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

426 ASSASSINATION OF LA SALLE. [1687.that he had harbored deadly designs, the executionof which was only hastened by the present outbreak.The surgeon also bore hatred against Moranget,whom he had nursed with constant attention whenwounded by an Indian arrow, and who had sincerepaid him with abuse.apart with Hiens, Teissier,These two now took counseland L'Archeveque; andit was resolved to kill Moranget that night. Nika,La Salle's devoted follower, and Saget, his faithfulservant, must die with him.All of the five were ofone mind except the pilot Teissier, who neitheraided nor opposed the plot.Night came : the woods grew dark ; the eveningmeal was finished, and the evening pipes weresmoked. The order of the guard was arranged ; and,doubtless by design, the first hour of the night wasassigned to Moranget, the second to Saget, and thethird to Nika. Gun in hand, each stood watch inturn over the silent but not sleeping forms aroundhim, till, his time expiring, he called the man whowas to relieve him, wrapped himself in his blanket,and was soon buried in a slumber that was tobe hislast. Now the assassins rose. Duhaut and Hiensstood with their guns cocked, ready to shoot downany one of the destinedvictims who should resist orfly. The surgeon, with an axe, stole towards thethree sleepers, and struck a rapid blow at each inturn. Saget and Nika died with little movement;but Moranget started spasmodically into a sittingposture, gasping and unable to speak ; and the mur-