CHAPTER V.

OUR RETURN TO THE FALLS.--FALSE ALARM.--CEREMONY AT THE CHAUDIÈRE FALLS.--

CONFESSION OF OUR LIAR BEFORE ALL THE CHIEF MEN.--OUR RETURN TO FRANCE.

On the 10th of June I took leave of Tessoüat, a good old captain, making

him presents, and promising him, if God preserved me in health, to come the

next year, prepared to go to war. He in turn promised to assemble a large

number by that time, declaring that I should see nothing but savages and

arms which would please me; he also directed his son to go with me for the

sake of company. Thus we set out with forty canoes, and passed by way [72]

of the river we had left, which extends northward, and where we went on

shore in order to cross the lakes. On the way we met nine large canoes of

the Ouescharini, with forty strong and powerful men, who had come upon the

news they had received; we also met others, making all together sixty

canoes; and we overtook twenty others, who had set out before us, each

heavily laden with merchandise.

We passed six or seven falls between the island of the Algonquins [73] and

the little fall; [74] where the country was very unpleasant I readily

realized that, if we had gone in that direction, we should have had much

more trouble, and would with difficulty have succeeded in getting through:

and it was not without reason that the savages opposed our liar, as his

only object was to cause my ruin.

Continuing our course ten or twelve leagues below the island of the

Algonquins, we rested on a very pleasant island, which was covered with

vines and nut-trees, and where we caught some fine fish. About midnight,

there arrived two canoes, which had been fishing farther off, and which

reported that they had seen four canoes of their enemies. At once three

canoes were despatched to reconnoitre, but they returned without having

seen anything. With this assurance all gave themselves up to sleep,

excepting the women, who resolved to spend the night in their canoes, not

feeling at ease on land. An hour before daylight a savage, having dreamed

that the enemy were attacking them, jumped up and started on a run towards

the water, in order to escape, shouting, They are killing me. Those

belonging to his band all awoke dumfounded and, supposing that they were

being pursued by their enemies, threw themselves into the water, as did

also one of our Frenchmen, who supposed that they were being overpowered.

At this great noise, the rest of us, who were at a distance, were at once

awakened, and without making farther investigation ran towards them: but as

we saw them here and there in the water, we were greatly surprised, not

seeing them pursued by their enemies, nor in a state of defence, in case of

necessity, but only ready to sacrifice themselves. After I had inquired of

our Frenchman about the cause of this excitement, he told me that a savage

had had a dream, and that he with the rest had thrown themselves into the

water in order to escape, supposing that they were being attacked.

Accordingly, the state of the case being ascertained, it all passed off in

a laugh.

Continuing our way, we came to the Chaudière Falls, where the savages went

through with the customary ceremony; which is as follows. After carrying

their canoes to the foot of the Fall, they assemble in one spot, where one

of them takes up a collection with a wooden plate, into which each one puts

a bit of tobacco. The collection having been made, the plate is placed in

the midst of the troupe, and all dance about it, singing after their style.

Then one of the captains makes an harangue, setting forth that for a long

time they have been accustomed to make this offering, by which means they

are insured protection against their enemies, that otherwise misfortune

would befall them, as they are convinced by the evil spirit; and they live

on in this superstition, as in many others, as we have said in other

places. This done, the maker of the harangue takes the plate, and throws

the tobacco into the midst of the caldron, whereupon they all together

raise a loud cry. These poor people are so superstitious, that they would

not believe it possible for them to make a prosperous journey without

observing this ceremony at this place, since their enemies await them at

this portage, not venturing to go any farther on account of the difficulty

of the journey, whence they say they surprise them there, as they have

sometimes done.

The next day we arrived at an island at the entrance to a lake, and seven

or eight leagues distant from the great Falls of St. Louis. Here while

reposing at night we had another alarm, the savages supposing that they had

seen the canoes of their enemies. This led them to make several large

fires, which I had them put out, representing to them the harm which might

result, namely, that instead of concealing they would disclose themselves.

On the 17th of June, we arrived at the Falls of St. Louis, where I found

L'Ange, who had come to meet me in a canoe to inform me, that Sieur de

Maisonneuve of St. Malo had brought a passport from the Prince for three

vessels. In order to arrange matters until I should see him, I assembled

all the savages and informed them that I did not wish them to traffic in

any merchandise until I had given them permission, and that I would furnish

them provisions as soon as we should arrive; which they promised, saying

that they were my friends. Thus, continuing our course, we arrived at the

barques, where we were saluted by some discharges of cannon, at which some

of our savages were delighted, and others greatly astonished, never having

heard such music. After I had landed, Maisonneuve came to me with the

passport of the Prince. As soon as I had seen it, I allowed him and his men

to enjoy the benefits of it like the rest of us; and I sent word to the

savages that they might trade on the next day.

After seeing all the chief men and relating the particulars of my journey

and the malice of my liar, at which they were greatly amazed, I begged them

to assemble, in order that in their presence, and that of the savages and

his companions, he might make declaration of his maliciousness; which they

gladly did. Being thus assembled, they summoned him, and asked him, why he

had not shown me the sea in the north, as he had promised me at his

departure. He replied that he had promised something impossible for him,

since he had never seen this sea, and that the desire of making the journey

had led him to say what he did, also that he did not suppose that I would

undertake it; and he begged them to be pleased to pardon him, as he also

did me again, confessing that he had greatly offended, and if I would leave

him in the country, he would by his efforts repair the offence, and see

this sea, and bring back trustworthy intelligence concerning it the

following year; and in view of certain considerations I pardoned him on

this condition.

After relating to them in detail the good treatment I had received at the

abodes of the savages, and how I had been occupied each day, I inquired

what they had done during my absence, and what had been the result of their

hunting excursions, and they said they had had such success that they

generally brought home six stags. Once on St. Barnabas's day, Sieur du

Parc, having gone hunting with two others, killed nine. These stags are not

at all like ours, and there are different kinds of them, some larger,

others smaller, which resemble closely our deer.[75] They had also a very

large number of pigeons, [76] and also fish, such as pike, carp, sturgeon,

shad, barbel, turtles, bass, and other kinds unknown to us, on which they

dined and supped every day. They were also all in better condition than

myself, who was reduced from work and the anxiety which I had experienced,

not having eaten more than once a day, and that of fish badly cooked and

half broiled.

On the 22d of June, about 8 o'clock in the evening, the savages sounded an

alarm because one of them had dreamed he had seen the Iroquois. In order to

content them, all the men took their arms, and some were sent to their

cabins to reassure them, and into the approaches to reconnoitre, so that,

finding it was a false alarm, they were satisfied with the firing of some

two hundred musket and arquebus shots, after which arms were laid down, the

ordinary guard only being left. This reassured them greatly, and they were

very glad to see the French ready to help them.

After the savages had bartered their articles of merchandise and had

resolved to return, I asked them to take with them two young men, to treat

them in a friendly manner, show them the country, and bind themselves to

bring them back. But they strongly objected to this, representing to me the

trouble our liar had given me, and fearing that they would bring me false

reports, as he had done. I replied that they were men of probity and truth,

and that if they would not take them they were not my friends, whereupon

they resolved to do so. As for out liar, none of the savages wanted him,

notwithstanding my request to them to take him, and we left him to the

mercy of God.

Finding that I had no further business in this country, I resolved to

cross in the first vessel that should return to France. Sieur de

Maisonneuve, having his ready, offered me a passage, which I accepted; and

on the 27th of June I set out with Sieur L'Ange from the Falls, where we

left the other vessels, which were awaiting the return of the savages who

had gone to the war, and we arrived at Tadoussac on the 6th of July.

On the 8th of August [77] we were enabled by favorable weather to set

sail. On the 18th we left Gaspé and Isle Percée. On the 28th we were on the

Grand Bank, where the green fishery is carried on, and where we took as

many fish as we wanted.

On the 26th of August we arrived at St Malo, where I saw the merchants, to

whom I represented the ease of forming a good association in the future,

which they resolved to do, as those of Rouen and La Rochelle had done,

after recognizing the necessity of the regulations, without which it is

impossible to hope for any profit from these lands. May God by His grace

cause this undertaking to prosper to His honor and glory, the conversion of

these poor benighted ones, and to the welfare and honor of France.

ENDNOTES:

72. By the Ottawa, which they had left a little below Portage du Fort, and

not by the same way they had come, through the system of small lakes,

of which Muskrat lake is one. _Vide Carte de la Nouvelle France_, 1632,

Vol. I. p. 304.

