was so swift that they were compelled to land, and carry the canoes and
all their luggage on their shoulders around the point.

The first night they encamped upon an island for greater security. The
Indians in that vicinity had a bad reputation. The hardships of this
voyage were very great. It was necessary for each one to ply the paddle
with the utmost energy. They had often marshes to wade, dense forests
to cut their way through, and desert plains to traverse beneath the
rays of a blistering sun.

Weary days and nights came and went. Long accustomed to every variety
of wilderness life, there was no novelty to charm them. On the 19th of
August they reached the mouth of the Ohio. Occasionally they landed to
shoot a buffalo or a deer or a turkey. Their Indian attendants now
manifested a disposition to leave them, which caused the Frenchmen
great alarm. Should the Indians stealthily, at night, take the canoes
and descend the swift current of the stream, pursuit would be impossible,
and the travellers would be left on the banks of the river, in a truly
deplorable condition. This rendered it necessary for them to keep a
constant watch, with their arms in their hands.

In this state of anxiety they continued their laborious voyage until
the 30th of August, when they reached the mouth of the Missouri River.
On the 2d of August they passed the famous painting on the rocks to
which we have before alluded. On the 3d of September they joyfully left
the Mississippi, and entered the more placid current of the Illinois.[2]
They judged it to be one hundred and eighty miles from the Ohio to the
Illinois.

[2] M. Douay says, the 5th of September. These slight discrepancies
in dates are very frequent.

Upon this river they found a great and delightful change of scenery.
The richest verdure and bloom of summer were all around them. Meadows,
and prairies, and lawn-like groves crowded with game, constantly
regaled the eye. The gentle flow of the river greatly relieved them
from the fatigue of the paddle. Day after day they ascended the
charming stream. Night after night they enjoyed encampment in lovely
groves, beneath serene skies, and feasting upon the choicest game. They
frequently came to villages and encampments of the Illinois Indians,
with whom they felt entirely at home.

On the 11th of September a solitary Indian came down to the bank of the
river, and hailed them. They understood his language, and informed him