L, O U I S I A N A. 343 



ed with guns •, promifing toM. de Sahit Denis to 

 return in two moons time with his brother upon a 

 horfe, which they led with them. 



On arriving at the Attakapas^ they dilcharged 

 their fire-arms feveral times, the explofion of 

 which the other Indians took to be thunder : 

 they gave M. de Belle IJle the letter of M. de Saint 

 Denis^ which mentioned, that he had nothing to 

 fear with thofe Indians, and that he rejoiced be- 

 forehand that he fhould fee him. The joy which 

 this letter gave to the officer is inexpreffible •, 

 however he feared that the Attakapas would op- 

 pofe his departure. But the chief of the depu- 

 tation made him get quickly on horfeback, and 

 went off with his whole troop. The Attakapas 

 being frightened with the report of the mufkets, 

 ■ did not venture to fay any thing, and the woman 

 who had adopted M.. de Belle-IJle llied tears. 

 Thus this officerefcaped from a captivity, v;hich 

 might otherwife have lafted as long as his life. 



The Indian who carried off M. de Belle~I/Ie was 

 as proud as Hernando Cortez when he conquered 

 Montezuma^ the laft emperor of Mexico, They 

 arrived at the Natchitoches^ but did not find M. 

 de^ Saint Denis there j for he was gone to Biloxis^ 

 Z 4 which 