73. Allumette Island.

74. Near Gould's Landing, below or south of Portage da Fort.--_Vide

Champlain's Astrolabe_, by A. J. Russell, Montreal, 1879, p. 6.

75. At that time there were to be found in Canada at least four species of

the Cervus Family.

1. The Moose, _Cervus alces_, or _alces Americanus_, usually called by

the earliest writers _orignal_ or _orignac_. _Vide_ Vol. I. pp. 264,

265. This is the largest of all the deer family in this or in any other

part of the world The average weight has been placed at seven hundred

pounds, while extraordinary specimens probably attain twice that

weight.

2. The Wapiti, or American Elk, _Cervus elaphus_, or _Canadensis_. This

is the largest of the known deer except the preceding. The average

weight is probably less than six hundred pounds.

3. The Woodland Caribou, _Cervus tarandus_. It is smaller than the

Wapiti. Its range is now mostly in the northern regions of the

continent but specimens are still found in Nova Scotia and New

Brunswick. The female is armed with antlers as well as the male, though

they are smaller.

4. The Common Deer, _Cervus Virginianus_. It has the widest range of

any of the deer family. It is still found in every degree of latitude

from Mexico to British Columbia. _Vide Antelope and Deer of America_ by

John Dean Caton, LL.D., Boston, 1877.

76. _Palombes_. The passenger, or wild pigeon, _Ectopistes migratorius_.

77. _Le_ 8 _Aoust_. Laverdière suggests with much plausibility that this

should read "The 8th of July." Champlain could hardly have found it

necessary to remain at Tadoussac from the 6th of July to the 8th of

August for favorable weather to sail. If he had been detained by any

other cause, it would probably have been deemed of sufficient gravity

to be specially mentioned.

VOYAGES

AND

DISCOVERIES IN NEW FRANCE,

From the year 1615 to the end of the year 1618.

BY

SIEUR DE CHAMPLAIN,

Captain in ordinary to the King in the Western Sea.

WHERE ARE DESCRIBED

_The manners, customs, dress, mode of warfare, hunting, dances, festivals,

and method of burial of various savage peoples, with many remarkable

experiences of the author in this country, and an account of the beauty,

fertility, and temperature of the same_.

PARIS.

CLAUDE COLLET, in the Palace, at the gallery of the Prisoners.

M. DC. XIX.

_WITH AUTHORITY OF THE KING_.

TO THE KING.

_Sire, This is a third volume containing a narrative of what has transpired

most worthy of note during the voyages I have made to New France, and its

perusal will, I think, afford your Majesty greater pleasure than that of

those preceding, which only designate the ports, harbors, situations,

declinations, and other particulars, having more interest for navigators

and sailors than for other persons. In this narrative you will be able to

observe more especially the manners and mode of life of these peoples both

in particular and in general, their wars, ammunition, method of attack and

of defence, their expeditions and retreats in various circumstances,

matters about which those interested desire information. You will perceive

also that they are not savage to such an extent that they could not in

course of time and through association with others become civilised and

cultivated. You will likewise perceive how great hopes we cherish from the

long and arduous labors we have for the past fifteen years sustained, in

order to plant in this country the standard of the cross, and to teach the

people the knowledge of God and the glory of His holy name, it being our

desire to cultivate a feeling of charity towards His unfortunate creatures,

which it is our duty to practise more patiently than any other thing,

especially as there are many who have not entertained such purposes, but

have been influenced only by the desire of gain. Nevertheless we may, I

suppose, believe that these are the means which God makes use of for the

greater promotion of the holy desire of others. As the fruits which the

trees bear are from God, the Lord of the soil, who has planted, watered,

and nourished them with an especial care, so your Majesty can be called the

legitimate lord of our labors, and the good resulting from them, not only

because the land belongs to you, but also because you have protected us

against so many persons, whose only object has been by troubling us to

prevent the success of so holy a determination, taking from us the power to

trade freely in a part of your country, and striving to bring everything

into confusion, which would be, in a word, preparing the way for the ruin

of everything to the injury of your state. To this end your subjects have

employed every conceivable artifice and all possible means which they

thought could injure us. But all these efforts have been thwarted by your

Majesty, assisted by your prudent council, who have given us the authority

of your name, and supported us by your decrees rendered in our favor. This

is an occasion for increasing in us our long-cherished desire to send

communities and colonies there, to teach the people the knowledge of God,

and inform them of the glory and triumphs of your Majesty, so that together

with the French language they may also acquire a French heart and spirit,

which, next to the fear of God, will be inspired with nothing so ardently

as the desire to serve you. Should our design succeed, the glory of it will

be due, after God, to your Majesty, who will receive a thousand

benedictions from Heaven for so many souls saved by your instrumentality,

and your name will be immortalized for carrying the glory and sceptre of

the French as far to the Occident as your precursors have extended it to

the Orient, and over the entire habitable earth. This will augment the

quality of_ MOST CHRISTIAN _belonging to you above all the kings of the

earth, and show that it is as much your due by merit as it is your own of

right, it having been transmitted to you by your predecessors, who acquired

it by their virtues; for you have been pleased, in addition to so many

other important affairs, to give your attention to this one, so seriously

neglected hitherto, God's special grace reserving to your reign the

publication of His gospel, and the knowledge of His holy name to so many

tribes who had never heard of it. And some day may God's grace lead them,

as it does us, to pray to Him without ceasing to extend your empire, and to

vouchsafe a thousand blessings to your Majesty_.

_SIRE_,

_Your most humble, most faithful_,

_and most obedient servant and subject_,

_CHAMPLAIN_.

PREFACE.

As in the various affairs of the world each thing strives for its

perfection and the preservation of its being, so on the other hand does man

interest himself in the different concerns of others on some account,

either for the public good, or to acquire, apart from the common interest,

praise and reputation with some profit. Wherefore many have pursued this

course, but as for myself I have made choice of the most unpleasant and

difficult one of the perilous navigation of the seas; with the purpose,

however, not so much of gaining wealth, as the honor and glory of God in

behalf of my King and country, and contributing by my labors something

useful to the public good. And I make declaration that I have not been

tempted by any other ambition, as can be clearly perceived, not only by my

conduct in the past, but also by the narratives of my voyages, made by the

command of His Majesty, in New France, contained in my first and second

books, as may be seen in the same.

Should God bless our purpose, which aims only for His glory, and should any

fruit result from our discoveries and arduous labors, I will return thanks

to Him, and for Your Majesty's protection and assistance will continue my

prayers for the aggrandizement and prolongation of your reign.

EXTRACT FROM THE LICENSE OF THE KING.

By favor and license of the KING, permission is given to CLAUDE COLLET,

merchant bookseller in our city of Paris, to print, or have printed by such

printer as shall seem good to him, a book entitled, _Voyages and

Discoveries in New France, from the Year_ 1615 _to the End of the Year

1618. By Sieur de Champlain, Captain in Ordinary to the King in the Western

Sea_. All booksellers and printers of our kingdom are forbidden to print or

have printed, to sell wholesale or retail, said book, except with the

consent of said Collet, for the time and term of six years, beginning with

the day when said book is printed, on penalty of confiscation of the

copies, and a fine of four hundred _livres_, a half to go to us and a half

to said petitioner. It is our will, moreover, that this License should be

placed at the commencement or end of said book. This is our pleasure.

Given at Paris, the 18th day of May, 1619, and of our reign the tenth.

By the Council,

DE CESCAUD

VOYAGE

OF

SIEUR DE CHAMPLAIN TO NEW FRANCE,

MADE IN THE YEAR 1615.

The strong love, which I have always cherished for the exploration of New

France, has made me desirous of extending more and more my travels over the

country, in order, by means of its numerous rivers, lakes, and streams, to

obtain at last a complete knowledge of it, and also to become acquainted

with the inhabitants, with the view of bringing them to the knowledge of

God. To this end I have toiled constantly for the past fourteen or fifteen

years, [78] yet have been able to advance my designs but little, because I

have not received the assistance which was necessary for the success of

such an undertaking. Nevertheless, without losing courage, I have not

ceased to push on, and visit various nations of the savages; and, by

associating familiarly with them, I have concluded, as well from their

conversation as from the knowledge already attained, that there is no

better way than, disregarding all storms and difficulties, to have patience

until His Majesty shall give the requisite attention to the matter, and

meanwhile, not only to continue the exploration of the country, but also to

learn the language, and form relations and friendships with the leading men

of the villages and tribes, in order to lay the foundations of a permanent

edifice, as well for the glory of God as for the renown of the French.

