ng manners, and captivating mind, everywhere commanded
respect and love, so impressed the hearts of these Indians that
they did not know how to treat us well enough. They would gladly
have kept us with them permanently."

For three days La Salle and his companions enjoyed the hospitality of
these friendly natives. About thirty miles below the Natches Indians,
there was another powerful tribe called the Koroas. They were friends
and allies of the Natches. A courier was despatched to inform the chief
of the Koroas of the arrival of the distinguished strangers, and to
invite him to come and share in giving them a suitable welcome. He
hastened to Natches with an imposing retinue of his head men. They also
paid prompt homage to the dignity and the attractions of La Salle.

Again a cross was erected, while admiring multitudes gazed admiringly
upon the religious and civil pomp with which the ceremony was invested.
A plate was attached to the cross, upon which was engraved the arms of
Louis XIV. The Indians were delighted with the show, and with the
memorial thus left of the visit; though they could not comprehend the
significance of the rite as taking possession of their country in the
name of the King of France.

La Salle and his companions returned to their canoes. The Chickasaw
Indian who had accompanied them from their encampment near the mouth of
the Ohio, and which they had named Camp Prudhomme, from the man who had
been lost and found there, remained at the village of the Natches
Indians. The journey of a few days would take him to his own tribe.

The chief of the Koroas, having invited La Salle to visit his village,
embarked with his suite, in their wooden boats, and descended the river
in company with the French in their birch canoes. A sail of about four
hours swept them down to the village, which was called Akoroa. It was
beautifully situated on an eminence, commanding a view of a wide-spread
and exceedingly fertile prairie, with large fields of corn, whose
spear-like leaves were already waving in the gentle breeze.

The Indians were fond of ceremony. They held a council, presented the
calumet, smoked the pipe of fraternity, made speeches which were but
poorly understood, and exchanged presents. After a short tarry, the
voyage was again resumed. The chief furnished them with a pilot,
telling them that it would still require a voyage of ten days to reach
the sea, and that the river broke into several