158 TRAVELS THROUGH 



fiances on this occafion. After which, having 

 alked me what venture I took with me, I an- 

 fwered, that 1 iinderftood nothing of commerce j 

 that being a foldier, his majefty had fent me to 

 Louifiana to ferve him, and that I placed all my 

 glory in that fervice, at laft M; de Kerkrec gave 

 me leave to join my garrifon. 



I left New Orleans the feventeenth of Auguft, 

 but the boats, as I have already faid, v/ere fo 

 much laden with ventures, that being overtaken 

 by the froft, we could not get to the Illinois^ but 

 were obliged to v/inter on the road; and the 

 convoy only arrived in January, 1755, which 

 occafioned extortions and immenfe cofcs for the 

 king's account. The fatigue of fo long a 

 voyage ruined my health lb much, that I was 

 reduced to the utmofl extremity. I was con- 

 dueled on foot by Indians, and when I was tired> 

 they carried me in a drefied ox hide, made in 

 the form of a hamock, hung upon a great 

 pole, as a litter. They changed fucceflively, 

 and in this manner I came once more to the 

 old fort Chartres, where I lay in a hut, till I 

 could get a lodging in the new fort, which 

 is almoft finilhed. It is built of free ftone, 

 flanked with four baftions, and capable of con- 

 taining a garrifon of three hundred men. I 



anced 



