diff options
Diffstat (limited to 'old/53138-0.txt')
| -rw-r--r-- | old/53138-0.txt | 8895 |
1 files changed, 0 insertions, 8895 deletions
diff --git a/old/53138-0.txt b/old/53138-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 9c51b8b..0000000 --- a/old/53138-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,8895 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents, -Vol. VII, by Various - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - - - -Title: The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents, Vol. VII - Quebec, Hurons, Cape Breton, 1634-1635 - -Author: Various - -Editor: Reuben Gold Thwaites - -Release Date: September 24, 2016 [EBook #53138] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK JESUIT RELATIONS *** - - - - -Produced by Karl Hagen, Eleni Christofaki and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by the Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions -(www.canadiana.org)) - - - - - - - - - -Transcriber's Note. - -A list of the changes made can be found at the end of the book. -Formatting and special characters are indicated as follows: - - _italic_ - =bold= - +spaced+ - - - - - THE JESUIT RELATIONS AND ALLIED DOCUMENTS - - VOL. VII - - - - - The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents - - TRAVELS AND EXPLORATIONS OF THE JESUIT MISSIONARIES IN NEW FRANCE - - 1610-1791 - - THE ORIGINAL FRENCH, LATIN, AND ITALIAN TEXTS, WITH ENGLISH - TRANSLATIONS AND NOTES; ILLUSTRATED BY PORTRAITS, MAPS, AND - FACSIMILES - - EDITED BY - - REUBEN GOLD THWAITES - Secretary of the State Historical Society of Wisconsin - - Vol. VII - QUEBEC, HURONS, CAPE BRETON: 1634-1635 - - CLEVELAND: =The Burrows Brothers Company=, PUBLISHERS, M DCCCXCVII - - - - - COPYRIGHT, 1897 - BY - THE BURROWS BROTHERS CO - - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED - - _The Imperial Press, Cleveland_ - - - - -EDITORIAL STAFF - - - Editor REUBEN GOLD THWAITES - - Translator from the French JOHN CUTLER COVERT - - Assistant Translator from the French MARY SIFTON PEPPER - - Translator from the Latin WILLIAM FREDERIC GIESE - - Translator from the Italian MARY SIFTON PEPPER - - Assistant Editor EMMA HELEN BLAIR - - Bibliographical Adviser VICTOR HUGO PALTSITS - - - - - CONTENTS OF VOL. VII - - - PREFACE TO VOLUME VII 1 - - DOCUMENTS:-- - - XXIII. Relation de ce qui s'est passé en La Novvelle France, en - l'année 1634 [Chapters x.-xiii., completing the document]. - _Paul le Jeune_; Maison de N. Dame des Anges, en Nouvelle France, - August 7, 1634 5 - - XXIV. Lettre à Monseigneur le Cardinal. _Paul le Jeune_; Kebec, - August 1, 1635 237 - - XXV. Relation de ce qui s'est passé en la Novvelle France, en l'année - 1635 [Chapters i., ii.]. _Paul le Jeune_; Kebec, August 28, 1635 247 - - BIBLIOGRAPHICAL DATA: Volume VII 305 - - NOTES 309 - - - - -[Illustration] - -ILLUSTRATION TO VOL. VII - - I. Photographic facsimile of title-page, Le Jeune's _Relation_ of 1635 - 250 - - - - -PREFACE TO VOL. VII - - -Following is a synopsis of the documents contained in the present -volume: - -XXIII. The first installment (chaps. i.-ix.) of Le Jeune's _Relation_ -of 1634, written to the provincial at Paris, was given in Vol. VI. of -our series. In the concluding portion herewith presented, the superior -of the Quebec mission continues his account of the Montagnais. He -describes their clothing and ornaments; then their language, which, -though deficient in expressions for abstract ideas, he praises for its -fullness and richness in vocabulary and grammatical forms. He offers -to the provincial numerous reasons why he made so little progress in -learning the tongue while he wintered among them--his own defective -memory; the malice of a medicine man, whom he had opposed; the perfidy -of the interpreter Pierre, who refused to teach him; his sufferings -from hunger and illness; and the inherent difficulties of the language -itself. All these points are elaborated, with many details, the result -being a vivid picture of savage life, and of the hardships, danger, -and suffering endured by this heroic missionary while wandering with -the savages through the forests and mountains along the southern shore -of the River St. Lawrence. At last, after almost six months of this -wretched life, and many hair-breadth escapes from death, Le Jeune, ill -and exhausted, reaches his humble home, the mission house on the St. -Charles. In the closing chapter he recounts, in the form of a journal, -the events of the summer of 1634 at Quebec; the arrival of the French -fleet, with Father Buteux and the colonists of Sieur Robert Giffard; -the departure of Brébeuf, Daniel, and Davost for the Huron mission, -and their hardships on the voyage; the foundation of new settlements -above Quebec,--at St. Croix island (not to be confounded with the site -of De Monts's colony), and Three Rivers. He announces his intention to -go, with Buteux, to Three Rivers; and closes with an appeal for more -missionaries, who shall be competent to learn the Indian dialects. - -XXIV. In this letter to Cardinal Richelieu (dated August 1, 1635), Le -Jeune congratulates him on his efforts to root out the Huguenot heresy; -thanks him for his kindness, and for evidences of affection for the -Jesuit mission in Canada; and urges the great man to aid the Company -of New France in their colonizing enterprise, for on their success -depends that of the mission. The cardinal is reminded how many poor -French families might be provided with homes if sent to the New World, -where land is abundant; he is also informed that some savages have been -converted to the faith. - -XXV. This document is known as Le Jeune's _Relation_ of 1635. -Heretofore the superior of Quebec has been the sole author of the -annual report of the Jesuit mission in New France. But with the arrival -of new missionaries the work was greatly broadened, and hereafter we -shall find the _Relation_ a composite, arranged by the superior from -the several individual reports forwarded to him by his assistants in -the field, often with the addition of a general review from his own -pen. Of such a character is the present _Relation_, which, like its -successors, is for convenience designated by the name of the superior -who forwarded it to the provincial at Paris, for publication. - -The 112 introductory pages are by Le Jeune, dated Kebec, August 28, -1635; of these, we have space in this volume for but 51 pages (chaps, -i., ii.). Commencing with p. 113 (original pagination), we shall find -a report from Brébeuf, dated Ihonatiria (in the Huron country), May -27, 1635. Then will appear, commencing on p. 207, an undated report -from Perrault, for 1634-35, describing the island of Cape Breton and -the characteristics of its people; and, commencing on p. 220, a number -of brief, unaccredited extracts from letters by various members of the -missionary staff. - -In his opening letter, addressed to the provincial, Le Jeune -anticipates most hopefully the growth and prosperity of Canada in the -hands of the French, but is especially rejoiced at the great interest -which the mission has aroused in France. There, many pious laymen are -aiding the enterprise with their efforts and money; many priests desire -to join the Canadian mission; and many nuns are eagerly awaiting some -opportunity to labor among the Indian women and children for their -conversion to the Christian faith. Le Jeune advises these sisters not -to come to Canada until they are suitably provided with a house and -means of support: and he appeals to the ladies of France to furnish -this aid for the nuns. He then describes the condition and extent of -the mission, which now has six residences at various points, all the -way from Cape Breton to Lake Huron. At the oldest of these, Notre -Dame des Anges, near Quebec, center their plans for educational work. -He wishes here to establish a college for French children, and is -beginning a seminary for the instruction of Indian youth. He describes -the importance of the Huron mission, and states that he has received -promises of funds for its extension. He recounts the work of himself -and his brethren in the French settlements, especially mentioning the -comfort they gave to the sick and dying during an epidemic of scurvy -at the new settlement at Three Rivers. He then gives detailed accounts -of the religious experiences and deaths of various Indian converts; -and relates the tragic death of the two Montagnais with whom he had -spent the preceding winter,--Carigonan, "the sorcerer," and his brother -Mestigoit, in whose cabin they all lived. - - R. G. T. - MADISON, WIS., April, 1897. - - - - - XXIII (concluded) - - LE JEUNE'S RELATION, 1634 - - PARIS: SEBASTIEN CRAMOISY, 1635 - - -Chaps. x.-xiii., and Index, completing the document; Chaps. i.-ix. -appeared in Volume VI. - - - - -[164] CHAPITRE X. - -DE LEURS HABITS & DE LEURS ORNEMENTS. - - -C'ESTOIT la pensée d'Aristote, que le mõde auoit fait cõme trois pas, -pour [165] arriuer à la perfection qu'il possedoit de son temps. Au -premier les hommes se contentoient de la vie, ne recherchants purement -& simplement que les choses necessaires & vtiles pour sa conseruation. -Au second ils ont conjoint le delectable auec le necessaire, & la -bienseance auec la necessité. On a trouué premierement les viures, -puis les assaisonnements, on s'est couuert au cõmencement contre -la rigueur du temps, & par apres on a donné de la grace & de la -gentillesse aux habits, on a fait des maisons aux premiers siecles -simplement pour s'en seruir, & par apres on les a fait encore pour -estre veuës. Au troisiéme pas les hommes d'esprit voyans que le monde -iouyssoit des choses necessaires & douces pour la vie, ils se sont a -donnez à la contemplation des choses naturelles, & à la recherche des -sciences, si bien que la grande Republique des hommes s'est petit à -petit perfectionnée, la necessité marchant deuant, la bien-seance & la -douceur venant apres, & les sciences tenant la dernier rang. - - [164] CHAPTER X. - - ON THEIR CLOTHES AND ORNAMENTS. - - - IT was the opinion of Aristotle that the world had made three - steps, as it were, to [165] arrive at the perfection which it - possessed in his time. At first men were contented with life, - seeking purely and simply only those things which were necessary - and useful for its preservation. In the second stage, they united - the agreeable with the necessary, and politeness with necessity. - First they found food, and then the seasoning. In the beginning, - they covered themselves against the severity of the weather, and - afterward grace and beauty were added to their garments. In the - early ages, houses were made simply to be used, and afterward they - were made to be seen. In the third stage, men of intellect, seeing - that the world was enjoying things that were necessary and pleasant - in life, gave themselves up to the contemplation of natural objects - and to scientific researches; whereby the great Republic of men has - little by little perfected itself, necessity marching on ahead, - politeness and gentleness following after, and knowledge bringing - up the rear. - -Or ie veux dire que nos Sauuages Montagnais & errans, ne sont encore -[166] qu'au premier degré des trois que ie viẽs de toucher, ils ne -pensent qu'à viure, ils mãgent pour ne point mourir, ils se couurent -pour banir le froid, non pour paroistre, la grace, la bienseance, -la connoissance des arts, les sciences naturelles, & beaucoup moins -les veritez surnaturelles, n'ont point encore de logis en cét -hemisphere, du moins en ces contrées. Ce peuple ne croit pas qu'il y -ait autre science au monde, que de viure & de mãger, voila toute leur -Philosophie. Ils s'estõnent de ce que nous faisons cas de nos liures, -puisque leur connoissance ne nous donne point dequoy bannir la faim, -ils ne peuuent comprendre ce que nous demandons à Dieu en nos prieres. -Demande luy, me disoient-ils, des Originaux, des Ours & des Castors, -dis luy que tu en veux manger; & quand ie leur disois que ce la estoit -peu de chose, qu'il y auoit biẽ d'autres richesses à demãder, ils se -rioyent, que pourrois tu, me repondoient-ils souhaitter de meilleur, -que de manger tõ saoul de ces bonnes viandes? Bref ils n'ont que la -vie, encore ne l'ont-ils pas toute entiere, puisque la famine les tuë -assez souuent. - - Now I wish to say that our wandering Montagnais Savages are yet - only [166] in the first of these three stages which I have just - touched upon. Their only thought is to live, they eat so as not to - die; they cover themselves to keep off the cold, and not for the - sake of appearance. Grace, politeness, the knowledge of the arts, - natural sciences, and much less supernatural truths, have as yet - no place in this hemisphere, or at least in these countries. These - people do not think there is any other science in the world, except - that of eating and drinking; and in this lies all their Philosophy. - They are astonished at the value we place upon books, seeing that - a knowledge of them does not give us anything with which to drive - away hunger. They cannot understand what we ask from God in our - prayers. "Ask him," they say to me, "for Moose, Bears, and Beavers; - tell him that thou wishest them to eat;" and when I tell them that - those are only trifling things, that there are still greater riches - to demand, they laughingly reply, "What couldst thou wish better - than to eat thy fill of these good dishes?" In short, they have - nothing but life; yet they are not always sure of that, since they - often die of hunger. - -[167] Iugez maintenant qu'elle peut-estre la gentillesse de leurs -habits, la noblesse & la richesse de leurs ornements, vous prẽdriez -plaisir de les voir en cõpagnie: pendant l'Hiuer toutes sortes d'habits -leurs sont propres, & tout est commun tant aux femmes comme aux hommes: -il n'y a point de difformité en leurs vestemens, tout est bon, pourueu -qu'il soit biẽ chaud. Ils sont couuerts propremẽt, quand ils le sont -commodement; dõnez leur vn chaperon, vne homme le portera aussi bien -qu'vne femme, il n'y a habit de fol dont ils ne se seruent sagement, -s'ils s'en peuuent seruir chaudement: ils ne sont point comme ces -Seigneurs qui s'attachent à vne couleur. Depuis qu'ils prattiquent nos -Europeans, ils sont plus bigarrez que des Suisses. I'ay veu vne petite -fille de six ans vestuë de la casaque de son pere, qui estoit vn grand -homme, il ne falut point de Tailleur pour luy mettre cét habit dans -sa iustesse, on le ramasse à l'entour du corps, & on le lie comme vn -fagot. L'vn a vn bonnet rouge, l'autre vn bõnet verd, l'autre vn gris, -tous faits, nõ à la mode de la Cour, mais à la mode de la commodité. -L'autre aura [168] vn chapeau que si les bords l'empeschent, ils les -couppent. - - [167] Judge now how elegant must be their garments, how noble and - rich their ornaments. You would enjoy seeing them in company. - During the Winter all kinds of garments are appropriate to them, - and all are common to both women and men, there being no difference - at all in their clothes; anything is good, provided it is warm. - They are dressed properly when they are dressed comfortably. Give - them a hood, and a man will wear it as well as a woman; for there - is no article of dress, however foolish, which they will not wear - in all seriousness if it helps to keep them warm, in this respect - being unlike those Lords who affect a certain color. Since they - have had intercourse with our Europeans, they are more motley than - the Swiss. I have seen a little six-year-old girl dressed in the - greatcoat of her father, who was a large man; yet no Tailor was - needed to adjust it to her size, for it was gathered around her - body and tied like a bunch of fagots. One has a red hood, another - a green one, and another a gray,--all made, not in the fashion of - the Court, but in the way best suited to their convenience. Another - will wear [168] a hat with the brim cut off, if it happens to be - too broad. - -Les femmes ont pour robbe vne camisolle ou vn capot, ou vne casaque, -ou vne castelogne, ou quelque peau dont ils s'enueloppent, se lians -en autãt d'endroits qu'il est necessaire, pour fermer les aduenuës au -vent? L'vn porte vn bas de cuir, l'autre de drap, pour le present ils -couppent leurs vieilles couuertures ou castellongnes, pour faire des -mãches & des bas de chausses. Ie vous laisse à penser si cela est bien -vuidé & bien tiré; en vn mot ie reïtere ce que i'ay desia dit, leur -proprieté est leur commodité, & comme ils ne se couurent que contre -l'injure du tẽps, si tost que l'air est chaud, ou qu'ils entrènt dans -leurs Cabanes, ils iettent leurs atours à bas, les hõmes restãs tous -nuds, à la reserue d'vn brayer qui leur cache ce qui ne peut estre -veu sans vergongne. Pour les femmes elles quittent leur bonnet, leurs -manches & bas de chausses, le reste du corps demeurant couuert. Voila -l'equipage des Sauuages, pour le present qu'ils communiquent auec nos -François. - - The women have for dress a long shirt, or a hooded cloak, or a - greatcoat, or a blanket, or some skins tied in as many places as - may be necessary to keep out the wind. A man will wear one stocking - of leather, and another of cloth; just now they are cutting up - their old coverings or blankets, with which to make sleeves or - stockings; and I leave you to imagine how neatly and smoothly - they fit. In a word, I repeat what I have already said,--to them - propriety is convenience; and, as they only clothe themselves - according to the exigencies of the weather, as soon as the air - becomes warm or when they enter their Cabins, they throw off their - garments and the men remain entirely naked, except a strip of cloth - which conceals what cannot be seen without shame. As to the women, - they take off their bonnets, sleeves and stockings, the rest of - the body remaining covered. In this you have the clothing of the - Savages, now during their intercourse and association with our - French. - -Ce peuple va tousi[o]urs teste nuë, hormis [169] dans les plus grands -froids, encore y en a-il plusieurs qui ne se couurient iamais, ce qui -me fait conjecturer que fort peu se seruoient de bõnets, auant qu'ils -communiquassent auec nos Europeãs, aussi n'en sçauroient ils faire, -ains ils les traittent tous faits, ou du moins les font tailler à nos -François. Voila pour leur coiffure, qui n'est autre que leurs cheueux, -tant aux hommes qu'aux femmes, & mesme aux enfans; car ils sont testes -nuës dans leur maillot. - - These people always go bareheaded, except [169] in the most severe - cold, and even then some of them go uncovered, which makes me think - that very few of them used hats before their intercourse with our - Europeans; nor do they know how to make them, buying them already - made, or at least cut, from our French people. So for their head - gear they have nothing but their hair, both men and women and even - the children, for they are bareheaded in their swaddling clothes. - -Leurs robbes sont faictes de peaux d'Elans, d'Ours, & d'autres animaux. -Les plus riches en leur estime sont faites des peaux d'vne espece de -petit animal noir, qui se trouue aux Hurons, il est de la grandeur d'vn -Lapin, le poil est doux & luisant, il entre bien vne soixantaine de ces -peaux dans vne robbe, ils attachẽt les queuës de ces animaux aux bas, -pour seruir de franges, & les testes au haut pour seruir d'vne espece -de rebord. La figure de leur robbe est quasi quarrée, les femmes les -peignent, tirant des raïes du haut en bas, ces raïes sont également -distantes & larges, enuiron de deux pouces vous diriez du passement. - - Their clothes are made of the skin of Elk, Bears, and other - animals. The ones that they value the most are made of the skins - of a kind of little black animal found in the Huron country; it - is about the size of a Rabbit, the skin is soft and shiny, and it - takes about sixty of them to make a robe. The tails of the animals - are fastened to the bottom, to serve as fringe; and the heads - above, to make a sort of border. These robes are nearly square in - shape; the women paint colored stripes on them from top to bottom, - which are about as wide as two thumbs, and are equally distant from - each other, giving the effect of a kind of lace-work. - -[170] Les hommes portent leurs robbes en deux façons: quand il fait -vn peu chaud ils ne s'en enueloppent point, mais ils la portent sur -vn bras, & sous l'autre, ou bien estendu sur leur dos, retenue par -deux petites cordes de peaux, qu'ils lient dessus leur poictrine; -ce qui n'empesche pas qu'ils ne paroissent quasi tous nuds. Quand -il fait froid, ils la passent tous, hommes & femmes, sous vn bras & -dessus l'epaule de l'autre, puis la croisent & s'en enueloppent assez -commodémẽt contre le froid, mais maussadement; car s'estans liez sous -la poictrine, ils la retroussent, puis ils se lient & se garrottẽt -vers la ceinture, ou vers le milieu du corps, ce retroussement leur -faisant vn gros ventre ou vne grosse pance, dans laquelle ils mettent -leurs petites besongnes. I'ay veu representer vn Caresme prenant sur vn -theatre en France, on luy bastit vn ventre iustement comme en portent -nos Sauuages & Sauuagesses pendant l'Hiuer. - - [170] The men wear their robes in two ways. When it is a little - warm they do not put these around them, but carry them over one arm - and under the other; or else stretched across the back, and held in - place by two little leather strings which they tie over the chest. - This does not prevent them from appearing almost naked. When it - is cold they all, men and women, wear the robe under one arm and - over the shoulder of the other, then crossed; and thus they wrap - themselves up comfortably, though awkwardly, against the cold; for - when this garment is tied below the chest, they turn it up, fasten - and tie it down near the belt or middle of the body, these folds - forming a big belly or large flap in which they carry their little - belongings. I once saw a Merry-andrew in a theatre in France, whose - belly was built out exactly like those affected by our Savage Men - and Women in Winter. - -Or comme ces robbes ne couurent point leurs bras, il se font des -manches de mesme[s] peaux, & tirent dessus ces rayes dõt i'ay parlé, -quelquefois de lõg, [171] quelquefois en rond: ces manches sont fort -larges par haut, couurant les épaules, & se venans quasi ioindre -derriere le dos, deux petites cordes les tiennent liées deuant & -derriere, mais auec si peu de grace, qu'il n'y a fagot d'espine qui ne -soit mieux trouffé qu'vne femme emmitouflée dedans ces peaux. Remarquez -qu'il n'y a point de distinction, de l'habit d'vn homme à celuy d'vne -femme, sinon que la femme est tousiours couuerte de sa robbe, & les -hommes la quittent ou la portent à la legere, quand il fait chaud comme -i'ay dit. - - Now as these robes do not cover their arms, they make themselves - sleeves of the same skin, and draw upon them the stripes of which - I have spoken, sometimes lengthwise, [171] sometimes around. These - sleeves are quite broad at the top, covering the shoulders and - almost uniting at the back,--two little strings fastening them in - front and behind, but so clumsily that a bundle of thorn-sticks are - better put together than the women are muffled up in these skins. - Observe that there is no difference between the garments of a man - and those of a woman, except that the woman is always covered with - her robe, while the men discard theirs or wear them carelessly, in - warm weather, as I have said. - -Leurs bas de chausses sont de poil [peau] d'Orignac passée sans poil, -c'est la nature & non l'art, qui en a trouué la façon, ils sont tout -d'vne venuë, suffit que le pied & la jambe y passent, pour estre biẽ -faits, ils n'ont point l'inuention d'y mettre des coins, ils sont -faits comme des bas à botter, retenus sous le pied, auec vne petite -cordelette. La cousture qui n'est quasi qu'vn faux fil, ne se treuue -pas derriere les jambes, mais entre-deux; les cousans, ils laissent -passer vn rebord de la peau mesme, qu'ils découpent en frange, apres -laquelle ils attachent par [172] fois quelques matachias; ces bas sont -assez longs, notamment pardeuant; car ils laissent vne piece qui passe -bien haut, & qui couure vne grande partie de la cuisse, au plus haut -de cette piece sont attachées de petites cordes, qu'ils lient à vne -ceinture de peau, qu'ils portẽt tous dessus leurs chairs. - - Their stockings are made of Moose skin, from which the hair has - been removed, nature and not art setting the fashion for them; they - are considered well made if the feet and legs go into them, no - ingenuity being used in making corners; they are made like boots, - and are fastened under the foot with a little string. The seam, - which is scarcely more than basted, is not at the back of the leg, - but on the inside. When they sew them, they leave an edge of the - skin itself, which they cut into fringe, occasionally fastening - to this [172] a few matachias.[1] These stockings are quite long, - especially in front, for they leave a piece which reaches quite - high, and covers a great part of the thigh; to the upper edge of - this piece are fastened small cords, tied to a leather belt which - they all wear next to their skin. - -Leurs souliers ne sont pas durs comme les nostres, aussi n'ont-ils pas -l'industrie de taner le cuir: nos gands de cerf, sont d'vne peau plus -ferme ou du moins aussi ferme que leurs peaux d'Orignac, dont ils font -leurs souliers, encore faut il qu'ils attendent que ces peaux ayent -seruy de robbes, & qu'elles soient toutes grasses, autrement leurs -souliers se retireroient à la moindre approche du feu, ce qu'ils ne -laissent pas de faire tous gras qu'ils soient quãd on les chauffe vu -peu de trop prés. Au reste, ils boiuent l'eau comme vne éponge, si biẽ -que les Sauuages ne s'en feruẽt pas contre cét Element, mais bien cõtre -la neige & contre le froid. Ce sont les femmes qui sont cousturieres & -cordonnieres, il ne leur coute rien pour apprendre ce mestier, encore -moins pour auoir des [173] lettres de maistrise; vn enfant qui sçauroit -vn peu coudre en seroit à la premiere veuë, tant il y a d'inuention. - - Their shoes are not hard like ours, for they do not know enough - to tan the leather. Our deerskin gloves are made of skin which is - firmer, or at least as firm, as their Moose skins of which they - make their shoes. Also they have to wait until these hides have - been used as robes, and until they are well oiled, otherwise their - shoes would shrink at the first approach to the fire, which they do - anyhow, well oiled as they are, if they are brought too near the - heat. Besides, they absorb water like a sponge, so that the Savages - cannot use them in this Element, but they are very serviceable - against snow and cold. It is the women who are the seamstresses and - shoemakers; it costs them nothing to learn this trade, and much - less to procure [173] diplomas as master workmen; a child that - could sew a little could make the shoes at the first attempt, so - ingeniously are they contrived. - -Ils les font fort amples & fort capables, notamment l'Hiuer, pour -les garnir contre le froid, ils se seruent ordinairement d'vne peau -de Lieure, ou d'vne piece de quelque couuerture, pliée en deux & -trois doubles. Ils mettent auec cela du poil d'Orignac, & puis ayans -enueloppé leurs pieds de ces haillons, ils chauffent leurs souliers, -& par fois deux paires l'vne dessus l'autre, ils les lient & les -arrestent sur le coudepié, auec vne petite corde, qui regne tout à -l'entour des coins du Soulier. Pendant les neiges nous nous seruons -tous, François & Sauuages de cette forte de chaussure, afin de pouuoir -marcher sur des Raquettes; l'Hiuer passé nous reprenons nos souliers -François, & eux vont pieds nuds. - - They make them large and capacious, especially in the Winter. In - order to furnish them against the cold, they generally use a Rabbit - skin, or a piece of an old blanket folded two or three times; with - this they put some Moose hair; and then, having wrapped their feet - in these rags, they put on their shoes, occasionally wearing two - pairs, the one over the other. They tie them over the instep with a - little string which is wound about the corners of the Shoe. During - the snows we all, French and Savages, have made use of this kind - of foot gear, in order to walk upon our Snowshoes; when the Winter - had passed, we resumed our French shoes, and the Savages went - barefooted. - -Voila non pas tout ce qui se peut dire de leurs habits & de leurs -ornements, mais ce que i'en ay veu, & qui me vient pour l'heure en la -pensée; i'oubliois à dire, que ceux qui peuuent auoir ou troquer des -chemises de nos François, s'en feruent à la nouuelle façon: car au lieu -[174] de les mettre comme nous par dessous, ils les mettent par dessus -tous leurs habits, & comme iamais ils ne les essuyent, elles sont en -moins de rien grasses comme des torchons de cuisine, c'est ce qu'ils -demandent, car l'eau, disent-ils, coule là dessus, & ne penetre pas -iusqu'à leurs robbes. - - This is not all that can be said about their clothes and ornaments, - but it is all that I have seen and that I recall to mind just now; - I forgot to say that those who can have or buy our French shirts - wear them in the new fashion; for, instead [174] of wearing them - under, as we do, they put them on over all their clothes,--and, as - they never wash them, they are in no time as greasy as dish-cloths; - but this is just as they wish them to be, for the water, they say, - runs over them and does not penetrate into their clothes. - - - - -CHAPITRE XI. - -DE LA LANGUE DES SAUUAGES MONTAGNAIS. - - -I'ESCRIUY l'an passé, que leur langue estoit tres-riche & tres-pauure; -toute pleine d'abondance & de disette; la pauureté paroist en mille -articles. Tous les mots de pieté, de deuotion, de vertu; tous les -termes dont on se sert pour expliquer les biens de l'autre [vie]; le -langage des Theologiens, des Philosophes, des Mathematiciens, des -Medecins, en vn mot de tous les hommes doctes; toutes les paroles qui -concernent la police & le gouuernement d'vne ville, d'vne Prouince, -d'vn Empire; tout ce qui touche la iustice, la recompense & le -chastimẽt, les noms d'vne infinité d'arts, qui sont en nostre Europe, -d'vne infinité de fleurs [175] d'arbres & de fruits, d'vne infinité -d'animaux de mille & mille inuentions, de mille beautez & de mille -richesses; tout cela ne se trouue point ny dãs la pensée, ny dans la -bouche des Sauuages, n'ayans ny vraye religion ny connoissance des -vertus, ny police, ny gouuernement, ny Royaume, ny Republique, ny -sciences, ny rien de tout ce que ie viens de dire, & par consequent, -toutes les paroles, tous les termes, tous les mots & tous les noms -qui touche ce monde de biens & de grandeurs, doiuent estre defalquez -de leur dictionaire; voila vne grande disette. Tournons maintenant la -medaille, & faisons voir que cette langue regorge de richesses. - - CHAPTER XI. - - ON THE LANGUAGE OF THE MONTAGNAIS SAVAGES. - - - I WROTE last year that their language was very rich and very poor, - full of abundance and full of scarcity, the latter appearing in a - thousand different ways. All words for piety, devotion, virtue; - all terms which are used to express the things of the other life; - the language of Theologians, Philosophers, Mathematicians, and - Physicians, in a word, of all learned men; all words which refer - to the regulation and government of a city, Province, or Empire; - all that concerns justice, reward and punishment; the names of an - infinite number of arts which are in our Europe; of an infinite - number of flowers, [175] trees, and fruits; of an infinite number - of animals, of thousands and thousands of contrivances, of a - thousand beauties and riches, all these things are never found - either in the thoughts or upon the lips of the Savages. As they - have no true religion nor knowledge of the virtues, neither public - authority nor government, neither Kingdom nor Republic, nor - sciences, nor any of those things of which I have just spoken, - consequently all the expressions, terms, words, and names which - refer to that world of wealth and grandeur must necessarily be - absent from their vocabulary; hence the great scarcity. Let us now - turn the tables and show that this language is fairly gorged with - richness. - -Premierement ie trouue vne infinité de noms propres parmy eux, que ie -ne puis expliquer en nostre françois, que par circumlocutions. - - First, I find an infinite number of proper nouns among them, which - I cannot explain in our french, except by circumlocutions. - -Secondement, ils ont de Verbes que ie nomme absolus, dont ny les Grecs, -ny les Latins, ny nous, ny les langues d'Europe, dont ie ne me suis -enquis, n'ont riẽ de semblable, par exemple ce Verbe _Nimitison_, -signifie absolument ie mange, sans dire quoy, car si vous determinez, -la [176] chose que vous mangez, il se faut seruir d'vn autre Verbe. - - Second, they have some Verbs which I call absolute, to which - neither the Greeks, nor Latins, nor we ourselves, nor any language - of Europe with which I am familiar, have anything similar. For - example, the verb _Nimitison_ means absolutely, "I eat," without - saying what; for, if you determine the [176] thing you eat, you - have to use another Verb. - -Tiercement, ils ont des Verbes differents, pour signifier l'action -enuers vne chose animée, & enuers vne chose inanimée, encore bien -qu'ils conjoignent auec les choses animées, quelques nombres des choses -sans ame, cõme le petun, les pommes, &c. donnons des exemples. Ie vois -vn homme, _Niouapaman iriniou_, ie vois vne pierre, _niouabatẽ_, ainsi -en Grec, en Latin, & en François, c'est vn mesme Verbe, pour dire ie -vois vn homme, vne pierre, & toute autre chose. Ie frappe vn chiẽ _ni -noutinau attimou_, ie frappe vn bois, _ninoutinen misticou_. Ce n'est -pas tout: car si l'actiõ se termine à plusieurs choses animées, il -faut vn autre Verbe, ie vois des hõmes _niouapamaoueth irinioueth_, -_ninoutinaoueth attimoueth_, & ainsi de tous les autres. - - Third, they have different Verbs to signify an action toward an - animate or toward an inanimate object; and yet they join with - animate things a number of things that have no souls, as tobacco, - apples, etc. Let us give some examples: "I see a man," _Niouapaman - iriniou_; "I see a stone," _niouabatẽ_; but in Greek, in Latin, - and in French the same Verb is used to express, "I see a man, a - stone, or anything else." "I strike a dog," _ni noutinau attimou_; - "I strike wood," _ninoutinen misticou_. This is not all; for, if - the action terminates on several animate objects, another Verb - has to be used,--"I see some men," _niouapamaoueth irinioueth_, - _ninoutinaoueth attimoueth_, and so on with all the others. - -En quatriéme lieu, ils ont des Verbes propres pour signifier l'action -qui se termine à la personne reciproque, & d'autres encore qui se -terminent aux choses qui luy appartiennent, & l'on ne pût se seruir -des Verbes enuers les autres personnes non reciproques sans parler -impropremẽt. Ie me fais entẽdre le Ver[be] [177] _nitaouin_, signifie, -ie me sers de quelque chose, _nitaouin agouniscouehon_, ie me sers -d'vn bonnet: que si ie viens à dire, ie me sers de son bonnet, sçauoir -est du bonnet de l'homme, dont on parle, il faut changer de verbe, -& dire _Nitaouiouan outagoumiscouhon_: que si c'est vne chose animée -il faut encor changer le verbe, par exemple, ie me sers de son chien, -_nitaouiouan