ed on their way. This village, it was subsequently ascertained,
was called Tangibao.

Still they continued descending the river four days longer, without
meeting any incident of importance. Their day's sail averaged about
thirty miles. It was always necessary to land for the night's
encampment. They had made, as they estimated, about one hundred and
twenty miles from Quinnipissa when they came to the delta of the
Mississippi. Here the majestic river divided into four branches. At
this point they landed, and encamped in the midst of a dense and almost
tropical forest, upon the bank, but slightly elevated above the surface
of the water.

In the morning La Salle divided his fleet into three bands, one to
descend each of these three branches. He took the one on the extreme
right, or the western branch. Lieutenant Tonti, with Father Membre,
took the middle. The eastern branch, on the left, was assigned to Mr.
Dautray. Upon reaching the sea, the canoes on the right and left were
to turn toward the centre until they should meet the party of
Lieutenant Tonti, whose route to the sea, it was supposed, would be a
little shorter than that of either of the other two.

They all found the water deep and brackish, and the current very slow.
After sailing a few miles they tasted the salt of the ocean. Soon their
eyes were gladdened with the sight of the open sea. It was mild,
serene, beautiful summer weather. The region, as far as the eye could
reach, was low and marshy, with no landmarks. The fleets were, however,
all reunited in safety. La Salle having heard the report respecting the
middle and eastern channels, decided to return to the western, by which
he had descended.

They then ascended this branch before they could find any dry and solid
ground, suitable to afford a permanent foundation for the cross of
Christ and the arms of France. On the ninth of April, they were all
assembled on a ridge slightly elevated, for the celebration of this
all-important ceremony. First, they raised a massive column, at the
foot of which they buried a leaden plate, bearing an inscription in
Latin, to the following purport:

"Louis the Great Reigns. Robert, Cavalier, with Lord Tonti,
Ambassador, Zenobia Membre, Ecclesiastic, and twenty Frenchmen,
first navigated this river from the country of the Illinois, and
passed through this mouth on the ninth of April, sixteen hundred
and eighty-two."

The names of all the Frenchmen