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La Salle and the discovery of the great West - North Central ...

La Salle and the discovery of the great West - North Central ...

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CHAPTER XI.1679.LA SALLE ON THE UPPER LAKES.The Voyage <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> "Griffin." — Detroit. — A Storm. St.IGNACE OF MlCHILIMACKINAC. — RlVALS AND ENEMIES. — LAKEMichigan. — Hardships. — A Threatened Fight. — FortMiami. — Tonty's Misfortunes. — Forebodings.The " Griffin " had lain moored by <strong>the</strong> shore, sonear that Hennepin conld preach on Sundays from<strong>the</strong> deck to <strong>the</strong> men encamped along <strong>the</strong> bank.Shewas now forced up against <strong>the</strong> current with towropes<strong>and</strong> sails, till she reached <strong>the</strong> calm entrance <strong>of</strong><strong>La</strong>ke Erie. On <strong>the</strong> seventh <strong>of</strong> August, <strong>La</strong> <strong>Salle</strong> <strong>and</strong>his followers embarked, sang Te Deum, <strong>and</strong> fired<strong>the</strong>ir cannon. A fresh breeze sprang up; <strong>and</strong> withswelling canvas <strong>the</strong> "Griffin" ploughed <strong>the</strong> virginwaves <strong>of</strong> <strong>La</strong>ke Erie, where sail was never seenbefore. For three days <strong>the</strong>y held <strong>the</strong>ir course over<strong>the</strong>se unknown waters, <strong>and</strong> on <strong>the</strong> fourth turnednorthward into <strong>the</strong> Strait <strong>of</strong> Detroit. Here, on <strong>the</strong>right h<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> on <strong>the</strong> left, lay verdant prairies,dotted with groves <strong>and</strong> bordered with l<strong>of</strong>ty forests.They saw walnut, chestnut, <strong>and</strong> wild plum trees,<strong>and</strong> oaks festooned with grape-vines ; herds <strong>of</strong> deer,

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