e savages gathered them up and retired. It was not safe
to wander far for game. But fish was taken in great abundance from the
bay.

Early in April, the garrison was alarmed by the sight of a distant
sail. It was feared that it was a war-ship of the hostile Spaniards,
coming to destroy them. The vessel, however, passed by, without
apparently seeing the encampment. Several tragic incidents ensued. One
man was bitten by a rattlesnake. After suffering dreadful agonies he
died. Another, who was fishing, was swept away by the current and was
drowned. Fortunately, beds of excellent salt were found, formed by the
evaporation of salt water in basins on the land.

It must be confessed that the savages manifested much of a Christian
disposition. They frequently came near the fort, and made signs
indicative of their desire that friendly relations might be restored.
But La Salle, fearing treachery, and not having full confidence in the
prudence of those he left behind, gave orders that no intercourse
should be opened with the savages until his return.

Early in May, quite a large party of Indians appeared near the fort.
Three of them, laying aside their weapons, came forward and made signs
that they wished for a conference. M. Joutel, instead of sending three
unarmed men to meet them, invited them to come into the fort. Though
they thus placed themselves entirely in his power, they, without the
slightest hesitation, entered the enclosure. They quietly sat down,
and, by signs, said that hunters from the fort had often been near
them, so that they could easily have killed them. But they refrained
from doing them any injury. M. Moranget, who had been so severely
wounded, urged that they should be terribly punished, in revenge for
the attack upon the camp. This infamous proposal M. Joutel rejected.

But his conduct was inexcusable. He gave them a very unfriendly
reception; and soon ordered them to depart. They had scarcely left the
entrance gate, when he ordered several muskets to be fired, as if at
them. They thought that they were treacherously fired upon, and fled
precipitately. He then ordered several cannon-shot to be thrown to the
eminence, where the large party was peacefully assembled. This
scattered them. Such was the response to the Indians' appeal for
friendship. Thus insanely did the garrison establish open hostilities
between the two parties, when it was evident that the Indians desired
friendship.

La Salle, in asce