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

;1673] DEPARTURE. 61of it, a species of map of their intended route."Above all," writes Marquette, "I placed our voyageunder the protection ofthe Holy Virgin Immaculate,promising that if she granted us the favor of discoveringthe great river,the Conception." 1I would give it the name ofTheir course was westward; and,plying their paddles, they passed the Straits ofMichilimackinac, and coasted the northern shoresof Lake Michigan, landing at evening to build theircamp-fire at the edge of the forest,and draw up theircanoes on the strand. They soon reached the riverMenomonie, and ascended it to the village of theMenomonies, or Wild-rice Indians. 2 When theytold them the object of their voyage, they were filledwith astonishment, and used their best ingenuity todissuade them. The banks of the Mississippi, theysaid, were inhabited by ferocious tribes, who put everystranger to death, tomahawking all new-comers withoutcause or provocation. They added that therewas a demon in a certain part of the river, whoseroar could be heard at a great distance, and whowould engulf them in the abyss where he dwelt; thatits waters were full of frightful monsters, who woulddevour them and their canoe; and, finally, that the1The doctrine of the Immaculate Conception, sanctioned in ourown time by the Pope, was always a favorite tenet of the Jesuitsand Marquette was especially devoted to it.2The Malhoumines, Malouminek, Oumalouminek, or Nation desFolles-Avoines, of early French writers. The folle-avoine, wild oatsor " wild rice " (Zizania aquatica), wag their ordinary food, as alsoof other tribes of thig region.