f the Mississippi.

This river derives its source from several lakes in the north. At the
mouth of the Mescousin its channel was narrow, and it flowed onwards
with a gentle current. On the right was seen a chain of high
mountains,[127-14] and on the left fertile fields interrupted by
islands in many places. They slowly followed the course of the stream to
the south and southwest, until, in forty-two degrees of
latitude,[128-15] they perceived a sensible change in the surrounding
country. There were but few hills and forests. The islands were covered
with beautiful trees.[128-16]

From the time of leaving their guides, they descended the two rivers
more than one hundred leagues, without discovering any other inhabitants
of the forest, than birds and beasts. They were always on their guard,
kindling a fire on the shore towards evening, to cook their food, and
afterwards anchoring their canoes in the middle of the stream during the
night. They proceeded thus for more than sixty leagues[128-17] from the
place where they entered the Mississippi, when, on the 25th of June,
they perceived on the bank of the river the footsteps of men, and a
well-beaten path leading into a beautiful prairie. They landed, and,
leaving the canoes under the guard of their boatmen, Father Marquette
and M. Joliet set forth to make discoveries. After silently following
the path for about two leagues, they perceived a village, situate on the
margin of a river, and two others on a hill, within half a league of
the first. As they approached nearer, they gave notice of their arrival
by a loud call. Hearing the noise, the Indians came out of their cabins,
and, having looked at the strangers for a while, they deputed four of
their elders to talk with them, who slowly advanced. Two of them brought
pipes ornamented with feathers, which, without speaking, they elevated
towards the sun, as a token of friendship. Gaining assurance from this
ceremony, Father Marquette addressed them, inquiring of what nation they
were. They answered, that they were Illinois, and, offering their pipes,
invited the strangers to enter the village; where they were received
with every mark of attention, conducted to the cabin of the chief, and
complimented on their arrival by the natives, who gathered round them,
gazing in silence.

[Illustration: THE GIFT OF THE CALUMET]

After they were seated, the calumet[130-18] was presented to them, and
while the old men were smoking for th