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

1670.] SEPARATION. 25and the use of what Dollier de Casson styles Idlesparoles. He respected the priesthood, with theexception, it seems, of the Jesuits ;and he was underobligations to the Sulpitians of Montreal. Hencethere can be no doubt that he used his illness as apretext for escaping from their company withoutungraciousness, and following his own path in hisown way.On the last day of September, the priests made analtar, supported by the paddles of the canoes laid onforked sticks. Dollier said mass; La Salle and hisfollowers received the sacrament, as did also thoseof his late colleagues; and thus they parted, theSulpitians and their party descending the GrandRiver towards Lake Erie, while La Salle, as theysupposed, began his return to Montreal, jWhatcourse he actually took we shall soon inquire; andmeanwhile, for a few moments, we will follow thepriests.When they reached Lake Erie, they saw itThey had no mind totossing like an angry ocean.tempt the dangerous and unknown navigation, andencamped for the winter in the forestnear the peninsulacalled the Long Point. Here they gathereda good store of chestnuts, hickory-nuts, plums,and grapes, and built themselves a log cabin, witha recess at the end for an altar. They passed thewinter unmolested, shooting game in abundance, andsaying mass three times a week. Early in spring,they planted a large cross, attached to it the arms ofFrance, and took formal possession of the country in