ong the Illinois, with whom he had so friendly an interview on his
exploring voyage. Having passed the winter and succeeding summer at
the St. Xavier mission, he started out in the fall for Kaskaskia. The
difficulties of the journey were such, it having to be accomplished by
land and water, that his health, which had been greatly enfeebled by
his former voyage, was not sufficient to enable him to endure the cold
winds of winter which had set in before the completion of the journey.
On reaching the Chicago River it was found closed, and he did not
consider it prudent to undertake an over-land journey. He therefore
resolved to winter at that point, and giving his Indian companions
who accompanied him the proper instructions and pious counsel, he sent
them back to Green Bay. Two Frenchmen made an arrangement to remain
with him during the winter. The nearest persons to their lodge were
fifty miles distant. They were French trappers and traders, one of
whom bore the title of a doctor. This latter person being informed of
Marquette's ill-health paid him a visit, and did what he could for his
relief. He also received friendly offices from the Indians in the
neighborhood, a party of whom proposed to carry him and all his
baggage to the contemplated mission at Kaskaskia. His health, however,
was such that it did not allow him to accept their kind offer, and he
was obliged to remain in his camp during the winter.

Spring at length returned after a long and dreary winter, and
Marquette, with some Indian companions, started out for the upper
waters of the Illinois River. In about two weeks he reached Kaskaskia,
and at once entered upon the duties of his mission. After having
instructed the Indians, so as to enable them to understand the objects
of his mission to them, he called them all together in the open
prairie, where he had erected a rude altar surmounted by the cross,
and adorned with pictures of the Virgin Mary. The chiefs and warriors,
and the whole tribe, were addressed by him in their native tongue. He
made a number of presents to them, the more effectually to gain their
affections and confidence, and then related to them the simple story
of the cross, after which he celebrated mass. The scene was truly
impressive, and the effect upon the sons of the forest was all that
the missionary could desire. Bright and cheering were the prospects of
converting the Kaskaskias to Christianity, but the devoted missionary
was doomed to