10

Champlain’s expeditions into northern and western new-york.

effect. On the fire being kindled, the most of the savages began to set wood against the pickets bntin such small quantities, that the fire did not much good. The disorder that supervened was inconsequence so great, that it was impossible to hear. In vain I cried to them and remonstrated aswell as I was able against the imminent danger to which they exposed themselves by their stupidity.They heard nothing in consequence of the violent noise they made. Seeing that by shouting Iwas only splitting my skull, and that my remonstrances were in vain and that this disorder wasirremediable, I resolved to do what was in my power with my men, and fire on those we coulddiscover or perceive. Yet, the enemy profited by our disorder. They went to the water and dis-charged it in such abundance, that rivers, it may be said, spouted from their gutters, so that thefire was extinguished in less than no time, and they continued to pour arrows on us like hail.Those on the tower killed and wounded a great many.

This engagement lasted about three hours. Two of our chiefs and leaders were wounded ; towit, one called Ochateguain; the other Orani, and about fifteen individuals besides. The restseeing their folks, and some of their chiefs wounded, began to talk of retreating, without fightingany more, expecting the five hundred men whose arrival was not far off; and so they withdrew,having accomplished nothing save this disorderly splutter. However, the chiefs have no absolutecontrol of their companions who follow their whim, and act their pleasure, which is the cause oftheir disorder and ruins all their affairs. In having taken a resolution, any poor devil can makethem violate it and change their plan. Thus, the one with the other, they effect nothing as may beseen by this expedition. 1

Having received two wounds from arrows, one in the leg and the other in the knee, which sorelyincommoded me, we withdrew into our fort. Being all assembled there, I remonstrated with themseveral times on account of the disorder that had occurred. But all my talk was in vain; theysaid many of their men had been wounded and I also, and that it would be very inconvenientand fatiguing to carry them, on the retreat; that there was no means of returning again to theenemy as I had proposed to them; but that they would willingly wait four days more for the fivehundred men that were expected, on whose arrival they would renew the effort against theenemy, and execute what I had told them, better than they had already done. It was necessary tostop there, to my great regret. Here is represented the manner in which they fortify their towns,and by tins engraving it may be understood and seen that those of Mends and enemies are similarlyfortified.

Next day blew a very strong and violent wind which lasted two days, particularly favorable forsetting the enemy’s fort in a blaze, which I strongly urged on them. But fearing a failure, andmoreover representing themselves as wounded, they would not do any thing.

We remained encamped until the 16* of the month. Several skirmishes occurred during thattime between the enemy and our people who became oftenest engaged with them rather by theirimprudence than through want of courage ; and I can assure you, that every time they made acharge, we were obliged to extricate them from the difficulty, not being able to extricate themselvesexcept by the help of our arquebuses which the enemy dreaded and greatly feared. For as soonas they perceived one of our Arquebuseers, they immediately retreated, telling us by way of per-suasion not to meddle with their fights, and that their enemies had very little courage to requireour assistance; with many other such like discourses.

Seeing that the five hundred men were not coming, they proposed to depart and retreat at once,and began to make certain litters to convey their wounded, who are put in them, tumbled in a heap,

1 The point at which the above engagement took place ia marked on the annexed map. It seems to have been foughtin the neighborhood of lake Canandaigua.