n. A very skilful and intelligent Indian accompanied the party
as interpreter and hunter. They paddled down the western shore of Lake
Michigan, landing every night to build their camp, kindle their fire,
and cook their supper. Immediately upon landing, the Indian, with his
musket on his shoulder, disappeared in the forest, and almost
invariably soon returned with an ample supply of game.

It was the 19th of September, 1679, when the canoes left the mouth of
Green Bay. The stormy days of autumn were approaching, when these
northern lakes were often ploughed by fierce gales. The island from
which they set out was several leagues from the main land. They had no
sails. Their boats were propelled only by the paddle. The first night,
before they reached the main land, dense clouds seemed hurrying through
the skies and thickening over their heads. The wind increased into a
gale. The blackened waters of the lake were lashed into foam-crested
billows. The sun went down, and gloomy darkness curtained the sky and
enveloped the sea. The spray dashed over them. Occasionally a wave
would break into the canoes. At length they discerned the dim outline
of the shore. It was a long sandy beach, with no cove, no indentation,
into which they could run their boats. The surges, driven by the
northeast storm, struck the shore so furiously that it seemed
impossible to effect a landing; and yet every moment they were
threatened with destruction. In the darkness they kept as near together
as they could, to help one another in case of disaster. Thus hour after
hour passed; as our voyagers, weary, hungry, cold, and drenched,
struggled against the waves. A little after midnight the wind lulled.
Watching their opportunity they ran their canoes upon the shore, and
leaping into the water, carefully dragged them above the waves. The
rain still fell. They unloaded each canoe, and so packed the precious
contents that they could protect them from the rain by covering them
with the canoes turned upside down. With their axes they soon
constructed a frail camp. With the flash of powder they with difficulty
kindled a fire, for everything was dripping with moisture, and every
log was soaked.

They threw themselves down to sleep upon the wet ground, and in their
drenched garments, but with, their feet toward roaring fires.
Accustomed as they were to exposure, these hardships must have caused
severe suffering. The lurid morning revealed to them but a raging sea