=Source.=--F. Parkman's _Count Frontenac and New France under
Louis XIV_. (1877). The foot-note appended gives the words of the
original French authorities.
Having painted, greased and befeathered themselves, the Indians
mustered for the grand council which always preceded the opening
of the market. The Ottawa orator spoke of nothing but trade, and,
with a regretful memory of the cheapness of English goods, begged
that the French would sell them at the same rate. The Huron touched
upon politics and war, declaring that he and his people had come to
visit their old father and listen to his voice, being well assured
that he would never abandon them, as others had done, nor fool away
his time, like Denonville, in shameful negotiations for peace;
and he exhorted Frontenac to fight, not the English only, but the
Iroquois also, till they were brought to reason. "If this is not
done," he said, "my father and I shall both perish; but, come what
may, we will perish together." "I answered," writes Frontenac,
"that I would fight the Iroquois till they came to beg for peace,
and that I would grant them no peace that did not include all my
children, both white and red, for I was the father of both alike."
Now ensued a curious scene. Frontenac took a hatchet, brandished
it in the air and sang the war-song. The principal Frenchmen
present followed his example. The Christian Iroquois of the two
neighbouring missions rose and joined them, and so also did
the Hurons and the Algonquins of Lake Nipissing, stamping and
screeching like a troop of madmen; while the Governor led the
dance, whooping like the rest. His predecessor would have perished
rather than play such a part in such company; but the punctilious
old courtier was himself half Indian at heart, as much at home in
a wigwam as in the halls of princes. Another man would have lost
respect in Indian eyes by such a performance. In Frontenac, it
roused his audience to enthusiasm. They snatched the proffered
hatchet and promised war to the death.
Then came a solemn war-feast. Two oxen and six large dogs had been
chopped to pieces for the occasion, and boiled with a quantity of
prunes. Two barrels of wine with abundant tobacco were also served
out to the guests, who devoured the meal in a species of frenzy.
["Je leur mis moy-mesme la hache à la main en chantant la chanson
de guerre pour m'accomoder à leurs façons de faire." _Frontenac au
Ministre_, 9 et 12 Nov. 1690.
"Monsieur de Frontenac commença la chanson de guerre, la hache à
la main; les principaux chefs des François se joignant à luy avec
de pareilles armes la chantèrent ensemble. Les Iroquois du Saut et
de la Montagne, les Hurons et les Nipisiriniens donnèrent encore
le branle: l'on eut dit, Monsieur, que ces acteurs étoient des
possedez par les gestes et les contorsions qu'ils faisoient. Les
_Sassakouez_, ou les cris et les hurlemens que Mr. de Frontenac
étoit obligé de faire pour se conformer à leur manière, augmentoit
encore la fureur bachique." _La Potherie_, iii. 97.]