lives. They persuade themselves either that they walked on the waves, or fled through the air; or as seemed most probable, that they concealed themselves in the woods. They seek for them; nothing appears. They are quasi convinced that they rendered themselves invisible; and as they suddenly departed, so will they pounce as suddenly on their village. 1 III. PAPERS RELATING TO De Courcelles and De Cracy's Expeditions AGAINST THE MOHAWK INDIANS. Anno 1665-6. OF THE FIRST FORTS ERECTED ON THE IROQUOIS RIVER. [Relation de ce qui s'est passé en la Nouvelle France ès années 1664 & 1665.] At the same time that the Outaouaks embarked to return to their country, the wind becoming more favorable, the soldiers who had been obliged to stop at Three Rivers likewise embarked; and after having navigated Lake St. Peter arrived at the mouth of the River Richelieu, which leads to the Iroquois of the Mohawk. The plan entertained at this first campaign was to erect on the route some forts, which were considered absolutely necessary as well to secure the passage and liberty of trade as to serve for stores for the troops and retreats for sick and wounded soldiers. For this purpose three advantageous posts were selected. The first at the mouth of the Iroquois River; the second seventeen leagues higher up, at the foot of a current of water called the Sault de Richelieu; the third about three leagues above this current. The first fort, named Richelieu, was built by Mons. de Cham blay, who commanded five companies which Monsieur de Tracy sent there. The second fort, named Saint Louis, because it was commenced the week of the celebration of the festival of that great saint, protector of our Kings and of France, was built by M. de Sorel, who commanded five other companies of the Regi ment of the Carignan Salières. . The [third] fort was for tunately finished in the month of October on St. Theresa's day, whence it derived its name. From this third fort of St. Therese we can easily reach Lake Champlain without meeting any rapids to stop the batteaux. This Lake, after a length of sixty leagues, finally terminates in |