embarked more than all his fortune in that vessel. There was
no insurance in those days. He was deeply in debt to the traders in
Quebec and Montreal.

Fearful were his apprehensions that the vessel was lost. If so he was
ruined, a hopeless bankrupt. The vessel was lost. No tidings of her
ever reached any human ears. In some dreadful tragedy, witnessed only
by God, the vessel and its crew sunk in the depths of the waters. While
thus harassed with anxiety, the cold blasts of approaching winter swept
the bleak plains. The rivers would soon be closed with ice. His
provisions were exhausted, so that his party was entirely dependent for
food upon such game as could be taken. Under these adverse
circumstances the resolution of this indomitable man remained unshaken.
Gathering his murmuring companions around him, he said:

"I have set out to explore the Mississippi. If you abandon me I cannot
proceed. But I shall remain here with the missionaries. You may find
your way back as you can, or disperse through the forest as you
please."

The men continued to murmur. But for their own protection they worked
diligently upon the fort. From this point La Salle intended to
establish communication with his depot at Niagara. The boatmen also,
who were earnestly devoted to the ritualism of the church, under the
direction of the missionaries built a log chapel, where religious
services were daily held. A numerous tribe of Indians, the Miamis, but
to which the missionaries gave the name of St. Joseph's band, had a
flourishing village here. There were very friendly. From the fine boat
harbor they could fish upon the lake, or, in pursuit of game, could
paddle hundreds of miles up the forest-crowned river and its numerous
tributaries. Day after day La Salle watched the horizon of the lake,
hoping to catch a glimpse of the sails of the returning Griffin,
bringing him supplies, and the tidings that his precious furs were safe
and his fortune secure. Night after night he placed his head upon his
pillow, the victim of that hope deferred which maketh the heart sick.

Thirty-three days of anxiety and toil thus passed away. The boatmen,
who had come with Lieutenant Tonti, increased his number to over thirty
men. At the point of land where the river entered the lake, there was a
bluff, of considerable elevation and of triangular form, containing an
acre or more of pretty level land. It was at that time covered with
trees. This commanding position w