they glided
along over a smooth sea, skirting the southern shore of the lake, past
mountains and valleys, prairies and forest, which presented every
variety of picturesque beauty.

At the extreme northwestern extremity of Lake Huron, near the point
where the lake receives the waters of Lakes Michigan and Superior,
there was a large island, whose swelling hills were crowned with a
dense forest. This island was called by the Indians, from its peculiar
form, Mackinac, or the Turtle, sometimes Michilimackinac, or the big
Turtle. On the 27th of August, 1679, the Griffin ran into a beautiful
little bay in this island. It was a lovely summer's day, serene, sunny,
and cloudless. The waters of the bay, fringed with forest-crowned
hills, were as placid as a mirror. There was quite a village there of
wigwams. Naked children were sporting upon the beach. Buoyant birch
canoes, driven by the paddles of gayly-dressed men and women, were
gliding swiftly in all directions. The scene opened before the eyes of
the voyagers like a vision of enchantment.

Nearly ten years before, Father Marquette, inspired by apostolic zeal,
had traversed this whole distance in a birch canoe. Several Indians
accompanied him as boatmen and interpreters. Upon the main land, across
a narrow strait, he had established a mission-post among the Hurons.
The Indians at Mackinac thus knew something of the white men. With
wonder they gazed upon the "great wooden canoe." They crowded on board
the Griffin with every testimonial of confidence and friendship, and
when one of the cannon was fired, and its roar reverberated through the
forest, they were astonished, but not frightened.

Though this remote village seemed so peaceful and happy, the strong
palisades which surrounded it proved that the voyagers had not yet got
beyond the vestiges of Adam's fall. Those defences spoke of midnight
assaults, of savage yells, of tomahawks, scalps, blood, misery, and
death. La Salle, aware of the influence of outward appearance upon the
minds of men, dressed himself in a very rich scarlet cloak fringed with
gold lace. With a plumed military cap upon his head, a long sword at
his side, and an imposing escort of well-dressed and well-armed men, he
was rowed ashore, to make a visit of ceremony to the chief. His
reception was as hospitable and friendly as those untutored men were
capable of giving.

La Salle had sent forward several canoes of men, to collect all the
furs they could