ia
(modern Fort William), Lake Superior.

The rest of the story of La Salle on the Mississippi is more the history
of the United States than of Canada, and must be given in few words.

When La Salle returned from interviewing his creditors on the St.
Lawrence, he found the Illinois Indians dispersed by hostile Iroquois
whom his enemies had hounded on. Fort Crevecoeur had been destroyed and
plundered by mutineers among his own men. Only Tonty and two or three
others had remained faithful, and they had fled for their lives to Lake
Michigan. Not knowing where Tonty had taken refuge, La Salle pushed on
down the Illinois River, and for the first time beheld the Mississippi,
the goal of all his dreams; but anxiety for his lost men robbed the event
of all jubilation. Once more united with Tonty at Michilimackinac, La
Salle returned dauntlessly to the Illinois. Late in the fall of 1681 he
set out with eighteen Indians and twenty Frenchmen from Lake Michigan for
the Illinois. February of 1682 saw the canoes floating down the
winter-swollen current of the Illinois River for the Mississippi, which
was reached on the 6th. A week later the river had cleared of ice, and
the voyageurs were camped amid the dense forests at the mouth of the
Missouri. The weather became warmer. Trees were donning their bridal
attire of spring and the air was heavy with the odor of blossoms.
Instead of high cliffs, carved fantastic by {140} the waters, came
low-lying swamps, full of reeds, through which the canoes glided and lost
themselves. Camp after camp of strange Indian tribes they visited, till
finally they came to villages where the Indians were worshipers of the
sun and wore clothing of Spanish make. By these signs La Salle guessed
he was nearing the Gulf of Mexico. Fog lay longer on the river of
mornings now. Ground was lower. They were nearing the sea. April 6 the
river seemed to split into three channels. Different canoes followed
each channel. The muddy river water became salty. Then the blue sky
line opened to the fore through the leafy vista of the forest-grown
banks. Another paddle stroke, and the canoes shot out on the Gulf of
Mexico,--La Salle erect and silent and stern as was his wont. April 9,
1682, a cross is planted with claim to this domain for France. To fire
of musketry and chant of Te Deum a new empire is created for King Louis
of France. Louisiana is its name.

Take a map of North America. Look at it.