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

1673.] THE ILLINOIS INDIANS. 67arriving, they were forced to smoke again, and listento a speech of welcome from the great chief, whodelivered it standing between two old men, nakedlike himself.His lodge was crowded with the dignitariesof the tribe, whom Marquette addressed inAlgonquin, announcing himself asa messenger sentby the God who had made them, and whom itbehooves fchem to recognize and obey. He added afew words touching the power and glory of CountFrontenac, and concluded by asking informationconcerning the Mississippi, and the tribes along itsbanks, whom he was on his way to visit. The chiefreplied with a speech of compliment ; assuring hisguests that their presence added flavor to his tobacco,made theriver more calm, the sky more serene, andthe earth more beautiful. In conclusion, he gavethem a young slave and a calumet, begging themat the same time to abandon their purpose of descendingthe Mississippi.A feast of four courses now followed. First, awooden bowl full of a porridge of Indian meal boiledwith grease was set before the guests ;and the masterof ceremonies fed them in turn, like infants, with a . i^Jtlarge spoon. Then appeared a platter of fish; andthe same functionary, carefully removing the boneswith his fingers, and blowing on the morsels to coolthem, placed them in the mouths ofthe two Frenchmen.A large dog, killed and cooked for the occasion,was next placed before them; but, failing totempt their fastidious appetites, was supplanted by a^r