And His Majesty having transferred and intrusted the superintendence of

this work to Monseigneur the Prince de Condé, the latter has, by his

management, under the authority of His Majesty, sustained us against all

forts of jealousies and obstacles concerted by evil wishers. This has, as

it were, animated me and redoubled my courage for the continuation of my

labors in the exploration of New France, and with increased effort I have

pushed forward in my undertaking into the mainland, and farther on than I

had previously been, as will be hereafter indicated in the course of this

narrative.

But it is appropriate to state first that, as I had observed in my previous

journeys, there were in some places people permanently settled, who were

fond of the cultivation of the soil, but who had neither faith nor law, and

lived without God and religion, like brute beasts. In view of this, I felt

convinced that I should be committing a grave offence if I did not take it

upon myself to devise some means of bringing them to the knowledge of

God. To this end I exerted myself to find some good friars, with zeal and

affection for the glory of God, that I might persuade them to send some

one, or go themselves, with me to these countries, and try to plant there

the faith, or at least do what was possible according to their calling, and

thus to observe and ascertain whether any good fruit could be gathered

there. But since to attain this object an expenditure would be required

exceeding my means, and for other reasons, I deferred the matter for a

while, in view of the difficulties there would be in obtaining what was

necessary and requisite in such an enterprise; and since, furthermore, no

persons offered to contribute to it. Nevertheless, while continuing my

search, and communicating my plan to various persons, a man of distinction

chanced to present himself, whose intimate acquaintance I enjoyed. This was

Sieur Hoüel, Secretary of the King and Controller-general of the salt works

at Brouage, a man of devoted piety, and of great zeal and love for the

honor of God and the extension of His religion. [79] He gave me the

following information, which afforded me great pleasure. He said that he

was acquainted with some good religious Fathers, of the order of the

Recollects, in whom he had confidence; and that he enjoyed such intimacy

and confidence with them that he could easily induce them to consent to

undertake the voyage; and that, as to the necessary means for sending out

three or four friars, there would be no lack of people of property who

would give them what they needed, offering for his part to assist them to

the extent of his ability; and, in fact, he wrote in relation to the

subject to Father du Verger, [80] who welcomed with joy the undertaking,

and, in accordance with the recommendation of Sieur Hoüel, communicated it

to some of his brethren, who, burning with charity, offered themselves

freely for this holy undertaking.

Now he was at that time in Saintonge, whence he sent two men to Paris with

a commission, though not with absolute power, reserving the rest to the

Nuncio of our Holy Father the Pope, who was at that time, in 1614, in

France. [81] He called upon these friars at their house in Paris, and was

greatly pleased with their resolution. We then went all together to see the

Sieur Nuncio, in order to communicate to him the commission, and entreat

him to interpose his authority in the matter. But he, on the contrary, told

us that he had no power whatever in such matters, and that it was to their

General that they were to address themselves. Notwithstanding this reply,

the Recollects, in consideration of the difficulty of the mission, were

unwilling to undertake the journey on the authority of Father du Verger,

fearing that it might not be sufficient, and that the commission might not

be valid, on which account the matter was postponed to the following

year. Meanwhile they took counsel, and came to a determination, according

to which all arrangements were made for the undertaking, which was to be

carried out in the following spring; awaiting which the two friars returned

to their convent at Brouage.

I for my part improved the time in arranging my affairs in preparation for

the voyage.

Some months after the departure of the two friars, the Reverend Father

Chapoüin, Provincial of the Recollect Fathers, a man of great piety,

returned to Paris. Sieur Hoüel called on him, and narrated what had taken

place respecting the authority of Father du Verger, and the mission he had

given to the Recollect Fathers. After which narrative the Provincial Father

proceeded to extol the plan, and to interest himself with zeal in it,

promising to promote it with all his power, and adding that, he had not

before well comprehended the subject of this mission; and it is to be

believed that God inspired him more and more to prosecute the matter.

Subsequently he spoke of it to Monseigneur the Prince de Condé, and to all

the cardinals and bishops who were then assembled at Paris for the Session

of the Estates. All of them approved and commended the plan; and to show

that they were favorably disposed towards it, they assured the Sieur

Provincial that they would devise among themselves and the members of the

Court means for raising a small fund, and that they would collect some

money for assisting four friars to be chosen, and who were then chosen for

the execution of so holy a work. And in order to facilitate the

undertaking, I visited at the Estates the cardinals and bishops, and

urgently represented to them the advantage, and usefulness which might one

day result, in order by my entreaties to move them to give, and cause

others who might be stimulated by their example to give, contributions and

presents, leaving all to their good will and judgment.

The contributions which were made for the expenses of this expedition

amounted to nearly fifteen hundred _livres_, which were put into my hands,

and then employed, according to the advice and in the presence of the

Fathers, for the purchase of what was necessary, not only for the

maintenance of the Fathers who should undertake the journey into New

France, but also for their clothing, and the attire and ornaments necessary

for performing divine service. The friars were sent on in advance to

Honfleur, where their embarkation was to take place.

Now the Fathers who were appointed for this holy enterprise were Father

Denis [82] as commissary, Jean d'Olbeau, [83] Joseph le Caron, and

Pacifique du Plessis, [84] each of whom was moved by a holy zeal and ardor

to make the journey, through God's grace, in order to see if they might

produce some good fruit, and plant in these regions the standard of Jesus

Christ, determined to live and to die for His holy name, should it be

necessary to do so and the occasion require it. Everything having been

prepared, they provided themselves with church ornaments, and we with what

was necessary for our voyage.

I left Paris the last day of February to meet at Rouen our associates, and

represent to them the will of Monseigneur the Prince, and also his desire

that these good Fathers should make the journey, since he recognized the

fact that the affairs of the country could hardly reach any perfection or

advancement, if God should not first of all be served; with which our

associates were highly pleased, promising to assist the Fathers to the

extent of their ability, and provide them with the support they might need.

The Fathers arrived at Rouen the twentieth of March following, where we

stayed some time. Thence we went to Honfleur to embark, where we also

stayed some days, waiting for our vessel to be got ready, and loaded with

the necessaries for so long a voyage. Meanwhile preparations were made in

matters of conscience, so that each one of us might examine himself, and

cleanse himself from his sins by penitence and confession, in order to

celebrate the sacrament and attain a state of grace, so that, being thereby

freer in conscience, we might under the guidance of God, expose ourselves

to the mercy of the waves of the great and perilous sea.

This done, we embarked on the vessel of the association, which was of three

hundred and fifty tons burden, and was called the Saint Étienne, commanded

by Sieur de Pont Gravé. We departed from Honfleur on the twenty-fourth day

of August, [85] in the above-mentioned year, and set sail with a very

favorable wind. We continued on our voyage without encountering ice or

other dangers, through the mercy of God, and in a short time arrived off

the place called _Tadoussac_, on the twenty-fifth day of May, when we

rendered thanks to God for having conducted us so favorably to the harbor

of our destination.

Then we began to set men at work to fit up our barques in order to go to

Quebec, the place of our abode, and to the great Falls of Saint Louis, the

rendezvous of the savages, who come there to traffic.

The barques having been fitted up, we went on board with the Fathers, one

of whom, named Father Joseph, [86] desired, without stopping or making any

stay at Quebec, to go directly to the great Falls, where he saw all the

savages and their mode of life. This induced him to go and spend the winter

in their country and that of other tribes who have a fixed abode, not only

in order to learn their language, but also to see what the prospect was of

their conversion to Christianity. This resolution having been formed, he

returned to Quebec the twentieth day of June [87] for some church ornaments

and other necessaries. Meanwhile I had stayed at Quebec in order to arrange

matters relating to our habitation, as the lodgings of the Fathers, church

ornaments, the construction of a chapel for the celebration of the mass, as

also the employment of persons for clearing up lands. I embarked for the

Falls together with Father Denis, [88] who had arrived the same day from

Tadoussac with Sieur de Pont Gravé.

As to the other friars, viz., Fathers Jean and Pacifique, [89] they stayed

at Quebec in order to fit up their chapel and arrange their lodgings. They

were greatly pleased at seeing the place so different from what they had

imagined, which increased their zeal.

