Ottr Cat/10lic Heritage in Texas
1685, La Salle's brother, who had been ill, had recovered sufficiently to accompany him. Choosing all the men capable of undertaking the march, La Salle set out, leaving in camp thirty-four persons, including men, women, and children, under the command of the loyal and capable J outel. He gave instructions that no one was to be allowed to enter the fort in his absence without a letter from him, and he warned the settlers to be cautious in their relations with the Indians. Going first to the coast, where the former fort had been established, he seems to have made a careful survey of the bay. He then departed to the interior. From here on, there is no information as to the route followed, the general direction of the march, or the distance traveled. For three months the little band at Fort St. Louis heard no news of their commander and his companions. "About the middle of January, 1686 ... being all together one evening, in our mansion," says Joutel, "the sentinel came to acqt!aint me that he heard a voice towards the river ... and found a man in a canoe, crying Dominic." The com- mander hurried to the river in order to be the first to learn the tidings, fearful that some misfortune might have befallen La Salle. But he was assured by Duhaut, the man who had called in the stillness of the night to his brother, who had remained in camp, that La Salle was in good health and that as far as he knew was in no danger. When questioned how he had returned without a letter from his commander, Duhaut explained that he had become lost while on the march, had wandered aimlessly for many days, and had finally found his way back to the fort . He told the details of how through carelessness the last ship, the Belle, had been lost while exploring the bay. The story was told so simply and with such sincerity that J outel believed him and allowed him to remain in the fort. 25 Three months more elapsed without further news from La Salle. About the middle of March, while Joutel was looking over the surrounding country from the roof of the fort he descried a group of men out on the prairie coming towards the fort. "I presently ordered eight armed men to follow me, to go meet them, and as we drew near them we knew M. de La Salle, M. Cavelier, his brother, M. Moranget, his nephew, and five or six men with them ... They were in bad condition, their clothes ragged; M. Cavelier's short cassock hung in tatters; most of them had no hats, and their linens were no better." 26 La Salle told the 25Joutel, Journnl, in op. cit., I 19-120; Le Clercq. Margry, op. cit., II, 296. 2 6 Joutel, Jm1r11nl, in np. cit., 1, I 23-124.
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