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

60 THE DISCOVERY OF THE MISSISSIPPI. [1673.divorced from earth, sought solace in the skies. Asubtile element of romance was blended with thefervor of his worship, and hung like an illuminedcloud over the harsh and hard realities of his dailylot. Kindled by the smile of his celestial mistress,his gentle and noble nature knew no fear. For herhe burned to dare and to suffer,discover new landsand conquer new realms to her sway.He begins the journal of his voyage thus: "Theday of the Immaculate Conception of the HolyVirgin; whom I had continually invoked since Icame to this country of the Ottawas to obtain fromGod the favor of being enabled to visit the nations onthe river Mississippi, — this very day was preciselythat on which M. Joliet arrived with orders fromCount Frontenac, our governor, and from M. Talon,our intendant, to go with me on this discovery. Iwas all the more delighted at this good news, becauseI saw my plans about tobe accomplished, and foundmyself in the happy necessity of exposing my life forthe salvation of all these tribes, — and especially ofthe Illinois, who, when I was at Point St. Esprit,had begged me very earnestly to bring the word ofGod among them."The outfit of the travellers was very simple.They provided themselves with two birch canoes, anda supply of smoked meat and Indian corn ;embarkedwith five men, and began their voyage on the seventeenthof May. They had obtained all possible informationfrom the Indians, and had made, by means