dless skies and upon a glassy stream for four days, they came to
quite a large lake formed by an expansion of the river. This sheet of
water seemed to be fringed with villages. There were forty on the east
side of the lake, and thirty-four on the west side, upon its banks. All
were picturesquely situated and, in the distance, presented an aspect
of much beauty.

The houses were well built, of clay mixed with straw baked in the sun.
The roofs were constructed of canes quite gracefully bent in the form
of a dome. Their beds or mats were raised on wooden bedsteads, and they
had many convenient articles of household furniture. The bark of a tree
furnished very fine white fibres, which they braided into blankets and
other articles of dress. The head chief was an absolute sovereign,
having the property and the lives of his subjects entirely at his
disposal. A retinue of slaves attended him. He was luxuriously clothed,
fed, and housed.

The village of the chief was at a little distance from the banks of the
lake. La Salle was quite sick, and unable to go up to the palace to pay
his respects to the monarch. He encamped upon the borders of the
expanded stream, and beneath the shade of his roof sought repose upon
his mat. He, however, sent Lieutenant Tonti and Father Membre with
presents to the chief. In return, several men were sent to La Salle,
munificently laden with provisions and other gifts. Soon after, the
king himself appeared in regal state. First came a master of
ceremonies, with six pioneers, to remove every obstruction from the
way, and to make the path level for the feet of royalty. They selected
a spot upon which the monarch was to give audience to his guests. The
ground was carefully smoothed, and carpeted with beautiful mats.

The monarch soon made his appearance. He was richly dressed in white
robes. Two officers preceded him, bearing plumes of gorgeously colored
feathers. He was followed by another official, bearing two large plates
of copper, highly polished. The king had the bearing of a gentleman. He
was grave, dignified, and courteous. Having ever been accustomed to
absolute command, he had that peculiar air of self-possession and
authority which seems to be the inheritance of those who can boast a
long line of illustrious ancestry.

It was the 22d day of March, 1682. The scene presented was in the
highest degree picturesque and beautiful. The widely expanded lake
glittered in the sunlight as placid as a