õtaimai_, & remarquez que tous ces verbes ont leurs -meufs, leurs temps, & leurs personnes, & que leurs conjugaisons sont -dissemblables s'ils different de terminaisons. Ceste abondance n'est -point dãs les langues d'Europe, ie le sçay de quelques vnes, ie le -coniecture des autres. - - In the fourth place, they have Verbs suitable to express an action - which terminates on the person reciprocal, and others still which - terminate on the things that belong to him; and we cannot use these - Verbs, referring to other persons not reciprocal, without speaking - improperly. I will explain myself. The Verb [177] _nitaouin_ - means, "I make use of something;" _nitaouin agouniscouehon_, "I am - using a hat;" but when I come to say, "I am using his hat," that - is, the hat of the man of whom I speak, we must change the verb - and say, _Nitaouiouan outagoumiscouhon_; but, if it be an animate - thing, the verb must again be changed, for example, "I am using - his dog," _nitaouiouan õtaimai_. Also observe that all these verbs - have their moods, tenses and persons; and that they are conjugated - differently, if they have different terminations. This abundance - is not found in the languages of Europe; I know it of some, and - conjecture it in regard to others. - -En cinquiesme lieu, ils se seruent d'autres mots sur la terre, d'autres -mots sur l'eau pour signifier la mesme chose. Voicy comment, Ie veux -dire, i'arriuay hier, si c'est par terre, il faut dire _nitagochinin -outagouchi_, si c'est par eau, il faut dire _nimichagan outagouchi_: -ie veux dire, i'ay esté mouillé de la pluye, si ç'a esté cheminant sur -terre, il faut dire nikimiouanoutan, si c'est faisant chemin, par eau -_nikhimiouanutan_, ie vay querir [178] quelque chose, si c'est par -terre, il faut dire _ninaten_, si c'est par eau _ninahen_: si c'est vne -chose animée & par terre, il faut dire _ninatau_: si c'est vne chose -animée & par eau, il faut dire _ninahouau_: si c'est vne chose animée -qui appartienne à quelqu'vn, il faut dire _ninahimouau_: si elle n'est -pas animée _niuahimouau_, quelle varieté? nous n'auons en François -pour tout cela qu'vn seul mot, ie vay querir, auquel on adiouste pour -distinction par eau, ou par terre. - - In the fifth place, they use some words upon the land, and others - upon the water, to signify the same thing. As, for instance, - I want to say, "I arrived yesterday;" if by land, I must say, - _nitagochinin outagouchi_,--if by water, I must say, _nimichagan - outagouchi_. I wish to say, "I was wet by the rain;" if it were - in walking upon land, I must say, nikimiouanoutan,--if it were - upon the water, _nikhimiouanutan_. "I am going to look for [178] - something;" if upon land, I must say, _ninaten_,--if by water, - _ninahen_; if it is an animate thing, and upon land, I must - say, _ninatau_; if it be animate and in the water, I must say, - _ninahouau_; if it is an animate thing that belongs to some one, I - must say, _ninahimouau_; if it is not animate, _niuahimouau_. What - a variety! We have in French only a single expression for all these - things, "Ie vay querir," to which we add, in order to distinguish, - "par eau," or "par terre." - -En sixiesme lieu, vn seul de nos adiectifs en François se conioint auec -tous nos substantifs, par exemple, nous disons le pain est froid, le -petun est froid, ce fer est froid; mais en nostre Sauuage ces adiectifs -changent selon les diuerses especes des substantifs, _tabiscau -assini_, la pierre est froide, _tacabisisiou nouspouagan_, mon -petunoir est froid, _ta_k_hisiou_ k_hichtemau_, ce petun est froid, -_tacascouan misticou_, le bois est froid, si c'est quelque grande piece -_tacascouchan misticou_, le bois est froid, _siicatchiou attimou_, ce -chien a froid; voila vne estrange abondance. - - In the sixth place, a single one of our adjectives in French is - associated with all our substantives. For example, we say, "the - bread is cold, the tobacco is cold, the iron is cold;" but in our - Savage tongue these adjectives change according to the different - kinds of substantives,--_tabiscau assini_, "the stone is cold;" - _tacabisisiou nouspouagan_, "my tobacco pipe is cold;" _takhisiou - khichtemau_, "this tobacco is cold;" _tacascouan misticou_, "the - wood is cold." If it is a large piece, _tacascouchan misticou_, - "the wood is cold;" _siicatchiou attimou_, "this dog is cold;" and - thus you see a strange abundance. - -Remarquez en passant, que tous ces [179] adiectifs, voire mesme que -tous les noms substantifs se conjuguent comme les verbes Latins -impersonnels, par exemple, _tabiscau assini_, la pierre est froide, -_tabiscaban_, elle estoit froide, _cata tabiscan_, elle sera froide, & -ainsi du reste _Noutaoui_, c'est vn nom substantif, qui signifie mon -pere, _noutaouiban_, c'estoit mon pere, ou bien deffunct mon pere _Cata -noutaoui_, il sera mon pere, si on pouuoit se seruir de ces termes. - - Observe, in passing, that all these [179] adjectives, and even all - the nouns, are conjugated like Latin impersonal verbs. For example, - _tabiscau assini_, "the stone is cold;" _tabiscaban_, "it was - cold;" _cata tabiscan_, "it will be cold;" and so on. _Noutaoui_, - is a noun which means, "my father;" _noutaouiban_, "it was my - father, or my deceased father;" _Cata noutaoui_, "it will be my - father," if such expressions could be used. - -En septiesme lieu ils ont vne richesse si importune qu'elle me iette -quasi dans la creance que ie seray pauure toute ma vie en leur langue. -Quand vous cognoissez toutes les parties d'Oraison des langues qui -florissent en nostre Europe, & que vous sçauez comme il les faut lier -ensemble, vous sçauez la langue, il n'en est pas de mesme en la langue -de nos Sauuages, peuplez vostre memoire de tous les mots qui signifient -chaque chose en particulier, apprenez le noeud ou la Syntaxe qui les -allie, vous n'estes encor qu'vn ignorant, vous pourrez bien auec cela -vous faire entendre des Sauuages, quoy que non pas tousiours, mais -vous ne les entendez [180] pas: la raison est, qu'outre les noms de -chaque chose en particulier ils ont vne infinité de mots qui signifient -plusieurs choses ensemble: si ie veux dire en Françoîs le vent pousse -la neige, suffit que i'aye cognoissance de ces trois mots, du vent, -du verbe, ie pousse, & de la neige, & que ie les sçache conioindre, -il n'en est pas de mesme icy. Ie sçay comme on dit le vent _routin_, -comme on dit il pousse vne chose noble comme est la neige en l'estime -des Sauuages, c'est _ra_k_hineou_, ie sçay comme on dit la neige, c'est -_couné_, que si ie veux conioindre ces trois mots _Routin ra_k_hineou -couné_, les Sauuages ne m'entendront pas, que s'ils m'entendent ils se -mettront à rire, pource qu'ils ne parlent pas comme cela, se seruans -de ce seul mot _piouan_, pour dire le vent pousse ou fait voler la -neige: de mesme le verbe _nisiicatchin_ signifie i'ay froid, ce nom -_nissitai_ signifie mes pieds, si ie dis _nisiicat chin nissitai_ pour -dire i'ay froid aux pieds, ils pourront bien m'entendre, mais ie ne les -entẽdray pas quãd ils dirõt _Nitatagouasisin_, qui est le propre mot -pour dire i'ay froid aux pieds: & ce qui [181] tuë vne memoire, ce mot -n'est parent, ny allié, ny n'a point d'affinité en sa consonance auec -les deux autres, d'où prouiẽt que ie les fais souuẽt rire en parlant, -en voulant suiure l'œconomie de la langue Latine, ou Françoise, ne -sçachant point ces mots qui signifient plusieurs choses ensemble? D'icy -prouient encore, que bien souuent ie ne les entends pas, quoy qu'ils -m'entendent: car ne se seruans pas des mots qui signifient vne chose -simple en particulier, mais de ceux qui en signifient beaucoup à la -fois, moy ne sçachant que ces premiers, & non encor à demy, ie ne les -sçaurois entendre s'ils n'ont de l'esprit pour varier & choisir les -mots plus communs, car alors ie tasche de m'en demesler. - - In the seventh place, they have so tiresome an abundance that I - am almost led to believe that I shall remain poor all my life - in their language. When you know all the parts of Speech of the - languages of our Europe, and know how to combine them, you know the - languages; but it is not so concerning the tongue of our Savages. - Stock your memory with all the words that stand for each particular - thing, learn the knot or Syntax that joins them together, and - you are still only an ignoramus; with that, you can indeed make - yourself understood by the Savages, although not always, but you - will not be able to understand [180] them. The reason for this is, - that, besides the names of each particular thing, they have an - infinite number of words which signify several things together. - If I wish to say in French, "the wind drives the snow," it is - enough for me to know these three words, "the wind," the verb - "drive," and "the snow," and to know how to combine them; but it - is not so here. I know how they say "the wind," _routin_; how they - say "it drives something noble," as the snow is in the Savage - estimation,--the word for this is _rakhineou_; I know how they - say "snow," it is _couné_. But, if I try to combine these three - words, _Routin rakhineou couné_, the Savages will not understand - me; or, if they understand, will begin to laugh, because they do - not talk like that, merely making use of a single word, _piouan_, - to say "the wind drives or makes the snow fly." Likewise the verb - _nisiicatchin_, means "I am cold;" the noun _nissitai_, means "my - feet;" if I say _nisiicat chin nissitai_, to say "my feet are - cold," they will indeed understand me; but I shall not understand - them when they say _Nitatagouasisin_, which is the proper word to - say, "my feet are cold." And what [181] ruins the memory is, that - such a word has neither relation, nor alliance, nor any affinity, - in its sound, with the other two; whence it often happens that I - make them laugh in talking, when I try to follow the construction - of the Latin or French language, not knowing these words which mean - several things at once. From this it happens, also, that very often - I do not understand them, although they understand me; for as they - do not use the words which signify one thing in particular, but - rather those that mean a combination of things, I knowing only the - first, and not even the half of those, could not understand them if - they did not have sufficient intelligence to vary and choose more - common words, for then I try to unravel them. - -C'est assez pour monstrer l'abondance de leur langue, si ie la sçauois -parfaitement i'en parlerois auec plus d'asseurance; ie croy qu'ils ont -d'autres richesses que ie n'ay peu encor découurir iusques icy. - - This is enough to show the richness of their language; if I were - thoroughly acquainted with it, I would speak with more certainty. - I believe they have other riches which I have not been able to - discover up to the present. - -I'oubliois à dire que nos Montagnais n'ont pas tant de lettres en leur -Alphabeth, que nous en auons au nostre, ils confondent le B. & le P. -ils confondent [182] aussi le C. le G. & le K. c'est à dire que deux -Sauuages prononçans vn mesme mot, vous croiriez que l'vn prononce vn B. -& que l'autre prononce vn P. que l'vn dit vn C. ou vn K. & l'autre vn -G. ils n'ont point les lettres F, L, V consonante, X. Z. ils prononcent -vn R. au lieu d'vn L. ils diront Monsieur du Pressi pour Monsieur du -Plessi, ils prononcent vn P. au lieu d'vn V. consonante, Monsieur -Olipier pour Monsieur Oliuier; mais comme ils ont la langue assez -bien penduë, ils prendroient bientost nostre prononciation si on les -instruisoit, notamment les enfans. - - I forgot to say that the Montagnais have not so many letters in - their Alphabet as we have in ours; they confound B and P, and [182] - also C, G, and K; that is, if two Savages were to pronounce the - same word, you would think that one was pronouncing a B, and the - other a P, or that one was using a C or K, and the other a G. They - do not have the letters F, L, consonant V, X, and Z. They use R - instead of L, saying Monsieur du Pressi for Monsieur du Plessi;[2] - they utter the sound of P instead of consonant V, Monsieur Olipier - instead of Monsieur Olivier. But, as their tongues are quite - flexible, they will soon acquire our pronunciation if they are - instructed, especially the children. - -Le P. Brebeuf m'a dit que les Hurons n'ont point de M. dequoy ie -m'estonne: car ceste lettre me semble quasi naturelle, tant l'vsage en -est grand. - - Father Brebeuf tells me that the Hurons have no M, at which I - am astonished, for this letter seems to me almost natural, so - extensively is it used. - -Que si pour conclusion de ce Chapitre V. R. me demande si i'ay beaucoup -auancé dans la cognoissance de ceste langue pendant mon hyuernement -auec ces Barbares, ie luy diray ingenuëment que non: en voicy les -raisons. - - Now if, as conclusion of this Chapter, Your Reverence asks me if - I made much progress in the knowledge of this language during the - winter I spent with these Barbarians, I answer frankly, "no;" and - here are the reasons. - -Premierement, le deffaut de ma memoire que ne fut iamais bien -excellente, [183] & qui se va deseichant tous les iours. O l'excellent -homme pour ces pays icy que le Pere Brebeuf, sa memoire tres-heureuse, -sa douceur tres-aymable, feront de grands fruicts dedans les Hurons. - - First, my defective memory, which was never very good, [183] and - which continues to wither every day. Oh, what an excellent man for - these countries is Father Brebeuf! His most fortunate memory, and - his amiability and gentleness, will be productive of much good - among the Hurons. - -Secondement, la malice du sorcier qui defendoit par fois qu'on -m'enseignast. - - Second, the malice of the sorcerer, who sometimes prevented them - from teaching me. - -Tiercement, la perfidie de l'Apostat, qui contre sa promesse, & -nonobstant les offres que ie luy faisois, ne m'a iamais voulu -enseigner, voire sa déloyauté est venuë iusques à ce point de me donner -exprez vn mot d'vne signification pour vn autre. - - Third, the perfidy of the Apostate, who, contrary to his promise, - and notwithstanding the offers I made him, was never willing to - teach me,--his disloyalty even going so far as to purposely give me - a word of one signification for another. - -En quatriesme lieu, la famine a esté long temps nostre hostesse, ie -n'osois quasi en sa presence interroger nos Sauuages, leur estomach -n'est pas de la nature des tonneaux qui resonnẽt d'autant mieux qu'ils -sont vuides, il ressemble au tambour, plus il est bandé mieux il parle. - - In the fourth place, famine was for a long time our guest; and I - scarcely ventured in her presence to question our Savages, their - stomachs not being like barrels which sound all the louder for - being empty; they resemble the drum,--the tighter it is drawn, the - better it talks. - -En cinquiesme lieu, mes maladies m'ont fait quitter le soing des -langues de la terre pour penser au langage de l'autre vie où ie pensois -aller. - - In the fifth place, my attacks of illness made me give up the care - for the languages of earth, to think about the language of the - other life whither I was expecting to go. - -[184] En sixiesme lieu enfin la difficulté de ceste langue qui n'est -pas petite, comme on peut coniecturer de ce que i'ay dit, n'a pas esté -vn petit obstacle pour empescher vue pauure memoire comme la mienne -d'aller bien loing. Ie iargonne neantmoins, & à force de crier ie me -fais entendre. - - [184] In the sixth place, and finally, the difficulty of this - language, which is not slight, as may be guessed from what I have - said, has been no small obstacle to prevent a poor memory like - mine from advancing far. Still, I talk a jargon, and, by dint of - shouting, can make myself understood. - -Vn point me toucheroit viuement, n'estoit que i'estime qu'il ne faut -pas marcher deuant Dieu, mais qu'il faut le fuiure, & se contenter -de sa propre bassesse; c'est que ie ne croy quasi pas pouuoir iamais -parler les langues des Sauuages auec autant de liberté qu'il seroit -necessaire pour leur prescher, & répondre sur le champ sans broncher à -leurs demandes & à leurs obiections, estant notamment occupé comme i'ay -esté iusques à present. Vray que Dieu peut faire d'vne roche vn enfant -d'Abraham. Qu'il soit beny à iamais par toutes les langues des nations -de la terre. - - One thing would touch me keenly, were it not that we are not - expected to walk before God, but to follow him, and to be contented - with our own littleness; it is that I almost fear I shall never - be able to speak the Savage tongues with the fluency necessary to - preach to them, and to answer at once, without stumbling, their - demands and objections, being so greatly occupied as I have been up - to the present. It is true that God can make from a rock a child - of Abraham. May he be forever praised, in all the tongues of the - nations of the earth! - - - - -[185] CHAPITRE XII. - -DE CE QU'IL FAUT SOUFFRIR HYUERNANT AUEC LES SAUUAGES. - - -EPICTETE dit que celuy qui veut aller aux bains publics, se doit au -prealable figurer toutes les insolences qui s'y commettent, afin que se -trouuant engagé dans la risée d'vn tas de canailles, qui luy laueront -mieux la teste que les pieds, il ne perde rien de la grauité & de la -modestie d'vn homme sage. Ie dirois volontiers le mesme à qui Dieu -donne les pensées, & les desirs de passer les mers, pour venir chercher -& instruire les Sauuages: c'est en leur faueur que ie coucheray ce -Chapitre, afin qu'ayant cogneu l'ennemy qu'ils auront en teste, ils -ne s'oublient pas de se munir des armes necessaires pour le combat, -notamment d'vn patience de fer ou de bronze, ou plustost d'vne patience -toute d'or, pour supporter, fortement & amoureusement les grands -trauaux qu'il faut souffrir parmy ces peuples. Commençons [186] par la -maison qu'ils doiuent habiter s'il[s] les veulent suiure. - - [185] CHAPTER XII. - - WHAT ONE MUST SUFFER IN WINTERING WITH THE SAVAGES. - - - EPICTETUS says that he who intends to visit the public baths must - previously consider all the improprieties that will be committed - there; so that, when he finds himself surrounded by the derision - of a mob of scoundrels who would rather wash his head than his - feet, he may lose none of the gravity and modesty of a wise man. I - might say the same to those in whom God inspires the thought and - desire to cross over the seas, in order to seek and to instruct the - Savages. It is for their sake that I shall pen this Chapter, so - that, knowing the enemy they will encounter, they may not forget - to fortify themselves with the weapons necessary for the combat, - especially with patience of iron or bronze, or rather with a - patience entirely of gold, in order to bear bravely and lovingly - the great trials that must be endured among these people. Let us - begin [186] by speaking of the house they will have to live in, if - they wish to follow them. - -Pour conceuoir la beauté de cest edifice, il en faut décrire la -structure; i'en parleray auec science: car i'ay souuent aydé à la -dresser. Estans donc arriuez au lieu où nous deuions camper; les femmes -armées de haches s'en alloient çà & là dans ces grandes forests coupper -du bois pour la charpente de l'hostellerie où nous voulions loger, ce -pendant les hommes en ayans designé le plan, vuidoient la neige auec -leurs raquilles, ou auec des pelles qu'ils font & portent exprez pour -ce fujet: figurez vous donc vn grand rond, ou vn quarré dans la neige, -haute de deux, de trois, ou de quatre pieds, selon les temps, ou les -lieux où on cabane; ceste profondeur nous faisoit vne muraille blanche, -qui nous enuironnoit de tous costez, excepté par l'endroit où on la -fendoit pour faire la porte: la charpente apportée, qui consiste en -quelque vingt ou trente perches, plus ou moins, selon la grandeur de la -cabane, on la plante, non sur la terre, mais sur le haut de la neige, -puis on iette sur ces perches qui s'approchent [187] vn petit par en -haut, deux ou trois rouleaux d'écorces cousuës ensemble, commençant par -le bas, & voila la maison faite, on couure la terre, comme aussi ceste -muraille de neige qui regne tout à l'entour de la cabane, de petites -branches de pin, & pour derniere perfection, on attache vne méchante -peau à deux perches pour seruir de porte, dont les iambages font la -neige mesme. Voyons maintenant en détail toutes les commoditez de ce -beau Louure. - - In order to have some conception of the beauty of this edifice, its - construction must be described. I shall speak from knowledge, for - I have often helped to build it. Now, when we arrived at the place - where we were to camp, the women, armed with axes, went here and - there in the great forests, cutting the framework of the hostelry - where we were to lodge; meantime the men, having drawn the plan - thereof, cleared away the snow with their snowshoes or with shovels - which they make and carry expressly for this purpose. Imagine now - a great ring or square in the snow, two, three or four feet deep, - according to the weather or the place where they encamp. This depth - of snow makes a white wall for us, which surrounds us on all sides, - except the end where it is broken through to form the door. The - framework having been brought, which consists of twenty or thirty - poles, more or less, according to the size of the cabin, it is - planted, not upon the ground but upon the snow; then they throw - upon these poles, which converge [187] a little at the top, two or - three rolls of bark sewed together, beginning at the bottom, and - behold, the house is made. The ground inside, as well as the wall - of snow which extends all around the cabin, is covered with little - branches of fir; and, as a finishing touch, a wretched skin is - fastened to two poles to serve as a door, the doorposts being the - snow itself. Now let us examine in detail all the comforts of this - elegant Mansion. - -Vous ne sçauriez demeurer debout dans ceste maison, tant pour sa -bassesse, que pour la fumée qui suffoqueroit, & par consequent il faut -estre tousiours couché ou assis sur la platte terre, c'est la posture -ordinaire des Sauuages: de sortir de hors, le froid, la neige, le -danger de s'égarer dans ces grãds bois, vous font rentrer plus vite que -le vent, & vous tiennent en prison dans vn cachot, qui n'a ny clef ny -serrure. - - You cannot stand upright in this house, as much on account of its - low roof as the suffocating smoke; and consequently you must always - lie down, or sit flat upon the ground, the usual posture of the - Savages. When you go out, the cold, the snow, and the danger of - getting lost in these great woods drive you in again more quickly - than the wind, and keep you a prisoner in a dungeon which has - neither lock nor key. - -Ce cachot, outre la posture fascheuse qu'il y faut tenir sur vn lict -de terre, a quatre grandes incommoditez, le froid, le chaud, la fumée -& les chiens: [188] Pour le froid vous auez la teste à la neige, il -n'y a qu'vne branche de pin entre deux, bien souuent rien que vostre -bonnet, les vents ont liberté d'entrer par mille endroicts: car ne vous -figurez pas que ces écorces soient iointes comme vn papier colé sur vn -chassis, elles ressemblent bien souuent l'herbe à mille pertuis, sinon -que leurs trous & leurs ouuertures sont vn peu plus grandes, & quand -il n'y auroit que l'ouuerture d'en haut, qui sert de fenestre & de -cheminée tout ensemble, le plus gros hyuer de France y pourroit tous -les iours passer tout entier sans empressement. La nuict estant couché -ie contemplois par ceste ouuerture & les Estoilles & la Lune, autant à -découuert que si i'eusse esté en pleine campagne. - - This prison, in addition to the uncomfortable position that - one must occupy upon a bed of earth, has four other great - discomforts,--cold, heat, smoke, and dogs. [188] As to the cold, - you have the snow at your head with only a pine branch between, - often nothing but your hat, and the winds are free to enter in a - thousand places. For do not imagine that these pieces of bark are - joined as paper is glued and fitted to a window frame; they are - often like the plant mille-pertuis,[3] except that their holes and - their openings are a little larger; and even if there were only the - opening at the top, which serves at once as window and chimney, - the coldest winter in France could come in there every day without - any trouble. When I lay down at night I could study through this - opening both the Stars and the Moon as easily as if I had been in - the open fields. - -Or cependant le froid ne m'a pas tant tourmenté que la chaleur du feu, -vn petit lieu, comme sont leurs cabanes s'échauffe aisément par vn bon -feu, qui me rotissoit par fois & me grilloit de tous costez, à raison -que la cabane estant trop estroitre, ie ne sçauois comment me deffendre -de son ardeur, d'aller à droite ou a gauche, vous ne sçauriez: [189] -car les Sauuages qui vous sont voisins occupent vos costez, de reculer -en arriere, vous rencontrez ceste muraille de neige, ou les écorces de -la cabane qui vous bornent, ie ne sçauois en quelle posture me mettre, -de m'estendre, la place estoit si estroite que mes iambes eussent esté -à moitié dans le feu; de me tenir en ploton, & tousiours racourcy cõme -ils font, ie ne pouuois pas si long temps qu'eux: mes habits ont esté -tout rostis & tout bruslez. Vous me demanderez peut estre si la neige -que nous auions au dos ne se fondoit point quand on faisoit bon feu: ie -dis que non, que si par fois la chaleur l'amolissoit tant soit peu, le -froid la durcissoit en glace. Or ie diray neantmoins que le froid ny -le chaud n'ont rien de [in]tolerable, & qu'on trouue quelque remede à -ces deux maux. - - Nevertheless, the cold did not annoy me as much as the heat from - the fire. A little place like their cabins is easily heated by a - good fire, which sometimes roasted and broiled me on all sides, for - the cabin was so narrow that I could not protect myself against the - heat. You cannot move to right or left, [189] for the Savages, your - neighbors, are at your elbows; you cannot withdraw to the rear, - for you encounter the wall of snow, or the bark of the cabin which - shuts you in. I did not know what position to take. Had I stretched - myself out, the place was so narrow that my legs would have been - halfway in the fire; to roll myself up in a ball, and crouch down - in their way, was a position I could not retain as long as they - could; my clothes were all scorched and burned. You will ask me - perhaps if the snow at our backs did not melt under so much heat. I - answer, "no;" that if sometimes the heat softened it in the least, - the cold immediately turned it into ice. I will say, however, that - both the cold and the heat are endurable, and that some remedy may - be found for these two evils. - -Mais pour la fumée, ie vous confesse que c'est vn martyre, elle me -tuoit, & me faisoit pleurer incessament sans que i'eusse ny douleur -ny tristesse dans le coeur, elle nous terrassoit par fois tous tant -que nous estions dans la cabane, c'est à dire qu'il falloit mettre la -[190] bouche contre terre pour pouuoir respirer: car encor que les -Sauuages soient accoustumez à ce tourment, si est-ce que par fois il -redoubloit auec telle violence, qu'ils estoient contraincts aussi bien -que moy de se coucher sur le ventre, & de manger quasi la terre pour -ne point boire la fumée: i'ay quelquefois demeuré plusieurs heures en -ceste situation, notamment dans les plus grands froids, & lors qu'il -neigeoit: car c'estoit en ces temps là que la fumée nous assailloit -auec plus de fureur, nous saisissant à la gorge, aux naseaux, & -aux yeux: que ce breuuage est amer! que ceste odeur est forte! que -ceste vapeur est nuisible à la veuë! i'ay creu plusieurs fois que ie -m'en allois estre aueugle, les yeux me cuisoient comme feu, ils me -pleuroient ou distilloient comme vn alambic, ie ne voyois plus rien que -confusément, à la façon de ce bon homme, qui disoit, _video homines -velut arbores ambulantes_. Ie disois les Pseaumes de mon Breuiaire -comme ie pouuois, les sçachans à demy par coeur, i'attendois que la -douleur me donnast vn peu de relasche pour reciter les leçons, & quãd -[191] ie venois à les lire elles me sembloient écrites en lettres de -feu, ou d'écarlatte, i'ay souuent fermé mon liure n'y voyant rien que -confusion qui me blessoit la veüe. - - But, as to the smoke, I confess to you that it is martyrdom. It - almost killed me, and made me weep continually, although I had - neither grief nor sadness in my heart. It sometimes grounded all - of us who were in the cabin; that is, it caused us to place our - [190] mouths against the earth in order to breathe. For, although - the Savages were accustomed to this torment, yet occasionally - it became so dense that they, as well as I, were compelled to - prostrate themselves, and as it were to eat the earth, so as not - to drink the smoke. I have sometimes remained several hours in - this position, especially during the most severe cold and when it - snowed; for it was then the smoke assailed us with the greatest - fury, seizing us by the throat, nose, and eyes. How bitter is this - drink! How strong its odor! How hurtful to the eyes are its fumes! - I sometimes thought I was going blind; my eyes burned like fire, - they wept or distilled drops like an alembic; I no longer saw - anything distinctly, like the good man who said, _video homines - velut arbores ambulantes_. I repeated the Psalms of my Breviary as - best I could, knowing them half by heart, and waited until the pain - might relax a little to recite the lessons; and when [191] I came - to read them they seemed written in letters of fire, or of scarlet; - I have often closed my book, seeing things so confusedly that it - injured my sight. - -Quelqu'vn me dira que ie deuois sortir de ce trou enfumé, & prendre -l'air, & ie luy répondray, que l'air estoit ordinairement en ce -temps-là si froid, que les arbres qui ont la peau plus dure que celle -de l'homme, & le corps plus solide, ne luy pouuoient resister, se -fendans iusques au coeur faisans vn bruit comme d'vn mousquet en -s'éclatans: ie sortois neantmoins quelque fois de ceste taniere, -fuyant la rage de la fumée pour me mettre à la mercy du froid, contre -lequel ie taschois de m'armer, m'enueloppant de ma couuerture comme vn -Irlandois, & en cet equipage assis sur la neige, ou sur quelque arbre -abbatu, ie recitois mes Heures: le mal estoit que la neige n'auoit pas -plus de pitié de mes yeux que la fumée. - - Some one will tell me that I ought to have gone out from this smoky - hole to get some fresh air; and I answer him that the air was - usually so cold at those times that the trees, which have a harder - skin than man, and a more solid body, could not stand it, splitting - even to the core, and making a noise like the report of a musket. - Nevertheless, I occasionally emerged from this den, fleeing the - rage of the smoke to place myself at the mercy of the cold, against - which I tried to arm myself by wrapping up in my blanket like an - Irishman; and in this garb, seated upon the snow or a fallen tree, - I recited my Hours; the trouble was, the snow had no more pity upon - my eyes than the smoke. - -Pour les chiens que i'ay dit estre l'vne des incommoditez des maisons -des Sauuages, ie ne sçay si ie les dois blasmer: car ils m'ont rendu -par fois de bons [192] seruices, vray qu'ils tiroient de moy la mesme -courtoisie qu'ils me prestoient, si bien que nous nous entr'aydions les -vns les autres, faisans l'emblesme de _mutuum auxilium_, ces pauures -bestes ne pouuans subsister à l'air, hors la cabane se venoient coucher -tantost sur mes épaules, tantost sur mes pieds, & comme ie n'auois -qu'vne simple castalogne pour me seruir de mattelas & de couuerture -tout ensemble, ie n'estois pas marry de cet abry, leurs rendans -volontiers vne partie de la chaleur que ie tirois d'eux: il est vray -que comme ils estoient grands & en grand nombre, ils me pressoient par -fois & m'importunoient si fort, qu'en me donnant vn peu de chaleur, ils -me déroboient tout mon sommeil, cela estoit cause que bien souuant ie -les chassois, en quoy il m'arriua certaine nuict vn traict de confusion -& de risée: car vn Sauuage s'estant ietté sur moy en dormant, moy -croyant que ce fust vn chien, rencontrant en main vn baston, ie le -frappe m'écriant, _Aché, Aché_, qui sont les mots dont ils se seruent -pour chasser les chiens, mon homme s'éueille bien estonné pensant que -[193] tout fut perdu; mais s'estant pris garde d'où venoient les coups: -tu n'as point d'esprit, me dit-il, ce n'est pas vn chien, c'est moy: -à ces paroles ie ne sçay qui resta le plus estonné de nous deux, ie -quittay doucement mon baston, bien marry de l'auoir trouué si pres de -moy. - - As to the dogs, which I have mentioned as one of the discomforts - of the Savages' houses, I do not know that I ought to blame them, - for they have sometimes rendered me good [192] service. True, - they exacted from me the same courtesy they gave, so that we - reciprocally aided each other, illustrating the idea of _mutuum - auxilium_. These poor beasts, not being able to live outdoors, - came and lay down sometimes upon my shoulders, sometimes upon my - feet, and as I only had one blanket to serve both as covering and - mattress, I was not sorry for this protection, willingly restoring - to them a part of the heat which I drew from them. It is true that, - as they were large and numerous, they occasionally crowded and - annoyed me so much, that in giving me a little heat they robbed me - of my sleep, so that I very often drove them away. In doing this - one night, there happened to me a little incident which caused some - confusion and laughter; for, a Savage having thrown himself upon me - while asleep, I thought it was a dog, and finding a club at hand, I - hit him, crying out, _Aché, Aché_, the words they use to drive away - the dogs. My man woke up greatly astonished, thinking that [193] - all was lost; but having discovered whence came the blows, "Thou - hast no sense," he said to me, "it is not a dog, it is I." At these - words I do not know who was the more astonished of us two; I gently - dropped my club, very sorry at having found it so near me. - -Retournons à nos chiens, ces animaux estans affamez, d'autant qu'ils -n'auoient pas de quoy mãger non plus que nous, ne faisoient qu'aller -& venir, roder par tout dans la cabane: or comme on est souuẽt couché -aussi bien qu'assis dans ces maisons d'écorce, ils nous passoient -souuent & sur la face & sur le ventre, & si souuent, & auec telle -importunité, qu'estant las de crier & de les chasser, ie me couurois -quelque fois la face, puis ie leur donnois liberté de passer par où -ils voudroient: s'il arriuoit qu'on leur iettait vn os, aussitoit -s'estoit de courre apres à qui l'auroit, culbutans tous ceux qu'ils -rencontroient assis, s'ils ne se tenoient bien fermes; ils m'ont par -fois renuersé & mon écuelle d'écorce, & tout ce qui estoit dedans sur -ma sotane. Ie sousriois quand il y suruenoit quelque querelle parmy-eux -lors que [194] nous disnions: car il n'y auoit celuy qui ne tint son -plat à deux belles mains contre la terre, qui seruoit de table, de -siege & de lict, & aux hommes & aux chiens: c'est de là que prouenoit -la grãde incommodité que nous receuions de ces animaux, qui portoient -le nez dans nos écuelles plustost que nous n'y portions la main. C'est -assez dit des incommoditez des maisons des Sauuages, parlons