‘I was much troubled,’ says Champlain.  ’And it gave me especial dissatisfaction to go back without seeing a very large lake, filled with handsome islands and with large tracts of fine land bordering on the lake, where their enemies lived, according to their representations.  After duly thinking over the matter I determined to go and fulfil my promise and carry out my desire.  Accordingly I embarked with the savages in their canoes, taking with me two men, who went cheerfully.  After making known my plan to Des Marais and others in the shallop, I requested the former to return to our settlement with the rest of our company, giving them the assurance that in a short time, by God’s grace, I would return to them.’

Having convinced himself, Champlain was next forced to convince the Indians, whose first impulse was to abandon the campaign when they found that they would be accompanied by only three of the Frenchmen.  Champlain’s firmness, however, communicated itself to them, and on July 12 they set out from Chambly Basin to commence the portage.  At the top of the rapid a review of forces was held, and it proved that the Indians numbered sixty men, equipped with twenty-four canoes.  Advancing through a beautifully wooded country, the little war-party encamped at a point not far below the outlet of Lake Champlain, taking the precaution to protect themselves by a rough fortification of tree trunks.

At this point Champlain introduces a graphic statement regarding the methods which the Indians employ to guard against surprise.  On three sides they protect the camp by fallen trees, leaving the river-bank without a barricade in order that they may take quickly to their canoes.  Then, as soon as the camp has been fortified, they send out nine picked men in three canoes to reconnoitre for a distance of two or three leagues.  But before nightfall these scouts return, and then all lie down to sleep, without leaving any pickets or sentries on duty.  When Champlain remonstrated with them for such gross carelessness, they replied that they worked hard enough during the daytime.  The normal formation of an Indian war-party embraced three divisions—­the scouts, the main body, and the hunters, the last always remaining in the rear and chasing their game in a direction from which they did not anticipate the appearance of the enemy.  Having arrived at a distance of two or three days’ march from their enemies, they united in a single party (save for the scouts) and advanced stealthily by night.  At this juncture their food became baked Indian meal soaked in water.  They hid by day and made no fire, save that required to smoke their tobacco.