HISTORY OF VERMONT. 257 



pared to depart, and left Hocbclaga October the 

 fourth. The natives accompanied the French 

 to their boats, carried such of them as were sick 

 upon their shoulders, and followed them along 

 the banks of the river to a considerable distance ; 

 discovering the marks of sorrow and distress at 

 their departure. On October the eleventh Car- 

 tier and his company arrived safe at the isle of 

 Orleans, where he tarried that winter, and at^ 

 tempted to found a colony, but which was soon 

 broke up. 



From this voyage, the first tliat had ever 

 been made into the interior parts of North A- 

 merica, the manners and dispositions of the na* 

 tives became in some measure known. It was 

 found that the Indians were divided into many 

 distinct tribes or nations ; which, instead of 

 being in a state of union or confederation among 

 themselves, were generally in a state of hostility 

 and war. Among other proofs of their hostility 

 to each other, Cartier found at the isle of Or- 

 leans the scalps of five men, spread out, and 

 dried like parchment. These, he was told were 

 taken from some of the southern Indians, with 

 whom they were constantly at variance ; and 

 that the scalps of their enemies were considered 

 as the most honorable evidence of their own 

 prowess and exploits in war. But with respect 

 to their new visitors, instead of any appearances 

 of suspicion, fear, or hostility, they were every 

 where received with the tokens of friendship, 

 confidence, and the highest expectations of un- 

 common benefit and advantage from their visit- 

 ations. Instead of making any preparations to 

 appose, the natives received thiera with the high- 