de leurs -viures. - - Let us return to our dogs. These animals, being famished, as they - have nothing to eat, any more than we, do nothing but run to and - fro gnawing at everything in the cabin. Now as we were as often - lying down as sitting up in these bark houses, they frequently - walked over our faces and stomachs; and so often and persistently, - that, being tired of shouting at them and driving them away, I - would sometimes cover my face and then give them liberty to go - where they wanted. If any one happened to throw them a bone, there - was straightway a race for it, upsetting all whom they encountered - sitting, unless they held themselves firmly. They have often upset - for me my bark dish, and all it contained, in my gown. I was amused - whenever there was a quarrel among them at [194] our dinner table, - for there was not one of us who did not hold his plate down with - both hands on the ground, which serves as table, seat, and bed - both to men and dogs. From this custom arose the great annoyance - we experienced from these animals, who thrust their noses into our - bark plates before we could get our hands in. I have said enough - about the inconveniences of the Savages' houses, let us speak of - their food. - -Au commencement que ie fus auec eux, comme ils ne salent ny leurs -boüillons ny leurs viandes, & que la saleté mesme fait leur cuisine, ie -ne pouuois manger de leur salmigondies, ie me contentois d'vn peu de -galette & d'vn peu d'anguille bouccanée, iusques là que mon hoste me -tançoit de ce que ie mangeois si peu, ie m'affamay deuant que la famine -nous acceüillist, cependant nos Sauuages faisoient tous les iours des -festins, en sorte que nous nous vismes en peu de temps sans pain, sans -farine, & sans anguilles, & sans aucun moyen d'estre secourus: car -outre que nous estions fort auant dans les bois, & que nous fussions -morts mille fois deuant [195] que d'arriuer aux demeures des François, -nous hyuernions de là le grãd fleuue qu'on ne peut trauerser en ce -temps là pour le grand nombre de glaces qu'il charie incessamment, & -qui mettroient en pieces non seulement vne chalouppe, mais vn grand -vaisseau, pour la chasse, comme les neiges n'estoient pas profondes à -proportion des autres années, ils ne pouuoiẽt pas prendre l'Elan, si -bien qu'ils n'apportoient que quelques Castors, & quelques Porcs epics, -mais en si petit nombre, & si peu souuent, que cela seruoit plustost -pour ne point mourir que pour viure. Mon hoste me disoit dans ces -grandes disettes. _Chibiné_ aye l'ame dure resiste à la faim, tu seras -par fois deux iours, quelque fois trois ou quatre sans manger, ne te -laisse point abbattre, prẽd courage, quand la neige sera venuë nous -mangerons: nostre Seigneur n'a pas voulu qu'ils fussent si long temps -sans rien prendre; mais pour l'ordinaire nous mangions vne fois en deux -iours, voire assez souuent ayans mangé vn Castor le matin, le lendemain -au soir nous mangions vn Porc-epic gros comme [196] vn Cochon de laict: -c'estoit peu à dixneuf personnes que nous estions, il est vray; mais -ce peu suffisoit pour ne point mourir. Quand ie pouuois auoir vne peau -d'Anguille pour ma iournée sur la fin de nos viures, ie me tenois pour -bien déieuné, bien disné, & bien soupé. - - When I first went away with them, as they salt neither their - soup nor their meat, and as filth itself presides over their - cooking, I could not eat their mixtures, and contented myself - with a few sea biscuit and smoked eel; until at last my host took - me to task because I ate so little, saying that I would starve - myself before the famine overtook us. Meanwhile our Savages had - feasts every day, so that in a very short time we found ourselves - without bread, without flour, without eels, and without any means - of helping ourselves. For besides being very far in the woods, - where we would have died a thousand times before [195] reaching - the French settlement, we were wintering on the other side of the - great river, which cannot be crossed in this season on account of - the great masses of ice which are continually floating about, and - which would crush not only a small boat but even a great ship. As - to the chase, the snows not being deep in comparison with those - of other years, they could not take the Elk, and so brought back - only some Beavers and Porcupines, but in so small a number and so - seldom that they kept us from dying rather than helped us to live. - My host said to me during this time of scarcity, "_Chibiné_, harden - thy soul, resist hunger; thou wilt be sometimes two, sometimes - three or four, days without food: do not let thyself be cast down, - take courage; when the snow comes, we shall eat." It was not our - Lord's will that they should be so long without capturing anything; - but we usually had something to eat once in two days,--indeed, we - very often had a Beaver in the morning, and in the evening of the - next day a Porcupine as big as [196] a sucking Pig. This was not - much for nineteen of us, it is true, but this little sufficed to - keep us alive. When I could have, toward the end of our supply of - food, the skin of an Eel for my day's fare, I considered that I had - breakfasted, dined, and supped well. - -Au commencement ie m'estois seruy d'vne de ces peaux pour refaire vne -sotane de toille que i'auois sur moy, ayãt oublié de porter des pieces, -mais voyãt que la faim me pressoit si fort, ie mangeay mes pieces, & -si ma sotane eust esté de mesme estoffe, ie vous répond que ie l'eusse -rapportée bien courte en la maison: ie mangeois bien les vieilles -peaux d'Orignac, qui sont bien plus dures que les peaux d'Anguilles, -i'allois dans les bois brouter le bout des arbres & ronger les écorces -plus tendres, comme ie remarqueray dans le iournal. Les Sauuages qui -nous estoient voisins, souffroient encore plus que nous, quelques-vns -nous venans voir, nous disoient que leurs camarades estoient morts de -faim, i'en vy qui n'auoient mangé qu'vne fois en cinq iours, & qui se -tenoient bien heureux quand ils trouuoient de quoy [197] disner au bout -de deux, ils estoient faits comme des squelets, n'ayans plus que la -peau sur les os, nous faisions par fois de bons repas; mais pour vn bon -disner, nous nous passions trois fois de souper. Vn ieune Sauuage de -nostre cabane, mourant de faim, comme ie diray au Chapitre suiuant, ils -me demandoient souuent si ie ne craignois point, si ie n'auois point -peur de la mort, & voyans que ie me monstrois assez asseuré ils s'en -estonnoient, notamment en certain temps que ie les vis quasi tomber -dans le desespoir. Quand ils viennent iusques-là, ils ioüent pour ainsi -dire à sauue qui peut, ils iettent leurs écorces, & leur bagage, ils -abandonnent les vns les autres, & perdans le soin du public, c'est à -qui trouuera de quoy viure pour soy; alors les enfans, les femmes, en -vn mot ceux qui ne sçauroient chasser meurent de froid & de faim, s'ils -en fussent venus à ceste extremité ie serois mort des premiers. - - At first, I had used one of these skins to patch the cloth gown - that I wore, as I forgot to bring some pieces with me; but, when I - was so sorely pressed with hunger, I ate my pieces; and if my gown - had been made of the same stuff, I assure you I would have brought - it back home much shorter than it was. Indeed, I ate old Moose - skins, which are much tougher than those of the Eel; I went about - through the woods biting the ends of the branches, and gnawing the - more tender bark, as I shall relate in the journal. Our neighboring - Savages suffered still more than we did, some of them coming to - see us, and telling us that their comrades had died of hunger. I - saw some who had eaten only once in five days, and who considered - themselves very well off if they found something [197] to dine - upon at the end of two days; they were reduced to skeletons, - being little more than skin and bones. We occasionally had some - good meals; but for every good dinner we went three times without - supper. When a young Savage of our cabin was dying of hunger, as - I shall relate in the following Chapter, they often asked me if - I was not afraid, if I had no fear of death; and seeing me quite - firm, they were astonished, on one occasion in particular, when I - saw them almost falling into a state of despair. When they reach - this point, they play, so to speak, at "save himself who can;" - throwing away their bark and baggage, deserting each other, and - abandoning all interest in the common welfare, each one strives to - find something for himself. Then the children, women, and for that - matter all those who cannot hunt, die of cold and hunger. If they - had reached this extremity, I would have been among the first to - die. - -Voila ce qu'il faut preuoir auant que de se mettre à leur suitte: -car encor qu'ils ne soient pas tous les ans pressez de ceste famine, -ils en courent tous les [198] ans les dangers puis qu'ils n'ont -point à manger, ou fort peu, s'il n'y a beaucoup de neige & beaucoup -d'Orignaux, ce qui n'arriue pas tousiours. - - So these are the things that must be expected before undertaking - to follow them; for, although they may not be pressed with famine - every year, yet they run the risk every [198] winter of not having - food, or very little, unless there are heavy snowfalls and a great - many Moose, which does not always happen. - -Que si vous me demandez maintenant quels estoient mes sentimens dans -les afres de la mort, & d'vne mort si langoureuse comme est celle qui -prouient de la famine, ie vous diray que i'ay de la peine à répondre; -neantmoins afin que ceux qui liront ce Chapitre, n'apprehendent point -de nous venir secourir, ie puis asseurer auec verité que ce temps -de famine m'a esté vn temps d'abondance. Ayant recogneu que nous -commençions à floter entre l'esperance de la vie & la crainte de la -mort, ie fis mon conte que Dieu m'auoit condamné à mourir de faim pour -mes pechez, & baisant mille fois la main qui auoit minuté ma sentence, -i'en attendois l'execution auec vne paix & une ioye qu'on peut bien -sentir, mais qu'on ne peut décrire: ie confesse qu'on souffre, & qu'il -se faut resoudre à la Croix: mais Dieu fait gloire d'ayder vne ame -quand elle n'est plus secouruë des creatures. Poursuiuons nostre chemin. - - Now if you were to ask me what my feelings were in the terrors of - death, and of a death so lingering as is that which comes from - hunger, I will say that I can hardly tell. Nevertheless, in order - that those who read this Chapter may not have a dread of coming - over to our assistance, I can truly say that this time of famine - was for me a time of abundance. When I realized that we began to - hover between the hope of life and the fear of death, I made up - my mind that God had condemned me to die of starvation for my - sins; and, a thousand times kissing the hand that had written - my sentence, I awaited the execution of it with a peace and joy - which may be experienced, but cannot be described. I confess that - one suffers, and that he must reconcile himself to the Cross; but - God glories in helping a soul when it is no longer aided by his - creatures. Let us continue on our way. - -[199] Apres ceste famine nous eusmes quelques bons iours, la neige -qui n'estoit que trop haute pour auoir froid, mais trop basse pour -prendre l'Orignac, s'estant grandement accreuë sur la fin de Ianuier, -nos Chasseurs prirent quelques Orignaux, dont ils firent seicherie: or -soit que mon intemperance, ou que ce boucan dur comme du bois, & sale -comme les ruës fut contraire à mon estomach, ie tombay malade au beau -commencement de Feurier, me voila donc contraint de demeurer tousiours -couché sur la terre froide, ce n'estoit pas pour me guerir des -tranchées fort sensibles qui me tourmentoient, & qui me contraignoient -de sortir à toute heure iour & nuict, m'engageant à chaque sortie -dedans les neiges iusques aux genoux, & parfois quasi iusques à la -ceinture, notamment au commencement que nous nous estions cabanez en -quelque endroit, ces douleurs sensibles me durerent enuiron huict ou -dix iours, comme aussi vn grand mal d'estomach, & vne foiblesse de -coeur qui se répandoit par tout le corps, ie guary de ceste maladie, -non pas tout à fait: car ie ne fis [200] que traisner iusques à la -my-Caresme que le mal me reprit. Ie dis cecy pour faire voir le peu de -secours qu'on doit attendre des Sauuages quand on est malade: estant vn -iour pressé de la soif ie demanday vn peu d'eau, on me répondit qu'il -n'y en auoit point & qu'on me donneroit de la neige fonduë si i'en -voulois: comme ce breuuage estoit contraire à mon mal, ie fis entendre -à mon hoste que i'auois veu vn lac nõ pas loing de là, & que i'en eusse -bien voulu auoir vn peu d'eau, il fit la sourde oreille à cause que le -chemin estoit vn peu fascheux, si bien que non seulement ceste fois; -mais encore en tous les endroits que quelque fleuue ou quelque ruisseau -estoit vn peu trop esloigné de nostre cabane, il falloit boire de ceste -neige fonduë dans vne chaudiere, dont le cuiure estoit moins épais que -la saleté: qui voudra sçauoir l'amertume de ce breuuage qu'il le tire -d'vn vaisseau sortant de la fumée & qu'il en gouste. - - [199] After this famine, we had some good days. The snow, which had - been only too deep to be cold, but too shallow to take the Moose, - having greatly increased toward the end of January, our Hunters - captured some Moose, which they dried. Now either on account of my - lack of moderation, or because this meat, dried as hard as wood and - as dirty as the street, did not agree with my stomach, I fell sick - in the very beginning of February. So behold me obliged to remain - all the time lying upon the cold ground; this did not tend to cure - me of the severe cramps that tormented me and compelled me to go - out at all hours of the day and night, plunging me every time in - snow up to my knees and sometimes almost up to my waist, especially - when we had first begun our encampment in any one place. These - severe attacks lasted about eight or ten days, and were accompanied - by a pain in the stomach, and a weakness in the heart, which spread - through my whole body. I recovered from this sickness, but not - entirely, for I was [200] only dragging myself around at mid-Lent, - when I was again seized with this disease. I tell the following in - order to show how little help may be expected from the Savages when - a person is sick. Being very thirsty one day, I asked for a little - water; they said there was none, and that they would give me some - melted snow if I wanted it. As this drink was bad for my disease, I - made my host understand that I had seen a lake not far from there, - and that I would like very much to have some of that water. He - pretended not to hear, because the road was somewhat bad; and it - happened thus not only this time, but at any place where the river - or brook was a little distance from our cabin. We had to drink this - snow melted in a kettle whose copper was less thick than the dirt; - if any one wishes to know how bitter this drink is, let him take - some from a kettle just out of the smoke and taste it. - -Quant à la nourriture, ils partagent le malade comme les autres; s'ils -prennent de la chair fresche, ils luy en donnent sa part s'il en veut, -s'il ne la mange, [201] pour lors on ne se met pas en peine de luy -en garder vn petit morceau quand il voudra manger, on luy donnera de -ce qu'il y aura pour lors en la cabane, c'est à dire du boucan & non -pas du meilleur: car ils le reseruent pour les festins, si bien qu'vn -pauure malade est contraint bien souuent de manger parmy eux, ce qui -luy feroit horreur dans la santé mesme s'il estoit auec nos François. -Vne ame bien alterée de la soif du Fils de Dieu, ie veux dire des -souffrances, trouueroit icy dequoy se rassasier. - - As to the food, they divide with a sick man just as with the - others; if they have fresh meat they give him his share, if he - wants it, but if he does not eat it [201] then, no one will take - the trouble to keep a little piece for him to eat when he wants it; - they will give him some of what they happen to have at the time in - the cabin, namely, smoked meat, and nothing better, for they keep - the best for their feasts. So a poor invalid is often obliged to - eat among them what would horrify him even in good health if he - were with our Frenchmen. A soul very thirsty for the Son of God, I - mean for suffering, would find enough here to satisfy it. - -Il me reste encore à parler de leur conuersation, pour faire -entierement cognoistre ce qu'on peut souffrir auec ce peuple. Ie -m'estois mis en la compagnie de mon hoste & du Renegat, à condition -que nous n'hyuerneriõs point auec le Sorcier, que ie cognoissois pour -tres-meschant homme, ils m'auoient accordé ces conditions, mais ils -furent infidelles, ne gardans ny l'vne ny l'autre: ils m'engagerent -donc auec ce pretendu Magicien, comme ie diray cy apres; or ce -miserable homme, & la fumée m'ont esté les deux plus grands tourmens -[202] que i'aye enduré parmy ces Barbares: ny le froid, ny le chaud, -ny l'incommodité des chiens, ny coucher à l'air, ny dormir sur vn lict -de terre, ny la posture qu'il faut tousiours tenir dans leurs cabanes, -se ramassans en peloton, ou se couchans, ou s'asseans sans siege & -sans mattelas, ny la faim, ny la soif, ny la pauuerté & saleté de leur -boucan, ny la maladie, tout cela ne m'a semblé que ieu à comparaison de -la fumée & de la malice du Sorcier, auec lequel i'ay tousiours esté en -très mauuaise intelligence pour les raisons suiuantes. - - It remains for me yet to speak of their conversation, in order to - make it clearly understood what there is to suffer among these - people. I had gone in company with my host and the Renegade, on - condition that we should not pass the winter with the Sorcerer, - whom I knew as a very wicked man. They had granted my conditions, - but they were faithless, and kept not one of them, involving me in - trouble with this pretended Magician, as I shall relate hereafter. - Now this wretched man and the smoke were the two greatest trials - [202] that I endured among these Barbarians. The cold, heat, - annoyance of the dogs, sleeping in the open air and upon the bare - ground; the position I had to assume in their cabins, rolling - myself up in a ball or crouching down or sitting without a seat or - a cushion; hunger, thirst, the poverty and filth of their smoked - meats, sickness,--all these, things were merely play to me in - comparison to the smoke and the malice of the Sorcerer, with whom I - have always been on a very bad footing, for the following reasons:-- - -Premierement, pource que m'ayant inuité d'hyuerner auec luy, ie -l'auois éconduy, dequoy il se ressentoit fort, voyant que ie faisois -plus d'estat de mon hoste, son cadet, que de luy. - - First, because, when he invited me to winter with him, I refused; - and he resented this greatly, because he saw that I cared more for - my host, his younger brother, than I did for him. - -Secondement, pource que ie ne pouuois assouuir sa cõuoitise, ie n'auois -rien qu'il ne me demandast, il m'a fait fort souuent quitter mon -manteau de dessus mes espaules pour s'en couurir: or ne pouuant pas -satisfaire à toutes ses demandes, il me voyoit de mauuais oeil, voire -mesme quand ie luy eusse donné tout le peu que i'auois, ie n'eusse -peu gagner [203] son amitié: car nous auions bien d'autres sujets de -diuorce. - - Second, because I could not gratify his covetousness. I had nothing - that he did not ask me for, often taking my mantle off my shoulders - to put it on his own. Now as I could not satisfy all his demands, - he looked upon me with an evil eye; indeed, even if I had given him - all the little I had, I could not have gained [203] his friendship, - because we were at variance on other subjects. - -En trois[i]esme lieu, voyant qu'il faisoit du Prophete, amusant ce -peuple par mille sottises qu'il inuente à mon aduis tous les iours, -ie ne laissois perdre aucune occasion de le conuaincre de niaiserie -& puerilité, mettant au iour l'impertinence de ses superstitions: -or c'estoit luy arracher l'ame du corps par violence: car comme il -ne sçauroit plus chasser, il fait plus que iamais du Prophete & du -Magicien pour conseruer son credit, & pour auoir les bons morceaux, si -bien qu'esbranlant son authorité qui se va perdant tous les iours, ie -le touchois à la prunelle de l'œil, & luy rauissois les delices de son -Paradis, qui sont les plaisirs de la gueule. - - In the third place, seeing that he acted the Prophet, amusing these - people by a thousand absurdities, which he invented, in my opinion, - every day, I did not lose any opportunity of convincing him of - their nonsense and childishness, exposing the senselessness of his - superstitions. Now this was like tearing his soul out of his body; - for, as he could no longer hunt, he acted the Prophet and Magician - more than ever before, in order to preserve his credit, and to get - the dainty pieces. So that in shaking his authority, which was - diminishing daily, I was touching the apple of his eye and wresting - from him the delights of his Paradise, which are the pleasures of - his jaws. - -En quatriesme lieu, se voulant recrer à mes dépens, il me faisoit par -fois escrire en sa langue des choses sales, m'assurant qu'il n'y auoit -rien de mauuais, puis il me faisoit prononcer ces impudences, que ie -n'entendois pas deuant les Sauuages: quelques femmes m'ayans aduerty -de ceste malice, ie luy dis que ie ne salirois plus mon papier ny ma -[204] bouche, de ces vilaines paroles, il ne laissa pas de me commander -de lire en la presence de toute la cabane, & de quelques Sauuages qui -estoient suruenus, quelque chose qu'il m'auoit dicté, ie luy répondis -que l'Apostat m'en donnat l'interpretation, & puis que ie lirois, ce -Renegat refusant de le faire, ie refusay aussi de lire, le Sorcier me -le commande auec empire, c'est à dire auec de grosses paroles, ie le -prie au commencement auec grande douceur de m'en dispenser: mais comme -il ne vouloit pas estre éconduit deuant les Sauuages, il me presse fort -& me fait presser par mon hoste qui fit du fasché: enfin recognoissant -que mes excuses n'auoiẽt plus de lieu, ie luy parle d'vn accent fort -haut, & apres luy auoir reproché ses lubricitez, ie luy addresse ces -paroles: Me voicy en ton pouuoir, tu me peux massacrer, mais tu ne -sçaurois me contraindre de proferer des paroles impudiques: elles ne -sont pas telles, me dit-il, Pourquoy donc, luy dis-je, ne m'en veut-on -pas donner l'interpretation? il sortit de ceste meslée fort vlceré. - - In the fourth place, wishing to have sport at my expense, he - sometimes made me write vulgar things in his language, assuring - me there was nothing bad in them, then made me pronounce these - shameful words, which I did not understand, in the presence of the - Savages. Some women having warned me of this trick, I told him I - would no longer soil my paper nor my [204] lips with these vile - words. He insisted, however, that I should read before all those - of the cabin, and some Savages who had come thither, something he - had dictated to me. I answered him that, if the Apostate would - interpret them to me, I would read them. That Renegade refusing to - do this, I refused to read. The Sorcerer commanded me imperiously, - that is, with high words, and I at first begged him gently to - excuse me; but as he did not wish to be thwarted before the - Savages, he persisted in urging me, and had my host, who pretended - to be vexed, urge me also. At last, aware that my excuses were of - no avail, I spoke to him peremptorily, and, after reproaching him - for his lewdness, I addressed him in these words: "Thou hast me in - thy power, thou canst murder me, but thou canst not force me to - repeat indecent words." "They are not such," he said. "Why then," - said I, "will they not interpret them to me?" He emerged from this - conflict very much exasperated. - -En cinquiesme lieu, voyant que mon [205] hoste m'aymoit, il eut peur -que cet amour ne le priuast de quelque friand morceau, ie taschay de -luy oster ceste apprehension, témoignant publiquement que ie ne viuois -pas pour manger, mais que ie mangeois pour viure, & qu'il importoit -peu quoy qu'on me donnast, pourueu que i'en eusse assez pour ne point -mourir: il me repartit nettement, qu'il n'estoit pas de mon aduis, mais -qu'il faisoit profession d'estre friand, d'aymer les bons morceaux, & -qu'on l'obligeoit fort quand on luy en presentoit: or iaçoit que mon -hoste ne luy donnast aucun sujet de craindre en cet endroit, si est ce -qu'il m'attaquoit quasi en tous les repas, comme s'il eut eu peur de -perdre la preseance, ceste apprehension augmentoit sa haine. - - In the fifth place, seeing that my [205] host was greatly attached - to me, he was afraid that this friendliness might deprive him of - some choice morsel. I tried to relieve him of this apprehension - by stating publicly that I did not live to eat, but that I ate to - live; and that it mattered little what they gave me, provided it - was enough to keep me alive. He retorted sharply that he was not of - my opinion, but that he made a profession of being dainty; that he - was fond of the good pieces, and was very much obliged when people - gave them to him. Now although my host gave him no cause for fear - in this direction, yet he attacked me at almost every meal as if he - were afraid of losing his precedence. This apprehension increased - his hatred. - -En sixiesme lieu, comme il voyoit que les Sauuages des autres cabanes -me portoient quelque respect, cognoissant d'ailleurs que i'estois grand -ennemy de ses impostures, & que si i'entrois dans l'esprit de ses -oüailles, que ie le perdrois de fond en comble, il faisoit son possible -pour me détruire, & pour me rendre ridicule en la creance de son peuple. - - In the sixth place, when he saw that the Savages of the other - cabins showed me some respect, knowing besides that I was a great - enemy of his impostures, and that, if I gained influence among his - flock, I would ruin him completely, he did all he could to destroy - me and to make me appear ridiculous in the eyes of his people. - -[206] En septiesme lieu, adioustez à tout cecy l'auersion que luy & -tous les Sauuages de Tadoussac ont eu iusques icy des François depuis -le commerce des Anglois, & coniecturez quel traictement ie peux auoir -receu de ces Barbares, qui adorent ce miserable Sorcier, contre lequel -le plus souuent i'auois guerre declarée. I'ay creu cent fois que ie ne -sortirois iamais de ceste meslée que par les portes de la mort. Il m'a -traité fort indignement, il est vray, mais ie m'estonne qu'il n'a pis -fait, veu qu'il est idolatre de ces superstitiõs, que ie combattois -de toutes mes forces. De raconter par le menu toutes ses attaques, -ses risées, ses gausseries, ses mépris, ie ferois vn Liure pour vn -Chapitre, suffit de dire qu'il s'attaquoit mesme par fois à Dieu pour -me déplaire, & qu'il s'efforçoit de me rendre la risée des petits & -des grands, me décriant dans les autres cabanes aussi bien que dans la -nostre, il n'eut neantmoins iamais le credit d'animer contre moy les -Sauuages nos voisins, ils baissoient la teste quand ils entendoient -les benedictiõs qu'il me donnoit. Pour les domestiques incitez par -[207] son exemple, & appuyez de son authorité, ils me chargeoient -incessamment de mille brocards, & de mille injures, ie me suis veu en -tel estat, que pour ne les aigrir, ou ne leur donner occasion de se -fascher, ie passois les iours entiers sans ouurir la bouche. Croyez -moy si ie n'ay rapporté autre fruict des Sauuages, i'ay pour le moins -appris beaucoup d'injures en leur langue, ils me disoient à tout -bout de champ _eca titou, eca titou nama_ k_hitirinisin_, tais toy, -tais toy, tu n'as point d'esprit. _Achineou_, il est orgueilleux, -_Moucachtechiou_, il fait du compagnon, _sasegau_ il est superbe, -_cou attimou_ il ressemble à vn Chien, _cou mascoua_ il ressemble à -vn Ours, _cou ouabouchou ouichtoui_ il est barbu comme vn Lieure, -_attimonai ou_k_himau_ il est Capitaine des Chiens, _cou oucousimas -ouchtigonan_ il a la teste faite comme vn citroüille, _matchiriniou_ -il est difforme, il est laid, k_hichcouebeon_ il est yure; voila les -couleurs dont ils me peignoient, & de quantité d'autres que i'obmets: -le bon est qu'ils ne pensoient pas quelquesfois que ie les entendisse, -& me voyans sous-rire ils demeuroient confus, du moins ceux qui ne -chantoiẽt [208] ces airs que pour complaire au Sorcier: les enfans -m'estoient fort importuns me faisans mille niches, m'imposans silence -quand ie voulois parler. Quand mon hoste estoit au logis i'auois -quelque relache, & quand le Sorcier s'absentoit i'estois dans la bonace -maniant les grands & les petits quasi comme ie voulois. Voila vne bonne -partie des choses qu'on doit souffrir parmy ces peuples: cecy ne doit -épouuenter personne, les bons soldats s'animent à la veuë de leur sang -& de leurs playes, Dieu est plus grand que nostre cœur, on ne tombe pas -tousiours dans la famine, on ne rencontre pas tousiours des Sorciers, -ou des iongleurs de l'humeur de celuy-cy: en vn mot si nous pouuions -sçauoir la langue & la reduire en preceptes il ne seroit plus de besoin -de suiure ces Barbares. Pour les nations stables, d'où nous attendons -le plus grand fruict, nous pouuons auoir nostre cabane à part, & par -consequent nous deliurer d'vne partie de ces grandes incommoditez: mais -finissons ce Chapitre, autrement ie me voy en danger d'estre aussi -importun que cet imposteur [209] que ie recommande aux prieres de -tous ceux qui liront cecy, ie coucheray au Chapitre suiuant quelques -entretiens que i'ay eu auec luy, lors que nous estions dans quelque -tréue. - - [206] In the seventh place, add to all these things the aversion - which he and all the Savages of Tadoussac had, up to the present - time, against the French, since their intercourse with the - English; and judge what treatment I might have received from these - Barbarians, who adore this miserable Sorcerer, against whom I was - generally in a state of open warfare. I thought a hundred times - that I should only emerge from this conflict through the gates of - death. He treated me shamefully, it is true; but I am astonished - that he did not act worse, seeing that he is an idolater of those - superstitions which I was fighting with all my might. To relate - in detail all his attacks, gibes, sneers, and contempt, I would - write a Book instead of a Chapter. Suffice it to say, that he - sometimes even attacked God to displease me; and that he tried - to make me the laughingstock of small and great, abusing me in - the other cabins as well as in ours. He never had, however, the - satisfaction of inciting our neighboring Savages against me; they - merely hung their heads when they heard the blessings he showered - upon me. As to the servants, instigated by [207] his example, - and supported by his authority, they continually heaped upon me - a thousand taunts and a thousand insults; and I was reduced to - such a state, that, in order not to irritate them or give them - any occasion to get angry, I passed whole days without opening my - mouth. Believe me, if I have brought back no other fruits from the - Savages, I have at least learned many of the insulting words of - their language. They were saying to me at every turn, _eca titou, - eca titou nama khitirinisin_, "Shut up, shut up, thou hast no - sense." _Achineou_, "He is proud;" _Moucachtechiou_, "He plays the - parasite;" _sasegau_, "He is haughty;" _cou attimou_, "He looks - like a Dog;" _cou mascoua_, "He looks like a Bear;" _cou ouabouchou - ouichtoui_, "He is bearded like a Hare;" _attimonai oukhimau_, "He - is Captain of the Dogs;" _cou oucousimas ouchtigonan_, "He has a - head like a pumpkin;" _matchiriniou_, "He is deformed, he is ugly;" - _khichcouebeon_, "He is drunk." So these are the colors in which - they paint me, and a multitude of others, which I omit. The best - part of it was that they did not think sometimes that I understood - them; and, seeing me smile, they became embarrassed,--at least, - those who sang [208] these songs only to please the Sorcerer. The - children were very troublesome, playing numberless tricks upon me, - and imposing silence when I wanted to talk. When my host was at - home, I had some rest; and, when the Sorcerer was absent, I was in - smooth water, managing both great and small just as I wished. So - these are some of the things that have to be endured among these - people. This must not frighten any one; good soldiers are animated - with courage at the sight of their blood and their wounds, and God - is greater than our hearts. One does not always encounter a famine; - one does not always meet Sorcerers or jugglers with so bad a temper - as that one had; in a word, if we could understand the language, - and reduce it to rules, there would be no more need of following - these Barbarians. As to the stationary tribes, from which we expect - the greatest fruit, we can have our cabins apart, and consequently - be freed from many of these great inconveniences. But let us finish - this Chapter; otherwise I see myself in danger of becoming as - troublesome as that impostor, [209] whom I commend to the prayers - of all those who will read this. I shall set down in the following - Chapter some conversations I had with him when we were enjoying a - truce. - - - - -CHAPITRE XIII. - -CONTENANT VN IOURNAL DES CHOSES QUI N'ONT PEU ESTRE COUCHÉES SOUS LES -CHAPITRES PRECEDENS. - - -SI ce Chapitre estoit le premier dans ceste relation, il donneroit -quelque lumiere à tous les suiuans: mais ie luy ay donné le dernier -rang, pource qu'il se grossira tous les iours iusques au depart des -vaisseaux, par le rencontre des choses plus remarquables qui pourront -arriuer, n'estant qu'vn memoire en forme de Iournal, de tout ce qui n'a -peu estre logé dans les Chapitres precedens. - - CHAPTER XIII. - - CONTAINING A JOURNAL OF THINGS WHICH COULD NOT BE SET FORTH IN THE - PRECEDING CHAPTERS. - - - IF this Chapter were the first in this relation, it would throw - some light upon all the following ones; but I have given it - the last place, because it will continue to increase every day - until the departure of the ships, through the occurrence of more - noteworthy events which may happen. It is only a memoir, in the - form of a Journal, of all the things that could not be given in the - preceding Chapters. - -Apres le depart de nos François qui sortirent de la rade de Kebec, le -16. d'Aoust de l'an passé 1633. pour tirer à Tadoussac, & de là en -France, cherchant [210] l'occasion de conuerser auec les sauuages, -pour apprendre leur langue; ie me transportay delà le grand fleuue de -sainct Laurens dans vne cabane de fueillages, & allois tous les iours à -l'escole dans celles des sauuages, qui nous enuironnoient, alleché par -l'esperance que i'auois, sinon de reduire le Renegat à son deuoir, du -moins de tirer de luy quelque cognoissance de sa langue: ce miserable -estoit nouuellement arriué de Tadoussac, où il s'estoit mõstré fort -contraire aux François, la faim qui pressoit l'Apostat & ses freres, -les fit monter à Kebec pour trouuer dequoy viure: estãs donc occupez à -leur pesche, i'estois fort souuent en leur cabane, inuitant par fois -le Renegat de venir vne autre fois hyuerner auec nous dans nostre -maisonnette, il s'y fust aysément accordé n'estoit qu'il auoit pris -femme d'vne autre nation que la sienne, & qu'il ne la pouuoit pas -renuoyer pour lors: