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

44 THE JESUITS ON THE LAKES. [1670-72.safely passed them, they saw an Indian idol on thebank, similar to that which Dollier and Galine'e foundat Detroit, — being merely a rock, bearing someresemblance to a man, and hideously painted. Withthe help of their attendants, they threw it into theriver. Dablon expatiates on the buffalo, which hedescribes apparently on the report of others, as hisdescription is not very accurate. Crossing WinnebagoLake, the two priests followed the river leadingto the town of the Mascoutins and Miamis, whichthey reached on the fifteenth of September. 1 Thesetwo tribes lived together within the compass of thesame enclosure of palisades, — to the number, it issaid, of more than three thousand souls. The missionaries,who had brought a highly colored pictureof the Last Judgment, called the Indians to counciland displayed it before them; while Allouez, whospoke Algonquin, harangued them on hell,demons,and eternal flames. They listened with open ears,beset him night and day with questions, and invitedhim and his companion to unceasing feasts. Theywere welcomed in every lodge, and followed everywherewith eyes of curiosity, wonder, and awe.Dablon overflows with praises of the Miami chief,who was honored by his subjects like a king, and1This town was on the Neenah or Fox River, above Lake Winnebago.The Mascoutins, Fire Nation, or Nation of the Prairie, areextinct or merged in other tribes. See "The Jesuits in NorthAmerica." The Miamis soon removed to the banks of the riverSt. Joseph, near Lake Michigan.