possible information might be gained in
regard to this unknown river, Marquette held conversations with all
the noted Indian explorers and trappers, as well as the rangers of the
woods within his reach. From the information thus gained he made out a
map of the river, including its source and direction, and all the
streams known to empty into it.

Spring at length came, and on a bright, beautiful morning in the month
of May, having bid adieu to his charge at his mission, and commended
his flock to God, Marquette and his companion, with five others
selected for the purpose, entered their bark canoes with paddles in
hand, and St. Ignatius was soon lost to the sight of the devoted
missionary forever. After sailing along the Straits they entered Lake
Michigan, and continued their voyage until they arrived at Green Bay,
passed the mouth of the Menominee River, finally reaching that of the
Fox River. On the 7th of June, having sailed upwards of two hundred
miles, the voyagers reached the mission of St. Francis Xavier. They
had now reached the limit of all former French or English discoveries.
The new and unknown West spread out before them, and the thousand
dangers and hardships by river and land, heightened by tales of horror
related to them by the Indians, were presented to their imagination.
Resolutely determined to prosecute the enterprise committed to their
charge, they knelt upon the shore of Fox River to renew their
devotions and obtain the divine guidance and protection. Encouraged by
past success, and urged on by a strong faith, they launched their
canoes upon the bosom of the Fox River, and breaking the silence of
its shores by the dip of their paddles, they sailed up its current.
When they reached the rapids of that river, it was with difficulty
they were enabled to proceed. There was not power enough in the
paddles of the two canoes to stem the current, and they were obliged
to wade up the rapids on the jagged rocks, and thus tow them along.
Having made the voyage of the Fox they arrived at the portage, and
taking their canoes containing their provision and clothes upon their
shoulders, they reached the Wisconsin and launched them upon that
stream. They had no longer to breast a rapid current, as the waters of
the Wisconsin flowed west. With renewed courage they prosecuted their
voyage, and after ten days their hearts were made glad at the sight of
the broad and beautiful river which they were entering, and which t