CHAMPLAIN'S EXPEDITIONS. [Voyages de la Nouv: France, par le Sr. de Champlain; Paris, M.DC.XXXII.] INTO NORTHERN NEW-YORK; ANNO 1609. Departure from the Sault of the Iroquois River; Description of a Great Lake; Rencountre with the enemies on said Lake and the mode and conduct observed in going to attack the Iroquois. I LEFT the Rapid1 of the said River of the Iroquois on the 2nd of July. (1609.) All the Savages began carrying their canoes, arms and traps over land about a league and a half, to avoid the current and force of the Rapid. This was quickly effected. They immediately launched the canoes into the water, two men in each with their bagage, whilst one of the men went by land about a league and a half, which was the probable extent of said Rapid, tho' not so violent as at the foot, except at some points where rocks obstructed the River which is no more than three to four hundred paces wide. After the Rapid was passed, though not without trouble, all the Indians who had gone by land over a pretty good road and level country, though covered with timber, re-embarked in their canoes. My men were also on land and I on the water in a canoe. They reviewed all their force and found 24 canoes with 60 men. After having completed their review, we continued our journey as far as an Island three leagues long, covered with the finest pines I ever beheld. They hunted and caught some wild animals there. Passing thence about three leagues farther on, we camped in order to rest for the night. 1 Now, Chambly, Lower Canada. Forthwith some began to cut down timber; others to pull off bark to cover lodges to shelter them; others to fall large trees with which to barricade their lodges on the shore. They know so well how to construct these barricades, that five hundred of their enemies would find considerable difficulty in forcing them in less than two hours, without great loss. They do not fortify the side of the river along which their canoes are ranged, so as to be able to embark should occasion require. After they had camped, they despatched three canoes with nine good men, as is their custom at all their encampments, to reconnoitre within two or three leagues, if they see anything. After which they retire. They depend the whole night on the exploration of the van guard, which is a bad habit of theirs. For sometimes their enemies surprize them asleep, and kill them without having an opportunity of recovering their feet to defend themselves. Remarking that, I remonstrated with them against the error they committed; told them to watch, as they saw us do, all night, and to have out-posts to spy and see if they could perceive anything; and not to live in that style, like cattle. They told me they couldn't watch, and that they laboured all day hunting. So that, when they go to war they divide their force into threeto wit-one party, scattered in divers places, hunting; another forms the main body, which is always under arms; and another party as a van guard, to scout along the river and see whether they will not discover some trail or mark indicating the passage of friends or enemies. This they ascertain by certain marks the chiefs of one nation give to those of another, which are not always alike; notifying each other from time to time when they alter any. By this means they recognize whether those who have passed are friends or enemies. The hunters never hunt in advance of the main body or the scouts, so as not to create any alarm or disorder; but in the rear and in the direction where they do not apprehend enemies. They thus continue until they are two or three days journey from the foe, when they advance stealthily by night, all in a body, except the scouts, and retire by day into the picket fort where they repose, without wandering abroad, making any noise or building a fire, even for cooking during that time, so as not to be discovered, should their enemies happen to pass. The only fire they make is, to smoke. They eat dried Indian meal which they steep in water like porridge. They prepare this meal for use when they are pinched, and when they are near the enemy, or when retreating; after their attacks they do not amuse themselves hunting, retreating precipitately. We left next day, continuing our route along the river as far as the mouth of the Lake1. Here are a number of beautiful, but low Islands filled with very fine woods and prairies, a quantity of game and wild animals, such as stags, deer, fawns, roebucks, bears and other sorts of animals that come from the main land to the said islands. We caught a quantity of them. There is also quite a number of Beavers, as well in the river as in several other streams which fall into it. These parts, though agreeable, are not inhabited by any Indians, in consequence of their wars. They retire from the rivers as far as possible, deep into the country, in order not to be so soon discovered. Next day we entered the Lake, which is of considerable extent; some 50 or 60 leagues, where I saw 4 beautiful islands 10. 12. and 15 leagues in length, formerly inhabited, as well as the Iroquois river, by Indians, but abandoned since they have been at war the one with the other. Several rivers, also, discharge into the lake, surrounded by a number of fine trees similar to those we have in France, with a quantity of vines handsomer than any I ever saw; a great many chestnuts, and I had not yet seen except the margin of the Lake, where there is a large abundance of fish of divers species. Among the rest there is one called by the Indians of the country Chaousarou, of divers lengths. The largest I was informed by the people, are of eight to ten feet. I saw one of 5, as thick as a thigh, with a head as big as two fists, with jaws two feet and a half long, and a double set of very sharp and dangerous teeth. The form of the body resembles that of the pike, and it is armed with scales that a thrust of a poniard cannot pierce; and is of a silver grey 1 Lake Champlain. |