We arrived at the Rivière des Prairies, five leagues below the Falls of

Saint Louis, whither the savages had come down. I will not attempt to speak

of the pleasure which our Fathers experienced at seeing, not only so long

and large a river, filled with many fine islands and bordered by a region

apparently so fertile, but also a great number of strong and robust men,

with natures not so savage as their manners, nor as they acknowledged they

had conceived them to be, and very different from what they had been given

to understand, owing to their lack of cultivation. I will not enter into a

description of them, but refer the reader to what I have said about them in

my preceding books, printed in the year 1614. [90]

To continue my narrative: We met Father Joseph, who was returning to Quebec

in order to make preparations, and take what he needed for wintering in

their country. This I did not think advisable at this season, but

counselled him rather to spend the winter at our settlement as being more

for his comfort, and undertake the journey when spring came or at least in

summer, offering to accompany him, and adding that by doing so he would not

fail to see what he might have seen by going, and that by returning and

spending the winter at Quebec he would have the society of his brothers and

others who remained at the settlement, by which he would be more profited

than by staying alone among these people, with whom he could not, in my

opinion, have much satisfaction. Nevertheless, in spite of all that could

be said to him and all representations, he would not change his purpose,

being urged by a godly zeal and love for this people, and hoping to make

known to them their salvation.

His motive in undertaking this enterprise, as he stated to us, was that he

thought it was necessary for him to go there not only in order to become

better acquainted with the characteristics of the people, but also to learn

more easily their language. In regard to the difficulties which it was

represented to him that he would have to encounter in his intercourse with

them, he felt assured that he could bear and overcome them, and that he

could adapt himself very well and cheerfully to the manner of living and

the inconveniences he would find, through the grace of God, of whose

goodness and help he felt clearly assured, being convinced that, since he

went on His service, and since it was for the glory of His name and the

preaching of His holy gospel that he undertook freely this journey, He

would never abandon him in his undertaking. And in regard to temporal

provisions very little was needed to satisfy a man who demands nothing but

perpetual poverty, and who seeks for nothing but heaven, not only for

himself but also for his brethren, it not being consistent with his rule of

life to have any other ambition than the glory of God, and it being his

purpose to endure to this end all the hardships, sufferings, and labors

which might offer.

Seeing him impelled by so holy a zeal and so ardent a charity, I was

unwilling to try any more to restrain him. Thus he set out with the purpose

of being the first to announce through His holy favor to this people the

name of God, having the great satisfaction that an opportunity presented

itself for suffering something for the name and glory of our Saviour Jesus

Christ.

As soon as I had arrived at the Falls, I visited the people, who were very

desirous of seeing us and delighted at our return. They hoped that we would

furnish them some of our number to assist them in their wars against our

enemies, representing to us that they could with difficulty come to us if

we should not assist them; for the Iroquois, they said, their old enemies,

were always on the road obstructing their passage. Moreover I had

constantly promised to assist them in their wars, as they gave us to

understand by their interpreter. Whereupon Sieur Pont Gravé and myself

concluded that it was very necessary to assist them, not only in order to

put them the more under obligations to love us, but also to facilitate my

undertakings and explorations which, as it seemed, could only be

accomplished by their help, and also as this would be a preparatory step to

their conversion to Christianity. [91] Therefore I resolved to, go and

explore their country and assist them in their wars, in order to oblige

them to show me what they had so many times promised to do.

We accordingly caused them all to assemble together, that we might

communicate to them our intention. When they had heard it, they promised to

furnish us two thousand five hundred and fifty men of war, who would do

wonders, with the understanding that I with the same end in view should

very glad to see them decide so well. Then I proceeded to make known to

them the methods to be adopted for fighting, in which they took especial

pleasure, manifesting a strong hope of victory. Everything having been

decided upon, we separated with the intention of returning for the

execution of our undertaking. But before entering upon this journey, which

would require not less than three or four months, it seemed desirable that

I should go to our settlement to make the necessary arrangements there for

my absence.

On the ---- day of ---- following I set out on my return to the Rivière des

Prairies. [92] While there with two canoes of savages I met Father Joseph,

who was returning from our settlement with some church ornaments for

celebrating the holy sacrifice of the mass, which was chanted on the border

of the river with all devotion by the Reverend Fathers Denis and Joseph, in

presence of all the people, who were amazed at seeing the ceremonies

observed and the ornaments which seemed to them so handsome. It was

something which they had never before seen, for these Fathers were the

first who celebrated here the holy mass.

To return and continue the narrative of my journey: I arrived at Quebec on

the 26th, where I found the Fathers Jean and Pacifique in good health. They

on their part did their duty at that place in getting all things ready.

They celebrated the holy mass, which had never been said there before, nor

had there ever been any priest in this region.

Having arranged all matters at Quebec, I took with me two men and returned

to the Rivière des Prairies, in order to go with the savages. I left Quebec

on the fourth day of July, and on the eighth of the month while _en route_

I met Sieur du Pont Gravé and Father Denis, who were returning to Quebec,

and who told me that the savages had departed greatly disappointed at my

not going with them; and that many of them declared that we were dead or

had been taken by the Iroquois, since I was to be gone only four or five

days, but had been gone ten. This made them and even our own Frenchmen give

up hope, so much did they long to see us again. They told me that Father

Joseph had departed with twelve Frenchmen, who had been furnished to assist

the savages. This intelligence troubled me somewhat; since, if I had been

there, I should have arranged many things for the journey, which I could

not now do. I was troubled not only on account of the small number of men,

but also because there were only four or five who were acquainted with the

handling of arms, while in such an expedition the best are not too good in

this particular. All this however did not cause me to lose courage at all

for going on with the expedition, on account of the desire I had of

continuing my explorations. I separated accordingly from Sieurs du Pont

Gravé and Father Denis, determined to go on in the two canoes which I had,

and follow after the savages, having provided myself with what I needed.

On the 9th of the month I embarked with two others, namely, one of our

interpreters [93] and my man, accompanied by ten savages in the two canoes,

these being all they could carry, as they were heavily loaded and

encumbered with clothes, which prevented me from taking more men.

We continued our voyage up the River St. Lawrence some six leagues, and

then went by the Rivière des Prairies, which discharges into that river.

Leaving on the left the Falls of St. Louis, which are five or six leagues

higher up, and passing several small falls on this river, we entered a

lake, [94] after passing which we entered the river where I had been

before, which leads to the Algonquins, [95] a distance of eighty-nine

leagues [96] from the Falls of St. Louis. Of this river I have made an

ample description, with an account of my explorations, in my preceding

book, printed in 1614.[97] For this reason I shall not speak of it in this

narrative, but pass on directly to the Lake of the Algonquins.[98] Here we

entered a river [99] which flows into this lake, up which we went some

thirty-five leagues, passing a large number of falls both by land and

water, the country being far from attractive, and covered with pines,

birches, and some oaks, being also very rocky, and in many places somewhat

hilly. Moreover it was very barren and sterile, being but thinly inhabited

by certain Algonquin savages, called _Otaguottouemin_, [100] who dwell in

the country, and live by hunting and the fish they catch in the rivers,

ponds, and lakes, with which the region is well provided. It seems indeed

that God has been pleased to give to these forbidding and desert lands some

things in their season for the refreshment of man and the inhabitants of

these places. For I assure you that there are along the rivers many

strawberries, also a marvellous quantity of blueberries, [101] a little

fruit very good to eat, and other small fruits. The people here dry these

fruits for the winter, as we do plums in France for Lent. We left this

river, which comes from the north, [102] and by which the savages go to the

Saguenay to barter their furs for tobacco. This place is situated in

latitude 46°, and is very pleasant, but otherwise of little account. [103]

Continuing our journey by land, after leaving the river of the Algonquins,

we passed several lakes [104] where the savages carry their canoes, and

entered the lake of the Nipissings,[105] in latitude 46° 15', on the

twenty-sixth day of the month, having gone by land and the lakes twenty-

five leagues, or thereabouts.[106] We then arrived at the cabins of the

savages, with whom we stayed two days. There was a large number of them,

who gave us a very welcome reception. They are a people who cultivate the

land but little. A shows the dress of these people as they go to war; B

that of the women, which differs in no wise from that of the Montagnais and

the great people of the Algonquins, extending far into the interior.[107]

During the time that I was with them the chief of this tribe and their most

prominent men entertained us with many banquets according to their custom,

and took the trouble to go fishing and hunting with me, in order to treat

me with the greatest courtesy possible. These people are very numerous,

there being from seven to eight hundred souls, who live in general near the

lake. This contains a large number of very pleasant islands, among others

one more than six leagues long, with three or four fine ponds and a number

of fine meadows; it is bordered by very fine woods, that contain an

abundance of game, which frequent the little ponds, where the savages also

catch fish. The northern side of the lake is very pleasant, with fine

meadows for the grazing of cattle, and many little streams, discharging

into the lake.

