him.
A strong dog dragged a portion of the baggage on a sled. Wherever night
overtook them they hastily constructed their camp, built their fire,
cooked their supper, wrapped themselves in furs, and fell asleep. He
seemed to think no more of such a journey than a gentleman does now of
a trip, in cushioned cars, from Boston to New Orleans. But nothing in
this world ever goes smoothly a long time. In every man's life it may
be said,

"Storm after storm rises dark o'er my way."

Several boats laden with supplies bound from Frontenac to Niagara were
lost in tempests on the lake. This caused great embarrassment.
Provisions even became scarce. The laborers would have suffered for
food but for the services of Indian hunters who brought in deer and
other game. The fur trade was becoming a matter of great importance.
There were many private traders and companies engaged in the traffic,
who were alarmed in view of the magnitude of the operations
contemplated by La Salle, and of the monopoly which had been granted to
him by the king. Here again we see the dark side of human nature. These
men, Frenchmen, nominal Christians, endeavored to rouse the Indians
against La Salle, even to burnings and massacres. They said to the
savages:

"La Salle wishes to take possession of your whole country. He is
building a fort at Niagara, and another at Erie. He is building a large
vessel, that he may explore all your distant lakes and large rivers. He
will erect his strong forts upon every commanding spot. These forts he
will garrison with armed men, well provided with muskets, and big guns
whose roar is like that of thunder. Then he will take your lands and
bring in white men by thousands, and you will all be killed or driven
away.

"Your only safety is in destroying the forts at Niagara and Erie, and
in burning the vessel he is building, before it is launched. We will
not trespass on your lands. We will build no forts. We will bring to
your villages, in our canoes, all the goods you want and will buy all
your furs. Thus you will be in no danger."

These plausible representations alarmed the Indians. Some of them
visited the encampment, and with a suspicious eye watched all the
movements. There were two parties formed, the friendly and the
unfriendly. La Salle was embarrassed. He might be attacked. His little
handful of men would need a strong fortress for their protection. But
to strengthen his works would confirm the fears of his foe