ornia, at the southwest, because they had found the course
of the river to be invariably south. Being thus persuaded that the main
object of their expedition was attained; and considering, moreover, that
they were unable to resist the armed savages, who infested the lower
parts of the river, and that, should they fall into the hands of the
Spaniards, the fruits of their voyage and discoveries would be lost,
they resolved to proceed no further, and, having informed the natives
of their determination and rested another day, they prepared for their
return.

[Illustration: AT THE PORTAGE]

After a month's navigation on the Mississippi, having followed its
course from the forty-second to the thirty-fourth degree of latitude,
they left the village of Akamsca, on the 17th of July, to return up the
river. They retraced their way, slowly ascending the stream, until, in
about the thirty-eighth degree of latitude, they turned into another
river (Illinois), which abridged their route and brought them directly
to Lake _Illinois_ (Michigan). They were struck with the fertility of
the country through which that river flowed, the beauty of the forests
and prairies, the variety of the game, and the numerous small lakes and
streams which they saw. The river was broad and deep, and navigable for
sixty-five leagues, there being, in the season of spring and part of the
summer, only half a league of portage between its waters and those
flowing into Lake Illinois. On its banks they found a village, the
inhabitants of which received them kindly, and, on their departure,
extorted a promise from Father Marquette to return and instruct
them.[138-24] One of the chiefs, accompanied by the young men, conducted
them as far as the lake; whence they proceeded to the Bay of Puans,
where they arrived near the end of September, having been absent about
four months.[138-25]

[Illustration: ON THE MISSISSIPPI]

Such is the substance of Father Marquette's narrative; and the whole of
it accords so remarkably with the descriptions of subsequent travellers,
and with the actual features of the country through which he passed, as
to remove every doubt of its genuineness. The melancholy fate of the
author, which followed soon afterwards, was probably the reason why his
expedition was not in a more conspicuous manner brought before the
public.[139-26]

In addition to this narrative, nothing is known of Marquette, except
what is said of him by Charlevoix. Afte