voyant donc qu'il ne me pouuoit pas suiure, ie -luy iettay quelque propos de passer l'hyuer auec luy, mais sur ces -entrefaictes vne furieuse tempeste nous ayant battu en ruine certaine -nuict, le [211] Pere de Noüe, deux de nos hommes, & moy, dans nostre -cabane, ie fus saisy d'vne grosse fiéure, qui me fit chercher nostre -petite maisonnette pour y trouuer la santé. - - After the departure of our French,--who left the roadstead of Kebec - on the 16th of August of last year, 1633, to sail for Tadoussac and - thence to France,--in order to have [210] opportunity of conversing - with the savages, and thus learning their language, I crossed the - great saint Lawrence river to a cabin of branches, and went every - day to school in those of the savages, who were encamped around - me,--allured by my hopes, if not of bringing the Renegade to a - sense of his duty, at least of drawing from him some knowledge of - the language. This poor wretch had newly arrived from Tadoussac, - where he had shown great repugnance to the French. The famine which - afflicted this Apostate and his brothers caused them to come up to - Kebec in search of food. Now, as they were occupied in fishing, - I was very often in their cabin, and occasionally invited the - Renegade to come again and pass the winter with us in our little - house. He would very readily have agreed to this, had he not taken - a wife from another nation than his own, and he could not send her - away then. Therefore, seeing that he could not follow me, I threw - out some hints about passing the winter with him; but during these - negotiations, a furious tempest having one night swept down upon - us, [211] Father de Noüe, two of our men, and myself, in our cabin, - I was seized with a violent fever, which made me go back to our - little home to recover my health. - -L'Apostat ayant veu mon inclination traicta de mon dessein auec ses -freres, il en auoit trois, l'vn nommé Carigonan, & surnommé des -François l'Espousée, pource qu'il fait le grand comme vne espousée, -c'est le plus fameux sorcier, ou _manitousiou_, (c'est ainsi qu'ils -appellent ces iongleurs) de tout le pays, c'est celuy dont i'ay fort -parlé cy-dessus: l'autre se nómme Mestigoït, ieune homme âgé de quelque -trente-cinq ou quarante ans, braue Chasseur, & d'vn bon naturel: le -troisiesme se nommoit Sasousinat, c'est le plus heureux de tous: car -il est maintenant au Ciel, estãt mort bon Chrestien, comme ie l'ay -fait voir au Chapitre second. Le sorcier ayant appris du Renegat que -ie voulois hyuerner auec les Sauuages, me vint voir sur la fin de ma -maladie, & m'inuita de prendre sa cabane, me donnant pour raison qu'il -aymoit les bons, pource qu'il estoit bon, qu'il auoit [212] tousiours -esté bon dés sa tendre ieunesse: il me demanda si Iesus ne m'auoit -parlé de la maladie qui le trauailloit: viens, me disoit-il, auec -moy, & tu me feras viure maintenant: ie suis en danger de mourir: or -comme ie le cognoissois comme vn homme tres-impudent, ie l'éconduy -le plus doucement qu'il me fut possible, & tirant à part l'Apostat, -qui taschoit de m'auoir de son costé, ayant tesmoigné au Pere de -Noüe quelque desir de retourner à Dieu, ie luy dy que i'hyuernerois -volontiers auec luy, & auec son frere Mestigoït, à condition que nous -n'irions point de la le grand fleuue, que le sorcier ne seroit point -en nostre compagnie, & que luy qui entend bien la langue Françoise -m'enseigneroit: ils m'accorderent tous deux ces trois conditions, mais -ils n'en tindrent pas vne. - - The Apostate, seeing how I was inclined, discussed my plan with - his brothers. There were three of them; one named Carigonan, and - surnamed by the French the Married Man, because he made a great - deal of the fact that he was married. He was the most famous - sorcerer, or _manitousiou_, (thus they call these jugglers) of all - the country; it is he of whom I have spoken above. The other was - called Mestigoït, a young man about thirty-five or forty years - of age, a brave Hunter, and endowed with a good disposition. The - third was called Sasousinat, who is the happiest of all, for he is - now in Heaven, having died a good Christian, as I stated in the - second Chapter. The sorcerer, having learned from the Renegade - that I wished to pass the winter with the Savages, came to see - me toward the end of my sickness, and invited me to share his - cabin,--giving me as his reason that he loved good men, because - he himself was good, and had [212] always been so from his early - youth. He asked me if Jesus had not spoken to me about the disease - which tormented him. "Come," said he, "with me, and thou wilt make - me live now, for I am in danger of dying." But as I knew him for - a very impudent fellow, I refused him as gently as I could; and, - taking the Apostate aside, who also wished to have me, as he had - shown to Father de Noüe that he had some desire to return to God, - I told him that I would be glad to winter with him and with his - brother Mestigoït, on condition that we should not go across the - great river, that the sorcerer should not be of our party, and that - he, who understood the French language well, would teach me. They - both agreed to these three conditions, but they did not fulfill one - of them. - -Le iour du départ estant pris, ie leur donnay pour mon viure vne -barrique de galette, que nous empruntasmes au magazin de ces Messieurs, -vn sac de farine, & des espics de bled d'Inde, quelques pruneaux, -& quelques naueaux, [213] ils me presserent fort de porter vn peu -de vin, mais ie n'y voulois point entendre, craignant qu'ils ne -s'enyurassent: toutesfois m'ayans promis qu'ils n'y toucheroient point -sans ma permission, & les ayant asseuré qu'au cas qu'ils le fissent, -que ie le ietterois dans la mer, ie suiuy l'inclination de ceux qui -me conseillerent d'en porter vn petit barillet; ie promis en outre à -Mestigoït que ie le prenois pour mon hoste: car l'Apostat n'est pas -Chasseur, & n'a aucune conduite, que ie luy ferois quelque present au -retour, comme i'ay fait: c'est l'attente de ces viures qui leur fait -desirer d'auoir vn François auec eux. - - On the day of our departure I gave them, for my support, a barrel - of sea biscuit, which we borrowed from the storehouse of those - Gentlemen, a sack of flour, some ears of Indian corn, some prunes, - and some parsnips. [213] They urged me very strongly to take a - little wine, but I did not wish to yield to them, fearing they - would get drunk. However, having promised me they would not touch - it without my permission, and having assured them that, if they - did, I would throw it into the sea, I followed the advice of those - who counseled me to carry a little barrel of it. Also I promised - Mestigoït that I would take him for my host, for the Apostate is - not a Hunter, and has no management; but I promised to make him a - present upon our return, which I did. It was the expectation of - this food which made them wish to have a Frenchman with them. - -Ie m'embarquay donc en leur chalouppe, iustement le 18. d'Octobre, -faisant profession de petit écolier à mesme iour que i'auois autrefois -fait profession de maistre de nos écoles, estãt allé prendre congé de -Monsieur nostre Gouuerneur, il me recommãda tres-particulieremẽt aux -Sauuages, mon hoste luy repartit, si le Pere meurt ie mourray auec -luy, & iamais plus on ne me reuerra en ce pays icy, nos Frãçois me -tesmoignoient [214] tout plein de regret de mon depart, veu les dangers -esquels on s'engage en la fuitte de ces Barbares. Les Adieu faits de -part & d'autre, nous fismes voile enuiron les dix heures du matin, -i'estois seul de François auec vingt Sauuages, comptant les hommes, les -femmes, & les enfans, le vent & la marée nous fauorisans, nous allasmes -descendre au delà de l'Isle d'Orleans dans vne autre Isle nommée des -Sauuages _Ca ouahascoumaga_k_he_, ie ne sçay si la beauté du iour se -respandoit dessus ceste Isle, mais ie la trouuay fort agreable. - - So I embarked in their shallop on the 18th of October precisely, - making profession as a little pupil on the same day that I had - previously begun the profession of master of our schools. When I - went to take leave of Monsieur our Governor, he recommended me - very particularly to the Savages; and my host answered him, "If - the Father dies, I will die with him, and you will never see me - in this country again." Our French people showed [214] the most - profound regret at my departure, knowing the dangers that one - encounters in following these Barbarians. When all our Farewells - were said, we set sail about ten o'clock in the morning. I was the - only Frenchman, with twenty Savages, counting the men, women and - children. The wind and tide were favorable, and we turned to go - down past the Island of Orleans to another Island called by the - Savages _Ca ouahascoumagakhe_; I know not whether it was the beauty - of the day which spread over this Island, but I found it very - pleasant. - -Si tost que nous eusmes mis pied à terre, mon hoste prend vne -harquebuse qu'il a acheté des Anglois, & s'en va chercher nostre -souper: cependant les femmes se mettent à bastir la maison où nous -deuions loger. Or l'Apostat s'estãt pris garde que tout le monde estoit -occupé, s'en retourna à la chalouppe qui estoit à l'anchre, prit le -petit barillet de vin & en beut auec tel excez, que s'estãt enyuré -comme vne souppe, il tomba dedans l'eau, & se pensa noyer: enfin il -en sortit apres auoir bien barbotté, il s'en vint vers le lieu où on -dressoit la cabane, [215] criant & hurlant comme vn demoniaque, il -arrache les perches, frappe sur les écorces de la cabane, pour tout -briser: les femmes le voyant dans ces fougues s'enfuyent dans le bois, -qui deçà qui delà, mon Sauuage que ie nomme ordinairemẽt mon hoste, -faisoit boüillir dans vn chauderon quelques oyseaux qu'il auoit tuez: -cet yurogne suruenãt rompt la cramaillere, & renuerse tout dans les -cendres: à tout cela pas vn ne fait mine d'estre fasché, aussi est -ce folie de se battre contre vn fol, mon hoste ramasse ses petits -oyseaux, les va luy-mesme lauer à la riuiere, puise de l'eau, & remet -la chaudiere sur le feu, les femmes voyant que cét homme enragé couroit -ça & là sur le bord de l'Isle, écumant comme vn possedé, viennent viste -prendre leurs écorces, & les emportent en vn lieu écarté, de peur qu'il -ne les mette en pieces comme il auoit commencé: à peine eurent-elles -le loysir de les rouler qu'il parut aupres d'elles tout forcené, -& ne sçachant sur qui descharger sa fureur: car elles disparurent -incontinent à la faueur de la nuict qui commençoit à nous cacher, il -s'en vint [216] par le feu qui se descouuroit par sa clarté, & voulant -mettre la main sur la chaudiere pour la renuerser vne autre fois, mon -hoste son frere, plus habile que luy, la prit & luy ietta au nez toute -boüillante comme elle estoit, ie vous laisse à penser quelle contenance -tenoit ce pauure homme, se voyant pris à la chaude, iamais il ne fut si -bien laué, il changea de peau en la face, & en tout l'estomach, pleust -à Dieu que son ame eust changé aussi bien que son corps: il redouble -ses hurlemens, arrache le reste des perches, qui estoient encor debout: -mon hoste m'a dit depuis qu'il demandoit vne hache pour me tuer, ie ne -sçay s'il la demanda en effect, car ie n'entendois pas son langage, -mais ie sçay bien que me presentant à luy pour l'arrester il me dit, -parlant François, Retirez-vous, ce n'est pas à vous à qui i'en veux, -laissez-moy faire, puis me tirant par la sotane, Allons, disoit-il, -embarquons-nous dans un canot, retournons en vostre maison, vous ne -cognoissez pas ces gens cy, ce qu'ils en font, c'est pour le ventre, -ils ne se soucient pas de vous, mais de vos viures, [217] à cela ie -répondois tout bas à part moy, _in vino veritas_. - - As soon as we had set foot on land, my host took an arquebus he - had bought from the English, and went in search of our supper. - Meanwhile the women began to build the house where we were to - lodge. Now the Apostate, having observed that every one was busy, - returned to the boat that was lying at anchor, took the keg of - wine, and drank from it with such excess, that, being drunk as a - lord, he fell into the water and was nearly drowned. Finally he - got out, after considerable scrambling, and started for the place - where they were putting up the cabin. [215] Screaming and howling - like a demon, he snatched away the poles and beat upon the bark of - the cabin, to break everything to pieces. The women, seeing him in - this frenzy, fled to the woods, some here, some there. My Savage, - whom I usually call my host, was boiling in a kettle some birds - he had killed, when this drunken fellow, coming upon the scene, - broke the crane and upset everything into the ashes. No one seemed - to get angry at all this, but then it is foolish to fight with a - madman. My host gathered up his little birds and went to wash them - in the river, drew some water and placed the kettle over the fire - again. The women, seeing that this madman was running hither and - thither on the shores of the Island, foaming like one possessed, - ran quickly to get their bark and take it to a place of security, - lest he should tear it to pieces, as he had begun to do. They - had scarcely had time to roll it up, when he appeared near them - completely infuriated, and not knowing upon what to vent his fury, - for they had suddenly disappeared, thanks to the darkness which had - begun to conceal us. He approached [216] the fire, which could be - seen on account of its bright light, and was about to take hold of - the kettle to overturn it again; when my host, his brother, quicker - than he, seized it and threw the water into his face, boiling as - it was. I leave you to imagine how this poor man looked, finding - himself thus deluged with hot water. He was never so well washed. - The skin of his face and whole chest changed. Would to God that his - soul had changed as well as his body. He redoubled his howls, and - began to pull up the poles which were still standing. My host has - told me since that he asked for an ax, with which to kill me; I do - not know whether he really asked for one, as I did not understand - his language; but I know very well that, when I went up to him and - tried to stop him, he said to me in French, "Go away, it is not you - I am after; let me alone;" then pulling my gown, "Come," said he, - "let us embark in a canoe, let us return to your house; you do not - know these people here; all they do is for the belly, they do not - care for you, but for your food." [217] To this I answered in an - undertone and to myself, _in vino veritas_. - -La nuict s'auançant bien fort ie me retiray dedans le bois pour fuir -l'importunité de cet yurongne, & pour prendre quelque repos; comme -ie faisois mes prieres aupres d'vn arbre, la femme qui faisoit le -ménage de mon hoste me vint trouuer, & ramassant quelques feüilles -d'arbres tombées, me dit; couche toy là, & ne fais point de bruit, -puis m'ayant ietté vne écorce pour me couurir, elle se retira: voila -donc mon premier giste à l'enseigne de la Lune qui me découuroit de -tous costez, me voila passé Cheualier dés le premier iour de mon -entrée en ceste Academie, la pluye suruenant vn peu auant minuict, me -donna quelque apprehension d'estre moüillé, mais elle ne dura pas long -temps: le lendemain matin ie trouuay que mon lict, quoy qu'on ne l'eut -point remué depuis la creation du monde, n'estoit point si dure qu'il -m'empeschat de dormir. - - As the night was coming on rapidly, I retired into the woods, to - escape being annoyed by this drunkard, and to get a little rest. - While I was saying my prayers near a tree, the woman who managed - the household of my host came to see me; and, gathering together - some leaves of fallen trees, said to me, "Lie down there and make - no noise," then, having thrown me a piece of bark as a cover, she - went away. So this was my first resting place at the sign of the - Moon, which shone upon me from all sides. Behold me an accomplished - Chevalier, after the first day of my entrance into this Academy. - The rain coming on, a little before midnight, made me fear that I - might get wet, but it did not last long. The next morning I found - that my bed, although it had not been made up since the creation of - the world, was not so hard as to keep me from sleeping. - -Le iour suiuant ie voulu ietter le barillet & le reste du vin dans la -riuiere, comme ie leurs auois dit que ie ferois, [218] au cas qu'on en -abusast, mon hoste me saisissant par le milieu du corps, s'écria _eca -toute, eca toute_, ne fais pas cela, ne fais pas cela, ne vois tu pas -que _Petrichtich_ (c'est ainsi qu'ils nomment le Renegat par derision) -n'a point d'esprit, que c'est vn chien, ie te promets qu'on ne touchera -plus au barillet que tu ne sois present: ie m'arrestay auec resolution -d'en faire largesse, afin de me deliurer de la crainte qu'vn peu de vin -ne nous fit boire beaucoup d'eau: car s'ils se fussent enyurez pendant -que nous faisions voile, c'estoit pour nous perdre. - - The next day I wanted to throw the barrel, with what was left of - the wine, into the river, as I had told them I would do, [218] in - case any one abused it; but my host, seizing me around the waist, - cried out, _eca toute, eca toute_, "Do not do that, do not do - that. Dost thou not see that _Petrichtich_" (it is thus they call - the Renegade in derision) "does not know anything, that he is a - dog? I promise thee that we will never touch the barrel unless - thou art present." I yielded, and made up my mind to distribute it - liberally, in order to free myself of the fear that a little wine - might make us drink a great deal of water; for, if they were to get - drunk while we were sailing, we would be lost. - -Nous voulions sortir le matin de ceste Isle; mais la marée se retirant, -plustost que nous ne pensions, nostre Chalouppe s'échoüa: si bien qu'il -fallut attendre la marée du soir, en laquelle nous nous embarquasmes, & -voguans à la faueur de la Lune aussi bien que du vent, nous abordasmes -vne autre Isle nommée _Ca ouapascounagate_. Comme nous arriuasmes sur -la minuict, nos gens ne prirent pas la peine de nous bastir vne maison, -si bien que nous couchasmes au mesme lict, & logeasmes à la mesme -enseigne que la nuict precedente, [219] abriez des arbres & du ciel. - - We intended leaving this Island in the morning; but the tide fell - sooner than we expected, and stranded our Boat. Hence we had to - wait for the evening tide, upon which we embarked, and sailed away - by the aid of the Moon as well as of the wind. We reached another - Island, called _Ca ouapascounagate_. As we arrived about midnight, - our people did not take the trouble to make a house; and we slept - in the same bed and lodged at the same sign as the night before, - [219] under the shelter of the trees and sky. - -Le lendemain nous quittasmes ceste Isle pour entrer dans vne autre -appellée _Ca chibariouachcate_, nous la pourrions nommer l'Isle aux -Oyes blanches, car i'y en vis plus de mille en vne bande. - - The next day we left this Island to go to another one, called _Ca - chibariouachcate_; we might have called it the Island of the white - Geese, for I saw there more than a thousand of them in one flock. - -Le iour d'apres nous la voulions quitter, mais nous fusmes contraints -pour le mauuais temps de relascher au bout de ceste mesme Isle, elle -est deserte comme tout le pays, c'est à dire qu'elle n'a des habitans -qu'en passant, ce peuple n'ayant point de demeure assurée: elle est -bordée de rochers si gros, si hauts, & si entrecouppez & peuplée -neantmoins de Cedres & de Pins si proprement, qu'vn Peintre tiendroit -à faueur d'en auoir la veüe pour tirer l'idée d'vn desert affreux pour -ses precipices, & tres agreable pour la varieté de quantité d'arbres -qu'on diroit auoir esté plantez par la main de l'art plustost que de la -Nature. Comme elle est entre-taillée de bayes pleines de vases, il s'y -retire si grande quantité de gibier & de plusieurs especes que ie n'ay -point veu en France, qu'il le faut quasi voir pour le croire. - - The following day we tried to leave, but the bad weather compelled - us to land again at the end of this same Island. It is a solitude, - like all the country; that is, it has only temporary inhabitants, - for these people have no fixed habitation. It is bordered by rocks - so massive, so high, and so craggy, and is withal covered so - picturesquely with Cedars and Pines, that a Painter would consider - himself favored to view it, in order to derive therefrom an idea - of a desert frightful in its precipices and very pleasing in the - variety and number of its trees, which one might say had been - planted by the hand of art rather than of Nature. As it is indented - by bays full of mud, there hides here such a quantity and variety - of game, some of which I have never seen in France, that it must be - seen in order to be believed. - -[220] Sortans de ceste Isle au gibier nous nauigeasmes tout le -iour & vinsmes descendre sur la nuict dans vne petite Islette -nommé _Atisaoucanich etagoukhi_, c'est à dire lieu où se trouue la -teinture, ie me doute que nos gens luy donnerent ce nom, pource qu'ils -y trouuerent de petites racines rouges, dont ils se seruent pour -teindre leurs _Matachias_. I'appellerois volontiers ce lieu l'Islette -mal-heureuse: car nous y souffrismes beaucoup huict iours durant que -les tempestes nous y retindrent prisonniers. Il estoit nuict quand -nous l'abordasmes, la pluye & les vents nous attaquoient, & ce pendant -à peine peut on trouuer cinq ou six perches pour seruir de poultres -à nostre bastiment, qui fut si petit, si estroit, & si decouuert, & -par vn temps si fascheux, voulant euiter vne incommodité on tomboit -dans deux autres, il se falloit racourcir, ou se rouler en herisson, -sur peine de se brusler la moitié du corps pour nostre souper, & pour -nostre disner tout ensemble: car nous n'auions point mangé depuis le -matin, mon hoste fit ietter à chacun vn morceau de la galette que ie -luy auois [221] donnée, m'aduertissant que nous mangerions sans boire, -car l'eau de ce grand fleuue commence en ce lieu d'estre salée, le -lendemain nous recueillismes de l'eau de pluye, tombée dans des roches -fort sales, & la beusmes auec autant de plaisir qu'on boit le vin d'Aï -en France. - - [220] Leaving this Island of game, we sailed all day and toward - nightfall landed at a small Island, called _Atisaoucanich - etagoukhi_, that is, place where dyes are found; I am inclined to - think that our people gave it that name, for they found there some - little red roots which they use in dyeing their _Matachias_.[1] - I would like to call it the Isle of misfortune; for we suffered - a great deal there during the eight days that the storms held us - prisoners. It was night when we disembarked; the rain and wind - attacked us, and in the meantime we could scarcely find five or - six poles to serve as beams for our house,--which was so small, so - narrow, and so exposed for such weather as this, that in trying to - avoid one discomfort we fell into two others. We had to shorten - ourselves, or roll up like hedgehogs, lest we scorch the half of - our bodies. For our supper, and dinner as well, because we had - eaten nothing since morning, my host threw to each one a piece of - the biscuit I had [221] given him, informing me that we were not - to drink anything with our food, as the water of this great river - began to be salty in this place. The next day we collected some - rainwater, which had fallen into dirty rocks, and drank it with as - much enjoyment as they drink the wine of Aï in France. - -Ils auoient laissé nostre Chaloupe à l'anchre dans un grand courant de -marée, ie les aduerty qu'elle n'estoit pas bien, & qu'il la falloit -mettre à l'abry derriere l'Islette; mais comme nous n'attendions qu'vn -bon vent pour partir, ils n'en tindrent conte. La nuict la tempeste -redoublant, on eust dit que les vents deuoient deraciner nostre Islete, -mon hoste se doutant de ce qui arriua éueille l'Apostat, & le presse -de le venir ayder à sauuer nostre Chaloupe, qui s'alloit perdre: or -soit que ce miserable fust paresseux, ou qu'il eust peur des ondes, -iamais il ne se voulut leuer, donnant pour tout réponse, qu'il estoit -las: dans ce retardement les vents rompent l'amare, ou la corde de -l'anchre, & en vn instant font disparoistre nostre Chaloupe, mon hoste -voyant ce beau [222] ménage, me vint dire _Nicanis_, mon bien-aymé, -la Chalouppe est perduë, les vents qui l'ont enleuée la briseront -contre les roches qui nous enuironnent de tous costez. Qui n'eust -entré en verue contre ce Renegat, dont la negligence nous iettoit dans -des peines inexplicables, veu qu'il y auoit quantité de paquets dans -nostre bagage, & beaucoup d'enfans à porter. Mon hoste cependant, tout -barbare & tout sauuage qu'il est, ne se troubla point à cet accident, -ains craignant que cela ne m'attristast, il me dit, _Nicanis_, mon -bien-aymé, n'es-tu point fasché de ceste perte, qui nous causera de -grands trauaux? ie n'en suis pas bien ayse, luy repartis-ie, ne t'en -attriste point, me fit-il: car la fascherie ameine la tristesse, & la -tristesse ameine la maladie, _Petrichtich_ n'a point d'esprit, s'il -m'eust voulu secourir ce malheur ne fust point suruenu, voyla tous les -reproches qu'on luy fit. Veritablement cela me confond, que l'interest -de la fanté arreste la cholere, & la fascherie d'vn Barbare, & que -la loy de Dieu, que son bon plaisir, que l'espoir de ses grandes -recompenses, que la crainte de ses [223] chastimens, que nostre propre -paix & consolation ne puisse seruir de bride à l'impatience & à la -cholere d'vn Chrestien. - - They had left our Shallop at anchor in a strong tidal current. I - told them it was not safe, and that it ought to be placed under - shelter behind the Island; but, as we were only waiting for a - good breeze in order to depart, they did not heed me. During the - night the tempest increased, so that it seemed as if the winds - were uprooting our Island. Our host, foreseeing what might occur, - roused the Apostate, and urged him to come and help him save our - Shallop, which threatened to go to pieces. Now either this wretch - was lazy, or he was afraid of the billows; for he did not even try - to get up, giving as his only reason that he was tired. During this - delay, the wind broke the fastening, or cable of the anchor, and - in an instant carried away our Shallop. My host, seeing this fine - [222] management, came and said to me, "_Nicanis_, my well-beloved, - the Shallop is lost; the winds, which have loosened it, will break - it to pieces against the rocks which surround us on all sides." - Who would not have been vexed at that Renegade, whose negligence - caused us untold trials, considering that we had a number of - packages among our baggage, and several children to carry? Yet my - host, barbarian and savage that he is, was not at all troubled at - this accident; but, fearing it might discourage me, he said to me, - "_Nicanis_, my well-beloved, art thou not angry at this loss, which - will cause us so many difficulties?" "I am not very happy over it," - I answered. "Do not be cast down," he replied, "for anger brings - on sadness, and sadness brings sickness. _Petrichtich_ does not - know anything; if he had tried to help me, this misfortune would - not have happened." And these were all the reproaches he made. - Truly, it humiliates me that considerations of health should check - the anger and vexation of a Barbarian; and that the law of God, - his good pleasure, the hope of his great rewards, the fear of his - [223] chastisements, our own peace and comfort, cannot check the - impatience and anger of a Christian. - -Au malheur susdit en suruint vn autre, nous auions outre la Chaloupe -vn petit Canot d'écorce, la marée se grossissant plus qu'à l'ordinaire -par le souffle des vents nous le déroba, nous voila prisonniers -plus que iamais, ie ne vis ny larmes ny plaintes, non pas mesme -parmy les femmes, sur le dos desquelles ce desastre tomboit plus -particulierement, à raison qu'elles sont comme les bestes de voiture, -portant ordinairement le bagage des Sauuages, au contraire tout le -monde se mit à rire. - - The above misfortune was soon followed by another. In addition - to the Shallop, we had a little bark Canoe, and the tide, rising - higher than usual through the force of the wind, robbed us of - that; and there we were, more than ever prisoners. I neither saw - tears nor heard complaints, not even among the women, upon whose - shoulders this disaster fell more particularly, as they are like - beasts of burden, usually carrying the baggage of the Savages; on - the contrary, everybody began to laugh. - -Le iour venu, car ce fut la nuict que la tempeste commit ce larcin, -nous courusmes tous sur les riues du fleuue, pour apprendre par nos -yeux des nouuelles de nostre pauure Chaloupe, & de nostre Canot, -nous vismes l'vn & l'autre échoüez fort loing de nous, la Chaloupe -parmy des roches, & le Canot au bord du bois de la terre continente, -chacun pensoit que tout estoit en pieces: si tost que la mer se fut -retirée les [224] vns courrent vers la Chaloupe, les autres vers le -Canot, chose estrange; rien ne se trouua endommagé, i'en demeuray tout -estonné: car de cent vaisseaux fussent-ils d'vn bois aussi dur que le -bronze, à peine s'en sauueroit-il pas vn dans ces grands coups de vent -& sur des roches. - - When morning came, for it was at night when the tempest committed - this theft, we all ran along the edge of the river, to learn with - our own eyes some news of our poor Shallop and our Canoe. We - saw both of them stranded a long distance from us, the Shallop - among the rocks and the Canoe along the edge of the woods of the - mainland. Every one thought they were all in pieces; as soon as - the sea had receded [224], some ran toward the Shallop, and others - toward the Canoe. Wonderful to relate, nothing was harmed; I was - amazed, for out of a hundred ships made of wood as hard as bronze, - scarcely one would have been saved in those violent blasts of wind, - and upon those rocks. - -Pendant que les vents nous tenoient prisonniers dans ceste malheureuse -Islete, vne partie de nos gens s'en allerent visiter quelques Sauuages -qui estoient à cinq ou six lieuës de nous, si bien qu'il ne resta que -les femmes & les enfans, & _L'hiroquois_ dans nostre cabane. La nuict -vne femme estant sortie s'en reuint toute effarée criant qu'elle auoit -oüy le _Manitou_, ou le diable, voila l'allarme dans nostre camp, tout -le monde remply de peur garde vn profond silence, Ie demanday d'où -procedoit ceste épouuente: car ie n'auois pas entendu ce qu'auoit dit -ceste femme, _eca titou, eca titou_, me dit on, _Manitou_, tais-toy, -tais-toy, c'est le diable: ie me mis à rire, & me leuant en pied ie -sors de la cabane, & pour les asseurer i'appelle en leur langage le -_Manitou_, criant tout haut que ie [225] ne le craignois pas, & qu'il -n'oseroit venir où i'estois: puis ayant fait quelques tours dans -nostre Islete, ie rentray, & leur dis, ne craignez point, le diable ne -vous fera aucun mal tant que ie seray auec vous, il craint ceux qui -croyent en Dieu, si vous y voulez croire il s'enfuïra de vous. Eux bien -estonnez, me demandent si ie ne le craignois point, ie repars pour les -deliurer de leur peur, que ie n'en craignois pas vne centaine, ils -se mirent tous à rire, se rasseurans petit à petit: or voyant qu'ils -auoient ietté de l'anguille dans le feu i'en demanday la raison, -tais-toy, me firent-ils, nous donnons à manger au diable afin qu'il ne -nous fasse point de mal. - - While the wind held us prisoners in this unhappy Island, a number - of our people went to visit some Savages who were five or six - leagues from us, so that there only remained in our cabin the - women and children, and the _Hiroquois_. During the night, a woman - who had gone out, returned, terribly frightened, crying out that - she had heard the _Manitou_, or devil. At once all the camp was - in a state of alarm, and everyone, filled with fear, maintained a - profound silence. I asked the cause of this fright, for I had not - heard what the woman had said; _eca titou, eca titou_, they told - me, _Manitou_, "Keep still, keep still, it is the devil." I began - to laugh, and rising to my feet, went out of the cabin; and to - reassure them I called, in their language, the _Manitou_, crying - in a loud voice that I [225] was not afraid, and that he would not - dare come where I was. Then, having made a few turns in our Island, - I reëntered, and said to them, "Do not fear, the devil will not - harm you as long as I am with you, for he fears those who believe - in God; if you will believe in God, the devil will flee from you." - They were greatly astonished, and asked me if I was not afraid of - him at all. I answered, to relieve them of their fears, that I was - not afraid of a hundred of them; they began to laugh, and were - gradually reassured. Now seeing that they had thrown some eels - in the fire, I asked them the reason for it. "Keep still," they - replied; "we are giving the devil something to eat, so that he will - not harm us." - -Mon hoste à son retour ayant sceu ceste histoire, me remercia fort -de ce que i'auois rasseuré tous ses gens, me demandant si en effet -ie n'auois point de peur du _Manitou_, ou du diable, & si ie le -cognoissois bien, que pour eux qu'ils le craignoient plus que la -foudre; Ie luy répondis, que s'il vouloit croire, & obeïr à celuy qui -a tout fait, que le _Manitou_ n'auroit nul pouuoir sur luy: pour nous -qu'estans assistez de celuy que [226] nous adorions, le diable auoit -plus de peur de nous, que nous n'auions de luy; il s'estonna, & me dit -qu'il eust bien voulu que i'eusse eu cognoissance de sa langue: car -figurez vous que nous nous faisions entendre l'vn l'autre plus par les -yeux, & par les mains, que par la bouche. - - My host, upon his return, having learned this story, thanked me - very much for giving courage to his people, and asked me if I - really had no fear of the _Manitou_, or devil, and if I knew him - very well; as for them, they feared him more than a thunderbolt. I - answered that, if he would believe and obey him who had made all, - the _Manitou_ would have no power over him; that for ourselves, - being helped by him whom [226] we adored, the devil had more fear - of us than we had of him. He was astonished, and told me that he - would be very glad if we knew his language, for you must be aware - that we were making each other understand more through our eyes and - hands than through our lips. - -Ie dressay quelques prieres en leur langue, auec l'ayde de l'Apostat: -or comme le Sorcier n'estoit pas encore venu, ie les recitois le matin, -& auant nos repas, eux-mesmes m'en faisans souuenir, & prenans plaisir -à les ouīr prononcer; si ce miserable Magicien ne fust point venu auec -nous ces Barbares auroient pris grand plaisir de m'écouter: mon hoste -me faisoit mille questions, me demandant pourquoy nous mouriõs, où -alloient nos ames, si la nuit estoit vniuerselle par tout le monde, & -choses semblables, se monstrant fort attentif à mes réponses. Changeons -de discours. - - I arranged a few prayers in their language, with the help of the - Apostate. Now, as the Sorcerer had not yet come, I repeated them - in the morning and before our meals, they themselves reminding me - of them, and taking pleasure in hearing them pronounced; if the - wretched Magician had not come with