Some days later, I secured a guide whom, with others, I paid to accompany me on my search and to carry the baggage.
On the evening of the 9th Mr. de la Marque with the Sieur Nolant, his brother, and eight men in two canoes arrived, which gave me much pleasure. I testified by gratitude to Mr. de la Marque for the trouble he had taken to bring us reinforcements; I questioned him if he had left many people at Fort St. Charles, Lake of the Woods, and whom he had left at [Fort] Maurepas. He answered me that he had left eight men at the first with two traders, having brought all the canoes he had, not because he hoped to be able to load them, since he had not been able to bring the heavy goods, but that he had promised he would join me, and did not wish to break his word; that I * required people for my expedition, that he had brought them, without injury to himself, not requiring his people during the winter. I thanked him, telling him that if he joined our expedition he would be saved, himself and all his people, the expense until they returned. He told me he wished to share the expense. I answered that that could not be, it was enough for me that he supplied the men and himself without the necessity of sharing the expense, which I had already provided for. I gave him room, at his request,in my fort to build a house to lodge all his people.
On the return from 'our journey on the 15th of the month, the fort and houses being completed, I thought of making everything ready for our departure. Mr. de la Marque told me he had brought Mr. de Louviere to the Fork with two canoes to build a fort there for the accommodation of the people of the Red River. I approved of it, if the Indians were notified. On the 16th I had the drum beat to arms, to pass every one in review and to select such as were necessary for my expedition. After the inspection of the arms, I published your orders regarding the post; I selected twenty men, ten of Mr. de la
