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

1885. JWRECK OF THE "AIMABLE." 381of a cannon from the seaward. The startled savagesdropped flat with terror. A different fear seized LaSalle, for he knew that the shot was a signal ofdisaster. Looking back, he saw the "Aimable"furling her sails, and his heart sank with the convictionthat she had struck upon the reef.Smotheringhis distress, — she was laden with all the storesofthe colony, — he pressed forward among the filthywigwams, whose astonished inmates swarmed aboutthe band of armed strangers, staring between curiosityand fear. La Salle knew those with whom hewas dealing, and, without ceremony, entered thechief's lodge with his followers. The crowd closedaround them, naked men and half-naked women,described by Joutel as of singular ugliness. Theygave buffalo meat and dried porpoise to the unexpectedguests, but La Salle, racked with anxiety,hastened to close the interview; and having withoutdifficulty recovered thekidnapped men, he returnedto the beach, leaving with the Indians, as usual, animpression of good-will and respect.When he reached the shore, he saw his worst fearsrealized. The " Aimable " lay careened over on thereef, hopelessly aground. Little remained but toendure the calamity with firmness, and to save, asfar as might be, the vessel's cargo. This was noeasy task. The boat which hung at her stern hadbeen stove in, — it is said, by design.Beaujeu senta boat from the "Joly," and one or more Indianpirogues were procured.La Salle urged on his men