They were fishing at that time in a lake very abundant in various kinds of

fish, among others one a foot long that was very good. There are also other

kinds which the savages catch for the purpose of drying and storing away.

The lake is some eight leagues broad and twenty-five long,[108] into which

a river [109] flows from the northwest, along which they go to barter the

merchandise, which we give them in exchange for their peltry, with those

who live on it, and who support themselves by hunting and fishing, their

country containing great quantities of animals, birds, and fish.[110]

After resting two days with the chief of the Nipissings we re-embarked in

our canoes, and entered a river, by which this lake discharges itself.[111]

We proceeded down it some thirty-five leagues, and descended several little

falls by land and by water, until we reached Lake Attigouautan. All this

region is still more unattractive than the preceding, for I saw along this

river only ten acres of arable land, the rest being rocky and very hilly.

It is true that near Lake Attigouautan we found some Indian corn, but only

in small quantity. Here our savages proceeded to gather some squashes,

which were acceptable to us, for our provisions began to give out in

consequence of the bad management of the savages, who ate so heartily at

the beginning that towards the end very little was left, although we had

only one meal a day. But, as I have mentioned before, we did not lack for

blueberries [112] and strawberries; otherwise we should have been in danger

of being reduced to straits.

We met three hundred men of a tribe we named _Cheveux Relevés_, [113] since

their hair is very high and carefully arranged, and better dressed beyond

all comparison than that of our courtiers, in spite of their irons and

refinements. This gives them a handsome appearance. They have no breeches,

and their bodies are very much pinked in divisions of various shapes. They

paint their faces in various colors, have their nostrils pierced, and their

ears adorned with beads. When they go out of their houses they carry a

club. I visited them, became somewhat acquainted, and formed a friendship

with them. I gave a hatchet to their chief, who was as much pleased and

delighted with it as if I had given him some rich present. Entering into

conversation with him, I inquired in regard to the extent of his country,

which he pictured to me with coal on the bark of a tree. He gave me to

understand that he had come into this place for drying the fruit called

_bluës_ [114] to serve for manna in winter, and when they can find nothing

else. A and C show the manner in which they arm themselves when they go to

war. They have as arms only the bow and arrow, made in the manner you see

depicted, and which they regularly carry; also a round shield of dressed

leather [115] made from an animal like the buffalo. [116]

The next day we separated, and continued our course, along the shore of the

lake of the Attigouautan, [117] which contains a large number of

islands. We went some forty-five leagues, all the time along the shore of

the lake. It is very large, nearly four hundred leagues long from east to

west, and fifty leagues broad, and in view of its great extent I have named

it the _Mer Douce_. [118] It is very abundant in various sorts of very good

fish, both those which we have and those we do not, but especially in

trout, which are enormously large, some of which I saw as long as four feet

and a half, the least being two feet and a half. There are also pike of

like size, and a certain kind of sturgeon, a very large fish and of

remarkable excellence. The country bordering this lake is partly hilly, as

on the north side, and partly flat, inhabited by savages, and thinly

covered with wood, including oaks. After crossing a bay, which forms one of

the extremities of the lake, [119] we went some seven leagues until we

arrived in the country of the Attigouautan at a village called _Otoüacha_,

on the first day of August. Here we found a great change in the country. It

was here very fine, the largest part being cleared up, and many hills and

several rivers rendering the region agreeable. I went to see their Indian

corn, which was at that time far advanced for the season.

These localities seemed to me very pleasant, in comparison with so

disagreeable a region as that from which we had come. The next day I went

to another village, called _Carmaron_, a league distant from this, where

they received us in a very friendly manner, making for us a banquet with

their bread, squashes, and fish. As to meat, that is very scarce there. The

chief of this village earnestly begged me to stay, to which I could not

consent, but returned to our village, where on the next night but one, as I

went out of the cabin to escape the fleas, of which there were large

numbers and by which we were tormented, a girl of little modesty came

boldly to me and offered to keep me company, for which I thanked her,

sending her away with gentle remonstrances, and spent the night with some

savages.

The next day I departed from this village to go to another, called

_Touaguainchain_, and to another, called _Tequenonquiaye_, in which we were

received in a very friendly manner by the inhabitants, who showed us the

best cheer they could with their Indian corn served in various styles. This

country is very fine and fertile, and travelling through it is very

pleasant.

Thence I had them guide me to Carhagouha, which was fortified by a triple

palisade of wood thirty-five feet high for its defence and protection. In

this village Father Joseph was staying, whom we saw and were very glad to

find well. He on his part was no less glad, and was expecting nothing so

little as to see me in this country. On the twelfth day of August the

Recollect Father celebrated the holy mass, and a cross was planted near a

small house apart from the village, which the savages built while I was

staying there, awaiting the arrival of our men and their preparation to go

to the war, in which they had been for a long time engaged.

Finding that they were so slow in assembling their army, and that I should

have time to visit their country, I resolved to go by short days' journeys

from village to village as far as Cahiagué, where the rendezvous of the

entire army was to be, and which was fourteen leagues distant from

Carhagouha, from which village I set out on the fourteenth of August with

ten of my companions. I visited five of the more important villages, which

were enclosed with palisades of wood, and reached Cahiagué, the principal

village of the country, where there were two hundred large cabins and where

all the men of war were to assemble. Now in all these villages they

received us very courteously with their simple welcome. All the country

where I went contains some twenty to thirty leagues, is very fine, and

situated in latitude 44° 30'. It is very extensively cleared up. They plant

in it a great quantity of Indian corn, which grows there finely. They plant

likewise squashes,[120] and sun-flowers,[121] from the seed of which they

make oil, with which they anoint the head. The region is extensively

traversed with brooks, discharging into the lake. There are many very good

vines [122] and plums, which are excellent,[123] raspberries,[124]

strawberries,[125] little wild apples,[126] nuts,[127] and a kind of fruit

of the form and color of small lemons, with a similar taste, but having an

interior which is very good and almost like that of figs. The plant which

bears this fruit is two and a half feet high, with but three or four leaves

at most, which are of the shape of those of the fig-tree, and each plant

bears but two pieces of fruit. There are many of these plants in various

places, the fruit being very good and savory.[128] Oaks, elms, and beeches

[129] are numerous here, as also forests of fir, the regular retreat of

partridges [130] and hares.[131] There are also quantities of small

cherries [132] and black cherries,[133] and the same varieties of wood that

we have in our forests in France. The soil seems to me indeed a little

sandy, yet it is for all that good for their kind of cereal. The small

tract of country which I visited is thickly settled with a countless number

of human beings, not to speak of the other districts where I did not go,

and which, according to general report, are as thickly settled or more so

than those mentioned above. I reflected what a great misfortune it is that

so many poor creatures live and die without the knowledge of God, and even

without any religion or law established among them, whether divine,

political, or civil; for they neither worship, nor pray to any object, at

least so far as I could perceive from their conversation. But they have,

however, some sort of ceremony, which I shall describe in its proper place,

in regard to the sick, or in order to ascertain what is to happen to them,

and even in regard to the dead. These, however, are the works of certain

persons among them, who want to be confidentially consulted in such

matters, as was the case among the ancient pagans, who allowed themselves

to be carried away by the persuasions of magicians and diviners. Yet the

greater part of the people do not believe at all in what these charlatans

do and say. They are very generous to one another in regard to provisions,

but otherwise very avaricious. They do not give in return. They are clothed

with deer and beaver skins, which they obtain from the Algonquins and

Nipissings in exchange for Indian corn and meal.

On the 17th of August I arrived at Cahiagué, where I was received with

great joy and gladness by all the savages of the country, who had abandoned

their undertaking, in the belief that they would see me no more, and that

the Iroquois had captured me, as I have before stated. This was the cause

of the great delay experienced in this expedition, they even having

postponed it to the following year. Meanwhile they received intelligence

that a certain nation of their allies, [134] dwelling three good days'

journeys beyond the Entouhonorons, [135] on whom the Iroquois also make

war, desired to assist them in this expedition with five hundred good men;

also to form an alliance and establish a friendship with us, that we might

all engage in the war together; moreover that they greatly desired to see

us and give expression to the pleasure they would have in making our

acquaintance.

