nding the river, found a prairie region far more rich
and beautiful than that occupied by the encampment at the mouth of the
creek. He sent back two boats, with directions that about thirty of the
most able-bodied men should remain to garrison the fort, while the
rest, including all the women and children, were to embark, under M.
Moranget, for the new location. Early in July another messenger came
with instructions for all the remaining garrison to embark, with all
the stores they could carry, in the Belle, and ascend the river many
leagues, to join their companions in the new settlement, and to bury,
in careful concealment, all the goods which could not be removed.

But sorrows and troubles without number came. The blazing sun of summer
withered them. Many were sick. All were languid, discontented,
disheartened. The wood to build their huts had to be drawn three miles
by hand. There was no heart for the work. Discontented men always
quarrel. Even La Salle lost hope, and no longer displayed his customary
energy and sagacity. Those who had professed to be good
house-carpenters, were found to be totally ignorant of their business.
Food became scarce. More than thirty in a few weeks died. These funeral
scenes spread gloom over the whole encampment, and all wished
themselves back in France.

La Salle could intrust weighty responsibilities to no one. He was
compelled to superintend everything, and even to devote himself to the
minutest details.

La Salle called this river La Vache, or Cow River, in consequence of
the vast number of buffalo cows in which he saw grazing upon the banks.
The spot chosen for the village or encampment, if we can judge from the
description of M. Joutel, must have been quite enchanting. There was an
elevated expanse, smooth and fertile, raised many feet above the level
of the stream. An undulating prairie, covered with waving grass and
flowers, spread far away for leagues toward the north and the west,
bordered, in the distance, by forest-covered hills. The river flowed
placidly upon the east, entering into the long and wide bay upon the
south. Nothing could exceed the beauty of the prairie, waving in the
richest bloom of flowers of every variety of tint.

A large cellar was dug, that the ammunition and other valuables might
be stored beneath the ground, as a protection against fire. La Salle,
with a few companions, made several excursions of fifteen or twenty
miles into the country, hoping to