en tried in
the apostolic labors of Canada, fell at once on his knees. I
myself, and some others did the same, to prepare to die the same
death. But the murderers, touched by some sentiment of compassion
at the sight of the venerable old man, and besides half-penitent
for the murders they had committed, resolved to spare us, on
condition that we should never return to France. But as they were
still undecided, and many of them wished to go home to France, we
heard them often say to one another, that they must get rid of us;
that otherwise we should accuse them before the tribunals, if we
once had them in the kingdom.

"The leader of these desperadoes, a wretch by the name of Duhaut,
at once assumed the supreme command. The company now consisted of
but seventeen. The timid ones, trembling for their lives, feigned
entire devotion to the cause of the assassins. Duhaut ruled with
an iron hand. It was manifest that the least indication of an
insubordinate spirit would lead to instant death. Some of the best
men were for organizing a conspiracy to assassinate the assassins.
But the priest Cavalier continually said no, repeating the words,
'Vengeance is mine. I will repay, saith the Lord.'"

It is impossible to determine the precise spot where the murder of La
Salle and his companions took place. We know that it was several days'
journey west of the Cenis Indians, whose territory extended along the
banks of Trinity River, which empties into Galveston Bay. It is
therefore conjectured that it must have been near one of the streams
flowing into the Brazos, in the heart of Texas, probably not far from
where Washington now is.

CHAPTER XVII.

_The Penalty of Crime._

Nature's Storms. The Gloom of the Soul. Approach to the Cenis Village.
Cordial Welcome. Barbaric Ceremonials. Social Habits of the Indians.
Meeting with the French Deserters. Traffic with the Indians. Quarrel
between Hiens and Duhaut. The Assassins Assassinated. Departure of the
War Party. Fiend-like Triumph. The March Resumed.

The morning of the 21st ushered in a day of gloom, wind, and rain.
Nature, in the moaning storm, seemed in sympathy with the sadness which
must have oppressed all hearts. Silently they toiled along, drenched
with the falling rain, until noon, when the storm became so severe that
they were compelled to halt. They threw up their camp in a deep and
dark ravi