I was glad to find this opportunity for gratifying my desire of obtaining a

knowledge of their country. It is situated only seven days from where the

Dutch [136] go to traffic on the fortieth degree. The savages there,

assisted by the Dutch, make war upon them, take them prisoners, and cruelly

put them to death; and indeed they told us that the preceding year, while

making war, they captured three of the Dutch, who were assisting their

enemies, [137] as we do the Attigouautans, and while in action one of their

own men was killed. Nevertheless they did not fail to send back the three

Dutch prisoners, without doing them any harm, supposing that they belonged

to our party, since they had no knowledge of us except by hearsay, never

having seen a Christian; otherwise, they said, these three prisoners would

not have got off so easily, and would not escape again should they surprise

and take them. This nation is very warlike, as those of the nation of the

Attigouautans maintain. They have only three villages, which are in the

midst of more than twenty others, on which they make war without assistance

from their friends; for they are obliged to pass through the thickly

settled country of the Chouontouaroüon,[138] or else they would have to

make a very long circuit.

After arriving at the village, it was necessary for me to remain until the

men of war should come from the surrounding villages, so that we might be

off as soon as possible. During this time there was a constant succession

of banquets and dances on account of the joy they experienced at seeing me

so determined to assist them in their war, just as if they were already

assured of victory.

The greater portion of our men having assembled, we set out from the

village on the first day of September, and passed along the shore of a

small lake, [139] distant three leagues from the village, where they catch

large quantities of fish, which they preserve for the winter. There is

another lake, [140] closely adjoining, which is twenty-five leagues in

circuit, and slows into the small one by a strait, where the above

mentioned extensive fishing is carried on. This is done by means of a large

number of stakes which almost close the strait, only some little openings

being left where they place their nets, in which the fish are caught. These

two lakes discharge into the _Mer Douce_. We remained some time in this

place to await the rest of our savages. When they were all assembled, with

their arms, meal, and necessaries, it was decided to choose some of the

most resolute men to compose a party to go and give notice of our departure

to those who were to assist us with five hundred men, that they might join

us, and that we might appear together before the fort of the enemy. This

decision having been made, they dispatched two canoes, with twelve of the

most stalwart savages, and also with one of our interpreters, [141] who

asked me to permit him to make the journey, which I readily accorded,

inasmuch as he was led to do so of his own will, and as he might in this

way see their country and get a knowledge of the people living there. The

danger, however, was not small, since it was necessary to pass through the

midst of enemies. They set out on the 8th of the month, and on the 10th

following there was a heavy white frost.

We continued our journey towards the enemy, and went some five or six

leagues through these lakes, [142] when the savages carried their canoes

about ten leagues by land. We then came to another lake, [143] six to seven

leagues in length and three broad. From this flows a river which discharges

into the great lake of the Entouhonorons. After traversing this lake we

passed a fall, and continuing our course down this river for about

sixty-four leagues [144] entered the lake of the Entouhonorons, having

passed, on our way by land, five falls, some being from four to five

leagues long. We also passed several lakes of considerable size, through

which the river passes. The latter is large and very abundant in good fish.

It is certain that all this region is very fine and pleasant. Along the

banks it seems as if the trees had been set out for ornament in most

places, and that all these tracts were in former times inhabited by

savages, who were subsequently compelled to abandon them from fear of their

enemies. Vines and nut-trees are here very numerous. Grapes mature, yet

there is always a very pungent tartness which is felt remaining in the

throat when one eats them in large quantities, arising from defect of

cultivation. These localities are very pleasant when cleared up.

Stags and bears are here very abundant. We tried the hunt and captured a

large number as we journeyed down. It was done in this way. They place four

or five hundred savages in line in the woods, so that they extend to

certain points on the river; then marching in order with bow and arrow in

hand, shouting and making a great noise in order to frighten the beasts,

they continue to advance until they come to the end of the point. Then all

the animals between the point and the hunters are forced to throw

themselves into the water, as many at least as do not fall by the arrows

shot at them by the hunters. Meanwhile the savages, who are expressly

arranged and posted in their canoes along the shore, easily approach the

stags and other animals, tired out and greatly frightened in the chase,

when they readily kill them with the spear heads attached to the extremity

of a piece of wood of the shape of a half pike. This is the way they engage

in the chase; and they do likewise on the islands where there are large

quantities of game. I took especial pleasure in seeing them hunt thus and

in observing their dexterity. Many animals were killed by the shot of the

arquebus, at which the savages were greatly surprised. But it unfortunately

happened that, while a stag was being killed, a savage, who chanced to come

in range, was wounded by a shot of an arquebus. Thence a great commotion

arose among them, which however subsided when some presents were given to

the wounded. This is the usual manner of allaying and settling quarrels,

and, in case of the death of the wounded, presents are given to the

relatives of the one killed.

As to smaller game there is a large quantity of it in its season. There are

also many cranes,[145] white as swans, and other varieties of birds like

those in France.

We proceeded by short days' journeys as far as the shore of the lake of the

Entouhonorons, constantly hunting as before mentioned. Here at its eastern

extremity, which is the entrance to the great River St. Lawrence, we made

the traverse, in latitude 43°, [146] where in the passage there are very

large beautiful islands. We went about fourteen leagues in passing to the

southern side of the lake towards the territory of the enemy. [147] The

savages concealed all their canoes in the woods near the shore. We went

some four leagues over a sandy strand, where I observed a very pleasant and

beautiful country, intersected by many little streams and two small rivers,

which discharge into the before-mentioned lake, also many ponds and

meadows, where there was an endless amount of game, many vines, fine woods,

and a large number of chestnut trees, whose fruit was still in the burr.

The chestnuts are small, but of a good flavor. The country is covered with

forests, which over its greater portion have not been cleared up. All the

canoes being thus hidden, we left the border of the lake, [148] which is

some eighty leagues long and twenty-five wide. [149] The greater portion of

its shores is inhabited by savages. We continued our course by land for

about twenty-five or thirty leagues. In the space of four days we crossed

many brooks, and a river which proceeds from a lake that discharges into

that of the Entouhonorons. [150] This lake is twenty-five or thirty leagues

in circuit, contains some fine islands, and is the place where our enemies,

the Iroquois, catch their fish, in which it abounds.

On the 9th of the month of October our savages going out to reconnoitre met

eleven savages, whom they took prisoners. They consisted of four women,

three boys, one girl, and three men, who were going fishing and were

distant some four leagues from the fort of the enemy. Now it is to be noted

that one of the chiefs, on seeing the prisoners, cut off the finger of one

of these poor women as a beginning of their usual punishment; upon which I

interposed and reprimanded the chief, Iroquet, representing to him that it

was not the act of a warrior, as he declared himself to be, to conduct

himself with cruelty towards women, who have no defence but their tears and

that one should treat them with humanity on account of their helplessness

and weakness; and I told him that on the contrary this act would be deemed

to proceed from a base and brutal courage, and that if he committed any

more of these cruelties he would not give me heart to assist them or favor

them in the war. To which the only answer he gave me was that their enemies

treated them in the same manner, but that, since this was displeasing to

me, he would not do anything more to the women, although he would to the

men.

The next day, at three o'clock in the afternoon, we arrived before the fort

[151] of their enemies, where the savages made some skirmishes with each

other, although our design was not to disclose ourselves until the next

day, which however the impatience of our savages would not permit, both on

account of their desire to see fire opened upon their enemies, and also

that they might rescue some of their own men who had become too closely

engaged, and were hotly pressed. Then I approached the enemy, and although

I had only a few men, yet we showed them what they had never seen nor heard

before; for, as soon as they saw us and heard the arquebus shots and the

balls whizzing in their ears, they withdrew speedily to their fort,

carrying the dead and wounded in this charge. We also withdrew to our main

body, with five or six wounded, one of whom died.

This done, we withdrew to the distance of cannon range, out of sight of the

enemy, but contrary to my advice and to what they had promised me. This

moved me to address them very rough and angry words in order to incite them

to do their duty, foreseeing that if everything should go according to

their whim and the guidance of their council, their utter ruin would be the

result. Nevertheless I did not fail to send to them and propose means which

they should use in order to get possession of their enemies.

These were, to make with certain kinds of wood a _cavalier_, which should

be higher than the palisades. Upon this were to be placed four or five of

our arquebusiers, who should keep up a constant fire over their palisades

and galleries, which were well provided with stones, and by this means

dislodge the enemy who might attack us from their galleries. Meanwhile

orders were to be given to procure boards for making a sort of mantelet to

protect our men from the arrows and stones of which the savages generally

make use. These instruments, namely the cavalier and mantelets, were

capable of being carried by a large number of men. One mantelet was so

constructed that the water could not extinguish the fire, which might be

set to the fort, under cover of the arquebusiers who were doing their duty

on the cavalier. In this manner, I told them, we might be able to defend

ourselves so that the enemy could not approach to extinguish the fire which

we should set to their ramparts.

