Yet this voyage south along the Des Plaines was far from unpleasant,
despite the labor involved and the discomfort of the leaking canoe.
The men were full of cheer and hope, some of it possibly assumed to
strengthen my courage, but no less effective--Barbeau telling many an
anecdote of his long service in strange places, exhibiting a sense of
humor which kept us in continuous laughter. He was, indeed, a typical
adventurer, gay and debonair in presence of peril, and apparently
without a care in the world. De Artigny caught something of the
fellow's spirit, being young enough himself to love excitement, and
related in turn, to the music of the splashing paddles, numerous
incidents of his wild exploits with La Salle and De Tonty along the
great rivers of the West.

It all interested me, these glimpses of rough forest life, and I
questioned them both eagerly, learning many a truth the histories fail
to tell. Particularly did I listen breathlessly to the story of their
adventurous first voyage along the Illinois, following the trail of
raiding Iroquois, amid scenes of death and destruction. The very
horrors pictured fascinated me even, although the grim reality was
completely beyond my power of imagination.

'Twas thus we passed the hours of daylight, struggling with the
current, forcing our way past obstacles, seeking the shore to drain
off water, every moment bringing to us a new vista, and a new peril,
yet ever encouraged by memory of those who had toiled along this
stream before us. At night, under the stars and beside the blaze of
campfire, Barbeau sang rollicking soldier songs, and occasionally De
Artigny joined him in the choruses. To all appearances we were
absolutely alone in the desolation of the wilderness. Not once in all
that distance did we perceive sign of human life, nor had we cause to
feel the slightest uneasiness regarding savage enemies.

Both men believed there was peace in the valley, except for the
jealousy between the white factions at Fort St. Louis, and that the
various Algonquin tribes were living quietly in their villages under
protection of the Rock. De Artigny described what a wonderful sight it
was, looking down from the high palisades to the broad meadows below,
covered with tepees, and alive with peaceful Indians. He named the
tribes which had gathered there for protection, trusting in La Salle,
and believing De Tonty their friend--Illini, Shawnees, Abenakies,
Miamis, Mohegans--at one time