At length, we set out the 21st of _March_, from Fort _Lewis_. The Sieur _Boisrondet_, who was desirous to return to _France_, join’d us, we imbark’d on the River, which was then become navigable, and before we had advanc’d five Leagues, met with a rapid Stream, which oblig’d us to go Ashore, and then again into the Water, to draw along our Canoe. I had the Misfortune to hurt one of my Feet against a Rock that lay under Water, which troubled me very much for a long Time; and we being under a Necessity of going often into the Water, I suffer’d extreamly, and more than I had done since our Departure from the Gulph of _Mexico_.
We arriv’d at _Chicagou_ the 29th of _March_, and our first Care was to go seek what we had conceal’d at our former Voyage, having, as was there said, bury’d our Luggage and Provisions. We found it had been open’d, and some Furs and Linen taken away, almost all which belong’d to me. This had been done by a _French_ Man, whom M. _Tonty_ had sent from the Fort, during the Winter Season, to know whether there were any Canoes at _Chicagou_, and whom he had directed to see whether any Body had medled with what we had conceal’d, and he made Use of that Advice to rob us.
The bad Weather oblig’d us to stay in that Place, till _April_. That Time of Rest was advantageous for the Healing my Foot; and there being but very little Game in that Place, we had Nothing but our Meal or _Indian_ Wheat to feed on; yet we discover’d a Kind of _Manna_,[123] which was a great Help to us. It was a Sort of Trees, resembling our Maple, in which we made Incisions, whence flow’d a sweet Liquor, and in it we boil’d our _Indian_ Wheat, which made it delicious, sweet and of a very agreeable Relish.
There being no Sugar-Canes in that Country, those Trees supply’d that Liquor, which being boil’d up and evaporated, turn’d into a Kind of Sugar somewhat brownish, but very good. In the Woods we found a Sort of Garlick, not so strong as ours, and small Onions very like ours in Taste, and some Charvel[124] of the same Relish as that we have, but different in the Leaf.
The Weather being somewhat mended, we imbark’d again and enter’d upon the Lake on the 8th of _April_, keeping to the North Side to shun the _Iroquois_. We had some Storms also, and saw swelling Waves like those of the Sea; but arriv’d safe the 15th at a River call’d _Quinetanan_, near a Village whence, the Inhabitants depart during the Winter Season, to go a Hunting, and reside there all the Summer.