This proposition they thought good and very seasonable, and immediately

proceeded to carry it out as I directed. In fact the next day they set to

work, some to cut wood, others to gather it, for building and equipping the

cavalier and mantelets. The work was promptly executed and in less than

four hours, although the amount of wood they had collected for burning

against the ramparts, in order to set fire to them, was very small. Their

expectation was that the five hundred men who had promised to come would do

so on this day, but doubt was felt about them, since they had not appeared

at the rendezvous, as they had been charged to do, and as they had

promised. This greatly troubled our savages; but seeing that they were

sufficiently numerous to take the fort without other assistance, and

thinking for my part that delay, if not in all things at least in many, is

prejudicial, I urged them to attack it, representing to them that the

enemy, having become aware of their force and our arms, which pierced

whatever was proof against arrows, had begun to barricade themselves and

cover themselves with strong pieces of wood, with which they were well

provided and their village filled. I told them that the least delay was the

best, since the enemy had already strengthened themselves very much; for

their village was enclosed by four good palisades, which were made of great

pieces of wood, interlaced with each other, with an opening of not more

than half a foot between two, and which were thirty feet high, with

galleries after the manner of a parapet, which they had furnished with

double pieces of wood that were proof against our arquebus shots. Moreover

it was near a pond where the water was abundant, and was well supplied with

gutters, placed between each pair of palisades, to throw out water, which

they had also under cover inside, in order to extinguish fire. Now this is

the character of their fortifications and defences, which are much stronger

than the villages of the Attigouautan and others.

We approached to attack the village, our cavalier being carried by two

hundred of the strongest men, who put it down before the village at a

pike's length off. I ordered three arquebusiers to mount upon it, who were

well protected from the arrows and stones that could be shot or hurled at

them. Meanwhile the enemy did not fail to send a large number of arrows

which did not miss, and a great many stones, which they hurled from their

palisades. Nevertheless a hot fire of arquebuses forced them to dislodge

and abandon their galleries, in consequence of the cavalier which uncovered

them, they not venturing to show themselves, but fighting under shelter.

Now when the cavalier was carried forward, instead of bringing up the

mantelets according to order, including that one under cover of which we

were to set the fire, they abandoned them and began to scream at their

enemies, shooting arrows into the fort, which in my opinion did little harm

to the enemy.

But we must excuse them, for they are not warriors, and besides will have

no discipline nor correction, and will do only what they please.

Accordingly one of them set fire inconsiderately to the wood placed against

the fort of the enemy, quite the wrong way and in the face of the wind, so

that it produced no effect.

This fire being out, the greater part of the savages began to carry wood

against the palisades, but in so small quantity that the fire could have no

great effect. There also arose such disorder among them that one could not

understand another, which greatly troubled me. In vain did I shout in their

ears and remonstrate to my utmost with them as to the danger to which they

exposed themselves by their bad behavior, but on account of the great noise

they made they heard nothing. Seeing that shouting would only burst my

head, and that my remonstrances were useless for putting a stop to the

disorder, I did nothing more, but determined together with my men to do

what we could, and fire upon such as we could see.

Meanwhile the enemy profited by our disorder to get water and pour it so

abundantly that you would have said brooks were flowing through their

spouts, the result of which was that the fire was instantly extinguished,

while they did not cease shooting their arrows, which fell upon us like

hail. But the men on the cavalier killed and maimed many. We were engaged

in this combat about three hours, in which two of our chiefs and leading

warriors were wounded, namely, one called _Ochateguain_ and another

_Orani_, together with some fifteen common warriors. The others, seeing

their men and some of the chiefs wounded, now began to talk of a retreat

without farther fighting, in expectation of the five hundred men, [152]

whose arrival could not be much delayed. Thus they retreated, a disorderly

rabble.

Moreover the chiefs have in fact no absolute control over their men, who

are governed by their own will and follow their own fancy, which is the

cause of their disorder and the ruin of all their undertakings; for, having

determined upon anything with their leaders, it needs only the whim of a

villain, or nothing at all, to lead them to break it off and form a new

plan. Thus there is no concert of action among them, as can be seen by this

expedition.

Now we withdrew into our fort, I having received two arrow wounds, one in

the leg, the other in the knee, which caused me great inconvenience, aside

from the severe pain. When they were all assembled, I addressed them some

words of remonstrance on the disorder that had occurred. But all I said

availed nothing, and had no effect upon them. They replied that many of

their men had been wounded like myself, so that it would cause the others

much trouble and inconvenience to carry them as they retreated, and that it

was not possible to return again against their enemies, as I told them it

was their duty to do. They agreed, however, to wait four days longer for

the five hundred men who were to come; and, if they came, to make a second

effort against their enemies, and execute better what I might tell them

than they had done in the past. With this I had to content myself, to my

great regret.

Herewith is indicated the manner in which they fortify their towns, from

which representation it may be inferred that those of their friends and

enemies are fortified in like manner.

The next day there was a violent wind, which lasted two days, and was very

favorable for setting fire anew to the fort of the enemy which, although I

urged them strongly, they were unwilling to do, as if they were afraid of

getting the worst of it, and besides they pleaded their wounded as an

excuse.

We remained in camp until the 16th of the month, [153] during which time

there were some skirmishes between the enemy and our men, who were very

often surrounded by the former, rather through their imprudence than from

lack of courage; for I assure you that every time we went to the charge it

was necessary for us to go and disengage them from the crowd, since they

could only retreat under cover of our arquebusiers, whom the enemy greatly

dreaded and feared; for as soon as they perceived any one of the

arquebusiers they withdrew speedily, saying in a persuasive manner that we

should not interfere in their combats, and that their enemies had very

little courage to require us to assist them, with many other words of like

tenor, in order to prevail upon us.

I have represented by figure E the manner in which they arm themselves in

going to war.

After some days, seeing that the five hundred men did not come, they

determined to depart, and enter upon their retreat as soon as possible.

They proceeded to make a kind of basket for carrying the wounded, who are

put into it crowded up in a heap, being bound and pinioned in such a manner

that it is as impossible for them to move as for an infant in its swaddling

clothes; but this is, not without causing the wounded much extreme

pain. This I can say with truth from my own experience, having been carried

some days, since I could not stand up, particularly on account of an

arrow-wound which I had received in the knee. I never found myself in such

a _gehenna_ as during this time, for the pain which I suffered in

consequence of the wound in my knee was nothing in comparison with that

which I endured while I was carried bound and pinioned on the back of one

of our savages; so that I lost my patience, and as soon as I could sustain

myself, got out of this prison, or rather _gehenna_.

The enemy followed us about half a league, though at a distance, with the

view of trying to take some of those composing the rear guard; but their

efforts were vain, and they retired.

Now the only good point that I have seen in their mode of warfare is that

they make their retreat very securely, placing all the wounded and aged in

their centre, being well armed on the wings and in the rear, and continuing

this order without interruption until they reach a place of security.

Their retreat was very long, being from twenty-five to thirty leagues,

which caused the wounded much fatigue, as also those who carried them,

although the latter relieved each other from time to time.

On the 18th day of the month there fell much snow and hail, accompanied by

a strong wind, which greatly incommoded us. Nevertheless we succeeded in

arriving at the shore of the lake of the Entouhonorons, at the place where

our canoes were concealed, which we found all intact, for we had been

afraid lest the enemy might have broken them up.

When they were all assembled, and I saw that they were ready to depart to

their village, I begged them to take me to our settlement, which, though

unwilling at first, they finally concluded to do, and sought four men to

conduct me. Four men were found, who offered themselves of their own

accord; for, as I have before said, the chiefs have no control over their

men, in consequence of which they are often unable to do as they would

like. Now the men having been found, it was necessary also to find a canoe,

which was not to be had, each one needing his own, and there being no more

than they required. This was far from being pleasant to me, but, on the

contrary greatly annoyed me, since it led me to suspect some evil purpose,

inasmuch as they had promised to conduct me to our settlement after their

war. Moreover I was poorly prepared for spending the winter with them, or

else should not have been concerned about the matter. But not being able to

do anything, I was obliged to resign myself in patience. Now after some

days I perceived that their plan was to keep me and my companions, not only

as a security for themselves, for they feared their enemies, but also that

I might listen to what took place in their councils and assemblies, and

determine what they should do in the future against their enemies for their

security and preservation.

