year," yet not confined to the liturgy of any single denomination of Christians, but aiming to Include within this compass one discourse on each topic of ordinary pasto- rtftl use, or the needs of the religious reader. It is adapted for the vacant pulpit, the sick room, and the private library. It Is agreed that no modern writer is better suited to all claascs and capacities than Dr. Adams. Encomiums of his extensively circulated religious publications, "The Friends of Christ," "Christ a Friend," "Communion Sabbath," " Cath- arine," "At Eventide," &c., &c. Ilavo justified this selec- tion of more than a himdred and twenty sermons from the forty years' ministry of Kev. Dr. Adams, with the hope of their wide circulntion among all religious denominations. Each of the six vulumes now in preparation, to be issued every year or two, will bo complete in itself although form- ing ft part of this work doslgued .is "one years discourses." For, one of the "fiflli sabbath sermons" may be employed instead of one for a special occasion, for example " a new year's discourse." Every evangelical minister, theological student, and household should possess this crowning work of an eminent divine, and standard religious writer. The volume is tastefully printed and bound." IrM:: r i <, Adams 9. First ) «fc Co. nd most embrace It is " a ny single e within ry pasto- i adapted e library, ted to all [QS of bis Yieiids of " " Cath- his selcc- from Ibo i hope of linations. be issued gb form- courses." empK^ycd "a ncNT lieologicul g work of ter. Tho