98 Some New Voyages 



belly'd Women, from whom we had Intelligence 

 that the reft of their Party were then upon their Re- 

 turn by Land upon the Banks of the Lake, having 

 thirty four Prifoners, of both Sexes ; and that they 

 could not then be far off. When this Intelligence 

 was laid before us, the Outacuas were of the opinion 

 that we ihould reft fatisfied with the Feats we had 

 .done, upon the Plea that the above-mention'd four 

 hundred Iroquefe would certainly get before us. On 

 the other hand, the Sautews maintained that they had 

 rather perifh than fail to attempt the Refcue of thefe 

 Prifoners, and the Defeat of the whole Party ; and 

 that if no bc*dy would fecond 3 em, they would make 

 the Attempt by themfelves. The Bravery of this 

 Refolution obliged me to encourage and egg on the 

 Otitaouas. I remonftrated to 'em, that in regard the 

 Sauteurs ingrofs'd the Glory of the former A&ion* 

 they had more reafon than we to decline the rifque 

 of a fecond Engagement : that if we refus'd to back 

 'em, our Cowardice would cover us with everlafting 

 Infamy: and, that in order to render the Attack 

 more fecure, we ought to ufe a fpeedy Precaution in 

 finding out fome Point or Elbow of Land where our 

 Canows, our Baggage, and our Prifoners might 

 be lodg'd fefe. The Outaouas had a great deal of Re- 

 lu&ancy to the matter; however, after confulting 

 among themfelves, they comply'd with the Propofcl, 

 more for Shame, than out of true Courage. Having 

 laid down that joint Refolution, we made up a little 

 fort of a Fence in feven or eight hours, and then fent 

 out Scouts on all hands, while the main Body was 

 kept in readinefc to march upon the firft Alarm, 



Juguft 4. two of our Spies returned upon full (peed, 

 to acquaint us that the Jroejmfe were not above three 

 Leagues off, and that they advanced towards us ; and 

 withal, that upon the Road there was a little Brook 3 

 upon whicii an Ambufcado might be conveniently- 

 kid* This Advice animated our Savages fb much. 



