310 LAHONTAN. 



Yoxi may easily guess," he continues, "that I was thunderstruck 

 ■with this news, when I had fed myself all along with the hopes of 

 returning to France, and promoting my interest which is so much 

 thwarted. However I was forced to be contented, for the greater 

 power bears the sway all the world over." He then describes his 

 preparations for this expedition to the west and speaks of some of 

 the persons who are to accompany him. • "Pursuant to my orders," 

 he says, "I made all suitable preparations for my journey without 

 loss of time. I took leave of my friends who singled out the best 

 soldiers for me, and made me presents of clothes, tobacco, books, 

 and an infinity of other things which they could spare without incon- 

 veniency because they were then on their return to the colony (i. e. 

 Quebec) which affords them everything that one can desire. By 

 good luck," he continues, "I brought with me my astrolabe from 

 Montreal, which will enable me to take the latitude of the lakes and 

 to make several other useful observations, for, to all appearance, I 

 Bhall be out two years or thereabout. The men of my detachment," 

 he then says, "are brisk proper fellows and my canoes are both new 

 and large. I am to go along with Mr. Duluth, a Lyons gentleman, 

 who is a person of great merit, and has done his king and his country 

 very considerable services. Mr. De Tonti makes another of our com- 

 pany; and a company of savages is to follow me. Mr. De Denonville 

 will set out for the colony by the north side of Lake Frontenac in 

 two or three days. He designs to leave at Fort Frontenac a number 

 of men and ammunition equal to what he leaves here." (He had 

 previously mentioned that 150 men were to be left at Fort Niagara 

 under the joint command of M. des Bergeres and M. De Troyes, with 

 ammunition and provision for eight months.) 



Letter fourteen is written at. Michilimackinac, and is dated May 

 26, 1688. Nearly a year has elapsed. He has grown somewhat 

 indifierent to the situation of his private afiairs in France, which he 

 has just been informed by a letter, continues to be bad. "I am at a 

 loss to determine," he says to his friend and patron, "whether it is 

 owing to stupidity or to greatness of mind, that the loss of my 

 estate which I infallibly foresee, does not at all affect me. Your 

 letter is but too shrewd a confirmation of my prophecy. However I 

 cannot but pursue your seasonable advice in writing to Court." To 

 this letter is appended the memorial to the Marquis de Seignelay, 

 ■which has already been given. He then proceeds with a narrative 



