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

1680.] ADVENTURES. 269which he at length overtook.Finding that it wouldoverset if he tried to climb into it, he pushed itbefore him to the shore, and then paddled towardsthe place, at some distance above, where he had leftthe turtle. He had no sooner reached it than heheard a strange sound, and beheld a long file ofbuffalo — bulls, cows, and calves — entering thewater not far off, to cross to the western bank. Havingno gun, as became his apostolic vocation, heshouted to Du Gay, who presently appeared, runningin all haste, and they both paddled in pursuit of thegame. Du Gay aimed at a young cow, and shot herin the head. She fell in shallow water near anisland, where some of the herd had landed ; and beingunable to drag her out, they waded into the waterand butchered her where she lay. It was forty-eighthours since they had tasted food. Hennepin made afire, while Du Gay cut up the meat. They feastedso bountifully that they both fell ill, and were forcedto remain two days on the island, taking doses oforvietan, before they were able to resume theirjourney.Apparently they were not sufficiently versed inwoodcraft to smoke the meat of the cow ; and the hotsun soon robbed them of it. They had a few fishhooks,but were not always successful in the use ofthem. On one occasion, being nearly famished, theyset their line, and lay watching it, uttering prayersin turn. Suddenly, there was a great turmoil in thewater. Du Gay ran to the line, and, with the help