106 



ers, were conducted to Saint a Fe. He found 

 the city large and populous ; the country thickly 

 settled, and highly cultivated. When he was 

 liberated, he was conducted, on his return to the 

 United States, in a different route, through a coun- 

 try well filled with inhabitants and a number of 

 large cities. 



At the distance of about ten miles above 

 Natchitoches, there is another lake which is on 

 the northeast side of Red river, called Noiz, and 

 is about fifty miles in circumference. The bayau 

 or outlet of this lake communicates with Rigula 

 de Bondieu. The bayau Rigula de Bondieu en- 

 ters Red river about three miles above Natchito- 

 ches. Near the lake Noiz, all the salt used on 

 Red river is made. This large quantity of salt, 

 until lately, was made by only two men, and with 

 a few pots and kettels. It is now better worked, 

 but not to a hundredth part of the extent to which 

 it might be carried. The water is so highly im- 

 pregnated with salt as to require very little boiling. 

 The conveyance of the salt to market is easy, as 

 the bayau is boatable most of the year into the 

 lake. 



Where the bayau communicates, Red river is 

 in one channel, and here the settlement of Grand 

 Ecore commences, extending about six miles. 

 Stone coal is found near this settlement, and some 

 fine springs of water issue from the banks of the 

 river. About one mile above Grand Ecore, on 

 the left side of the river comes in a large bayau 



