THE DISCOVERY OF BURLINGTON BAY. 5 1 



the outlet where we were, it grows narrower, and its channel is con- 

 fined between two very high, steep, rocky banks, inducing the belief 

 that the navigation would be very difficult up the cataract. As to the 

 river above the falls, the current very often sucks into this gulf, from 

 a great distance, deer and stags, elk and roebucks, that suffer them- 

 selves to be drawn from such a point in crossing the river, that they 

 are compelled to descend the falls, and to be overwhelmed in its 

 frightful abyss.* 



"Our desire to reach the village called Otinaoustettaoua prevented 

 our going to view that wonder, which I consider is so much the 

 greater in proportion as the river St. Lawrence is one of the largest 

 in the world. I will leave you to judge if that is not a fine cataract 

 into which all the water in that river having its mouth three leagues 

 broad,f falls from a height of 200 feet, with a noise that is heard not 

 only at the place where we were, 10 or 12 leagues distant, but also 

 from the other side of Lake Ontario, opposite its mouth, where M. 

 Trouve told me he had heard it. 



"We passed the river, and finally, at the end of five days travel, 

 arrived at the extremity of Lake Ontario, where there is a fine large 

 sandy bay, at the end of which is an outlet of another small lake, 

 which is there discharged. 



" Into this our guide conducted us about half a league, to a point 

 nearest the village, but distant from it some 5 or 6 leagues, and 

 wbere we unloaded our canoes. J 



" We waited here until the chief of the village came to meet us 

 with some men to carry our effects. M. de La Salle was seized, 

 while hunting, with a severe fever, which, in a few days reduced him 

 very low. 



" Some said it was caused by the sight of three large rattlesnakes 

 which he had encountered on his way while ascending a rocky emi- 

 nence. At any rate it is certain that it is a very ugly spectacle, for 

 those animals are not timid like other serpents, but firmly wait for a 

 person, quickly assuming an offensive attitude, coiling half the body 



* Galinee's description of the falls is probably the earliest on record. His account, which is 

 wholly derived from the Indians, is remarkably correct. If they had been visited by the Jesuits, 

 prior to the time of this expedition, they have failed to relate the fact, or to describe them in 

 their journals. The Niagara river is alluded to under the name of Ongniaehra, as the celebrated 

 river of the Neuter nation, but no mention is made the cataract. 



t At the Gulf of St. Lawrence. 



t Oaklands. 