us, these Barbarians would - have taken great pleasure in listening to me. My host asked me a - thousand questions,--why we died, where our souls went, if night - was universal all over the world, and similar things,--and was very - attentive to my answers. Let us change the subject. - -Ie remarquay en ce lieu cy, que les ieunes femmes ne mangent point dans -le plat de leurs marys: i'en demanday la raison, le Renegat me dit que -les ieunes [227] filles à marier, & les femmes qui n'auoient point -encore d'enfans, n'auoient rien en maniement, & qu'on leur faisoit leur -part comme aux enfans, de là vient que sa femme mesme me dit vn iour, -Dis à mon mary qu'il me donne bien à manger: mais ne luy dis pas que ie -t'ay prié de luy dire. - - I observed in this place that the young women did not eat from the - same dish as their husbands. I asked the reason, and the Renegade - told me that the young [227] unmarried women, and the women who had - no children, took no part in the management of affairs, and were - treated like children. Thence it came that his own wife said to me - one day, "Tell my husband to give me plenty to eat, but do not tell - him that I asked you to do so." - -Pendant certaine nuict, tout le monde estant dans vn profond sommeil, -ie me mis à entretenir ce pauure miserable Renegat, ie luy fis voir -qu'estant en nostre maison, rien de tout ce que nous auions ne luy -manquoit, qu'il y pouuoit passer sa vie doucement, & qu'en quittant -Dieu il s'estoit ietté dans vne vie de beste, qui enfin abboutiroit à -l'enfer, s'il n'ouuroit les yeux, que l'eternité estoit bien longue, -& que d'estre à iamais compagnon des diables, c'estoit vn long terme. -Ie voy bien, me fit-il, que ie ne fais pas bien; mais mon malheur -est que ie n'ay pas l'esprit assez fort pour demeurer ferme dans vne -resolution, ie croy tout ce qu'on me dit; quand i'ay esté auec les -Anglois, ie me suis laissé aller à leurs discours; quand ie suis auec -les Sauuages ie fais comme eux; [228] quand ie suis auec vous ie -tiens vostre creance pour veritable, pleut à Dieu que ie fusse mort -quand i'estois malade en France, ie serois maintenant sauué, tant que -i'auray des parens ie ne feray iamais rien qui vaille: car quand ie -veux demeurer auec vous, mes freres me disent que ie pouriray demeurant -tousiours en vn endroit, cela est cause que ie quitte tout pour les -suiure. Ie luy apportay toutes les raisons, & luy fis toutes les offres -que ie peus pour l'affermir: mais son frere le Sorcier qui sera bien -tost auec nous renuersera tous mes desseins, car il manie comme il veut -ce pauure Apostat. - - One night, when every one had sunk into a deep sleep, I began to - talk to this poor miserable Renegade. I showed him that while he - was in our house he had lacked for nothing of whatever we had, - and that he might have spent his life there peacefully; that in - forsaking God he had rushed into the life of a brute, which would - finally end in hell if he did not open his eyes; that eternity was - very long, and to be a companion of devils forever was a long term. - "I see clearly," he replied, "that I am not doing right; but my - misfortune is that I have not a mind strong enough to remain firm - in my determination; I believe all they tell me. When I was with - the English, I allowed myself to be influenced by their talk; when - I am with the Savages, I do as they do; [228] when I am with you, - it seems to me your belief is the true one. Would to God I had - died when I was sick in France, and I would now be saved. As long - as I have any relations, I will never do anything of any account; - for when I want to stay with you, my brothers tell me I will rot, - always staying in one place, and that is the reason I leave you to - follow them." I urged all the reasons and made him all the offers - I could to strengthen him; but his brother, the Sorcerer, who will - soon be with us, will upset all my plans, for he does whatever he - wills with this poor Apostate. - -Le trentiesme iour d'Octobre nous sortismes de ceste malheureuse -Islete, & vinsmes aborder sur la nuict dans vne autre Isle qui -porte vn nom quasi aussi grand comme elle est, car elle n'a pas -demy lieuë de tour, & voicy comme nos Sauuages me dirẽt qu'elle se -nommoit, _Ca pacoucachtecho_k_hi_ _chachagou achigani_k_hi_, _Ca -pa_k_hitaouananioui_k_hi_, ie croy qu'ils forgent ces noms sur le -champ, ceste Isle n'est quasi qu'vn grand rocher affreux, comme elle -n'a point de fontaine d'eau douce nous fusmes contrains de [129 i.e., -229] boire des eauës de pluyes fort sales que nous ramassions dans des -fondrieres, & sur des roches; on ietta le voile de nostre chalouppe sur -des perches quand nous y arriuasmes, & nous nous mismes à l'abry là -dessous, nostre lict estoit blanc & verd, c'est à dire qu'il y auoit -si peu de branches de pin dessous nous, que nous touchiõs la neige -en plusieurs endroits, laquelle auoit commencé depuis trois iours à -couurir la terre d'vn habit blanc. - - On the thirtieth day of October, we went away from this unhappy - Island, and toward nightfall disembarked at another Island - which bears a name almost as big as it is, for it is not half a - league in circumference; and this is what our Savages tell me - it is called, _Ca pacoucacktechokhi chachagou achiganikhi, Ca - pakhitaouananiouikhi_; I believe they forge these names upon the - spot. This Island is nothing but a big and frightful rock; as there - was no spring of fresh water, we had to [129 i.e., 229] drink very - dirty rainwater that we collected in the bogs and upon the rocks. - The sail of our shallop was thrown over some poles, on our arrival - at this place, and this formed our shelter; our beds were white - and green, I mean there were so few pine branches under us that in - several places we touched the snow, which three days before had - begun to cover the earth with a white mantle. - -Nous trouuasmes en ce lieu la cabane d'vn Sauuage, que nostre hoste -cherchoit, nommé Ek_hennabamate_, il apprit de luy que son frere le -Sorcier estoit passé depuis peu, & qu'ayant eu le vent contraire, il -n'estoit pas loing, il n'attendit pas qu'il fut iour tout à fait pour -le suiure, son Canot poussé par trois rameurs alloit comme le vent: -bref le beau premier iour de Nouembre dedié à la memoire de tous les -Saincts, il nous ramena ce Demon, i'entends ce Sorcier. Ie fus bien -estonné quand ie le vis: car ie ne l'attendois pas, me figurant que -mon hoste estoit allé à la chasse, fut-il ainsi, & que ceste miserable -proye [230] luy eust eschappé des mains. - - We found here the cabin of a Savage, named _Ekhennabamate_, whom - our host was seeking. He learned from him that his brother, the - Sorcerer, had passed, a short time before; and that, having the - wind against him, he had not gone far. He did not wait until broad - daylight to follow him; his Canoe, paddled by three men, went like - the wind; and, in short, on the first of November, a beautiful day, - dedicated to the memory of all the Saints, he brought back this - Demon, I mean the Sorcerer. I was very much surprised when I saw - him, for I was not expecting him, imagining that my host had gone - hunting; would that he had, and that this miserable prey [230] had - escaped from his hands. - -Si tost qu'il fut arriué ce n'estoient plus que festins dans nos -cabanes, nous n'auions plus que fort peu de viures de reste, ces -Barbares les mangeoient auec autant de paix & d'asseurance, comme si -les animaux qu'ils deuoient chasser eussent esté renfermez dans vne -estable. - - As soon as he came, there was nothing but feasting in our cabins; - we had only a little food left, but these Barbarians ate it with as - much calmness and confidence as if the game they were to hunt was - shut up in a stable. - -Mon hoste faisant vn iour festin à son tour, les conuiez me firent -signe que ie haranguasse en leur langue, ils auoiẽt enuie de rire: -car ie prononce le Sauuage comme vn Alemant prononce le François, -leur voulant donner ce contentement, ie me mis à discourir, & eux -à s'éclatter de rire: eux bien aises de gausser, & moy bien ioyeux -d'apprendre à parler: Ie leur dis pour conclusion, que i'estois -vn enfant, & que les enfans faisoient rire leurs peres par leur -begayement: mais qu'au reste ie deuiendrois grand dans quelques années, -& qu'alors sçachant leur langue ie leur ferois voir qu'eux-mesmes sont -enfans en plusieurs choses, ignorans de belles veritez, dont ie leur -parlerois, & sur l'heure mesme ie leur demãday si la Lune estoit [231] -aussi hautemẽt logée que les Estoilles, si elle estoit en mesme Ciel, -où alloit le Soleil quãd il nous quittoit, quelle figure auoit la -terre, (si ie sçauois leur langue en perfection ie leur proposerois -tousiours quelque verité naturelle deuant que de parler des points -de nostre creãce: car i'ay remarqué que ces curiositez les rendent -attentifs) pour ne m'éloigner de mon discours, l'vn d'eux prenant la -parole apres m'auoir ingenuëment confessé qu'ils ne pouuoient répondre -à ces questions, me dit: mais comment pourrois-tu toy mesme cognoistre -ces choses, puis que nous les ignorons? ie tiray aussi tost vn petit -cadran que i'auios dans ma pouche, ie l'ouure, & luy mettant en main, -ie luy dis: nous voyla dans la nuict profonde, le Soleil ne nous -paroist plus, dis moy maintenãt enuisageant ce que ie te presente, en -quelle part du monde il est; designe moy le lieu où il se doit demain -leuer, où il se doit coucher, où il sera en son midy, marque moy les -endroits du Ciel, où il ne va iamais: mon homme répondit des yeux me -regardant sans dire mot: ie prens le cadran & luy fais [232] voir en -peu de mots tout ce que ie venois de proposer, adioustant en suitte; hé -bien comment se peut-il faire que ie cognoisse ces choses, & que vous -les ignoriez? i'ay bien d'autres veritez plus grandes à vous dire quand -ie sçauray parler. Tu as de l'esprit, me dirent-ils, tu sçauras bien -tost nostre langue, ils se sont trompez. - - One day, when my host had a feast in his turn, the guests made me - a sign that I should make them a speech in their language, as they - wanted to laugh; for I pronounce the Savage as a German pronounces - French. Wishing to please them, I began to talk, and they burst out - laughing, well pleased to make sport of me, while I was very glad - to learn to talk. I said to them in conclusion that I was a child, - and that children made their fathers laugh with their stammering; - but in a few years I would become large, and then, when I knew - their language, I would make them see that they themselves were - children in many things, ignorant of the great truths of which I - would speak to them. Suddenly I asked them if the Moon was [231] - located as high as the Stars, if it was in the same Sky; where the - Sun went when it left us; what was the form of the earth. (If I - knew their language perfectly I would always propose some natural - truth, before speaking to them of the points of our belief; for I - have observed that these curious things make them more attentive.) - Not to let me wander from my speech, one of them beginning to - speak, after having frankly confessed that they could not answer - these questions, said to me: "But how canst thou thyself know - these things, since we do not know them?" I immediately drew out - a little compass that I had in my pocket, opened it, and, placing - it in his hand, said to him, "We are now in the darkness of night, - the Sun no longer shines for us; tell me now, while you look at - what I have given you, in what part of the world it is; show me - the place where it must rise to-morrow, where it will set, where - it will be at noon; point out the places in the Sky where it will - never be." My man answered with his eyes, staring at me without - saying a word. I took the compass and explained [232] to him with - a few words all that I had just asked about, adding, "Well, how is - it that I can know these things and you do not know them? I have - still other greater truths to tell you when I can talk." "Thou art - intelligent," they responded; "thou wilt soon know our language." - But they were mistaken. - -Ce que i'escris dans ce iournal n'a point d'autre suitte, que la suitte -du temps, voila pourquoy ie passeray souuent du coq à l'asne, comme on -dit, c'est à dire que quittant vne remarque ie passeray à vne autre -qui ne luy a point de rapport, le temps seul seruant de liaison à mon -discours. - - What I write in this journal has no other order except that of - time, and hence I shall frequently be telling cock-and-bull - stories, as the saying is; that is, I shall pass from one - observation to another which has no connection with it, time alone - serving as a link to the parts of my discourse. - -Comme l'arc & la fleche semble des armes inuentées par la Nature, puis -que toutes les Nations de la terre en ont trouué l'vsage, de mesme vous -diriez qu'il y a de certains petits ieux que les enfans trouuent sans -qu'on leur enseigne; les petits Sauuages ioüent à se cacher aussi bien -que les petits François, ils font quantité d'autres traits d'enfance, -que i'ay remarqué en nostre Europe, entre autres i'ay veu les petits -Parisiens [233] ietter vne balle d'arquebuse en l'air, & la receuoir -auec vn baston vn petit creusé, les petits Sauuages montagnards font -le mesme, se seruans d'vn petit faisseau de branches de Pin, qu'ils -reçoiuent ou picquent en l'air auec vn baston pointu: les petits -Hiroquois ont le mesme passe-temps iettans vn osselet percé qu'ils -enlassent en l'air dans vn autre petit os: vn ieune homme de ceste -nation me le dit, voyant ioüer les enfans montagnards. - - As the bow and arrow seem to be weapons invented by Nature, - since all the Nations of the earth have made use of them, so you - might say there are certain little games that children find out - for themselves without being taught. The little Savages play at - hide-and-seek as well as the little French children. They have a - number of other childish sports that I have noticed in our Europe; - among others, I have seen the little Parisians [233] throw a musket - ball into the air and catch it with a little bat scooped out; the - little montagnard Savages do the same, using a little bunch of Pine - sticks, which they receive or throw into the air on the end of a - pointed stick. The little Hiroquois have the same pastime, throwing - a bone with a hole in it, which they interlace in the air with - another little bone. I was told this by a young man of that nation - as we were watching the montagnard children play. - -Mõ Sauuage & le Sorcier son frere, ayãt appris qu'il y auoit quãtité -de Mõtagnais és enuirõs du lieu où ils vouloiẽt hyuerner, prirent -resolution de passer du costé du Nord, craignans que nous ne nous -affamassions les vns les autres: les voyla donc resolus d'aller -où m'auoit promis mon hoste & le Renegat; mais à peine auiõs nous -fait trois lieuës sur le grand fleuue pour le trauerser, que nous -rencontrasmes quatre canots qui nous ramenerent au Sud, disans que -la chasse n'estoit pas bonne du costé du Nord, si bien que ie fus -contraint de demeurer auec le sorcier, & d'hyuerner au delà de la -grande riuiere, quoy que ie peusse [234] alleguer au contraire. Ie -voyois bien les dangers dans lesquels ils me iettoient, mais ie ne -voyois point d'autre remede que de se confier en Dieu, & le laisser -faire. - - My Savage and the Sorcerer, his brother, having learned that there - were a great many Montagnais near the place where they wished to - pass the winter, decided to turn Northward, lest we should starve - each other. They decided to go to the place where my host and the - Renegade had promised me they would go; but we had scarcely made - three leagues in crossing the great river, when we met four canoes - which turned us back to the South, saying the hunting was not good - up North. So I was obliged to remain with the sorcerer, and to - winter beyond the great river, in spite of all I could [234] urge - to the contrary. I realized well the dangers into which they were - throwing me, but I saw no other remedy than to trust in God and - leave all to him. - -Si tost que les nouueaux Sauuages venus dans ces quatre canots eurent -mis pied à terre, mon hoste leur fit vn bãquet d'anguilles boucanées, -car nous n'auions déja plus de pain. A peine ces conuiés furent-ils -de retour en leur cabane, qu'ils dresserent vn festin de pois qu'ils -auoient acheté passans à Kebec, mais afin que vous voyez les excez de -ce peuple, au sortir de ce banquet, on vint à vn troisiesme, que le -sorcier auoit preparé, composé d'anguilles, & de la farine que i'auois -donnée à mon hoste: cet homme me pressa fort d'estre de la partie, il -auoit fait faire vn retranchemẽt dans nostre cabane auec des peaux, & -des couuertures, tous les conuiez entrerent là dedans, on me donna ma -part dans vne petite écuelle, mais comme ie n'estois pas encor tout à -fait accoustumé à manger de leur boüillies si sales & si fades, apres -en auoir gousté i'en voulu donner le reste à la parẽte de mon hoste, -[235] aussi tost on me dit K_hita_, K_hita_, mange tout, mange tout, -_acoumagouchan_, c'est vn festin à tout manger, ie me mis à rire, & -leur dis qu'ils ioüoient à se faire creuer, veu qu'ayans desia esté -à deux festins, ils en faisoient vn troisiesme à ne rien laisser, -mon hoste m'entendant me dit, que dis tu _Nicanis_? Ie dis que ie ne -sçaurois tout manger, donne moy, ce fit-il, ton écuelle ie t'ayderay, -luy ayant presenté il auala tout ce qui estoit dedans en deux tours de -gueule, tirant vne langue longue de la main pour la lecher au fond & -par tout, afin qu'il n'y restast rien. - - As soon as these new Savages, who had come in the four canoes, had - landed, my host made them a banquet of smoked eels, for we were - already out of bread. Hardly had these guests returned to their - cabin, when they made a feast of peas which they had bought in - passing through Kebec. But that you may understand the excesses - of these people, [I will add that] in emerging from this banquet, - they went to a third, prepared by the sorcerer, composed of eels, - and of the flour I had given to my host. This man gave me a hearty - invitation to be one of the party. He had made a little apartment - in our cabin with skins and blankets, and all the guests entered - this place. They gave me my share in a little bark plate; but, as - I was not altogether accustomed to eating their mixtures, so dirty - and insipid, after having tasted it, I wanted to give the rest to - one of the relations of my host; [235] but they immediately cried - out, _Khita, Khita_, "Eat all, eat all," _acoumagouchan_. "It is an - eat-all feast." I began to laugh, and told them they were playing - a game of "burst themselves open," seeing they had already had two - feasts, and were making a third at which nothing was to be left. - My host, hearing me, said, "What art thou saying, _Nicanis_?" "I - am saying that I cannot eat all." "Give it to me," he answered, - "give me thy plate, I will help thee." Having presented it to him, - he gulped down all it contained in two swallows, thrusting out a - tongue as long as your hand to lick the bottom and sides, so that - nothing might remain. - -Quand ils furent saouls quasi iusqu'à creuer, le Sorcier prit son -tambour & inuita tout le monde à chanter, celuy là chantoit le mieux -qui heurloit le plus fort; à la fin de leur tintamarre les voyans d'vne -humeur assez gaye, ie leur demanday permission de parler, cela m'estant -accordé, ie commençay à leur déclarer l'affection que ie leur portois, -vous voyez, disois-ie, de quel amour ie fuis porté en vostre endroit, -i'ay non seulement quitté mon pays, qui est beau, & bien agreable -pour venir dans vos [236] neiges & dans vos grands bois; mais encore -ie m'esloigne de la petite maison que nous auons en vos terres pour -vous suiure & pour apprendre vostre langue. Ie vous chery plus que -mes freres puis que ie les ay quittez pour vostre amour, c'est celuy -qui a tout fait qui me donne ceste affection enuers vous, c'est luy -qui creé le premier homme d'où nous sommes tous issus, voyla pourquoy -n'ayans qu'vn mesme pere nous sommes tous freres, & nous deuons tous -recognoistre vn mesme Seigneur & vn mesme Capitaine, nous deuons tous -croire en luy, & obeïr à ses volontez, Le Sorcier m'arrestant dit tout -haut, quand ie le verray, ie croiray en luy, autrement non, le moyen de -croyre en celuy qu'on ne void pas? Ie luy répondis, quand tu me dis que -ton pere, ou l'vn de tes amis a tenu quelque discours, ie croy ce qu'il -a dit, me figurant qu'il n'est point menteur, & ce pendant ie n'ay -iamais veu ton pere: de plus tu crois qu'il y a vn _Manitou_ & tu ne -l'as pas veu. Tu crois qu'il y a des _Khichicoua_k_hi_, ou des Genies -du iour, & tu ne les a pas veus: d'autres les ont veus, me dit-il, Tu -ne me sçaurois dire, luy reparty-ie, [237] ny quand, ny comment, ny -en quelle façon, ou en quel endroit on les a veus, & moy ie te puis -dire commẽt se nommoient ceux qui ont veu le Fils de Dieu en terre, -quand il l'ont veu, & en quel lieu, ce qu'ils ont faict, & en quels -pays ils ont esté. Ton Dieu, me fit-il, n'est point venu en nostre -pays, voila pourquoy nous ne croyons point en luy, fais que ie le voye, -& ie croiray en luy. Escoute moy & tu le verras, luy repliquay-ie, -Nous auons deux sortes de veuë, la veuë des yeux du corps, & la veuë -des yeux de l'ame, ce que tu vois des yeux de l'ame peut estre aussi -certain que ce que tu vois des yeux du corps: Non, dit-il, ie ne vois -rien sinon des yeux du corps, si ce n'est en dormãt, mais tu n'approuue -pas nos songes. Escoute moy iusqu'au bout, luy fis-ie, Quand tu passe -deuant vne cabane delaissée, que tu vois encor toutes les perches en -rond, que tu vois l'aire de la cabane tapissée de branches de Pin, -quand tu vois le fouyer qui fume encore, n'est-il pas vray que tu -cognois asseurément, & que tu vois bien qu'il y a eu là des Sauuages? -& que ces perches & tout le [238] reste que vous laissez quand vous -decabanez, ne se sont point rassemblées par cas fortuit? ouy, me -dit-il, or ie dis le mesme quand tu vois la beauté & la grandeur de -ce monde, que le Soleil tourne incessamment sans s'arrester, que les -saisons retournent en leur temps, & que tous les Astres gardent si -bien leur ordre, tu vois bien que les hommes n'ont point fait ces -merueilles, & qu'ils ne les gouuernent pas, il faut donc qu'il y ait -quelqu'vn plus noble que les hommes qui ait basty & qui gouuerne ceste -grande maison: or c'est celuy là que nous appellons Dieu, qui void -tout, & que nous ne voyons pas maintenant; mais nous le verrons apres -la mort, & nous serons bien-heureux à iamais auec luy si nous l'aymons -& si nous luy obeïssons. Tu ne sçais ce que tu dis, me repart-il, -apprends à parler & nous t'entendrons. - - When they were full almost to bursting, the Sorcerer took his drum - and invited everyone to sing. The best singer was the one who - howled the loudest. At the end of this uproar, seeing that they - were in a very good humor, I asked permission to talk. This being - granted, I began to affirm the affection I had for them, "You - see," I said, "what love I bear you; I have not only left my own - country, which is beautiful and very pleasant, to come into your - [236] snows and vast woods, but I have also left the little house - we have in your lands, to follow you and learn your language; I - cherish you more than my brothers, since I have left them for love - of you; it is he who has made all who has given me this affection - for you, it is he who created the first man from whom we have all - descended; hence see how it is that, as we have the same father, - we are all brothers, and ought all to acknowledge the same Lord - and the same Captain; we ought all to believe in him, and obey his - will." The Sorcerer, stopping me, said in a loud voice, "When I - see him, I will believe in him, and not until then. How believe - in him whom we do not see?" I answered him: "When thou tellest - me that thy father or one of thy friends has said something, I - believe what he has said, supposing that he is not a liar, and yet - I have never seen thy father: also, thou believest that there is a - _Manitou_, and thou hast never seen him. Thou believest that there - are _Khichicouakhi_, or Spirits of light, and thou hast not seen - them." "Others have seen them," he answered. "Thou couldst not - tell," said I, [237] "neither when, nor how, nor in what way, nor - in what place they were seen; and I, I can tell thee the names of - those who have seen the Son of God upon earth,--when they saw him, - and in what place; what they have done, and in what countries they - have been." "Thy God," he replied, "has not come to our country, - and that is why we do not believe in him; make me see him and I - will believe in him." "Listen to me and thou wilt see him," said I. - "We have two kinds of sight, the sight of the eyes of the body, and - the sight of the eyes of the soul. What thou seest with the eyes of - the soul may be just as true as what thou seest with the eyes of - the body." "No," said he, "I see nothing except with the eyes of - the body, save in sleeping, and thou dost not approve our dreams." - "Hear me to the end," I said. "When thou passest a deserted cabin, - and seest yet standing the circle of poles, and the floor of the - cabin covered with Pine twigs, when thou seest the hearth still - smoking, is it not true that thou knowest positively, and that thou - seest clearly, that Savages have been there, and that these poles - and all the [238] rest of the things that you leave when you break - camp, are not brought together by chance?" "Yes," he answered. - "Now I say the same. When thou seest the beauty and grandeur of - this world,--how the Sun incessantly turns round without stopping, - how the seasons follow each other in their time, and how perfectly - all the Stars maintain their order,--thou seest clearly that men - have not made these wonders, and that they do not govern them; - hence there must be some one more noble than men, who has built - and who rules this grand mansion. Now it is he whom we call God, - who sees all things, and whom we do not see; but we shall see him - after death, and we shall be forever happy with him, if we love and - obey him." "Thou dost not know what thou art talking about," he - answered, "learn to talk and we will listen to thee." - -Là dessus ie priay l'Apostat de déduire mes raisons & de les expliquer -en Sauuage: car i'en voyois de fort attentifs: mais ce miserable -Renegat, craignant de deplaire à son frere, ne voulut iamais ouurir -la bouche. Ie le prie, [239] ie le coniure auec toute douceur, en fin -ie redouble ma voix, & le menace de la part de Dieu, luy protestant -qu'il seroit responsable de l'ame de la femme de son frere le Sorcier, -laquelle ie voyois fort malade, & pour laquelle i'estois entré en -discours, esperant que si les Sauuages goustoient mes raisons, qu'ils -me permettroient aisément de l'instruire; ce coeur de bronze ne -flechit iamais, ny à mes prieres, ny à mes menaces; Ie prie Dieu qu'il -luy fasse misericorde, mon hoste me voyant parler d'vn accent assez -haut, me dit, _Nicanis_ ne te fasche point, auec le temps tu parleras -comme nous, & tu nous enseigneras ce que tu sçais, nous te presterons -l'oreille plus volontiers qu'à cet opiniastre qui n'a point d'esprit, -auquel nous n'auons nulle creance, voila les eloges qu'il donnoit à ce -Renegat. Ie luy repliquay, si ceste femme se portoit bien ie serois -consolé, mais elle est pour mourir dans peu de iours, & son ame faute -de cognoistre Dieu sera perduë, que si ton frere me vouloit prester -sa parole ie l'instruirois en peu de temps, sa réponse fut que ie le -laissasse, & que ie sçauois bien que c'estoit [240] vn lourdaut, pour -conclusion on dit les mots qui terminent le festin, & chacun se retira, -moy bien dolent de voir ceste ame se perdre en ma presence sans la -pouuoir secourir: car le Sorcier ayant commencé à leuer le masque & -l'Apostat à m'éconduire en sa cõsideration, toutes les esperances que -ie pouuois auoir d'ayder ceste femme malade d'instruire les autres -commencerent à s'éuanoüir, i'ay souuent souhaitté qu'vn Sainct fust en -ma place pour operer en Sainct, les petites ames crient beaucoup & font -peu, il se faut contenter de la bassesse: poursuiuons nostre voyage. - - Thereupon I asked the Apostate to enumerate my reasons and to - explain them in the Savage tongue, for I saw that they were very - attentive; but this miserable Renegade, fearing to displease his - brother, would not even open his mouth. I begged him, [239] I - conjured him with all gentleness; finally I spoke harshly, and - threatened him in the name of God, insisting that he would be - responsible for the soul of the wife of his brother, the Sorcerer, - who I perceived was very sick, and for whose sake I had begun this - discourse, hoping that if the Savages approved of my explanations, - they would readily allow me to instruct her. This heart of bronze - melted neither at my prayers nor at my threats. I pray God that he - may be merciful to him. My host, seeing me speaking earnestly to - him, said, "_Nicanis_, do not get angry; in time thou wilt speak as - we do, and thou wilt teach us what thou knowest, we will listen to - thee more willingly than to this stubborn fellow who has no sense - and in whom we have no faith." These were the eulogies he passed - upon the Renegade. I replied to him that, if this woman were well, - I would feel consoled; but that she was going to die in a few days, - and her soul, not knowing God, would be lost; if his brother wished - to lend me his tongue I would instruct her in a little while. His - answer was that I should leave him alone, for I knew very well that - he was [240] a blockhead. In conclusion, they pronounced the words - which ended the feast, and we all withdrew; I very sad at seeing - this soul lost in my presence, without being able to help it. For - the Sorcerer having begun to lift the mask, and the Apostate to - refuse me his consideration, all the hopes I had of helping this - sick woman, and of teaching the others, commenced to vanish. I have - often wished that a Saint were in my place, to act the Saint; small - souls cry out a great deal, and do very little, but one must be - content with one's own insignificance. Let us continue our voyage. - -Le douziesme de Nouembre nous commençasmes en fin d'entrer dedans les -terres, laissans nos Chalouppes & nos Canots, & quelqu'autre bagage -dans l'Isle au grand nom, de laquelle nous sortismes de mer basse, -trauersans vne prairie qui la separe du continent: iusques icy nous -auons fait chemin dans le pays des poissons, tousiours sur les eauës, -ou dans les Isles, doresnauant nous allons entrer dans le Royaume des -bestes sauuages, ie veux dire de beaucoup plus d'estẽduë que toute la -Frãce. - - On the twelfth of November we at last began to go into the country, - leaving our Shallops and Canoes, and some other baggage, in the - Island with the long name, which we left at low tide, crossing the - meadow which separated us from the mainland. Up to this time we - had journeyed through a country where fish abound, always upon the - water or on Islands. From this time on, we were going to invade - the Kingdom of wild beasts, I mean a country far broader in extent - than all France. - -[241] Les Sauuages passent l'hyuer dedans ces bois, courans çà & là, -pour y chercher leur vie; au commencement des neiges ils cherchent le -Castor dans des petits fleuues, & le Porc-espic dans les terres quand -la neige est profonde ils chassent à l'Orignac & au Caribou, comme i'ay -dit. - - [241] The Savages pass the winter in these woods, ranging here and - there to get their living. In the early snows, they seek the Beaver - in the small rivers, and Porcupines upon the land; when the deep - snows come, they hunt the Moose and Caribou, as I have said. - -Nous auons fait dans ces grands bois, depuis le 12. Nouembre de l'an -1633. que nous y entrasmes, iusques au 22. d'Auril de ceste année 1634. -que nous retournasmes aux riues du grand fleuue de sainct Laurens, -vingt-trois stations, tantost dans des valées fort profondes, puis sur -des montagnes fort releuées; quelque fois en plat pays, & tousiours -dans la neige: ces forests où i'ay esté sont peuplées de diuerses -especes d'arbres, notamment de Pins, de Cedres, & de Sapins. Nous auons -trauersé quantité de torrens d'eau, quelques fleuues, plusieurs beaux -lacs & estangs marchans sur la glace; mais descendons en particulier & -disons deux mots de chaque station, la crainte que i'ay d'estre long me -fera retrancher quãtité de choses que i'ay iugé assez legeres, [242] -quoy qu'elles puissent donner quelque iour à ces memoires. - - We made in these vast forests, from the 12th of November of the - year 1633, when we entered them, to the 22nd of April of this - year 1634, when we returned to the banks of the great river saint - Lawrence, twenty-three halts,--sometimes in deep valleys, then upon - lofty mountains, sometimes in the low flat country; and always in - the snow. These forests where I was are made up of different kinds - of trees, especially of Pines, Cedars and Firs. We crossed many - torrents of water, some rivers, several beautiful lakes and ponds, - walking upon the ice. But let us come down to particulars, and say - a few words about each station. My fear of becoming tedious will - cause me to omit many things that I have considered trifling, [242] - although they might throw some light upon these memoirs. - -A nostre entrée dans les terres nous estions trois cabanes de -compagnie, il y auoit dixneuf personnes en la nostre, il y en auoit -seize en la cabane du Sauuage nommé Ekhennabamate, & dix dans la -cabanne des nouueaux venus. Ie ne conte point les Sauuages qui estoient -à quelques lieuës de nous, nous faisions en tout quarante cinq -personnes, qui deuions estre nourris de ce qu'il plairoit à la saincte -Prouidence du bon Dieu de nous enuoyer; car nos prouisions tiroient par -tout à la fin. - - Upon our entrance into these regions, there were three cabins - in our company,--nineteen persons being in ours, sixteen in the - cabin of the Savage named Ekhennabamate, and ten in that of the - newcomers. This does not include the Savages who were encamped a - few leagues away from us. We were in all forty-five persons, who - were to be kept alive on what it should please the holy Providence - of the good God to send us, for our provisions were altogether - getting very low. - -Voicy l'ordre que nous gardions leuans le camp, battans la campagne, & -dressans nos tentes & nos pauillons. Quand nos gens remarquoient qu'il -n'y auoit plus de chasse à quelques trois ou quatre lieuës à l'entour -de nous, vn Sauuage qui cognoissoit mieux le chemin du lieu où nous -allions, crioit à pleine teste, en vn beau matin hors de la cabane, -Escoutez hommes ie m'en vais marquer le chemin pour decabaner demain -au point du iour, il prenoit vne hache & marquoit quelques arbres qui -[243] nous guidoient: on ne marque le chemin qu'au commencement de -l'hyuer: car quand tous les fleuues & les torrens sont glacez & que la -neige est haute on ne prend pas ceste peine. - - This is the order we followed in breaking up our camps, in tramping - over the country and in erecting our tents and pavilions. When our - people saw that there was no longer any game within three or four - leagues of us, a Savage, who was best acquainted with the way to - the place where we were going, cried out in a loud voice, one fine - day outside the cabin, "Listen, men, I am going to mark the way for - breaking camp to-morrow at daybreak." He took a hatchet and marked - some trees which [243] guided us. They do not mark the way except - in the beginning of winter; for, when all the rivers and torrents - are frozen, and the snow is deep, they do not take this trouble. - -Quand il y a beaucoup de pacquets, ce qui arriue lors qu'ils ont tué -grand nombre d'Eslans, les femmes en vont porter vne partie iuīqu'au -lieu où l'on doit camper le iour suiuant; quand la neige est haute, -ils font des traisnées de bois qui se fend, & qui se leue comme par -fueilles assez minces & fort longues, ces traisnées sont fort estroites -à raisõ qu'elles se doiuent tirer entre vne infinité d'arbres fort -pressez en quelques endroits, mais en recompense elles sont fort -longues. Voyant vn iour celle de mon hoste dressée contre vn arbre, à -peine peus ie atteindre au milieu estendant le bras autant qu'il me fut -possible. Ils lient leur bagage là dessus, & auec vne corde qui leur -vient passer sur l'estomach, ils traisnent sur la neige ces chariots -sans rouës. - - When there are a number of things to be carried, as often happens - when they have killed a great many Elk, the women go ahead, and - carry a part of them to the place where they are to camp the - following day. When the snow is deep, they make sledges of wood - which splits, and which can be peeled off like leaves in very thin, - long strips. These sledges are very narrow, because they have to be - dragged among masses of trees closely crowded in some places; but, - to make up for this, they are very long. One day, seeing that of my - host standing against a tree, I could scarcely reach to the middle - of it, stretching out my arm as far as I could. They fasten their - baggage upon these, and, with a cord which they pass over their - chests, they drag these wheelless chariots over the snow. - -Pour ne m'éloigner dauantage de mon chemin, si tost qu'il est iour -chacun se prepare pour déloger, on commence [244] par le desieuner -s'il y a dequoy; car par fois on part sans desieuner, on poursuit -sans disner & on se couche sans souper, chacun fait son pacquet le -mieux qu'il peut, les femmes battent la cabane pour faire tomber la -glace & la neige de dessus les écorces qu'elles roulent en faisseaux, -le bagage estant plié ils iettent sur leur dos ou sur leurs reins de -longs fardeaux qu'ils supportent auec vne corde, qui passe sur leur -front, soubs laquelle ils mettent vn morceau d'écorce de peur de se -blesser; tout le monde chargé on monte à cheual sur des raquettes -qu'on se lie aux pieds afin de ne point enfoncer dans la neige, cela -fait on marche en campagne & en montagnes, faisant passer deuant -les petits enfans qui partent bien tost & n'arriuent par fois que -bien tard, ces pauures petits ont leur pacquet, ou leur traisne pour -s'accoustumer de bonne heure à la fatigue, & tascheon de leur donner -de l'emulation à qui portera ou traisnera dauantage, de vous depeindre -la difficulté des chemins, ie n'ay ny plume ny pinceau qui le puisse -faire, il faut auoir veu cét obiect pour le cognoistre, & [245] auoir -gousté de ceste viande pour en sçauoir le goust, nous ne faisions que -monter & descendre, il nous falloit souuent baisser à demy corps pour -passer soubs des arbres quasi tombez, & monter sur d'autres couchez -par terre, dont les branches nous faisoient quelques fois tomber assez -doucement, mais tousiours froidement, car c'estoit sur la neige. S'il -arriuoit quelque dégel, ô Dieu quelle peine! il me sembloit que ie -marchois sur vn chemin de verre qui se cassoit à tous coups soubs mes -pieds: la neige congelée venant à s'amollir tomboit & s'enfonçoit par -esquarres ou grandes pieces, & nous en auions bien souuent iusques aux -genoux, quelquefois iusqu'à la ceinture, que s'il y auoit de la peine -à tomber, il y en auoit encor plus à se retirer: car nos raquettes -se chargeoient de neiges & se rendoient si pesantes, que quand vous -veniez à les retirer il vous sembloit qu'on vous tiroit les iambes -pour vous démembrer. I'en ay veu qui glissoient tellement soubs des -souches enseuelies soubs la neige, qui ne pouuoient tirer ny iambes ny -raquettes sans secours: or figurez vous [246] maintenant vne personne -chargée comme vn mulet, & iugez si la vie des Sauuages est douce. - - But not to wander farther from my subject, as soon as it is day - each one prepares to break camp. They begin [244] by having - breakfast, if there is any; for sometimes they depart without - breakfasting, continue on their way without dining, and go to bed - without supping. Each one arranges his own baggage, as best he can; - and the women strike the cabin, to remove the ice and snow from the - bark, which they roll up in a bundle. The baggage being packed, - they throw it upon their backs or loins in long bundles, which they - hold with a cord that passes over their foreheads, beneath which - they place a piece of bark so that it will not hurt them. When - every one is loaded, they mount their snowshoes, which are bound - to the feet so that they will not sink into the snow; and then - they march over plain and mountain, making the little ones go on - ahead, who start early, and often do not arrive until quite late. - These little ones have their load, or their sledge, to accustom - them early to fatigue; and they try to stimulate them to see who - will carry or drag the most. To paint to you the hardships of the - way, I have neither pen nor brush that could do it; they must be - experienced in order to be appreciated, and [245] this dish must be - tried to know how it tastes. We did nothing but go up and go down; - frequently we had to bend halfway over, to pass under partly-fallen - trees, and step over others lying upon the ground whose branches - sometimes knocked us over, gently enough to be sure, but always - coldly, for we fell upon the snow. If it happened to thaw, Oh God, - what suffering! It seemed to me I was walking over a road of glass, - which broke under my feet at every step. The frozen snow, beginning - to melt, would fall and break into blocks or big pieces, into - which we often sank up to our knees, and sometimes to our waists. - If there was pain in falling, there was still more in pulling - ourselves out, for our raquettes were loaded with snow, and became - so heavy that, when we tried to draw them out, it seemed as if - somebody were tugging at our legs to dismember us. I have seen some - who slid so far under the logs buried in the snow, that they could - not pull out either their legs or their snowshoes without help. Now - imagine [246] a person loaded like a mule, and judge how easy is - the life of the Savage. - -En France dans la difficulté des voyages encor trouue-on quelques -villages pour se rafraischir, & pour se fortifier; mais les -hostelleries que nous rencontrions, & où nous beuuions, n'estoient que -des ruisseaux, encor falloit il rompre la glace pour en tirer de l'eau; -il est vray que nous ne faisions pas de longues traites, aussi nous -eust il esté tout à fait impossible. - - In the discomforts of a journey in France, villages are found - where one can refresh and fortify one's self; but the inns that - we encountered and where we drank, were only brooks; we even had - to break the ice in order to get some water. It is true that we - did not make long stages, which would indeed have been absolutely - impossible for us. - -Estans arriuez au lieu où nous deuions camper, les femmes alloient -couper les perches pour dresser la cabane, les hommes vuidoient la -neige, comme ie l'ay plus amplement déduit au Chapitre precedent: or -il falloit trauailler à ce bastiment, ou bien trembler de froid trois -grosses heures sur la neige en attendant qu'il fut fait, ie mettois par -fois la main à l'œuure pour m'échauffer, mais i'estois pour l'ordinaire -tellement glacé que le feu seul me pouuoit dégeler; les Sauuages en -estoient estonnez: car ils suoient soubs le trauail, leur témoignant -quelquefois que i'auois grãd [247] froid, ils me disoient, donne tes -mains que nous voyons si tu dis vray, & les trouuans toutes glacées, -touchez de compassion ils me donnoient leurs mitaines échauffées, & -prenoient les miennes toutes froides: iusque là que mõ hoste apres -auoir experimenté cecy plusieurs fois, me dit _Nicanis_ n'hyuerne -plus auec les Sauuages, car ils te tuëront; il vouloit dire, comme ie -pense, que ie tõberois malade & que ne pouuant estre traisné auec le -bagage, qu'on me feroit mourir, ie me mis à rire, & luy reparty qu'il -me vouloit épouuenter. - - When we reached the place where we were to encamp, the women went - to cut the poles for the cabin, and the men to clear away the snow, - as I have stated more fully in the preceding Chapter. Now a person - had to work at this building, or shiver with cold for three long - hours upon the snow, waiting until it was finished. Sometimes I put - my hand to the work to warm myself, but usually I was so frozen - that fire alone could thaw me. The Savages were surprised at this, - for they often sweat under the work. Assuring them now and then - that I was very [247] cold, they would say to me, "Give us thy - hands that we may see if thou tellest the truth;" and, finding them - quite frozen, touched with compassion, they gave me their warm - mittens and took my cold ones. This went so far, that my host, - after having tried it several times, said to me, "_Nicanis_, do not - winter any more with the Savages, for they will kill thee." I think - he meant that I would fall ill, and, as I could not be dragged - along with the baggage, they would kill me; I began to laugh, and - told him that he was trying to frighten me. - -La cabane estant faite, ou sur la nuit, ou vn peu deuant, on parloit -de disner & de souper tout ensemble: car sortant le matin apres auoir -mangé vn petit morceau, il falloit auoir patience qu'on fut arriué & -que l'hostellerie fust faite pour y loger, & pour y manger, mais le -pis estoit que ce iour là nos gens n'allans point ordinairement à la -chasse, c'estoit pour nous vn iour de ieusne aussi bien qu'vn iour de -trauail. C'est trop retarder venons à nostre station. - - The cabin finished, either toward nightfall or a little before, - they began to talk about dinner and supper all in one, for as we - had departed in the morning after having eaten a small morsel, we - had to have patience to reach our destination and to wait until - the hotel was erected, in order to lodge and eat there. But, - unfortunately, on this particular day, our people did not usually - go hunting; and so it was for us a day of fasting as well as a day - of work. We have delayed long enough, let us come to our station. - -Nous quittasmes les riues du grand fleuue le 12. de Nouembre, comme -i'ay [248] desia dit, & vinsmes cabaner pres d'vn torrent, faisans -chemin à la façon que ie viens de dire, chacun portant son fardeau. -Tous les Sauuages se mocquoient de moy de ce que ie n'estois pas bon -cheual de male, me contentant de porter mon manteau qui estoit assez -pesant, vn petit sac où ie mettois mes menuës necessitez & leurs -gausseries, qui ne me pesoient pas tant que mon corps, voila ma charge: -mon hoste & l'Apostat portoient sur des bastons croisez en forme de -brancard la femme du Sorcier qui estoit fort malade, ils la mettoient -sur la neige en attendant que la cabane fut faite, où elle passoit plus -de trois heures sans feu, & sans iamais se plaindre, & sans monstrer -aucun signe d'impatience, ie me mettois plus en peine d'elle qu'elle -mesme: car ie criois souuent qu'on fit faire pour le moins vn peu de -feu aupres d'elle, mais la réponse estoit qu'elle se chaufferoit la -cabane estant faite: ces barbares sont faits à ces souffrances, ils -s'attẽdent bien que s'ils tombent malades qu'on les traittera à mesme -monnoye. Nous seiournasmes trois iours en ceste station, pendant -lesquels [249] voicy vne partie des choses que i'ay marqué dans mon -memoire. - - We left the banks of the great river on the 12th of November, as - I have [248] said, and pitched our camp near a torrent, traveling - in the way I have just described, each one carrying his pack. All - the Savages made sport of me because I was not a good pack horse, - being satisfied to carry my cloak, which was heavy enough; a small - bag in which I kept my little necessaries; and their sneers, which - were not as heavy as my body; and this was my load. My host and the - Apostate carried upon poles, crossed in the form of a stretcher, - the wife of the Sorcerer, who was very sick; they placed her on the - snow, while waiting for the cabin to be made, and there she passed - more than three hours without fire, and did not once complain nor - show any sign of impatience. I was more troubled about her than - she was about herself, for I often appealed to them to make at - least a little fire near her; but the answer was that she would get - warm when the cabin was made. These savages are hardened to such - sufferings; they expect if they fall sick to be paid in the same - coin. We sojourned three days at this station; and the following - [249] are some of the things I noted down in my memoirs during this - time. - -C'est icy que les Sauuages consulterent les genies du iour, en la façon -que i'ay couché au Chapitre quatriesme: or comme ie m'estois ris de -ceste superstition, & qu'à toutes les occasions qui se rencontroient, -ie faisois voir que les mysteres du Sorcier n'estoient que ieux -d'enfans, m'efforçant de luy rauir ses oüailles pour les rendre auec -le temps à celuy qui les a rachetées au prix de son sang, cét homme -forcené fit le iour d'apres ceste consulte, que ie vay décrire. - - It was here that the Savages consulted their genii of light, in the - manner I have described in Chapter four. Now as I had always shown - my amusement at this superstition, and on all possible occasions - had made them see that the mysteries of the Sorcerer were nothing - but child's play,--endeavoring to carry off his flock so that, in - time, I might deliver them up to him who had bought them with his - blood,--this unscrupulous man, the day afterward, went through with - the performance I am going to describe. - -Mõ hoste ayãt inuité au festin tous les Sauuages nos voisins, comme -ils estoiẽt desia venus, & assis à l'entour du feu & de la chaudiere, -attendans l'ouuerture du banquet, voila que le Sorcier qui estoit -couché vis à vis de moy se leue tout à coup, n'ayant point encor parlé -depuis la venuë des conuiez, il paroist tout furieux, se iettant sur -vne des perches de la cabane pour l'arracher, il la rompt en deux -pieces, il roule les yeux en la teste, regardant çà & là comme vn -homme hors de soy, puis enuisageant les [250] assistans, il leur dit -_Iriniticou nama Nitirinisin_, ô hommes i'ay perdu l'esprit, ie ne -sçay où ie suis, esloignez de moy les haches & les espées, car ie suis -hors du sens. A ces paroles tous les Sauuages baissent les yeux en -terre, & ie les leue au ciel, d'où i'attendois secours, me figurant que -cét homme faisoit l'enragé pour se vanger de moy, en m'ostant la vie, -ou du moins pour m'épouuenter, afin de me reprocher par apres que mon -Dieu me manquoit au besoin, & de publier parmy les siens, qu'ayant si -souuent témoigné que ie ne craignois pas leur _Manitou_, qui les fait -trembler, ie pallissois deuant vn homme. Tant s'en faut que la peur qui -dans les dangers d'vne mort naturelle me faisoit quelquefois rentrer -dans moy-mesme, me saisit pour lors, qu'au contraire i'enuisageois ce -forcené auec autant d'asseurance que si i'eusse eu vne armée à mes -costez, me representant que le Dieu que i'adorois pouuoit lier les -bras aux fols & aux enragez aussi bien qu'aux demons: qu'au reste si -sa Majesté me vouloit ouurir les portes de la mort, par les mains d'vn -homme qui faisoit l'endiablé, que [251] sa Prouidence estoit tousiours -aymable. Ce Thrason redoublant ces fougues fit mille actions de fol, -d'ensorcelé, de demoniaque, tantost il crioit à pleine teste, puis il -demeuroit tout court comme épouuanté: il faisoit mine de pleurer, puis -il s'éclattoit de rire comme vn diable follet; il chantoit sans regles -ny sans mesures, il sifloit comme vn serpent, il hurloit comme vn loup, -ou comme vn chien, il faisoit du hibou & du chathuan, tournant les yeux -tout effarez dedans sa teste, prenant mille postures, faisant tousiours -semblant de chercher quelque chose pour la lancer, i'attendois à tous -coups qu'il arrachast quelque perche pour m'en assommer, ou qu'il se -iettast sur moy, ie ne laissay pas neantmoins pour luy monstrer que ie -ne m'estonnois pas de ses diableries, de faire toutes mes actions à -l'ordinaire de lire, d'écrire, de faire mes petites prieres, & l'heure -de mon sommeil estant venuë ie me couchay & reposay aussi paisiblement -dans son sabbat comme i'eusse fait dans vn profond silence, i'estois -déja aussi accoustumé de m'endormir à ses cris, & à ses bruits de [252] -tambour, qu'vn enfant aux chansons de sa nourisse. - - My host having invited all the neighboring Savages to the feast, - when they had come and seated themselves around the fire and the - kettle, waiting for the banquet to be opened, lo, the Sorcerer, who - had been lying down opposite me, suddenly arose, not yet having - uttered a word since the arrival of the guests. He seemed to be - in an awful fury, and threw himself upon one of the poles of the - cabin to tear it out; he broke it in two, rolled his eyes around - in his head, looked here and there like a man out of his senses, - then facing those [250] present, he said to them, _Iriniticou nama - Nitirinisin_, "Oh, men, I have lost my mind, I do not know where - I am; take the hatchets and javelins away from me, for I am out - of my senses." At these words all the Savages lowered their eyes - to the ground, and I raised mine to heaven, whence I expected - help,--imagining that this man was acting the madman in order to - take revenge on me, to take my life or at least to frighten me, - so that he could reproach me afterwards that my God had failed me - in time of need, and to proclaim among his people, that I, who had - so often testified that I did not fear their _Manitou_, who makes - them tremble, had turned pale before a man. So far was I from being - seized by fear which, in the dangers of a natural death, makes me - shrink within myself, that, on the contrary, I faced this furious - man with as much assurance as if I had had an army at my side, - reflecting that the God whom I adored could bind the arms of fools - and madmen as well as those of demons; that besides, if his Majesty - wished to open to me the portals of death by the hands of a man who - was acting the devil, [251] his Providence was always loving and - kind. This Thraso [braggart], redoubling his furies, did a thousand - foolish acts of a lunatic or of one bewitched; sometimes he would - cry out at the top of his voice, and then would suddenly stop - short, as if frightened; he pretended to cry, and then burst into - laughter like a wanton devil; he sang without rules and without - measure, he hissed like a serpent, he howled like a wolf, or like - a dog, he screeched like an owl or a night hawk,--rolling his eyes - about in his head and striking a thousand attitudes, always seeming - to be looking for something to throw. I was expecting every moment - he would tear up one of the poles with which to strike me down, or - that he would throw himself upon me; but in order to show him that - I was not at all astonished at these devilish acts, I continued, in - my usual way, to read, write and say my little prayers; and when - my hour for retiring came, I lay down and rested as peacefully - through his orgies, as I would have done in a profound silence; I - was already as accustomed to go to sleep in the midst of his cries - and the sound of his [252] drum, as a child is to the songs of its - nurse. - -Le lendemain au soir à mesme heure il sembla vouloir entrer dans les -mesmes fougues, & donner vne autrefois l'alarme au camp, disant qu'il -perdoit l'esprit, le voyant desia demy fol, il me vint vne pensée qu'il -pourroit estre trauaillé de quelque fiévre chaude, ie l'aborde & luy -prens le bras pour luy toucher l'artere, il me regarde affreusemẽt, -faisant de l'estõné, comme si ie luy eusse apporté des nouuelles de -l'autre monde, il roule les yeux çà & là comme vn insensé: luy ayant -touché le poulx & le front ie le trouuay frais comme vn poisson, & -aussi éloigné de la fiévre comme i'estois de France, cela me confirma -dans mon opinion qu'il faisoit de l'enragé pour m'estonner, & pour -tirer à compassion tous ses gens qui dans nostre disette luy donnoient -ce qu'ils pouuoient auoir de meilleur. - - The next evening, at the same hour he seemed disposed to enter into - the same infuriated state, and to again alarm the camp, saying that - he was losing his mind. Seeing him already half-mad, it occurred - to me that he might be suffering from some violent fever; I went - up to him and took hold of his arm to feel the artery; he gave me - a frightful look, seeming to be astonished, and acting as if I had - brought him news from the other world, rolling his eyes here and - there like one possessed. Having touched his pulse and forehead, I - found him as cool as a fish, and as far from fever as I was from - France. This confirmed me in my suspicion that he was acting the - madman to frighten me, and to draw down upon himself the compassion - of all our people, who in our dearth, were giving him the best they - had. - -Le 20. du mesme mois de Nouembre ne se trouuans plus de Castors, ny de -Porcs-espics en nostre quartier, nous tirasmes pays, & ce fut nostre -deuxiesme station, on porta la femme du Sorcier [253] sur vn brancart, -& la mit-on, comme i'ay desia dit, dessus la neige en attendant -que nostre palais fût dressé, ce pendant ie m'approchay d'elle luy -témoignant beaucoup de compassion: il y auoit desia quelques iours -que ie taschois de gagner son affection, afin qu'elle me prestast plus -volontiers l'oreille, cognoissant bien qu'elle ne pouuoit pas viure -long-temps, car elle estoit comme vne squelette, n'ayant quasi plus la -force de parler, quand elle appelloit quelqu'vn la nuit, ie me leuois -moy mesme, & l'éueillois, ie luy faisois du feu, ie luy demandois -ce dont elle auoit besoin, elle me cõmandoit de petites chosettes, -comme de fermer les portes ou boucher quelque trou de la cabane qui -l'incõmodoit, apres ces menus discours & offices de charité, ie -l'aborday, & luy demãday si elle ne vouloit pas bien croire en celuy -qui a tout faict, & que son ame apres sa mort seroit bien-heureuse. Au -commencement elle me répondit qu'elle n'auoit point veu Dieu, & que ie -luy fisse voir, autrement qu'elle ne pouuoit croire en luy, elle auoit -tiré ceste réponse de la bouche de sõ mary, Ie luy repartis qu'elle -[254] croyoit plusieurs choses qu'elle ne voyoit pas, & qu'au reste son -ame seroit bruslée pour vne eternité si elle n'obeïssoit à celuy qui -a tout fait; elle s'adoucit petit à petit, & me témoigna qu'elle luy -vouloit obeïr, ie n'osois l'entretenir long temps, mais seulement par -reprises, ceux qui me voyoient me crians que ie la laissasse. - - On the 20th of the same month of November, finding no more Beavers - and Porcupines in our quarter, we resumed our journey, this being - our second station. The Sorcerer's wife was carried [253] upon - a stretcher, and they placed her, as I have already said, upon - the snow until our palace was erected. Meanwhile I approached - her, showing how greatly I sympathized with her; already for some - days I had been trying to gain her affection, that she might more - willingly listen to me; I knew that she could not live long, as - she was like a skeleton, hardly having strength enough to talk. - When she called some one in the night, I arose and awoke him, I - made fires for her, I asked her if she was in need of anything; - she had me do little things for her, such as closing the door, or - stopping up a hole in the cabin which annoyed her. After these - little conversations and acts of charity, I approached and asked - her if she did not want to believe in him who has made all, so that - her soul after death would be blest. At first she answered that she - had not seen God, and that I should make her see him, otherwise she - could not believe in him. She got this answer from the lips of her - husband. I told her that she [254] believed in a great many things - she had not seen, and besides, her soul would be burned through - eternity if she did not obey him who has made all. She softened, - little by little, and testified to me that she wished to obey him. - I did not dare confer with her long, and only at intervals, for - those who saw me would cry out that I should leave her alone. - -Sur le soir estãs tous dãs nostre nouuelle cabane, ie m'approchay -d'elle, l'appellant par son nom, iamais elle ne me voulut parler en -la presence des autres, ie priay le Sorcier de luy dire qu'elle me -répondist, & de m'ayder à l'instruire, luy representant qu'il ne -pouuoit arriuer que du bien de ceste action, il me répond non plus que -la malade, ie m'addresse à l'Apostat le pressant auec de tres humbles -prieres de me prester sa parole, point de répõse; ie retourne à la -malade, ie l'appelle, ie luy parle, ie luy demande si elle ne vouloit -pas aller au Ciel, à tout cela pas vn mot: Ie solicite de rechef le -Sorcier son mary, ie luy promets vne chemise & du petun, pourueu qu'il -dise à sa femme qu'elle m'écoute, comment veux-tu, me dit-il, que nous -[255] croyõs en ton Dieu ne l'ayãs iamais veu? ie t'ay desia respondu -à cela, luy fis-je, il n'est pas temps de disputer, cette ame se va -perdre pour vn iamais si tu n'en as pitié: Tu vois bien que celuy qui -a faict le Ciel pour toy, te veut donner de plus grands biens, que -d'aller manger des escorces en vn village qui ne fut iamais, mais aussi -te punira il seuerement si tu ne crois en luy, & si tu ne luy obeis. -Ne pouuant tirer aucune raison de ce miserable homme, ie pressay encor -vne fois la malade, mon hoste me l'entendant nommer par son nom me -tança, tais toy me dit-il, ne la nomme point, elle est desia morte, son -ame n'est plus dans son corps. C'est vne grande verité que personne -ne va à +IESVS-CHRIST+ que son pere ne luy tende la main, c'est vn grãd -present que la foy, quãd ces pauures Barbares voyẽt qu'vn pauure malade -ne parle plus, ou qu'il tombe en syncope, ou en quelque phrenesie, ils -disent que son esprit n'est plus dans son corps, si le malade retourne -en son bon sens, c'est l'èsprit qui est de retour: en fin quand il -est mort il n'en faut plus parler, ny le nommer en aucune façon: pour -conclurre ce point, il [256] me fallust retirer sans rien faire. - - Toward evening, when we were all in our new cabin, I approached and - called her by name. She never would talk with me in the presence - of the others. I begged the Sorcerer to tell her to answer me, and - to help me teach her, showing him that nothing but good could come - of this action. He would not answer me any more than the invalid. - I addressed the Apostate, urging him with very humble prayers to - lend me his voice, but no answer; I return to the sick woman, I - call her by name, I speak to her, I ask her if she does not wish to - go to Heaven; to all this not a word. I again beg her husband, the - Sorcerer; I promise him a shirt and some tobacco, if he will tell - his wife to listen to me. "How canst thou ask us," he said, "to - [255] believe in thy God, never having seen him?" "I have already - answered that question for thee," I returned; "this is no time to - argue, this soul is going to be forever lost if thou dost not have - pity. Thou seest well that he who has made the Heavens for thee, - wishes to give thee greater blessings than to go about eating bark - in a village which never existed; but he will also severely punish - thee if thou dost not believe in him and obey him." Not being able - to draw any answer from this miserable man, I again urged the sick - woman. My host, hearing me call her by name, chided me, saying, - "Keep still, do not name her; she is already dead, her soul is no - longer in her body." It is a great truth that no one goes to +JESUS - CHRIST+ until the father extends to him the hand. How wonderful a - gift is this faith! When these simple Barbarians see that a poor - invalid no longer speaks, or that he has fainted, or been seized by - a frenzy, they say that the spirit is no longer in the body; and, - if the invalid returns to his senses, it is the spirit which has - returned. Finally, when he is dead, they must no longer speak of - him, nor name him in any way. To finish this story, [256] I had to - retire without accomplishing anything. - -On tint conseil en ce lieu de ce qu'on deuoit faire pour trouuer à -manger, nous estions desia reduits à telle extremité que ie fa[i]sois -vn bon repas d'vne peau d'anguille boucannée, que ie iettois aux chiens -quelques iours auparauant. Deux choses me toucherent ici le cœur: -jettant vne fois vn os, ou vne arreste d'anguille aux chiens, vn petit -garçon fut plus habile que le chien, il se jetta sur l'os & le rongea & -mangea: vne autre fois vn enfant ayant demandé à manger, comme on luy -eust respõdu qu'il n'y en auoit point, ce pauure petit s'en prit à ses -yeux, les larmes rouloient sur sa face grosses commes des pois, & ses -souspirs & ses sanglots me touchoient de compassion, encor taschoit -il de se cacher: c'est vne leçon qu'on fait aux enfans de se monstrer -courageux dans la famine. - - They took counsel in this place as to what they should do to get - something to eat. We were already reduced to such extremities that - I made a good meal on a skin of smoked eel, which a few days before - I had thrown to the dogs. Here two incidents occurred which touched - my heart. Once when I threw a bone or remnant of an eel to the - dogs, a little boy, more nimble than they, threw himself upon the - bone, and gnawed and bit into it. Another time, a child having - asked for something to eat, when he was told there was nothing at - all, the poor little fellow's eyes filled, and tears as big as peas - rolled down his cheeks, and his sighs and sobs filled me with pity, - although he tried to suppress them. One lesson they teach their - children is to be brave in time of famine. - -Le 28. du mesme mois, nous decampasmes pour la troisiesme fois, il -neigeoit fort, mais la necessité nous pressant le mauuais temps ne peut -nous arrester. Ie fus bien estonné en cette troisiesme demeure que ie -ne vis point apporter la malade, ie n'osois demander ce qu'elle [257] -estoit deuenuë, car ils ne veulent pas qu'on parle des morts: sur le -soir i'accostay le Renegat, ie luy demanday parlant François où estoit -ceste pauure femme, s'il ne l'auoit point tuée, voyant qu'elle s'en -alloit mourir, cõme il auoit autrefois assommé à coups de bastons vne -pauure fille qui tiroit à la mort, ainsi que luy mesme l'auoit raconté -à nos François. Non, dit-il, ie ne l'ay pas tuée: qui donc, luy fis -ie, est-ce le ieune Hiroquois? Nenny, me répond-il, car il est party -de grand matin: c'est donc mon hoste, ou le Sorcier son mary; car elle -parloit encor quand ie suis sorty ce matin de la cabane, il baissa la -teste, m'aduoüãt tacitement que l'vn des deux l'auoit mise à mort: -vn vieillard m'a ceneãtmoins dit depuis, qu'elle mourut de sa mort -naturelle vn peu apres que ie fus party, ie m'en rapporte à ce qui en -est, quoy que s'en soit ayant refusé de recognoistre le Fils de Dieu -pour son Pasteur pendant sa vie, il n'est que trop probable qu'il ne -l'a pas recogneuë pour vne de ses oüailles, après sa mort. - - On the 28th of the same month, we broke camp for the third time. It - was snowing hard; but, with necessity urging us on, the bad weather - could not stop us. I was surprised, in this third halt, not to - see them bring the invalid; but I did not dare ask what [257] had - become of her, for they do not want any one to mention the dead. In - the evening, I went to the Renegade, and asked him in French where - this poor woman was,--if he had not killed her, seeing her about - to die, as he had once before killed with blows from a club a poor - girl who was on the point of death, which he himself had related - to our French. "No," said he, "I have not killed her." "Who has - then," said I, "is it the young Hiroquois?" "No, no," he answered, - "for he went away very early this morning." "It is then my host, - or the Sorcerer her husband, for she was still able to talk when I - left the cabin this morning." He bowed his head, admitting tacitly - that one of them had put her to death. But, since then, an old man - has told me that she died a natural death a little while after I - departed. I am unable to say which is correct; but, at all events, - as she refused to recognize the son of God as her Shepherd during - her life, it is no more than probable that he refused to recognize - her as one of his flock after death. - -I'ay remarqué iusques icy de trois sortes de medecines naturelles parmy -les [258] Sauuages, l'vne c'est leur suërie, dont i'ay parlé cy-dessus, -l'autre consiste à se taillader legerement la partie du corps qui -leur fait mal, la mettant toute en sang qu'ils font sortir de ces -decoupeures en assez grande abondance, ils se seruirent vne fois de mon -canif pour taillader la teste d'vn enfant de dix iours. La troisiesme -de ces medecines est composée de racleure d'écorces interieures de -bouleau, du moins cet arbre me sembloit tel, ils font boüillir ces -racleures dans de l'eau, qu'ils boiuent par apres pour se faire vomir, -ils m'ont souuent voulu donner ceste potion pendant que i'estois -malade, mais ie ne la iugeois pas à mon vsage. - - Up to the present I have observed three kinds of natural medicines - among the [258] Savages. One of these is their sweat-box, of which - I have spoken above; the second consists in making a slight gash - in the part of the body where the pain is, covering it with blood - which they make issue from these cuts quite abundantly. They once - made use of my penknife to cut the head of a child ten days old. - The third of these medicines is composed of the scrapings of the - inside bark of the birch, at least it seems to be this tree. They - boil these scrapings in water, which they afterwards drink to make - them vomit. They often wanted me to drink this potion when I was - sick, but I did not think it would agree with me. - -Le iour de sainct François Xauier, nostre pretendu Magicien ayant -sur le soir battu son tambour, & bien hurlé à l'ordinaire, car il ne -manquoit point de nous donner ceste aubade toutes les nuits à nostre -premier sommeil, voyant que tout le monde estoit endormy, & cognoissant -que ce pauure homme faisoit ce tintamare pour sa guarison. I'entray -en discours auec luy, ie commençay par vn témoignage de grand amour -[259] en son endroit, & par des loüanges que ie luy iettay comme -vne amorce pour le prendre dans les filets de la verité. Ie luy fis -entendre que si vn esprit capable des choses grandes comme le sien -cognoissoit Dieu, que tous les Sauuages induis par son exemple le -voudroient aussi cognoistre, aussi tost il prit l'essor, & se mit à -declarer la puissance, l'authorité & le credit qu'il a sur l'esprit -de ses compatriotes, il dit que dés sa ieunesse les Sauuages luy -donnerent le nom de _Khimouchouminau_, c'est à dire nostre ayeul & -nostre maistre, que tout passe par ses aduis, & que chacun suit ses -conseils, ie l'aydois à se loüer le mieux que ie pouuois: