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

1687.] SUSPENSE. 427derers compelled De Marie, who was not in theirplot, to compromise himself by despatching him.The floodgates of murder were open, and thetorrent must have its way. Vengeance and safetyalike demanded the death of La Salle. Hiens, or"English Jem," alone seems to have hesitated; forhe was one of those to whom that stern commanderhad always been partial. Meanwhile, the intendedvictim was still at his camp, about six milesdistant.It is easy to picture, with sufficient accuracy, thefeatures of the scene, — the sheds of bark andbranches, beneath which, among blankets and buffalorobes,camp-utensils, pack-saddles, rude harness,guns, powder-horns, and bullet-pouches, the menlounged away the hour, sleeping or smoking, or talkingamong themselves; the blackened kettles thathung from tripods of poles over the fires ;the Indiansstrolling about the place or lying, like dogs in thesun, with eyes half-shut, yet all observant; and, inthe neighboring meadow, the horses grazing undertheeye of a watchman.It was the eighteenth of March. Moranget andhis companions had been expected to return thenight before; but the whole day passed, and theydid not appear. La Salle became very anxious. Heresolved to go and look for them ;but not well knowingthe way, he told the Indians who were about thecamp that he would give them a hatchet if theywould guide him. One of them accepted the offer;and La Salle prepared to set out in the morning, at-L