m the memory.

M. Joutel sent his companions back to the camp with the corn which had
already been purchased, while he remained to obtain more. Alone in the
cabin, far away in the wilderness, the companion of murderers, and a
very uncertain fate before him, he could not sleep. At midnight, as he
was reclining upon his mat, absorbed in thought, he saw, by the light
of the fire, an Indian enter the cabin, with a bow and two arrows in
his hand. He took a seat near where M. Joutel was apparently sleeping.

M. Joutel spoke to him. He made no reply; but arose and took another
seat near the fire. M. Joutel, being sleepless, followed him, to enter,
if possible, into conversation. Fixing his eyes earnestly upon the
taciturn Indian, he saw, to his surprise, that he was one of the French
deserters whom he had formerly known very well. His name was Grollet.
He informed M. Joutel that he had a comrade by the name of Ruter, who
did not dare to come with him, from fear that he should be punished by
La Salle, of whose death they had not heard.

"They had," writes M. Joutel, "in so short a time so entirely
contracted the habits of the savages, as to become thorough savages
themselves. They were naked, and their faces and bodies were covered
with painted figures. Each of them had taken several wives. They had
accompanied the warriors of the tribe to battle; and with their guns
had killed many of the enemy, which had given them great renown. Having
expended all their powder and bullets, their guns had become useless.
They had therefore taken bows and arrows and had become quite skilful
in their use. As to religion, they never had any. The libertine life
they were now practising was quite to their taste."

Grollet seemed much moved when he heard of the death of La Salle and
the others. Upon being questioned whether he had ever heard the Indians
speak of the Mississippi, he said that he had not, but that he had
often heard them speak of a very large river, about five days' journey
northeast of them, and upon whose banks there were very many Indian
tribes.

The two next days M. Joutel continued purchasing corn. It could not be
bought in large quantities, but many families could spare a little. On
the 8th of April he returned to the camp, with three horses laden with
corn. During this delay the murderer, Duhaut, had had many hours for
reflection. To return to a French military or trading post, accompanied
by the witnesses of his crime, w