car il est -vray qu'il a de belles parties pour vn Sauuage: enfin ie luy dis que -ie m'estonnois qu'vn homme de iugement ne peut recognoistre le peu de -rapport qu'il y a entre ce tintamare & la santé. Quand tu as bien crié -& bien battu ton tambour, que fait ce bruit sinon de t'estourdir la -teste, pas vn Sauuage n'est malade, qu'on ne luy batte les oreilles de -ce tambour, afin qu'il ne meure point, en as-tu veu de dispensez de la -mort; ie te veux faire [260] vne proposition: Escoute moy patiemment, -luy dis-ie, bas ton tambour dix iours durant, chante & faits chanter -les autres tant que tu voudras, fais tout ce qui sera en ton possible -pour recouurer ta santé, si tu n'en guary dans ce temps-là, confesse -que ton tintamare, que tes hurlemens, & que tes chansons ne te -sçauroient remettre en santé, abstiens toy dix autres iours de toutes -ces superstitions, quitte ton tambour, & tous ces bruits dereglez, -demande au Dieu que i'adore, qu'il te donne sa cognoissance, pense & -crois que ton ame doit passer à vne autre vie que celle-cy, efforce toy -d'aymer son bien cõme tu ayme le bien de ton corps, & quand tu auras -passé ces dix autres derniers iours en ceste façon, ie me retireray -trois iours durant en oraison dans vne petite cabane qu'on fera plus -auant dans le bois, là ie prieray mon Dieu qu'il te donne la santé du -corps & de l'ame, toy seul me viendras voir au temps que ie diray, & tu -feras de tout ton cœur les prieres que ie t'enseigneray; promettant à -Dieu que s'il luy plaist de te rendre la santé, tu appelleras tous les -Sauuages de ce lieu, & en [261] leur presence tu brusleras ton tambour, -& toutes les autres badineries dont tu te sers pour les amasser, que tu -leur diras que le Dieu des Chrestiens est le vray Dieu, qu'ils croyẽt -en luy, & qu'ils luy obeïssent, si tu promets cecy veritablement & de -cœur, i'espere que tu seras deliuré de ta maladie, car mon Dieu est -tout puissant. - - On the day of saint François Xavier, our pretended Magician began - in the evening to beat his drum and to utter his howls as usual; - for he did not fail to give us this entertainment every night at - our first sleep. I saw that every one was asleep, and, knowing that - this poor man made all this racket in order to cure himself, I - entered into conversation with him. I began by expressing a great - deal of affection [259] for him, and by heaping praises upon him, - as bait to draw him into the nets of truth. I made him understand - that if a mind as capable of great things as his was, should know - God, that all the Savages, influenced by his example, would like to - know him also. He immediately began to soar, and to talk about the - power, the authority, and the influence he had over the minds of - his fellow-savages. He said that since his youth they had given him - the name, _Khimouchouminau_, meaning, "our sire and our master;" - that everything was done according to his opinion, and that they - all followed his advice. I helped in this self-praise as well - as I could, for he has indeed some good qualities for a Savage. I - finally told him that I was surprised that a man of judgment could - not realize that there was little connection between this uproar - and health. "When thou hast screamed and beaten thy drum with all - thy might, what good does it do except to make thy head dizzy? No - Savage is sick, whose ears they do not deafen with this drum, to - keep him from dying; yet hast thou ever seen it dispel death? I am - going to make a proposal [260] to thee, listen to me patiently," - I said to him. "Beat thy drum for ten days, sing and make all the - others sing as much as thou wilt, do all thou canst to recover thy - health, and if thou art not cured in that time confess that thy - din, howls and songs cannot restore thee to health. Now abstain - ten more days from all these superstitions; give up thy drum, and - all these wild noises; ask of the God whom I adore that he give - thee knowledge of himself; reflect, and believe that thy soul must - pass to a life other than this; endeavor to interest thyself in - its welfare as thou dost in the welfare of thy body; and when thou - shalt have passed these last ten days in this way, I will withdraw - for three days to pray in a little cabin that shall be made farther - back in the woods. There I will pray my God to give thee health of - body and of soul; thou alone shalt come to see me at the time I - shall indicate, and thou shalt say with all thy heart the prayers I - will teach thee--promising God that, if it pleases him to restore - thee thy health, thou wilt call together all the Savages of the - place, and in [261] their presence thou wilt burn thy drum and - all the other silly stuff that thou usest to bring them together, - saying to them that the God of the Christians is the true God, - that they must believe in him and obey him. If thou promise this - truthfully and from thy heart, I hope that thou wilt be delivered - from thy disease, for my God is all-powerful." - -Or comme cét homme est tres desireux de recouurer sa santé, il ouurit -les oreilles, & me dit, ton discours est fort bon, i'accepte les -conditions que tu me donne; mais commence le premier, retire toy en -oraison, & dis à ton Dieu qu'il me guarisse, car c'est par là qu'il -faut commencer, & puis ie feray tout ce que tu m'as prescrit: ie ne -cõmenceray point, luy reparty-ie, car si tu estois guary, pendant que -ie prierois tu attribuerois ta santé à ton tambour, que tu n'aurois -pas quitté; & non pas au Dieu que i'adore, lequel seul te peut guarir; -non, me dit-il, ie ne croiray pas que cela vienne de mon tambour, i'ay -chanté & fait tout ce que ie sçauois, & n'ay peu sauuer la vie à pas -vn; moy-mesme estãt malade ie fais ioüer pour me guarir tous [262] -les ressorts de mon art, & me voila plus mal que iamais; i'ay employé -toutes mes inuentions pour sauuer la vie à mes enfans, notamment au -dernier qui est mort depuis peu, & pour conseruer ma femme qui vient de -trespasser, tout cela ne m'a point reüssi, & partant si tu me guaris, -ie n'attribueray point ma santé à mon tambour, ny à mes chansons. Ie -luy répondis que ie ne pouuois pas le guarir; mais que mon Dieu pouuoit -tout, qu'au reste il ne falloit point faire de marché auec luy, ny luy -prescrire des conditions comme il faisoit, disant qu'il me guarisse -premierement, & puis ie croiray en luy: dispose toy, luy fis ie, de -ton costé, & sa bonté ne te manquera pas, que s'il ne te donne la santé -du corps, il te donnera la santé de l'ame qui est incomparablement plus -à priser. Ne me parle point de l'ame, me repart-il, c'est de quoy ie -ne me soucie pas: voila (me monstrant sa chair) ce que i'ayme, c'est -le corps que ie cheris, pour l'ame ie ne la voy point, en arriue ce -qui pourra. As tu de l'esprit, luy fis-ie? tu parle comme les bestes, -les chiens n'ayment que les corps; celuy qui a fait le Soleil [263] -pour t'éclairer, n'a-il rien preparé de plus grand à ton ame, qu'à -l'ame d'vn chien? Si tu n'ayme que ton corps tu perdras le corps & -l'ame, si vne beste pouuoit parler elle ne parleroit que de son corps -& de sa chair, n'as-tu rien par dessus les bestes qui sont faites pour -te seruir? n'ayme-tu que la chair & le sang? ton ame est-elle l'ame -d'vn chien que tu la traite auec vn tel mépris? peut estre que tu -dis vray, me répond-il, & qu'il y a quelque chose de bon en l'autre -vie: mais nous autres en ce pays-cy n'en sçauons rien, que si tu me -rends la santé ie feray ce que tu voudras. Ce pauure miserable ne -peut iamais releuer sa pensée plus haut que la terre: ne voyant donc -aucune disposition en cét esprit superbe, qui croyoit pouuoir obliger -Dieu, s'il croyoit en luy, ie le quittay pour lors, & me retiray pour -reposer, car il estoit bien auant dans la nuit. - - Now as this man is very desirous of recovering his health, he - opened his ears, and said to me, "Thy discourse is very good, I - accept the conditions that thou givest; but thou begin first, go - away and pray, and tell thy God to cure me, for with that we must - begin; then I will do all that thou hast prescribed for me." "I - shall not begin it," I replied to him, "for if thou get back thy - health while I would be praying, thou wouldst be attributing thy - recovery to thy drum, which thou wouldst not have given up, and - not to the God whom I adore, who alone can cure thee." "No," he - replied, "I shall not think it has come from my drum; I have sung - and have done all I could, yet I have not been able to save the - life of one man; I myself am sick, and to cure myself have made - use of all [262] the resources of my art; and behold I am worse - than ever. I have used all my inventions to save the lives of my - children, especially of the last one who died only a short time - ago, and to save my wife, who has just passed away, yet all this - has not succeeded; so if thou curest me I shall not attribute my - health to my drum nor to my songs." I answered him that I could - not cure him, but that my God could do all, and besides we must - not make bargains with him, nor prescribe to him the conditions - upon which he was to act, saying, "Let him cure me first, and then - I will believe in him." "Prepare thyself," I continued, "on thy - part, and his goodness will not fail thee; for, if he does not - give thee health of the body, he will give thee health of the soul, - which is of incomparably higher value." "Do not speak to me about - the soul," he replied, "that is something that I give myself no - anxiety about; it is this (showing his flesh) that I love, it is - the body I cherish; as to the soul, I do not see it, let happen - to it what will." "Hast thou any reason?" I asked, "thou speakest - like a brute, dogs love only their bodies; he who has made the Sun - [263] to shine upon thee, has he not prepared something better for - thy soul than for the soul of a dog? If thou lovest only the body, - thou wilt lose both thy body and thy soul. If a brute could talk, - it would talk about nothing but its body and its flesh; hast thou - nothing above the brute, which is made to serve thee? Dost thou - love only flesh and blood? Thy soul, is it only the soul of a dog, - that thou dost treat it with such contempt?" "Perhaps thou sayest - truly," he replied, "and there is something good in the other - life; but we here in this country know nothing about it. If thou - restorest my health, I will do what thou wishest." This poor wretch - is never able to raise his thoughts above earth. Seeing then no - inclination in this haughty spirit, who thought he was obliging God - by believing in him, I gave him up for the time being, and retired - to rest, for it was well along into the night. - -Le 3. de Decembre nous cõmençasmes nostre quatriesme station, ayans -délogé sans trompette, mais non pas sans tambour: car le Sorcier -n'oublioit iamais le sien, nous plantasmes nostre camp proche d'vn -fleuue large & rapide, [264] mais peu profond, ils le nomment _Ca -pititetchiouetz_, il se va dégorger dans le grand fleuue de sainct -Laurens, quasi vis à vis de Tadoussac, nos Sauuages n'ayans point icy -de viandes pour faire des festins, ils faisoient des banquets de fumée, -s'inuitans les vns les autres, dans leurs cabanes, & faisans la ronde à -vn petit plat de terre remply de Tabac, chacun en prenoit vne cornetée -qu'il reduisoit en fumée, remettant la main au plat s'il vouloit -petuner dauantage: l'affection qu'ils portent à ceste herbe est au -delà de toute créance, ils s'endormẽt le cabanet en la bouche, ils se -leuent par fois la nuit pour petuner, ils s'arrestent souuent en chemin -pour le mesme sujet, c'est la premiere action qu'ils font rentrant -dans leurs cabanes: ie leur ay battu le fusil pour les faire petuner -en ramants dans vn canot, ie leur ay veu souuent manger le baston de -leur calumet, n'ayans plus de petun, ie leur ay veu racler & pulueriser -vn calumet de bois pour petuner, disons auec compassion qu'ils passent -leur vie dans la fumée, & qu'ils tombent à la mort dans le feu. - - On the 3rd of December we began our fourth station, having broken - camp without trumpets, but not without drums, for the Sorcerer - never forgot his. We pitched our camp near a broad and rapid, [264] - but rather shallow river, which they called _Ca pititetchiouetz_; - it flows into the great river saint Lawrence, almost opposite - Tadoussac. Our Savages, having no food for a feast here, made a - banquet of smoke; each inviting the others to his cabin, they - passed around a little earthen plate containing Tobacco, and every - one took a pipeful, which he reduced to smoke, returning his hand - to the dish if he wanted to smoke any more. The fondness they have - for this herb is beyond all belief. They go to sleep with their - reed pipes in their mouths, they sometimes get up in the night to - smoke; they often stop in their journeys for the same purpose, and - it is the first thing they do when they reënter their cabins. I - have lighted tinder, so as to allow them to smoke while paddling a - canoe; I have often seen them gnaw the stems of their pipes when - they had no more tobacco, I have seen them scrape and pulverize a - wooden pipe to smoke it. Let us say with compassion that they pass - their lives in smoke, and at death fall into the fire. - -[265] I'auois porté du petun auec moy, non pour mõ vsage, car ie n'en -prends point, i'en donnay largement selon que i'en auois à plusieurs -Sauuages; m'en reseruant vne partie pour tirer de l'Apostat quelque -mot de sa langue; car il ne m'eust pas dit vne parole qu'en le payãt -de ceste monnoye, quand nos gens eurent consommé ce que ie leur auois -donné, & ce qu'ils auoient en leur particulier, ie n'auois plus de -paix, le Sorcier me pressoit auec vne importunité si audacieuse, que ie -ne le pouuois souffrir, tous les autres sembloient me vouloir manger, -quand ie leur en refusois: i'auois beau leur dire qu'ils n'auoient -point de consideration, que ie leur en auois plus donné trois fois -que ie ne m'estois reserué; vous voyez, leur disois-ie, que i'ayme -vostre langue, & qu'il faut que ie l'achepte auec cét argent, que s'il -me manque on ne m'enseignera pas vn mot, vous voyez que s'il me faut -vn verre d'eau, il faut que i'en aille chercher bien loing, ou que -ie dõne vn bout de petun à vn enfant pour m'en aller querir; vous me -dites que le petun rassasie, si la famine qui nous presse cõtinuë, i'en -[266] veux faire l'experience, laissez moy ce peu que i'ay de reserue, -il me fut impossible de resister à leur importunité, il fallut tirer -iusques au bout, ce ne fut pas sans estonnement de voir des personnes -si passionnées pour de la fumée. - - [265] I brought some tobacco with me, but not for myself, as I - do not use it. I have given liberally, according to my store, - to several Savages, saving some to draw from the Apostate a few - words of his language, for he would not say a word if I did not - pay him with this money. When our people had consumed what I had - given them, and what they had of their own, I had no more peace. - The Sorcerer was so annoying in his demands for it, that I could - not endure him; and all the others acted as if they wanted to - eat me, when I refused them. In vain I told them that they had - no consideration, that I had given them more than three times as - much as I had reserved for myself. "You see," I said to them, - "that I love your language and that I must buy it with this money, - for if it is lacking no one will teach me a word; you see if I - have to have a glass of water, I must go a long way to get it, - or I must give a bit of tobacco to a child to get it for me; you - tell me that tobacco satisfies hunger; if the famine which now - presses us continues, I wish [266] to experiment with it, so leave - me the little I have in reserve." It was impossible to resist - their teasing, and I had to draw out the last bit, not without - astonishment at seeing people so passionately fond of smoke. - -Le sixiesme du mesme mois, nous délogeasmes pour la cinquiesme fois, il -m'arriua vne disgrace au départ, au lieu de prẽdre le vray chemin, ie -me iettay dans vn autre que nos chasseurs auoient fort battu, ie vay -donc fort loing sans prendre garde que ie me perdois, ayant fait une -longue traitte, ie m'apperceu que mon chemin se diuisoit en cinq ou six -autres, qui tiroient qui deçà, qui delà, me voila demeuré tout court, -il y auoit vn petit enfant qui m'auoit suiuy, ie ne l'osois quitter, -car auss[i]-tost il se mettoit à pleurer, i'enfilay tantost l'vn, -tantost l'autre de ces sentiers, & voyant qu'ils tournoient çà & là, -& qu'ils n'estoient marquez que d'vne sorte de raquette, ie concluds -que ces chemins ne conduisoient point au lieu où mes Sauuages alloient -cabaner, ie ne sçauois que faire du petit garçon: car s'estant apperceu -de nostre erreur il ne m'osoit [267] perdre de veuë sans se pasmer; -d'ailleurs n'ayant qu'enuiron six ans il ne me pouuoit pas suiure, -car ie doublois mes pas: ie m'aduisay de luy laisser mon manteau pour -marque que ie retournerois, si ie trouuois nostre vray chemin, luy -faisant signe qu'il m'attendist, car nous ne nous attendions pas l'vn -l'autre: ie iettay donc mon manteau sur la neige, & m'en reuay sur -mes brisées criant de temps en temps pour me faire entendre de nos -gens, si tant est que le bon chemin ne fust pas loing de moy; ie crie, -i'appelle dans ces grands bois, personne ne répond, tout est dans vn -profond silence, les arbres mesme ne faisoient aucun bruit, car il ne -faisoit point de vent: le froid estoit si violent que ie m'attendois -infailliblemẽt de mourir la nuit au cas qu'il me la fallust passer -sur la neige, n'ayant ny hache ny fusil pour faire du feu; ie vay, -ie viens, ie tourne de tous costez, ie ne trouue rien qui ne m'égare -dauantage: la derniere chose que l'homme quitte c'est l'esperance, -ie la tenois tousiours par vn petit bout, me figurant à toute heure -que i'allois trouuer mon chemin; mais enfin apres [268] auoir bien -tourné, voyant que les creatures ne me pouuoient donner aucun secours, -ie m'arrestay pour presẽter mes petites prieres au Createur dont ie -voyois ces grands bois tout remplis aussi bien que le reste du monde: -il me vint vne pensée que ie n'estois pas perdu, puis que Dieu sçauoit -bien où i'estois, & ruminant ceste verité en mon esprit, ie tire -doucement vers le fleuue que i'auois trauersé au sortir de la cabane, -ie crie, i'appelle de rechef, tout le monde estoit desia bien loing; -ie commençois desia à laisser cheoir de mes mains le petit filet de -l'esperance que i'auois tenu iusques alors, quand i'aduisay quelques -vestiges de raquette derriere des broussailles, ie m'y transporte, _& -vidi vestigia virorum, & mulierum & infantium_, en vn mot ie trouue ce -que i'auois cherché fort long-temps, au commencement ie n'estois pas -asseuré que c'estoit là vn bon chemin, voila pourquoy ie me diligentay -de le recognoistre: estant desia bien auancé ie trouue l'Apostat qui -nous venoit chercher, il me demanda où estoit ce petit enfant, ie luy -repars que ie l'auois laissé [269] aupres de mon manteau: i'ay, me -dit-il, trouué vostre manteau & l'ay reporté à la nouuelle cabane; mais -ie n'ay point veu l'enfant: me voila bien estonné, de l'aller chercher, -c'estoit me perdre vne autre fois; ie prie l'Apostat d'y aller, il fit -la sourde oreille, ie tire droit à la cabane pour en donner aduis, où -enfin i'arriuay tout brisé & tout moulu pour la difficulté & pour la -longueur des chemins que i'auois fait sans trouuer hostellerie que des -ruisseaux glacez: si tost que les Sauuages me virent ils me demandent -où estoit le petit garçon, crians que ie l'auois perdu, ie leur raconte -l'histoire, les asseurants que ie luy auois laissé tout exprez mon -manteau pour l'aller retrouuer, mais ayant quitté ce lieu là, ie ne -sçauois où l'aller chercher, veu mesmement que ie n'en pouuois plus, -n'ayant point mangé depuis le grand matin, & deux ou trois bouchées de -boucan tant seulement, on me donna pour reconfort vn peu d'eau glacée, -que ie fis chauffer dans vn chaudron fort sale, ce fut tout mon souper: -car nos chasseurs n'ayans rien pris il fallut ieusner ce iour là. -[270] Pour l'enfant, deux femmes m'ayans ouy depeindre l'endroit où ie -l'auois laissé, coniecturant où il auoit tiré, l'allerent chercher, -& le trouuerent. Il ne faut pas s'estonner si vn François se perd -quelquesfois dans ces forests, i'ay veu de nos plus habiles Sauuages -s'y esgarer plus d'vn iour entier. - - On the sixth of the same month we broke camp for the fifth time. - I had a mishap at our departure, for, instead of taking the right - road, I started upon another that had been well beaten down by our - hunters, and so I went some distance without perceiving that I was - lost. After a long stage, I observed that the way divided into five - or six others, which led in several directions. So I was brought - to a standstill. There was a little child who had followed me, and - whom I did not dare to leave, for it would at once begin to cry. I - followed first one and then another of these paths; and seeing that - they wound here and there, and that they were marked by only one - kind of snowshoe, I concluded that these ways did not lead to the - place where my Savages were going to encamp. I did not know what to - do with the little boy; for, having found out our mistake, he did - not dare [267] lose me out of his sight without going into spasms; - and besides, as he was only about six years old, he could not keep - up with me as I increased my speed. I decided to leave him my - cloak, to show that I intended to return, if I found the right way, - making him a sign that he should wait, for we did not understand - each other. So I threw my cloak upon the snow, and retraced my - steps, crying out from time to time to make myself heard by our - people, in case the right road was not far away from me. I shout - and halloo in these great forests, but no one answers; the silence - is profound, for even the trees do not rustle, as there is no - wind. The cold was so severe that I was sure I would die during - the night, if I had to pass it upon the snow, having neither axe - nor tinder with which to make a fire. I go, I come, I turn on all - sides; but I find nothing which does not confuse me still more. The - last thing that a man abandons is hope; I continued to hold on to - it by the little end, imagining every moment that I was going to - find my way; but at last, after [268] many windings, seeing that - human beings could give me no help, I stopped in order to offer my - little prayers to the Creator, with whom I saw these great woods - all filled as well as the rest of the world. The thought came into - my mind that I was not lost, since God knew where I was; and, - turning over this truth in my mind, I slowly approached the river - I had crossed on leaving the cabin. I cried out, I called again, - but everybody was already far away. I was beginning to loosen my - hold upon the little thread of hope that I had held up to that - time, when I perceived some snowshoe tracks behind the brushwood. - I betook myself thither, _et vidi vestigia virorum, et mulierum et - infantium_. In a word, I found what I had so long been seeking. At - first I was not sure this was a good road, hence I reconnoitred - it very carefully. When I had advanced some distance, I met the - Apostate, who was coming in search of us. He asked me where the - little child was; and I replied that I had left it [269] near my - cloak. "I have found your cloak," he said, "and have carried it to - the new cabin; but I have not found the child." This was a great - shock to me; to go in search of it would be to lose myself a second - time. I prayed the Apostate to go, but he turned a deaf ear to my - entreaties. I started directly for the cabin, to advise them of - the matter, and finally reached it, sore all over and bruised from - the hardships and length of the journey, which I had made without - finding other hostelry than the frozen brooks. As soon as the - Savages saw me, they asked where the little boy was, crying out - that I had lost him. I told them the story, assuring them that I - had left my cloak with him purposely, that I might go back and find - him; but, as he had left that place, I did not know where to look - for him, especially as I had no more strength left, having eaten - nothing since early morning, and then only two or three mouthfuls - of smoked meat. They comforted me with a little frozen water, which - I melted in a very dirty kettle, and this was all the supper I had; - for our hunters had not taken anything, so we had to fast that - day. [270] As to the child, two women having heard me describe the - place where I had left it, guessing where it had wandered, went in - search of and found it. You must not be astonished if a Frenchman - sometimes loses himself in these forests; for I have known some of - our cleverest Savages to wander about in them more than a whole day. - -Le 20. de Decembre, quoy que les Sauuages ne se mettent pas -ordinairement en chemin pendant le mauuais temps si fallut-il -decabanner durant la pluye, & desloger à petit bruit sans desieuner, la -fin [faim] nous faisoit marcher, mais le mal est, qu'elle nous suiuoit -par tout où nous allions; car nous ne trouuions par tout, ou fort peu, -ou point de chasse: En ceste station, qui fut la sixiesme, le Renegat -me vint dire que les Sauuages estoient fort espouuantez, & mon hoste -m'abordant tout pensif, me demanda si ie ne sçauois point quelque -remede à leur mal-heur, il n'y a pas, me disoit-il, assez de neige pour -tuer l'Orignac, des Castors, & des Porcs-espics, nous n'en trouuõs -quasi point, que ferons nous? ne sçais tu point ce qui nous doit -arriuer? ne sens tu point dans toy-mesme ce qu'il [271] faut faire? -Ie luy voulus dire que nostre Dieu estoit tres-bon, & tres-puissant, -qu'il falloit que nous eussions recours à sa misericorde, mais cõme ie -ne parlois pas bien, ie priay l'Apostat de me seruir de truchement; ce -miserable est possedé d'vn diable muet, iamais il ne voulut parler. - - On the 20th of December, although the Savages do not usually - take the road in bad weather, yet we had to break up during the - storm, and move away quietly without any breakfast, for hunger - drove us onward; the trouble is it followed us everywhere we went, - for we found no game anywhere, or at least very little of it. At - this station, which was the sixth, the Renegade came to tell me - that the Savages were greatly terrified; and my host, addressing - me seriously, asked if I did not know some remedy for their - misfortune. "There is not," said he, "enough snow to kill Moose, - Beavers, and Porcupines; we find almost no game; what shall we do? - Dost thou not know what may happen to us? Dost thou not see within - thyself what [271] ought to be done?" I wanted to tell him that our - God was very good and very powerful, and we ought to have recourse - to his mercy; but as I did not speak well, I begged the Apostate to - be my interpreter, but this wretch is possessed of a mute devil, he - never wants to talk. - -Le 24. Decembre, veille de la naissance de nostre Sauueur, nous -decampasmes pour la septiesme fois, nous partismes sans manger, nous -cheminasmes vn assez long temps; nous trauaillasmes à faire nostre -maison, & pour nostre souper N. S. nous donna vn Porc-espic gros comme -vn cochon de lait, & vn liéure, c'estoit peu pour dix-huict ou vingt -personnes que nous estions, il est vray, mais la saincte Vierge & son -glorieux Espoux sainct Ioseph, ne furent pas si bien traictez à mesme -iour dans l'estable de Bethleem. - - On the 24th of December, the evening before the birth of our - Savior, we broke up for the seventh time. We departed without - eating, and journeyed for a long, long time, then worked at - house-building; and for our supper Our Lord gave us a Porcupine - as large as a sucking pig, and a hare. It was not much for our - eighteen or twenty people, it is true; but the holy Virgin and her - glorious Spouse, saint Joseph, were not so well treated on the same - day in the stable at Bethle[h]em. - -Le lendemain iour de resiouyssance parmy les Chrestiens, pour l'enfant -nouueau né, fust pour nous vn iour de ieusne, on ne me donna rien -du tout à manger; la faim qui fait sortir le loup du bois, m'y fit -entrer plus auant, pour chercher [272] des petits bouts d'arbres que ie -mãgeois auec delices, des femmes ayant ietté aux chiens par mesgarde -ou autrement, quelques rongneures de peaux dont on fait les cordes des -raquettes, ie les ramassay, & en fis vn bon disner, quoy que les chiens -mesmes, quand ils auoient tant soit peu à manger, n'en voulussent -pas gouster: I'ay souuent mangé, notamment ce mois cy, des raclures -d'escorces, des rongneures de peaux, & autres choses semblables, & -cependant ie ne m'en suis point trouué mal. - - The next day, a day of rejoicing among Christians on account of the - newborn child, was for us a day of fasting. I was given nothing at - all to eat. Hunger, which makes the wolf come out of the woods, - made me go farther in to seek [272] the little ends of the trees, - which I ate with delight. Some women, having thrown to the dogs, - either unintentionally or otherwise, some bits of hide from which - they make the strings for their snowshoes, I gathered them up and - made a good dinner of them; although the dogs themselves, when they - have ever so little else to eat, will not touch them. I have often - eaten, especially during that month, scrapings of bark, bits of - leather, and similar things, and yet they have never made me ill. - -Le mesme iour de Noël ie m'en allay sur le soir visiter nos voisins, -nous n'estions plus que deux cabanes, celle du Sauuage Ekhenneabamate -auoit tiré d'vn autre costé depuis cinq ou six iours, à raison qu'il -n'y auoit pas assez de chasse pour nourrir tout le monde, ie trouuay -deux ieunes chasseurs tout tristes, pour n'auoir rien pris ce iour là, -ny le precedent, ils estoient comme tous les autres maigres & defaits, -taciturnes & fort pensifs, comme gens qui ne pouuoient mourir qu'à -regret, cela me toucha le cœur, apres leur auoir dit quelque parole -de consolation, & donné quelque [273] esperance de chose meilleure, -ie me retiray en ma cabane pour prier Dieu, l'Apostat me demãda quel -iour il estoit? il est auiourd'huy la feste de Noël, luy respondis-je; -Il fut vn peu touché, & se tournant vers le Sorcier, il luy dit, qu'à -tel iour estoit né le Fils de Dieu que nous adorions nommé IESVS: -Remarquant en luy quelque estonnement, ie luy dis que Dieu vsoit -ordinairement de largesse en ces bons iours, & que si nous auions -recours à luy qu'il nous assisteroit infailliblement; à cela point de -parole, mais aussi point de contrarieté: prenant donc l'occasion au -poil, ie le priay de me tourner en sa langue deux petites Oraisons, -dont i'en dirois l'vne, & les Sauuages l'autre. Esperant que nous -serions secourus, l'extremité où nous estions reduits luy fit accorder -que de bond, que de volée ce que ie demandois. Ie composay sur l'heure -deux petites prieres, qu'il me tourna en Sauuage, me promettant en -outre qu'il me seruiroit d'interprete si i'assemblois les Sauuages, -me voila fort content. Ie recommande l'affaire à N.S. & le lendemain -matin ie dresse vn petit Oratoire, ie pends aux [274] perches de la -cabane vne seruiette que i'auois portée, sur laquelle i'attachay vn -petit Crucifix & vn Reliquaire, que deux personnes fort Religieuses -m'ont enuoyé: ie tire encore quelque Image de mon Breuiaire, cela fait -ie fais appeller tous les Sauuages de nos deux cabanes, & ie leur fais -entendre tant par mon begayemẽt, que par la bouche d'vn Renegat, que la -crainte de mourir de faim faisoit parler, qu'il ne tiendroit qu'à eux -qu'ils ne fussent secourus, ie leur dis que nostre Dieu est la bonté -mesme, que rien ne luy estoit impossible, qu'encore bien qu'on l'eust -mesprisé, que si neantmoins on croyoit, & si on esperoit en luy d'vn -bon cœur, qu'il se monstreroit fauorable: Or comme ces pauures gens -n'auoient plus d'esperance en leurs arcs, ny en leurs flesches, ils me -tesmoignerẽt vn grand contentement de ce que ie les auois assemblez, -m'asseurant qu'ils feroient tout ce que ie leur commanderois; ie prens -mon papier & leurs lis l'Oraison que ie desirois qu'ils fissent, leur -demandant s'ils estoient contens d'addresser au Dieu que i'adorois ces -paroles de tout leur cœur, & sans feintise; ils me [275] respondent -tous _nimiroueritenan, nimiroueritenan_, nous en sommes cõtens, nous -en sõmes contens. Ie me mets le premier à genoux, & eux tous auec moy, -iettans les yeux sur nostre petit Oratoire, le seul Sorcier demeuroit -assis, mais luy ayant demandé s'il n'en vouloit pas estre aussi bien -que les autres, il fit comme il me voyoit faire, nous estions testes -nuës, ioignans tous les mains & les esleuans vers le Ciel, ie commençay -donc à faire ceste Oraison tout haut en leur langue. - - In the evening of this same Christmas day I went to visit - our neighbors. We were now only two cabins, as the Savage - Ekhenneabamate had gone off in another direction five or six days - before, because there had not been enough game for all of us. I - found there two young hunters, in deep distress at not having - captured anything that day, nor the one before. They were like all - the others, wasted and thin, silent and very sad, like people who - parted with life regretfully. It made my heart bleed to see them. - After having said a few words of consolation, and cheered them - with the [273] hope of better things, I withdrew into my cabin to - pray to God. The Apostate asked me what day it was. "To-day is the - Christmas festival," I answered him. He was slightly touched, and, - turning toward the Sorcerer, said that on this day was born the - son of God, called JESUS, whom we adored. Observing that he showed - some wonder, I told him that God was generally very bountiful - on these days; and, if we had recourse to him, he would surely - help us. To this there was not a word, neither was there any - opposition. So seizing the opportunity, I begged him to translate - for me two little Prayers into his language, and I would say one of - them and the Savages the other. Hoping that we would be succored, - the extremity to which we were reduced made him grant, in pure - recklessness, what I asked. I immediately composed two little - prayers, which he turned into Savage, promising me besides that he - would serve me as interpreter if I would call the Savages together, - so I was very happy. I commended the matter to Our Lord and the - next morning I erected a little Oratory. I hung to the [274] poles - of the cabin a napkin I had brought with me; to this I attached a - small Crucifix and a Reliquary that two very Religious persons had - sent me, also I took from my Breviary one of the Pictures. When - this was done, I had all the Savages from our two cabins called, - and made them understand, partly through my stammering and partly - through the lips of the Renegade, whom the fear of dying from - hunger made speak, that it depended upon them alone whether or not - they should be relieved. I told them that our God was goodness - itself, that nothing was impossible to him; that even though a - person had despised him, yet if he believed in him and hoped in - him with a sincere heart, he would show himself favorable. Now as - these poor people had no more hope in their bows or arrows, they - showed much gladness that I had thus called them together, assuring - me they would do all I commanded them. I took my