Massacre Island
 

Nicolas La Salle watched fear creep across his little brother's face.

Simon shivered and asked, "Who chopped off their heads?"

Nicolas pulled his blue coat tighter to keep out cold ocean spray as they stood on the deck of the small ship Dauphine, sailing from Pensacola to Mobile Bay. He knew his story froze Simon's insides, so Nicolas tried to sound brave as he said, "Probably pirates." But every night he dreaded going to sleep, because he had nightmares about coming to the island.

1702

Twelve-year-old Nicolas La Salle and his family sailed to La Louisiane (French Louisiana) with Governor Iberville to start a French settlement on the Gulf coast.

Nicolas's father was with the explorer, Robert Cavelier de La Salle, when he reached the mouth of the Mississippi River in 1682 and claimed the vast territory for France.

Now with high hopes for a better life, the young leader, Bienville, built the capital of La Louisiane.

Will Nicolas be able to live up to his father's expectations and become brave and trustworthy? Will he solve the mystery of the massacre?