to North- America. ioy 



feated on the fide of that River, and the Jefuits 

 have a Houfe or College built upon it. This is a 

 place of great Trade for Skins and Indian Corn, 

 which thefe Savages fell to the Coureurs de Bois, as 

 they come and go, it being the neareft and molt 

 convenient Paflage to the River of Mijfijifi. The 

 Soil of this Country is fo fertile, that it produces 

 ( in a manner without Agriculture ) our European 

 Corn, Peafe, Beans, and feveral other Fruits that 

 are not known in France. As foon as I landed, the 

 Warriours of thefe three Nations came by turns to 

 my Apartment, to regale me with the Calumet-Dance, 

 and with the Captains-Dance ; the former being a figni- 

 fication of Peace and Friendfiiip, and the latter of Rea- 

 ped and Efteem. I returned the Compliment with a 

 Prefent of fome Rolls of Brafil Tobacco, which they 

 value mightily, and fome firings of Venice Beads, with 

 which they imbroider their Coats. Next Morning 

 I was invited to a Feaft with one of the three Na- 

 tions j and after having fent to 'em fomeDifhes 

 and Plates, purfuant to the Cuftom of the Country, 

 I went accordingly about Noon. They began with 

 congratulating my Arrival, and after I had return'd 

 them thanks, fell a finging and dancing one after 

 another, in a particular manner, of which you 

 may expe& a circumftantial account when I have 

 more leifure. The Singing and Dancing lafted for 

 two hours, being feafon'd with Acclamations of Joy 

 and Jefts, which make up part of their ridiculous 

 Mufick. After that the Slaves came to ferve, and 

 all the Company fat down after the Eajlern fafliion, 

 every one being provided with his Mefs, juft as our 

 Monks are in the Monaftery-Halls, 



Firftof all four Platters were fee down before me, 

 in the firft of which there were two white Fifh on- 

 ly boird in Water; in the fecond the Tongue 

 and Breaftof a Roe buck boird j in the third two 

 Woodhens, the hind Feet or Trotters of a Bear* and 

 v' ; ' - the 



