[255] Chapter 19

Voyage into the backcountry continued; Discovery of a lead mine; Encounter with an extraordinary traveller; Evidence of mines; Other evidence of gold mines; The author returns to his farm.

We set out from this place and came to a high ground, which seemed to continue to a great distance. We came the same evening to the foot of it, but the day was too far advanced to ascend it. The day following we went to its top, found it a flat, except some small eminences at intervals. There appeared to be very little wood on it, still less water, and least of all stone; thought probably there may be some in its bowels, having observed some stones in a part where the earth was tumbled down.

We accurately examined all this rising ground [256], without discovering any thing; and though that day we traveled upwards of five leagues, yet we were not three leagues distant fro the hut we set out from in the morning. This high ground would have been a very commodious situation for a fine palace; as from its edges is a very distant prospect.

Next day, after a ramble of about two leagues and a half, I had the signal of call to my right. I instantly flew thither; and when I came, the scout showed me a stump sticking out of the earth knee high, and nine inches in diameter. The Indian took it at the distance for the stump of a tree, and was surprised to find wood cut in a country which appeared to have been never frequented: [257] but when he came near enough to form a judgment about it, he saw from the figure, that it was a very different thing: and this was the reason he made the signal of call.

I was highly pleased at this discovery, which was that of a lead ore. I had also the satisfaction to find my perseverance recompensed; but in particular I was ravished with admiration, on seeing this wonderful production, and the power of the soil of this province, constraining, as it were, the minerals to disclose themselves. I continued to search all around, and I discovered ore in several places. We returned to a lodge at our last hug, on account of the convenience of water, which was too scarce on this high ground.

We set out from thence, in order to come nearer to the Mississippi: through every place we passed, nothing but herds of buffaloes, elk, deer, and other animals of every kind, were to be seen; especially near rivers and brooks 258].

When one is traveling, one is always pleased to encounter other voyagers who enjoy the same pleasures. We encountered one who was of a quite different humor and species, however. He fled as soon as we saw him, and the more we invited him to wait until we approached him, the more effort he made to distance himself from us. One of my naturals seeing that his comrades called in vain after this voyager, declared, "I will go get him, since he doesn't want to wait for us.” He ran, passed him up and herded him back close to us, where he was forced to wait one gunshot away. It was a bear, who had separated from his band, or who had wanted to travel. These animals always follow the thick woods, because they find the food which suits them, while the prairies are for them devoid of sustenance.

After a march of five days I espied a mountain to my right, which seemed so high as to excite my curiosity [259]. Next morning I directed thither my course, where we arrived about three in the afternoon. We stopped at the foot of the mountain, where we found a fine spring issuing out of the rock. I will gladly lose a bit of the day’s progress, if I can assure myself of good water which is not too cold.

The day following we went up to its top, where it is stony. Though there is earth enough for plants, yet they are so tin sown, that hardly two hundred could be found on an acre of ground. Trees are also very rare on that spot and these poor, meager, and cancerous. The stones I found there are all fit for making lime.

I doubt that one will come to look for lime in this place, unless it is for the construction of houses in this vicinity, for this mountain will not fail to attract people someday, by the violent passion they will have to dig in its bowels.

We from thence took the route that should carry us to our pirogue, a journey but of a few days [260]. We drew the pirogue out of the water, and there passed the night. Next day we crossed the Mississippi; in going up which we killed a she-bear, with her cubs: for during the winter, the banks of the Mississippi are lined with them; and it is rare, in going up the river, not to see many cross it in a day, in search of food: the want of which makes them quit the banks.

I continues my route in going up the Mississippi quite to the Chicasaw Cliffs, (Ecroes à Prud’homme) where I was told I should find something for the benefit of the colony: this was what excited my curiosity.

Being arrived at those cliffs we landed, and concealed, after unlading it, the pirogue in the water; and from that day I sought, and at length found the iron-mine, of which I had some hints given me. After being sure of this, I carefully searched all around, to find some coke: but this was impossible: however, I believe it may be found higher up in ascending the Mississippi, but that care I leave to those who hereafter shall choose to undertake the working that mine. I had, however [261], some amends made me for my trouble; as in searching I found some marks of pit-coal in the neighbourhood, a thing at least as useful in other parts of the colony as in this.

After having made my reflections, I resolved in a little time to return home. The harvest season was approaching, and the grass was already high enough to tire us when walking. Therefore I sent the eldest of my Naturals ahead with a young man, to bring down the pirogue to the same spot where we had hidden it before ascending the river, and wait for us there. As for myself, I could only with regret leave these beautiful countries, and I chose to travel overland, so as not to be separated so soon from this pleasing land. We had carried with us only what was absolutely necessary, so that we might travel more lightly [262]. We had no fear of being ensconced in his territory, where we had the pleasure to encounter plenty of game.

I espied a small hill, all bare and parched, having on its top only two trees in a very drooping condition, and scarce any grass, besides some little tufts, distant enough asunder, which grew on a very firm clay. The bottom of this hill was not so barren, and the adjacent country fertile as in other parts. These indications made me presume there might be a mine in that spot.

I at length returned towards the Mississippi, in order to find my pirogue. As in all this country, and in all the uplands of the colony, we find numerous buffaloes, elk, deer, and other game; we also find there lots of wolves, some tigers and Cat-a-mounts, and carrion-crows, all of them carnivorous animals, which I shall hereafter describe. When we came near the Mississippi we made the signal of recognition, which was answered, though at some distance. It was there my people killed some buffaloes [263], to be dressed and cured in their manner for our journey. We embarked at length, and went down the Mississippi, till we came within a league of the common landing-place. The Indians hid the pirogue, and went to their village. As for myself, I got home towards dusk, where I found my neighbours and slaves surprised, and at the same time glad, at my unexpected return, as if it had been from a hunting-match in the neighbourhood.

I was really well pleased to have got home, to see my slaves in perfect health, and all my affairs in good order: But I was strongly impressed with the beauties of the countries I had seen. I could have wished to end my days in those charming solitudes 264], at a distance form the tumultuous hurry of the world, far from the pinching gripe of avarice and deceit. There it is, said I to myself, one relishes a thousand innocent delights, and which are repeated with a satisfaction ever new. It is there on lives exempt from the assaults of censure, detraction, and calumny. In those delightsome meadows, which often extend far out of sigh, and were we see so many different species of animals, there it is we have occasion to admire the beneficence of the Creator. To conclude, there it is, that at the gentle purling of a pure and living water, and enchanted with the concerts of birds, which fill the neighbouring thickets, we may agreeably contemplate the wonders of nature, and examine them all at our leisure.