They saw no batteau, and even if they saw it they could not imagine that our Frenchmen would be so rash as to precipitate themselves into rapids and breakers, among rocks and horrible dangers in which themselves though very expert in passing through Saults and Cascades, often lose their lives. They persuade themselves either that they walked on the waves, or fled through the air or as seemed most probable, that they concealed themselves in the woods. They seek for them nothing appears. They are quasi convinced that they rendered themselves invisible and as they suddenly departed, so will they pounce as suddenly on their village. ;

;

;

;

PAPERS KELATING TO

JDt QTotttcelles'

an& IDe Stracg'0 fepe&itton* AGAINST

THE MOHAWK INDIANS.

^nna 1665-- 6.

[Vol. I.]

THE FIRST FORTS ERECTED ON THE

[

IROQUOIS

RIVER.

Relation de ce qui s'est passe en la Nouvelle France es annees 1664 & 1665. ]

At the same time that the Outaouaks embarked to return to their country, the wind becoming more favorable, the soldiers who had been obliged to stop at Three Rivers likewise embarked and after having navigated Lake St. Peter arrived at the mouth of the River Richelieu, which leads to ;

the Iroquois of the Mohawk. The plan entertained at this first campaign was to erect on the route some forts, which were considered absolutely necessary as well to secure the passage and liberty of trade as to serve for stores for the troops and retreats for sick and wounded soldiers. For this purpose three advantageous posts