We barter’d with them for some Provisions, and their Chief offer’d to go with us as far as the _Assonys_, who were not farther off than about three Leagues, which he accordingly did; but it happening to rain when we came thither, and the _Assonys_ having had no Notice before hand, we found but indifferent Reception.
However, we were conducted to the Chief’s Cottage; the Elders had Notice given them, they resorted thither, and when our Horses were unloaded, and our Goods plac’d in a Corner of the Cottage, which the Chief had allotted us, we gave them to understand, that our Intention was to go farther, to fetch Commodities to trade with them, at which they were pleas’d. They gave us to eat, and the Elders stay’d some Part of the Evening with us, which made us somewhat Uneasy, and oblig’d us to be upon our Guard; however the Night pass’d without any Disturbance.
The next Morning the Elders came to us again. They had provided Mats without the Cottage, and made Signs to us to go thither and sit down upon them, as we did, leaving two of our Company to guard the Baggage. We repeated to them what we had said the Night before, and made them some Presents of Axes, Knives, Strings of Beads and Rings. They signify’d they were sorry we would go away, and endeavour’d the best they could, to make us sensible of the same Obstacles the others had signify’d to us; but it was all in Vain; however, we stay’d till the first of _June_, all the while bartering and gathering the best stock of Provisions we could.
The Second, we remov’d from that Cottage, where we had some Jealousy, and went to another, a Quarter of a League from it, where the Chief of it gave us a very good Reception. An old Woman, who was either his Mother, or Governess of the Cottage, took particular Care of us: We were first serv’d at eating, and to keep her in that good Mind, we now and then made her some little Presents, whilst she, by her Care and Kindness, spar’d our Provisions, which were necessary for our Journey.
A continual Rain oblig’d us to stay there till the 13th. During our Stay, the Natives made several Feasts, to which we were always invited; and at length the Rain ceasing, we resolv’d to set out, notwithstanding all Monsieur _Cavelier_ the Priest’s Apprehensions, which we surmounted, and directed our Course towards the _N. E._ with two _Indians_, who were to conduct us only a small Way, and who accordingly soon left us, whatsoever Promises we could make them. They departed to return Home, promising they would come to us again. We encamp’d that Night on the Bank of a Rivulet.