and a bleak and barren expanse, where no game could be found. Here, in
their cheerless camp, they were detained by the wind and the rain four
days. The only game their Indian hunter brought in, was a single
porcupine. They found its flesh savory, though it afforded scarcely a
mouthful for each man.

The storm at length ceased. Again they launched their fragile canoes,
and paddled along the placid waters. Soon another storm arose suddenly,
and so severe, that they were glad to take shelter upon the lee side of
a rocky island. There was no growth of timber with which they could
build a camp, and scarcely sufficient fuel for a fire. Here, like
shipwrecked mariners, they remained for two days, wrapped in their
blankets, and huddled for shelter in the cavities of the rocks.
Mercilessly they were pelted with rain mingled with snow.

But again the clouds were dispelled; the sun shone brightly. The
mirrored waves of the lake invited them to its surface. Though sobered
by their sufferings, they paddled rapidly along, hoping that a long
calm was to succeed the storm. Their voyage was cheered by one bright
and sunny day, when the angry clouds again began to gather to do them
battle. The tempest rose so suddenly that they had no time to seek a
harbor, but had to run their canoes through the surf on the shore. All
had to leap into the waves to save the frail boats from being broken on
the stony beach. This, their third landing, was near the point where
the River Milwaukie enters the lake.

They had not taken a large supply of provisions with them in their
canoes, for they had hoped to find a supply of game by the way. Nearly
all their store of corn and vegetables was now exhausted. Two or three
Indians were seen in the distance; but they did not venture to approach
so formidable a looking band. Three men were sent, with the calumet of
peace, to search for their villages and obtain food. They came to a
cluster of deserted wigwams, where the sagacity of their Indian guide
showed them an abundance of corn, concealed from the ravages of wild
beasts, in cells under ground. These honest or politic men took all
they wanted, and left behind them ample payment.

In the evening twilight, as the boatmen were gathered around their camp
fire, quite a group of Indians was seen cautiously approaching. La
Salle advanced to meet them, with the calumet uplifted in his hands. As
soon as the Indians saw this emblem of peace, all their fears were