Page:Joutel's journal of La Salle's last voyage, 1684-7 (IA joutelsjournalof00jout).pdf/110

July 1685 neither get Arms, nor Powder nor Ball, because the Sieur le Gros and I kept all lock'd up, and were very vigilant, that none might be lavishly spent, they took the cruel Resolution to rid themselves of us. That bloody Massacre was to begin by me, when I was asleep, and then to proceed to the Sieur le Gros, who lay in the Magazine, or Warehouse, and was in no Condition to defend himself, because his Leg was still swolen, and put him to much Pain. The Execution was to be by stabbing. One of the Conspirators reveal'd this to the Sieur Devault, a Hunter, who immediately came and acquainted me. I did not just then take Notice of what I had been told; but in the Evening, when they return'd from hunting, I caused one to be secur'd, who presently confess'd all. His Accomplice was also seiz'd, and it was very troublesom to secure them till the Time when we should remove. About the Middle of July, the Bark la Belle came and anchor'd near us. An Order was brought me from Monsieur de la Sale, directing me to put aboard it all the Effects that were in our Fort, to make a Float of the Timber I had caused to be squar'd, if Time would permit, if not to bury it in the Ground. Every Man set his Hand to the Work, with all possible Diligence, and our two Prisoners were put aboard, as was also Monsieur le Gros and his Surgeon, with all our Effects. The Float was begun with immense Labour; but the Weather proving very Stormy, and holding very long, I was oblig'd to cause what had been done to be taken in Pieces, and to bury the Timber in the Sand, the best we could, that the Natives might not find it. The First Fort abandon'd. We then set out towards the Place where the Indians had been encamp'd, when Monsieur de la Sale went the first time to see them. We found no Creature, and lay there that Night. and so proceeded along the Sea Coast, without any Accident, to the Camp of the Sieur Hurie, which was a Post in the Way, where Monsieur de la Sale