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#16 them, to teach them to know the Great Spirit, as had been done among the Illinois." The Indian believed him and said—- "My heart laughs when you tell me this." I induced this same Frenchman to conduct me by land to the village of the Sauthouis; before arriving there we found the Chief under his antichon (this is the name which the French have given to a kind of cabin open on all sides, which the Indians use in the wilderness, that is, their open country, and when they wish to take the cool air.) He invited me to lie down on his mat, and present- ed me with some sagamite.* He spoke a single word to his little child who was there, and he immediately uttered the Indian cry, shouting with all his strength, panianga sa, panianga sa, "the Black Chief, the Black Chief." In an instant, the whole village had surrounded the antichon. I caused them to be told with what design I had come, and could hear on all sides the word igation, which my interpreter explained to me, as meaning, "that is good." All this company conducted me to the bank of the river, uttering loud cries; an Indian transported us over the river in his boat, and after having walked about the eighth of a league, we arrived at the French dwellings. I was lodged in the house of the Company of the Indies, which was that of the Commander when he is there, and found with great satisfaction that I was at the end of these two hundred leagues which I had to accomplish. I would rather twice make the voyage which we had just finished on the sea at the same season, than to recommence this one. The Father Dumas was only in the middle of his route to go to the Illinois, and embarked again on the morning after his arrival; from this place to the Illinois country he did not find a single habitation, but they scarcely ever failed to kill some buffaloes, which very well made amends to people who had nothing to live on but some gru. I have reached the end of my long and tedious narrative. I have only written for yourself and for one other friend equally indul- gent with yourself; it is Father Bernard, to whom I beg you to forward this letter. He is at Dijon. I will endeavor more fully to satisfy your curiosity, when I am better acquainted with the customs of the Indians in this region. You have not the same excuse as myself, for you are in the midst of that great theatre where the scene changes every day, and materials are furnished for the longest and most curious letters. I wrote you from New Orleans: have you received my letter? _________________________________ * This has been explained in the former part of the letter, as a preparation of corn. I pray you to present my regards to the Reverend Father de Fontenai, and commend me to his holy prayers. I ask also an interest in yours. You are both of you always in my memory. Present also my respect to the Reverend Father Davaugour, and to the dear brother Talard. I pray that dear brother to write me by the first opportunity there is of sending to the Reverend Father de Beaubois, and above all to furnish me with the prints, particularly those representing the different mysteries i