The Day was spent in driving our small Bargains and gathering Provisions, which the Women brought. When that was done, it was agreed, that I should remain there, to lay up more Store, and that the others should return to our Company, which we had left near the River, to carry the Provisions and satisfy them they might come safely.
Tho’ I thought my self not over secure among the _Indians_, and besides had the Dissatisfaction of understanding none of their Language; yet was I not unwilling to stay, that I might have an Opportunity of seeing the two other _French_ Men, who had forsaken the late Monsieur _de la Sale_, when he first travell’d into that Country, that I might enquire of them, whether they had heard no talk of the _Missisipi_ River, for I still held my Resolution of parting from our wicked Murderers.
As soon as they were gone, I gave a young _Indian_ a Knife, to go bid those two other _French_ Men come to me, and whilst he was going I drove on my little Trade for Provisions, and had frequent Visits from the Elders, who entertain’d me by Signs, with an Account of their intended War; to which I still answer’d, nodding my Head, tho’ very often I knew not what they meant. It was some Difficulty to me to secure my small Merchandize, especially at Night, for the Natives were covetous of them.
[Sidenote: _The Author meets another French Man among the Indians._]
This Care, which kept me from Sleeping sound, was the Occasion, that one Night I heard some Body moving near my Bed, and opening my Eyes, by the Light of the Fire, which never goes out in those Cottages, perceiv’d a Man stark naked, with a Bow and two Arrows in his Hand, who came and sat down by me, without saying any Thing. I view’d him for some Time, I spoke to him, he made me no Answer, and not knowing what to think of it, I laid hold of my two Pistols and my Firelock, which the Man perceiving, he went and sat by the Fire. I follow’d, and looking steadfastly on him, he knew and spoke to me, throwing his Arms about and embracing me, and then made himself known to be one of the French Men I had sent for.
We fell into Discourse, I ask’d him for his Comrade, he told me, he durst not come, for Fear of Monsieur _de la Sale_. They were both Sailors, this Man, who was of _Britany_, was call’d _Ruter_; the other, of _Rochelle_, _Grollet_. They had, in that short Space of Time, so perfectly enur’d themselves to the Customs of the Natives, that they were become meer Savages. They were naked, their Faces and Bodies with Figures wrought on them, like the rest. They had taken several Wives, been at the Wars and kill’d their Enemies with their Firelocks, which had gain’d them Reputation; but having no more Powder nor Ball, their Arms were grown useless, and they had been forc’d to learn to shoot with Bows and Arrows. As for Religion, they were not troubled with much of it, and that Libertine Life they led, was pleasing to them.