Seeing tiiat the five liundred men were not coming, they proposed to depart and retreat at once, and began to make certain litters to convey their wounded, wlio are put in them, tumbled in a heap, doubled and strapped in such a way tliat it is impossible to stir ; less than an infant in its swaddling clothes ; not Vv'ithout considerable pain, as I can certify, having been carried several days on the back of one of our Indians, thus tied and bound, so that I lost all patience. As soon as I had strength to bear my weiglit, I got out of this prison, or to speak plainer out of hell.

The enemy pursued us about tlie distance of half a league, endeavoring to catch some of the rear guard. Eut their labor was in vain and they retired.

All I remarked in their wars, is, that they retreat in good order ; placing all tlieir Vvounded and old people in their centre, they being in front, on the wings and in the rear, well armed and arranged in sucli v.ise according to order, until t'.ey are in a place of safety, without breaking their line. Their retreat was very tedious, being from 25 to 30 leagues, wliich greatly fatigued the wounded and those who carried them, though they relieved each other from time to time.

On the 18*'' of said month some snow fell which melted rapidly. It was accompanied by a strong wind fnat greatly annoyed us. Nevertheless we contrived to get to the borders of the lake of the Entouhonorons and at the place where we had concealed oiu- canoes which we found safe ; for we feared lest the enemy might have broken them.