alle was convinced that he had passed the Mississippi.
Others argued that they had not reached it. In fact they were beyond
Matagorda Bay, in the southwestern part of Texas, and were within a
hundred miles of the Rio Grande. A dense fog prevented the landing of
the boat's crew. La Salle insisting upon a return, the vessels coasted
slowly along, a distance of about thirty miles, till they came to an
inlet, which the fog had prevented them from seeing before, and which
proved to be Matagorda Bay.

The expedition was now in serious trouble. Their provisions were nearly
exhausted. They had thus far seen no settlement, on the American coast,
from which they could obtain supplies. A large party was landed on the
western entrance of the bay. They threw up a camp, and while some
explored the prairie with their guns, others followed up the stream
with their fishing rods. An ample supply of game, of great variety, was
taken, and also an abundance of fish. All who could be spared from the
ships hastened to the shore. The weather was delightful; the scenery
enchanting; and the whole ship's company, after so long an imprisonment
in the crowded vessels, revelled in feasting and joy.

"Uneasy lies the head which wears a crown." La Salle, feeling keenly
his responsibility for the success of the expedition, was heavily
oppressed by care. One of the boats was sent up the bay, seven or eight
miles, in search of a river or brook; but their search was in vain. A
few springs of tolerably good water were found, from which they
replenished their empty barrels. Ducks and other water-fowl were met in
great abundance.

The vessels were all anchored in the bay, near the shore, and for
several days, in this sunny region, beneath cloudless skies, the
voyagers generally enjoyed all the pleasures of the most delightful
picnic party. La Salle saw increasing evidence that Beaujeu was
intending to desert him. He was anxious to lay in supplies for a long
voyage. La Salle wished to delay only to obtain provisions for fifteen
days. He was satisfied that it would not take longer than that to
return to the point where he now believed the mouth of the Mississippi
to be.

In this emergence he decided to have the vessels coast along near the
shore, while he sent a chosen party of one hundred and thirty men, to
march along upon the land. The adventurous band commenced its journey
in a fog so dense that those in the rear could not see those in front.
M. Joute