that they had come from M. de la Salle, and that they were bound to the
station, farther up the river. He ran back to the encampment with the
news. The whole multitude came rushing down to the river, with joyous
shoutings; and several guns were fired by them in salute. The salute
was returned from the boats. This was a band of the numerous tribe of
Illinois Indians from the region of Kaskaskia.

The French fort on the Illinois River, as we have mentioned, was called
St. Louis. The Indians said that Lieutenant Tonti was not then at the
fort, but that he had accompanied a party of their warriors in an
expedition against the Iroquois. They urged the voyagers to land and
take some food with them. But the Frenchmen declined. Being now so near
what they deemed their journey's end, they were eager to press on their
way.

At two o'clock in the afternoon of Sunday, the 14th of September, 1687,
the weary and way-worn travellers reached the trading and military post
of St. Louis. Compared with the humble wigwams of the Indians, the fort
assumed majestic proportions, standing upon an eminence which commanded
an extensive view of the region around. A group of Indians was gathered
upon the bank. When informed that the strangers were from the
settlement of La Salle, they ran back to the fort with the joyful
tidings. Immediately a Frenchman was seen, rushing down to the river,
followed by a tumultuous group of Indians. M. Joutel writes:

"We returned together to the fort, where we found three Frenchmen.
They inquired of us of the Chevalier de la Salle. We informed them
that he had accompanied us a part of the way, and that we had left
him about one hundred and twenty miles south of the great Cenis
nation; and that he was then in good health. In that statement
there was nothing which was untrue; for M. Cavalier and I, who said
this, were not present at his death. He had left us in good health.
I have already spoken of the reasons which induced us to conceal
his death until we should arrive in France."

Upon entering the fort, the first movement was to go to the chapel in a
body, with prayers and the _Te Deum_, to return thanks to God, for
having conducted them so safely on their long and perilous way. La
Salle was universally beloved and revered. His noble bearing, his
winning deportment, his familiarity with Indian languages, his
authority derived from the king, his extended explorations and per