d from ten to sixty
broad. They ran along the northern shore of this majestic inland sea,
and on the third day reached its western bounds, where they cautiously
entered the mouth of the strait through which flows the waters of all
the upper lakes. It was about twenty-eight miles long, and one mile
broad. As canoes alone had thus far passed over its surface, it was
necessary for them to feel their way with much care. La Salle gave the
strait the name of Detroit. Soon entering another lake, twenty-four
miles long by thirty broad, he gave it the name of St. Clair, in honor
of the saint whose name appears in the calendar of the church for that
day.

Passing safely over the shallow waters, the Griffin entered another
strait, about thirty miles long, to which La Salle gave the name of St.
Clair River. The current was strong, and the navigation perilous.
Gigantic steamers now run through from Lake Erie to Lake Huron in a few
hours. It required thirteen days for the Griffin to accomplish the
passage. The whole distance is about ninety miles.

Lake Huron opened magnificently before them. The route along the shore
of the lake to its head, where it receives the waters of Michigan and
Superior, is about three hundred and sixty miles. Its greatest breadth
is one hundred and sixty miles. The progress of the voyagers was slow.
They were impeded by calms and head winds. It was often necessary to
cast the lead and to watch for rocks and sand-bars. They had but just
entered upon Lake Huron when they encountered one of the severest
tempests which ever swept that stormy lake. The whole ship's company
were devout Catholics.

In those dark days both the fathers and the crew were alike disposed to
call upon the Virgin Mary and the saints to aid them, rather than upon
God. Father Hennepin tells us that the stout soul of La Salle quailed
before the horrible tumult which threatened to engulf him. They all
alike fell upon their knees and addressed their prayers and their cries
to St. Anthony of Padua. They solemnly vowed that if he would intercede
with God and obtain their rescue, they would, in the newly-discovered
countries, erect a chapel in his name. St. Anthony was called the
patron of mariners, and therefore his aid was especially invoked.

Greatly was their confidence in the saint's intercession increased, as
the wind lulled, the clouds dispersed, the sun shone forth in all its
autumnal glory, and with a fair wind pressing their sails