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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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290 LA SALLE BEGINS ANEW. [1681.<strong>great</strong> chiefs had lately been killed; <strong>and</strong> <strong>La</strong> <strong>Salle</strong>,after a eulogy <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> departed, declared that he wouldnow raise him to life again; that is, that he wouldassume his name <strong>and</strong> give support to his squaws <strong>and</strong>children. This flattering announcement drew forthan outburst <strong>of</strong> applause; <strong>and</strong> when, to confirm hiswords, his attendants placed before <strong>the</strong>m a huge pile<strong>of</strong> coats, shirts, <strong>and</strong> hunting-knives, <strong>the</strong> wholeassembly exploded in yelps <strong>of</strong> admiration.Now came <strong>the</strong> climax <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> harangue, introducedby a fur<strong>the</strong>r present <strong>of</strong> six guns :—" He who is my master, <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> master <strong>of</strong> all thiscountry, is a mighty chief, feared by <strong>the</strong> wholeworld; but he loves peace, <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> words <strong>of</strong> his lipsare for good alone. He is called <strong>the</strong> King <strong>of</strong> France,<strong>and</strong> he is <strong>the</strong> mightiest among <strong>the</strong> chiefs beyond <strong>the</strong><strong>great</strong> water. His goodness reaches even to yourdead, <strong>and</strong> his subjects come among you to raise <strong>the</strong>mup to life. But it is his will to preserve <strong>the</strong> life hehas given; it is his will that you should obey hislaws, <strong>and</strong> make no war without <strong>the</strong> leave <strong>of</strong> Onontio,who comm<strong>and</strong>s in his name at Quebec, <strong>and</strong> wholoves all <strong>the</strong> nations alike, because such is <strong>the</strong> will <strong>of</strong><strong>the</strong> Great King. You ought, <strong>the</strong>n, to live at peacewith your neighbors, <strong>and</strong> above all with <strong>the</strong> Illinois.You have had causes <strong>of</strong> quarrel with <strong>the</strong>m ; but <strong>the</strong>irdefeat has avenged you. Though <strong>the</strong>y are stillstrong, <strong>the</strong>y wish to make peace with you.Be contentwith <strong>the</strong> glory <strong>of</strong> having obliged <strong>the</strong>m to ask forit. You have an interest in preserving <strong>the</strong>m ; since,

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