After much other Discourse, Monsieur _Moranget_ having given them some small Presents, they made their return in Bullocks Hides, and Goat Skins well dress’d. He ask’d them for some Horses to barter; they answer’d, they had no more than what they stood in Need of. We immediately proceeded on our Journey, and that day being the 21st, went to incamp at the Edge of a Wood.
The 22d, we went up to an Eminence terminated by a Rock, at the Foot whereof ran a little River, the bottom whereof was all of flat Rocks, fit for Building.[92] Thence we descry’d two Natives driving of Bullocks, which made us stand upon our Guard, and it appear’d to be our _Indian_, who had met another, with whom he had been acquainted among the _Cenis_, and whom he had brought along with him.
[Sidenote: _Three lost_ French _Men heard of_.]
Monsieur _de la Sale_ was very glad to see him, and remember’d he was one of those of whom he had purchas’d a Horse. He ask’d several Questions of him, and among the rest, whether he had not seen the four Men who deserted in his former Journey, or heard any Talk of the others, to whom he had given Leave to return to our Dwelling. He answer’d, he had seen one among the _Cenis_, and two others among the _Assonis_; but that he had not heard of any more, and that they must needs be dead; as also the Sieur _Bihorel_, who was likewise mention’d to him.
He further told us, that there were four or five Cottages thereabouts, in which about Fifteen Men resided. At Night he went away. Our _Indian_ had kill’d a Cow at a great Distance and shot her quite through, at which the other, who had been an Eye Witness to it, stood a long Time amaz’d, without speaking one Word, admiring the Effect of our Pieces. That Cow was sent for, and the Flesh brought to our Camp.
The 23d, we pass’d by the Cottages we had been told of, where the Natives were with their Wives and Children. Monsr. _de la Sale_ caus’d us to halt in the Village. We were well receiv’d, they presented us with dry’d Beef, and we return’d it in some Knives. We saw two Horses, one of them a little grey, indifferent handsome. They told us they would soon depart that Place, to go join their Companions, who were in War with their Enemies. The rest of our Men being come up, we went on to incamp a League from thence, on the Bank of a Rivulet, and at the Foot of one of the highest Mountains in the Country.