The next day, the 28th of the month, they began to make preparations; some

to go deer-hunting, others to hunt bears and beavers, others to go fishing,

others to return to their villages. An abode and lodging were furnished me

by one of the principal chiefs, called _D'Arontal_, with whom I already had

some acquaintance. Having offered me his cabin, provisions, and

accommodations, he set out also for the deer-hunt, which is esteemed by

them the greatest and most noble one. After crossing, from the island,

[154] the end of the lake, we entered a river [155] some twelve leagues in

extent. They then carried their canoes by land some half a league, when we

entered a lake [156] which was some ten or twelve leagues in circuit, where

there was a large amount of game, as swans, [157] white cranes, [158]

outardes, [159] ducks, teal, song-thrush, [160] larks, [161] snipe, [162]

geese, [163] and several other kinds of fowl too numerous to mention. Of

these I killed a great number, which stood us in good stead while waiting

for the capture of a deer. From there we proceeded to a certain place some

ten leagues distant, where our savages thought there were deer in

abundance. Assembled there were some twenty-five savages, who set to

building two or three cabins out of pieces of wood fitted to each other,

the chinks of which they stopped up by means of moss to prevent the

entrance of the air, covering them with the bark of trees.

When they had done this they went into the woods to a small forest of firs,

where they made an enclosure in the form of a triangle, closed up on two

sides and open on one. This enclosure was made of great stakes of wood

closely pressed together, from eight to nine feet high, each of the sides

being fifteen hundred paces long. At the extremity of this triangle there

was a little enclosure, constantly diminishing in size, covered in part

with boughs and with only an opening of five feet, about the width of a

medium-sized door, into which the deer were to enter. They were so

expeditious in their work, that in less than ten days they had their

enclosure in readiness. Meanwhile other savages had gone fishing, catching

trout and pike of prodigious size, and enough to meet all our wants.

All preparations being made, they set out half an hour before day to go

into the wood, some half a league from the before-mentioned enclosure,

separated from each other some eighty paces. Each had two sticks, which

they struck together, and they marched in this order at a slow pace until

they arrived at their enclosure. The deer hearing this noise flee before

them until they reach the enclosure, into which the savages force them to

go. Then they gradually unite on approaching the bay and opening of their

triangle, the deer skirting the sides until they reach the end, to which

the savages hotly pursue them, with bow and arrow in hand ready to let fly.

On reaching the end of the triangle they begin to shout and imitate wolves,

[164] which are numerous, and which devour the deer. The deer, hearing this

frightful noise, are constrained to enter the retreat by the little

opening, whither they are very hotly pursued by arrow shots. Having entered

this retreat, which is so well closed and fastened that they can by no

possibility get out, they are easily captured. I assure you that there is a

singular pleasure in this chase, which took place every two days, and was

so successful that, in the thirty-eight days [165] during which we were

there, they captured one hundred and twenty deer, which they make good use

of, reserving the fat for winter, which they use as we do butter, and

taking away to their homes some of the flesh for their festivities.

They have other contrivances for capturing the deer; as snares, with which

they kill many. You see depicted opposite the manner of their chase,

enclosure, and snare. Out of the skins they make garments. Thus you see how

we spent the time while waiting for the frost, that we might return the

more easily, since the country is very marshy.

When they first went out hunting, I lost my way in the woods, having

followed a certain bird that seemed to me peculiar. It had a beak like that

of a parrot, and was of the size of a hen. It was entirely yellow, except

the head which was red, and the wings which were blue, and it flew by

intervals like a partridge. The desire to kill it led me to pursue it from

tree to tree for a very long time, until it flew away in good earnest. Thus

losing all hope, I desired to retrace my steps, but found none of our

hunters, who had been constantly getting ahead, and had reached the

enclosure. While trying to overtake them, and going, as it seemed to me,

straight to where the enclosure was, I found myself lost in the woods,

going now on this side now on that, without being able to recognize my

position. The night coming on, I was obliged to spend it at the foot of a

great tree, and in the morning set out and walked until three o'clock in

the afternoon, when I came to a little pond of still water. Here I noticed

some game, which I pursued, killing three or four birds, which were very

acceptable, since I had had nothing to eat. Unfortunately for me there had

been no sunshine for three days, nothing but rain and cloudy weather, which

increased my trouble. Tired and exhausted I prepared to rest myself and

cook the birds in order to alleviate the hunger which I began painfully to

feel, and which by God's favor was appeased.

When I had made my repast I began to consider what I should do, and to pray

God to give me the will and courage to sustain patiently my misfortune if I

should be obliged to remain abandoned in this forest without counsel or

consolation except the Divine goodness and mercy, and at the same time to

exert myself to return to our hunters. Thus committing all to His mercy I

gathered up renewed courage going here and there all day, without

perceiving any foot-print or path, except those of wild beasts, of which I

generally saw a good number. I was obliged to pass here this night

also. Unfortunately I had forgotten to bring with me a small compass which

would have put me on the right road, or nearly so. At the dawn of day,

after a brief repast, I set out in order to find, if possible, some brook

and follow it, thinking that it must of necessity flow into the river on

the border of which our hunters were encamped. Having resolved upon this

plan, I carried it out so well that at noon I found myself on the border of

a little lake, about a league and a half in extent, where I killed some

game, which was very timely for my wants; I had likewise remaining some

eight or ten charges of powder, which was a great satisfaction.

I proceeded along the border of this lake to see where it discharged, and

found a large brook, which I followed until five o'clock in the evening,

when I heard a great noise, but on carefully listening failed to perceive

clearly what it was. On hearing the noise, however, more distinctly, I

concluded that it was a fall of water in the river which I was searching

for. I proceeded nearer, and saw an opening, approaching which I found

myself in a great and far-reaching meadow, where there was a large number

of wild beasts, and looking to my right I perceived the river, broad and

long. I looked to see if I could not recognize the place, and walking along

on the meadow I noticed a little path where the savages carried their

canoes. Finally, after careful observation, I recognized it as the same

river, and that I had gone that way before.

I passed the night in better spirits than the previous ones, supping on the

little I had. In the morning I re-examined the place where I was, and

concluded from certain mountains on the border of the river that I had not

been deceived, and that our hunters must be lower down by four or five good

leagues. This distance I walked at my leisure along the border of the

river, until I perceived the smoke of our hunters, where I arrived to the

great pleasure not only of myself but of them, who were still searching for

me, but had about given up all hopes of seeing me again. They begged me not

to stray off from them any more, or never to forget to carry with me my

compass, and they added: If you had not come, and we had not succeeded in

finding you, we should never have gone again to the French, for fear of

their accusing us of having killed you. After this he [166] was very

careful of me when I went hunting, always giving me a savage as companion,

who knew how to find again the place from which he started so well that it

was something very remarkable.

To return to my subject: they have a kind of superstition in regard to this

hunt; namely, they believe that if they should roast any of the meat taken

in this way, or if any of the fat should fall into the fire, or if any of

the bones should be thrown into it, they would not be able to capture any

more deer. Accordingly they begged me to roast none of this meat, but I

laughed at this and their way of doing. Yet, in order not to offend them,

I cheerfully desisted, at least in their presence; though when they were

out of sight I took some of the best and roasted it, attaching no credit to

their superstitions. When I afterwards told them what I had done, they

would not believe me, saying that they could not have taken any deer after

the doing of such a thing.

On the fourth day of December we set out from this place, walking on the

river, lakes, and ponds, which were frozen, and sometimes through the

woods. Thus we went for nineteen days, undergoing much hardship and toil,

both the savages, who were loaded with a hundred pounds, and myself, who

carried a burden of twenty pounds, which in the long journey tired me very

much. It is true that I was sometimes relieved by our savages, but

nevertheless I suffered great discomfort. The savages, in order to go over

the ice more easily, are accustomed to make a kind of wooden sledge, [167]

on which they put their loads, which they easily and swiftly drag along.

Some days after there was a thaw, which caused us much trouble and

annoyance; for we had to go through pine forests full of brooks, ponds,

marshes, and swamps, where many trees had been blown down upon each

other. This caused us a thousand troubles and embarrassments, and great

discomfort, as we were all the time wet to above our knees. We were four

days in this plight, since in most places the ice would not bear. At last,

on the 20th of the month, we succeeded in arriving at our village. [168]

Here the Captain Yroquet had come to winter with his companions, who are

Algonquins, also his son, whom he brought for the sake of treatment, since

while hunting he had been seriously injured by a bear which he was trying

to kill.

After resting some days I determined to go and visit Father Joseph, and to

see in winter the people where he was, whom the war had not permitted me to

see in the summer. I set out from this village on the 14th [169] of January

following, thanking my host for the kindness he had shown me, and, taking

formal leave of him, as I did not expect to see him again for three months.