208 NARRATIVE OF THE EXPEDITION. 



We were now drawing toward the foot of Lake Michigan, at 

 the point where this inland sea is connected, through the Straits 

 of Michilimackinac, with Lake Huron. A cluster of islands, 

 called the Beaver Islands, had been in sight on our left hand, 

 since passing the coast of the Sleeping Bear, which are noted 

 as affording good anchorage ground to vessels navigating the 

 lake. Tt is twenty-five miles from the site of the old French mis- 

 sion, near L'Arbre Croche, to the end of point Wagoshance,* 

 which is the southeast cape of the Straits of Michilimackinac, 

 and nine miles from thence to the Island. Along the bleak coast 

 of this storm-beaten, horizontal limestone rock, with a thin cover- 

 ing of drift, we diligently passed. ISIight overtook us as we came 

 through the straits, hugging their eastern shore, and we encamped 

 on a little circular open bay, long after it became pitchy dark. 

 "We had traversed a coast line of fifty-seven miles, and were glad, 

 after a refreshing cup of tea and our usual meal, to retire to our 

 pallets. 



The next morning revealed our position. We were at the 

 ancient site of old Michilimackinac — a spot celebrated in the early 

 missionary annals and history of New France. This was, indeed, 

 one of the first points settled by the French after Cadaracqui, 

 being a missionary and trading station before the foundation of 

 Fort Niagara, in 1678 ; for La Salle, after determining on the lat- 

 ter, proceeded, the same fall, up the lakes to this point, which he 

 installed with a military element. The mission of St. Ignace 

 had before been attempted on the north shore of the straits, but 

 it was finally removed here by the advice of Marquette. On 

 gazing at the straits, tbey were found to be agitated by a perfect 

 gale. This gave time for examining the vicinity. It was found 

 a deserted plain, overspread with sand, in many parts, with the 

 ruins of former occupancy piercing through these sandy drifts, 

 which gave it an air of perfect desolation. By far the most con- 

 spicuous among these ruins, was the stone foundation of the 

 ancient fort, and the excavations of the exterior buildings, which 

 had evidently composed a part of the military or missionary plan. 

 Not a house, not a cultivated field, not a fence was to be seen. 

 The remains of broken pottery, and pieces of black bottles, irri- 



* Little Fox Point. This word comes from Wagoush, a fox, and the denomina- 

 tive inflection a ainc or aius. 