paper and read - to them the Prayer I wished them to offer, asking if they were - content to address to the God whom I adored these prayers from - their hearts, and without dissimulation. They all [275] responded, - _nimiroueritenan, nimiroueritenan_, "We are satisfied, we are - satisfied." I knelt down first and the others followed, fixing our - eyes upon our little Oratory. The Sorcerer alone remained seated; - but, when I asked him if he did not wish to be like the others, he - did as he saw me do. We were bareheaded, our hands all clasped and - raised toward Heaven; and in this attitude I began to repeat the - following Prayer aloud in their language. - -Mon Seigneur qui auez tout fait, qui voyez tout, & qui cognoissez tout, -faites nous misericorde. O +IESVS+, fils du Tout-puissant, qui auez -pris chair humaine pour nous, qui estes né pour nous d'vne Vierge, qui -estes mort pour nous, qui estes resuscité & monté au Ciel pour nous, -vous auez promis que si on demandoit quelque chose en vostre nom que -vous l'accorderiez: ie vous supplie de tout mon cœur de donner la -nourriture à ce pauvre peuple, qui veut croire en vous, & qui vous -veut obeïr, ce peuple vous promet entierement que si vous le secourez -qu'il croira parfaitement en vous, & qu'il vous obeïra [276] de tout -son cœur, Mon Seigneur, exaucez ma prieré, ie vous presente ma vie pour -ce peuple tres content de mourir à ce qu'ils viuent, & qu'ils vous -cognoissent. Ainsi soit-il. - - "My Lord, you who have made all, who see all and who know all, have - pity upon us. O +JESUS+, son of the All-powerful, you who have - taken human flesh for us, who were born of a Virgin for us, who - have died for us, who were resurrected and ascended into Heaven - for us, you have promised that if anything is asked in your name, - you will grant it. I beseech you with all my heart to give food - to these poor people, who wish to believe in you and to obey you. - These people promise you faithfully that, if you will help them, - they will believe entirely in you, and that they will obey you - [276] with all their hearts. My Lord, hearken to my prayer; I offer - you my life for these people, content to die that they may live and - acknowledge you. Amen." - -A ces paroles de mourir pour eux que ie proferois pour gagner leur -affection, quoy qu'en effect ie le disois de bon cœur, mon hoste -m'arresta & me dit; retranche ces paroles, car nous t'aymons tous, & ne -desirons pas que tu meure; ie vous veux témoigner, leur repartis-ie, -que ie vous ayme, & que ie donnerois volontiers ma vie pour vostre -salut, tant c'est chose grande que d'estre sauué. Apres que i'eus faict -ceste Oraison, chacun d'eux à mains iointes, teste nuë, & les genoux -en terre, comme i'ay remarqué, profera la suiuante, que ie prononçois -deuant-eux fort posément. - - At these words, "to die" for them, which I used to gain their - affection, although really I said it with a sincere heart, my - host stopped me and said, "Take back those words, for we all love - thee, and do not wish thee to die for us." "I wish to show you," - I answered, "that I love you, and that I would willingly give my - life for your salvation, so great a thing is it to be saved." After - I had offered this Prayer, all of them with hands joined, heads - bare, and knees upon the ground, as I have observed, repeated the - following, which I pronounced to them with great solemnity. - -Grand Seigneur qui auez fait le ciel & la terre, vous sçauez tout, vous -pouuez tout, ie vous promets de tout mon cœur (ie ne sçaurois vous -mentir) ie vous promets entierement, que s'il vous plaist nous donner -nostre nourriture, que ie vous obeïray cordiallement, que ie croiray -asseurément en vous, ie vous [277] promets sans feintise, que ie feray -tout ce qu'on me dira deuoir estre fait pour vostre amour, aydez nous, -vous le pouuez faire, ie feray asseurément ce qu'on m'enseignera deuoir -estre fait pour l'amour de vous, ie le promets sans feintise, ie ne -ments pas, ie ne sçaurois vous mentir, aydez nous à croire en vous -parfaictement, puis que vous estes mort pour nous. Ainsi soit il. - - "Great Lord, you who have made heaven and earth, you know all, you - can do all. I promise you with all my heart (I could not lie to - you) I promise you wholly, that, if it pleases you to give us food, - I will obey you cheerfully, that I will surely believe in you. I - promise [277] you without deceit that I will do all that I shall be - told ought to be done for love of you. Help us, for you can do it; - I will certainly do what they shall teach me ought to be done for - your sake. I promise it without pretence, I am not lying, I could - not lie to you; help us to believe in you perfectly, for you have - died for us. Amen." - -Ils firent tous ceste priere, & l'Apostat & le Sorcier aussi bien que -les autres, c'est à Dieu de iuger de leurs cœurs, ie leur dis après -cela qu'ils s'en allassent à la chasse auec confiance, ce qu'ils -firent, la plus part témoignans par leur visage & par leurs paroles -qu'ils auoient pris plaisir en ceste action; mais auant que d'en voir -le succez couchons en leur langue ces deux Oraisons, afin qu'on voye -l'œconomie de leurs paroles, & leur façon de s'énoncer. - - They all offered this prayer, the Apostate and the Sorcerer as well - as the others; God alone can judge of their hearts. After this I - told them that they should go to the chase with confidence, as - they did, the greater part showing by their faces and words that - they had taken pleasure in this act. But, before finding out what - success they had, let us couch in their language these two Prayers, - in order that you may see the arrangement of their words, and their - way of expressing themselves. - - _Nou_K_himame missi ca_ K_hichitaien missi,_ - Mon Capitaine tout qui as fait tout, - - K_hesteritamen missi, ouia batamen chaoueriminan_. - qui sçais tout, qui vois, aye pitié de nous. - - _Iesus oucouchichai missi ca nitaouitát_ - Iesus Fils out qui a faict - - [278] _Niran ca outchi, arichiirinicasouien, niran_ - de nous qui à cause es fait hõme de nous - - _ca outchi, iriniouien iscouechich, niran ca_ - qui à cause es né d'vne fille de nous, qui - - _outchi nipien, niran ca outchi ouascou_k_hi,_ - à cause es mort de no⁹, qui à cause au ciel - - _itoutaien; egou_ K_hisitaie, nitichenicassouini_k_i,_ - es allé ainsi tu disois en mon nom - - K_hegoueia netou tamagaouian niga chaoueri_K_an,_ - quelque chose si ie suis requis i'ẽ auray pitié, - - k_hitaia mihitin naspich ou mitchimi,_ - ie te prie entierement la nourriture - - _a richiriniou miri, ca ouitapouetasc,_ - à ce peuple dõne qui veux croire en toy, - - _ca ouipamitasc, arichiriniou_ k_hiticou_ - qui te veux obeyr, ce peuple te dit - - _naspich, ouitchihien_ k_higatapouetatin_ - entièrement, si tu m'ayde ie te croyray - - _naspich_, k_higa pamtatim naspich, Nou_k_himame_ - parfaitemẽt ie t'obeïray entieremẽt mon Capitaine - - _chaoueritamitaouitou, oui_ - aye pitié de ce que ie dis, si tu - - _michoutchi nipousin, iterimien_ - veux en contrechãge ma mort penser - - _ouirouau mag iriniouisonan, egou inousin._ - quant à eux qu'ils viuent, ainsi soit-il. - - _Noukhimame missi ca Khichitaien missi_, - My Captain all who hast made, all - - _Khesteritamen missi, ouia batamen chaoueriminan_. - who knowest, all who seest, have pity on us. - - _Jesus oucouchichai missi ca nitaouitât_ - Jesus, the Son all who has made - - [278]_Niran ca outchi, arichiirinicasouien, niran_ - of us who because art made man, of us - - _ca outchi, iriniouien iscouechich, niran ca_ - who because art born of a maiden, of us who - - _outchi nipien, niran ca outchi ouascoukhi,_ - because hast died, of us who because to heaven - - _itoutaien; egou Khisitaie, nitichenicassouiniki,_ - art gone; thus thou saidst, in my name - - _Khegoueia netou tamagaouian niga chaouerikan,_ - any thing if I am asked on it I will have pity, - - _khitaia mihitin naspich ou mitchimi,_ - I pray thee wholly the food - - _a richiriniou miri, ca ouitapouetasc,_ - to these people give, who wish to believe in thee, - - _ca ouipamitasc, arichiriniou khiticiou_ - who wish to obey thee; these people say to thee - - _naspich, ouitchihien khigatapouetatin_ - wholly, if thou aidest me I will believe thee - - _naspich, khiga pamtatim naspich, Noukhimame_ - perfectly I will obey thee entirely my Captain - - _chaoueritamitaouitou oui_ - have pity upon what I say, if thou - - _michoutchi nipousin, iterimien_ - wish in exchange my death take care - - _ouironau mag iriniouisonan, egou inousin._ - as to them that they may live, so be it. - -Voicy celle qu'ils prononcerent. - - [279] _Khicheou_K_himan ca_ k_hichitaien ouascou,_ - Grand Capitaine qui as faict le Ciel - - _mag asti, missi_ k_hi_k_histeriten, missi_ K_hipicoutan_, - & la Terre tout tu sçais toute chose, tu fais bien - - k_hititin naspich, tanté_ - ie te dis entierement comment - - _bona ou_k_hiran? khititin naspich, oui miriatchi_ - pourrois-je mẽtir? ie te dis sãs feintise si tu no⁹ veux dõner - - _nimitchiminan, ochitau_ - nostre nourriture tout - - _tapoué_ k_higa pamitatin, ochitau,_ - expres asseurement ie t'obeïray tout - - _tapoué_ K_higa tapouetatin,_ K_hititin_ - expres, en verité ie te croiray, ie te le dis - - _naspich, niga tin missi,_ K_hé eitigaouané;_ - entieremẽt, ie feray tout ce qu'õ me dira - - k_hir_ k_he, outchi_ K_hian, ouitchihinan,_ - de toy à cause ie le feray ayde nous - - k_higa_ k_hi ouitchi hinan, naspich niga_ - tu nous peux ayder absolument ie feray - - _tin missi_, k_hé eitigaouané_ k_hir_ K_he, outchi_ - tout ce qu'on me dira de toy à cause - - k_hian, Khititin naspich; nama_ - ie le feray ie te le dis sans feintise, ie ne - - _ni_k_hirassin, nama_ k_hinita_ k_hirassicatin,_ - mens pas, ie ne te sçaurois mentir, - - _ouitchihinan_ k_higai tapouetatinan naspich;_ - ayde nous affin que nous te croyons parfaictemẽt, - - [280] _ouichihinan mag missi irinioua_k_hi_ - ayde nous puis de tous les hõmes - - _ouetchi nipouané. Egou inousin._ - à cause tu es mort, ainsi soit-il. - - And here is the one they repeated. - - [279] _Khicheoukhiman ca khichitaien ouascou,_ - Great Captain who hast made the Sky - - _mag asti, missi khikhisteriten, missi_ - and the Earth, all thou knowest, everything - - _Khipicoutan, khititin naspich, tanté_ - thou doest well I say to thee wholly how - - _bona oukhiran? khititin naspich, oui miriatchi_ - could I lie? I tell thee without pretence if thou wilt give us - - _nimitchiminan, ochitau_ - our food quite - - _tapoué khiga pamitatin, ochitau,_ - positively surely I will obey thee quite - - _tapoué Khiga tapouetatin, Khititin_ - certainly truly I will believe in thee, I tell it thee - - _naspich, niga tin missi Khé eitigaouané;_ - wholly, I will do all that they shall tell me - - _khir khe, outchi Khian, ouitchihinan,_ - of thee because I will do it, help us - - _khiga khi ouitchi hinan, naspich niga_ - thou canst help us absolutely I will do - - _tin missi, khe eitigaouané khir Khe, outchi_ - all that which they shall tell me of thee because - - _khian, Khititin naspich; nama_ - I will do it I tell it thee without pretence, I do not - - _nikhirassin, nama khinita khirassicatin_, - lie, I could not to thee lie, - - _ouitchihinan khigai tapouetatinan naspich;_ [280] - help us that we may believe thee perfectly, - - _ouichihinan mag missi iriniouakhi_ - help us then of all the men - - _ouetchi nipouané. Egou inousin._ - because thou art dead, Amen. - -Nos chasseurs ayans fait leurs prieres s'en allerent, qui deça qui de -là chercher dequoy manger, mon hoste & deux ieunes hommes s'en vont -voir vne cabane de Castors, qu'ils auoient voulu quitter desesperans -d'y rien prendre, il en prit trois pour sa part: l'estant allé voir -apres midy, ie luy en vis prendre vn de mes yeux, ses compagnons -en prirent aussi ie ne sçay pas combien, le Sorcier estant allé ce -iour là à la chasse auec vn sien ieune neueu, prit vn Porc épic, & -découurit la piste d'vn Orignac qui fut depuis tué à coup de fleches, -contre l'attente de tous tant qu'ils estoient, n'y ayant que fort peu -de neige, vn ieune Hiroquois, dont ie parleray cy apres, tua aussi vn -fort beau Porc-epic; bref chacun prit quelque chose, il n'y eut que -l'Apostat qui reuint les mains vuides, le soir mon hoste apportant -trois Castors, comme il rentroit dans la cabane ie luy tendis la main, -il s'en vint tout ioyeux vers moy recognoissant le [281] secours de -Dieu, & demandant ce qu'il deuoit faire, ie luy dits _Nicanis_, mon -bien-aymé, il faut remercier Dieu qui nous a assisté; voila bien -dequoy, dit l'Apostat, nous n'eussions pas laissé de trouuer cela sans -l'ayde de Dieu. A ces paroles ie ne sçais quels mouuemens ne sentit -mõ coeur, mais si ce traistre m'eust donné vn coup de poignard, il -ne m'eust pas plus attristé, il ne falloit que ces paroles pour tout -perdre, mon hoste ne laissa point de me dire qu'il feroit ce que ie -voudrois, & il se fust mis en deuoir, si le Sorcier ne se fust point -ietté à la trauerse: car l'Apostat n'a point d'authorité parmy les -Sauuages, ie voulu attendre le festin qu'on deuoit faire, où tous -les Sauuages se deuoient trouuer; afin qu'ayant deuant leurs yeux -les presens que nostre Seigneur leur auoit fait, ils fussent mieux -disposez à recognoistre son assistance; mais comme ie vins à leur -vouloir parler, le Renégat fasché de ce que luy seul n'auoit rien pris, -non seulement ne me voulut pas ayder, ains au contraire il m'imposa -silence me commandant tout nettement de me taire; non feray pas luy -dis-ie, si vous estes [282] ingrat les autres ne le seront pas, le -Sorcier voyant qu'on estoit assez disposé à m'écouter; croyant que si -on me prestoit l'oreille il perdroit autant de son crédit, me dit d'vne -façon arrogante, tais-toy, tu n'as point d'esprit, il n'est pas temps -de parler, mais de manger; ie luy voulu demander s'il auoit des yeux, -s'il ne voyoit pas manifestement le seruice de Dieu, mais il ne me -voulut pas écouter; les autres qui estoient dans vn profond silence, -voyans que le Sorcier m'estoit contraire, n'oserent pas m'inuiter à -parler: si bien que celuy qui faisoit le festin se mit à le distribuer, -& les autres à manger; voila mes pourceaux qui deuorent le gland sans -regarder celuy qui leur abbat, c'est à qui se réioüira dauantage, ils -estoient remplis de contentement & moy de tristesse, si fallut-il bien -se remettre à la volonté de Dieu, l'heure de ce peuple n'est pas encore -venuë. - - Our hunters having finished their prayers, went away, some here, - some there, to look for something to eat. My host and two young - men went off to a Beaver lodge, which they were about to give up, - hopeless of taking any thing, when he, on his part, took three; - in the afternoon, when I went to find him, I saw him, with my own - eyes, take one; and his companions captured some also, but I do - not know how many. The Sorcerer, having gone hunting on this - same day with one of his young nephews, caught a Porcupine, and - discovered the tracks of a Moose, which has since been killed with - arrows, contrary to the expectations of all the people, for there - was only a little snow. A young Hiroquois, of whom I shall speak - hereafter, also killed a very fine Porcupine. In short, everyone - took something, except the Apostate, who returned empty-handed. - In the evening, when my host returned to the cabin, carrying - three Beavers, I extended to him my hand. He approached joyfully, - recognizing the [281] help of God, and asked what he should do. I - said to him, "_Nicanis_, my well-beloved, we must thank God who has - helped us." "What for indeed?" said the Apostate, "we could not - have failed to find that without the aid of God." At these words I - cannot tell what emotions surged in my heart; but if this traitor - had given me a sword-thrust, he could not have saddened me more; - these words alone were needed that all might be lost. My host did - not fail to tell me that he would do what I wished; and he might - have fulfilled his duty, had not the Sorcerer interposed. For, as - the Apostate had no authority among the Savages, I intended to - await the banquet they would have, where all the Savages would be - assembled; so that, having before their eyes the gifts our Lord - had made them, they would be better disposed to recognize his - assistance. But when I was about to speak to them, the Renegade, - angry at being the only one who had not taken something, not only - would not help me, but even imposed silence upon me, abruptly - commanding me to keep still. "I will not do it," I said to him, "if - you are [282] ungrateful, the others are not." The Sorcerer, seeing - they were rather disposed to listen to me, and believing that, if - they gave me their attention, he himself would lose so much of his - authority, said to me, arrogantly, "Hold thy tongue, thou hast no - sense; this is no time to talk, but to eat." I tried to ask him if - he had no eyes, if he did not plainly see the help of God, but he - would not listen to me. The others, who were maintaining a profound - silence, seeing that the Sorcerer was hostile to me, did not dare - ask me to speak; so the one who prepared the banquet began to - distribute it, and the others to eat. Then behold my pigs devouring - the acorns, regardless of him who shook them down. They vied with - each other in their happiness; they were filled with joy, and I - with sadness; we must yield to the will of God, for the hour of - this people is not yet come. - -Cecy se passa le Lundy, le Mercredy suiuant mon hoste & vn ieune -chasseur tuerent à coups de fleches l'Orignac dont ils auoient veu les -traces, ils en virent d'autres depuis, mais comme [283] il y auoit -fort peu de neige ils n'en peurent iamais approcher à la portée de -leurs arcs si tost qu'ils eurẽt ceste proye ils la mirent en pieces, en -apportant vne bonne partie dans nos cabannes, & enseuelissans le reste -soubs la neige; voila tout le monde en ioye, on fait vn grand banquet -où ie fus inuité, voyant les grandes pieces de chair qu'on donnoit à -vn chacun, ie demanday à l'Apostat si c'estoit vn festin à mãger tout, -& m'ayant dit qu'ouy, il est impossible, luy reparty-ie, que ie mange -tout ce qu'on m'a donné, si faut-il bien, me répondit-il, que vous le -mangiez, les autres sont assez empeschez à manger leur part, il faut -que vous mangiez la vostre: ie luy fais entẽdre que Dieu deffendoit -ces excez, & que ie ne le cõmettrois point y allast-il de la vie, ce -mechant blasphemateur pour animer les autres contre moy, leur dit que -Dieu estoit fasché de ce qu'ils auoient à manger: Ie ne dis pas cela, -luy repliquay-ie en Sauuage, mais bien qu'il deffend de manger auec -excez, le Sorcier me repart, ie n'ay iamais plus grand bien sinon quand -ie suis saoul. Or comme ie ne pouuois venir à [284] bout de ma portion, -i'inuite vn Sauuage mon voisin d'en prendre vne partie, luy donnant du -petun en recompense de ce qu'il mangeoit pour moy, i'en iette vne autre -partie secrettement aux chiens, les Sauuages s'en estans doutez par la -querelle qui suruint entre ces animaux, se mirent à crier contre moy, -disans que ie cõtaminois leur festin, qu'ils ne prendroient plus rien, -& que nous mourrions de faim, les femmes & les enfans ayans sceu cela, -me regardoient par apres comme vn tres-meschant homme, me reprochant -auec dedain que ie les ferois mourir, & veritablement si Dieu ne nous -eust donné rien de long temps, i'estois en danger d'estre mis à mort -pour auoir commis vn tel sacrilege: voila, iusques où s'estend leur -superstition, pour obuier à cét inconuenient: les autres fois on me fit -ma part plus petite, & encore me dit on que ie n'en mãgeasse sinon que -ce que ie voudrois, qu'eux mangeroient le reste, mais sur tout que ie -me donnasse bien de garde de rien ietter aux chiens. - - This happened on Monday. On the Wednesday following, my host and a - young hunter killed with arrows the Moose whose tracks we had seen; - they saw others afterwards, but, as [283] there was so little snow, - they could never approach within arrow-shot of them. As soon as - they had captured this game, they divided it up, bringing a large - part of it to our cabins, and burying the rest under the snow. - Now every one was happy, and a great banquet was made, to which I - was invited. Seeing the big pieces of meat they gave to each one, - I asked the Apostate if this was an eat-all feast. He answered, - "yes;" and I said to him, "It is impossible for me to eat all they - have given me." "Indeed you must," he answered, "you must eat - it all; the others have to eat all theirs, and you must eat all - yours." I made him understand that God forbids such excess, and I - would not commit it even if my life depended upon it. This wicked - blasphemer, to arouse the others against me, said that God was - angry because they had something to eat. "I did not say that," I - replied to him in Savage, "but that he prohibits eating to excess." - The Sorcerer answered me, "I am never so well off as when I am - full." Now as I could not come to the [284] end of my portion, I - invited one of my neighboring Savages to take a part of it, giving - him some tobacco as a reward for what he would eat for me. I threw - another piece of it, secretly, to the dogs. The Savages began to - suspect something, from the fight that afterwards took place among - these animals; and commenced to cry out against me, saying that - I was contaminating their feast, that they would capture nothing - more, and that we would die of hunger. When the women and children - heard of this afterward, they looked upon me as a very bad man, - reproaching me disdainfully, and saying that I would be the cause - of their death; and truly, if God had not granted us anything for - a long time, I would have been in danger of being put to death for - having committed such a sacrilege, to such an extent does their - superstition go. To prevent the recurrence of this misfortune, - after that they gave me only a small portion; and they also told me - that I should not eat any more than I wanted to, that they would - eat the rest, but above all I should take care not to throw any to - the dogs. - -Le trentiesme du mesme mois de Decembre, nous decabanasmes, faisans -[285] chemin nous passasmes sur deux beaux lacs tout glacez; nous -tirions vers l'endroit où estoit la cache de nostre Orignac, qui ne -dura guere en ceste huictiesme demeure. - - On the thirtieth of the same month of December, we broke camp, and - in the course of our [285] journey we passed over two beautiful - lakes covered with ice. We turned toward the place where our Moose - was hidden, which would not last long in this eighth station. - -Le Sorcier me demanda si en vérité i'aymois l'autre vie que ie luy -auois figuré remplie de tous biens, ayant répondu que ie l'aymois en -effect; & moy, dit-il, ie la haï: car il faut mourir pour y aller, -& c'est dequoy ie n'ay point d'enuie, que si i'auois la pensée & la -creance que cette vie est miserable, & que l'autre est pleine de -delices, ie me tuërois moy-mesme pour me deliurer de l'vne, & ioüir -de l'autre: Ie luy repars que Dieu nous defendoit de nous tuer, ny de -tuer autruy; & que si nous nous faisions mourir nous descendrions dans -la vie de malheur, pour auoir contreuenu à ses cormmandemens: Hé bien, -dit il, ne te tuë point toy-mesme, mais moy ie te tuëray pour te faire -plaisir, afin que tu ailles au Ciel, & que tu ioüisse des plaisirs que -tu dis: Ie me sousris, luy repliquant que ie ne pouuois pas consentir -qu'on m'ostast la vie sans pecher: Ie vois bien, me fit-il, en se -moquant [286] que tu n'as pas encore enuie de mourir non plus que moy, -non pas repliquay-ie en cooperant à ma mort. - - The Sorcerer asked me if I really did love the other life, that I - had described as so full of all blessings; having replied that I - did, indeed, love it, "And I," said he, "I hate it, for to go there - one must die, and that is something I have no desire to do; and yet - if I thought and believed that this life was miserable, and that - the other was full of delights, I would kill myself, to be freed - from the one and to enjoy the other." I answered that God forbade - us to kill ourselves, or to kill any one else, and if we destroyed - ourselves we would go down into a life of misery, for having acted - contrary to his commands. "Oh well," said he, "thou needst not kill - thyself; but I will kill thee, to please thee, that thou mayest - go to Heaven, and enjoy the pleasures that thou tellest about." I - smiled, and replied to him that I could not without sin agree to - have my life taken. "I see plainly," said he, sneeringly, [286] - "that thou hast not yet the desire to die any more than I have." - "None," said I, "to bring about my own death." - -En ce mesme temps nos chasseurs ayans poursuiuy vn Orignac, & ne -l'ayans peu prendre, l'Apostat se mit à blasphemer, disant aux -Sauuages, le Dieu qui est marry quand nous mangeons, est maintenant -bien ayse de ce que nous n'auons pas dequoy disner: & voyant vue -autre fois qu'on apportoit quelques Porcs-espics, Dieu, disoit-il, -se va fascher de ce que nous nous saoulerons. O langue impie que -tu seras chastié! esprit brutal que tu seras confus, si Dieu ne -te fait misericorde! que les Anges & les sainctes Ames redoublent -autant de fois leur Cantique d'honneur & des loüanges, que cét athée -le blasphemera; ce pauure miserable ne laisse pas par fois d'auoir -quelques craintes de l'enfer, qu'il tasche d'étouffer tant qu'il peut, -comme ie le menaçois vn iour de ces tourmens, peut estre, me fit-il, -que nous autres n'auons point d'ame, ou que nos ames ne sont pas faites -comme les vostres, ou qu'elles ne vont point en mesme [287] endroit: -qui est iamais venu de ce pays là pour nous en dire des nouuelles? ie -luy reparty qu'õ ne pouuoit voir le Ciel sans cognoistre qu'il y a vn -Dieu, qu'on ne peut conceuoir qu'il y a vn Dieu, sans conceuoir qu'il -est iuste, & par consequent qu'il rend à vn chacun selon ses œuures, -d'où s'ensuiuent de grandes recompenses, ou de grands chastimens: cela -est bon, repliqua-il, pour vous autres que Dieu assiste, mais il n'a -point soin de nous: car quoy qu'il fasse, nous ne laisserons pas de -mourir de faim, ou de trouuer de la chasse; iamais cét esprit hebeté ne -peut conceuoir que Dieu gouuerne la grande famille du monde, auec plus -de cognoissance & plus de soin qu'vn Roy ne gouuerne son Royaume, & vn -pere de famille sa maison; ie serois trop long de rapporter tout ce que -ie luy dis sur ses blasphemes & sur ses resueries. - - At this time, our hunters having followed a Moose, and not having - been able to capture it, the Apostate began to blaspheme, saying to - the Savages, "The God who is sorry when we eat, is now very glad - that we have not anything to dine upon." And another time, seeing - them bringing some Porcupines, "God," said he, "will be angry - because we are going to fill ourselves up." Oh, blasphemous tongue, - how wilt thou be chastised! Oh, brutal spirit, how wilt thou be - confounded, if God does not take pity on thee! May the Angels and - holy Spirits redouble their Songs of honor and of praise, as many - times as this atheist will blaspheme them! This poor wretch does - not fail at times to have some fear of hell, which he tries to - suppress as much as he can. As I was threatening him with these - torments one day, "Perhaps," he replied, "we people here have no - souls, or perhaps they are not made like yours, or it may be that - they do not go to the same [287] place. Who has ever come back - from that country to bring us news of it?" I answered him that one - cannot see the Sky, without recognizing that there is a God; that - one cannot conceive that there is a God, without conceiving that - he is just, and that consequently he renders to each one according - to his works, whence it follows that there are great rewards or - great punishments. "That's all very well," said he, "for you others - whom God helps; but he has no interest in us, for, whatever he may - do, we still die of hunger unless we find game." Never will this - besotted mind be able to conceive that God rules the great family - of the world with more wisdom and more care than a King governs his - Kingdom, and the father of a family his household. I would be too - tedious if I reported all I said to him about his blasphemies and - dreams. - -Le quatriesme de Ianuier de ceste année mil six cens trente quatre, -nous allasmes faire nostre habitation depuis nostre depart des riues du -grand fleuue cherchant tousiours à viure. I'obiectay en cét endroit au -Sorcier qu'il n'estoit [288] pas bon Prophete, car il m'auoit asseuré -les deux dernieres fois que nous auions decabané, qu'il neigeroit -abondamment aussi tost que nous aurions changé de demeure, ce qui se -trouua faux, i'ay rapportay cecy à mon hoste pour luy oster vne partie -de la creance qu'il a en cét homme qu'il adore, il me répondit que le -Sorcier ne m'auoit pas asseuré qu'il neigeroit, mais qu'il en auoit -seulement quelque pensée; non, dis-ie, il m'a asseuré qu'il voyoit -venir la neige, & qu'elle tomberoit aussi-tost que nous aurions cabané, -_Khi_k_hirassin_, me fit-il, tu as menty, si tost que vous leur dites -quelque chose qu'ils ne veulent point accorder ils vous payent de -ceste monnoye. - - On the fourth of January of this year one thousand six hundred - and thirty-four, we started to make our [ninth] settlement since - our departure from the banks of the great river, always seeking - something upon which to live. In this place I reproached the - Sorcerer with not being [288] a good Prophet, for he had assured - me, the last two times when we had broken camp, that it would snow - abundantly as soon as we had changed our dwelling place, which had - proved to be untrue. I reported this to my host, in order to take - away some of the belief that he has in this man, whom he adores. He - answered that the Sorcerer had not assured me that it would snow, - but simply that he thought it would. "No," said I, "he assured me - that he saw the snow coming, and that it would fall as soon as we - had settled down." _Khikhirassin_, he replied, "Thou hast lied." As - soon as you tell them something they do not wish to agree to, they - pay you in this coin. - -La veille des Rois, mon hoste me dit qu'il auoit fait vn songe qui luy -donnoit bien de l'apprehension; i'ay veu, dit-il, en dormant que nous -estions reduits en la derniere extremité de la faim, & celuy que tu -nous dis qui a tout fait, m'a asseuré que tu tomberas dans vne telle -langueur, que ne pouuant plus mettre vn pied deuant l'autre tu mourras -seul delaissé au milieu des bois, ie [289] crains que mon songe ne soit -que trop veritable: car nous voila autant que iamais dans la necessité -faute de neige: i'eu quelque pensée que ce songeur me pouuoit bien -ioüer quelque mauuais traict, & m'abandonner tout seul pour faire du -Prophete; voila pourquoy ie me seruy de ses armes, opposant _altare -contra altare_, songe contre songe: & moy, luy dis-ie, i'ay songé tout -le contraire, car i'ay veu dans mon sommeil deux Orignaux, dont l'vn -estoit desia tué, & l'autre encore viuant, bon, dit le Sorcier, voila -qui va bien, aye esperance, tu raconte de bonnes nouuelles, en effect -i'auois fait ce songe quelques iours auparauant, hé bien, dis ie à mon -hoste, lequel de nos deux songes sera trouué veritable, tu dis que nous -mourrons de faim, & moy ie dis que non, il se mit à rire. Alors ie luy -dis que les songes n'estoient que des mensonges, que ie ne m'appuyois -point là dessus, que mon esperance estoit en celuy qui a tout fait, -que ie craignois neantmoins qu'il ne nous chastiast, veu qu'aussi tost -qu'ils auoient à mãnger, ils se gaussoient de [290] luy notamment -l'Apostat, il n'a point d'esprit, dirent-ils, ne prends pas garde à luy. - - On the eve of Epiphany my host told me that he had had a dream - which caused him much anxiety. "I have seen in my sleep," said he, - "that we were reduced to the last extremity of hunger; and that he - who thou hast told us has made all, assured me that thou wouldst - fall into such a stupor, that, not being able to put one foot - before the other, thou wouldst die alone abandoned in the midst of - the woods; I [289] fear that my dream will be only too true, for - we are now in as great need as ever for lack of snow." I had an - idea that this dreamer might play some bad trick on me and abandon - me, to prove himself a Prophet. For this reason I made use of his - weapons, opposing _altare contra altare_, dream against dream. - "As for me," I replied, "I have dreamed just the opposite; for in - my sleep I saw two Moose, one of which was already killed and the - other still living." "Good," said the Sorcerer, "that's very nice; - have hope, thou tellest us good news." In truth, I had had this - dream some days before. "Well, then," I said to my host, "which of - our two dreams will be found to be true? Thou sayest we shall die - of starvation, and I say we shall not." He began to laugh. Then - I told him that dreams were nothing but lies, that I placed no - dependence upon them; that my hope was in him who has made all, and - yet I feared he would chastise us, seeing that, as soon as they had - something to eat, they mocked [290] him, especially the Apostate. - "He doesn't know anything," they said, "do not pay any attention to - him." - -Le iour que les trois Rois adorerent nostre Seigneur, nous receusmes -trois mauuaises nouuelles; La premiere, que le ieune Hyroquois estãt -allé à la chasse le iour precedent n'estoit point retourné, & comme -on sçauoit bien que la faim l'ayant affoibly il ne se pouuoit pas -beaucoup éloigner, on creut qu'il estoit mort, ou demeuré en quelque -endroit si debile pour n'auoir dequoy manger, que la faim & le froid le -tuëroient, en effect il n'a plus paru depuis, quelques vns ont pensé -qu'il pourroit bien s'estre efforcé de retourner en son pays; mais que -la plus part asseurent qu'il est mort en quelque endroit sur la neige, -c'estoit l'vn des trois prisonniers à Tadoussac, dont i'ay parlé és -premieres lettres que i'ay enuoyé de ce païs-cy, ses deux compatriotes -furent executez à mort auec des cruautez nompareilles, pour luy comme -il estoit ieune on luy sauua la vie à la requeste du sieur Emery de -Can, que nous priasmes d'interceder [291] pour luy, ce pauure ieune -homme s'en souuenoit fort bien, il auoit grande enuie de demeurer en -nostre maison; mais le Sorcier á qui il appartenoit ne le voulut iamais -donner ny vendre. - - On the day that the three Kings adored our Lord, we received three - pieces of bad news. The first was that the young Hyroquois, who had - gone hunting the day before, had not returned; and, as they were - very well aware that hunger had weakened him so that he could not - go far, they thought he was dead, or lying somewhere so weak from - lack of food that hunger and cold would kill him. In fact, he has - never yet appeared; some thought he might have tried to return to - his own country, but the greater part are sure he is lying dead - somewhere upon the snow. He was one of the three prisoners at - Tadoussac, of whom I spoke in the first letters I sent from these - countries;[4] his two compatriots were executed with unparalleled - cruelties, but his life was saved because he was young, at the - request of sieur Emery de Can, whom we begged to intercede [291] - for him. This poor young man had very kind memories of me, and had - a great desire to live in our house; but the Sorcerer, to whom he - belonged, would neither give nor sell him. - -La seconde mauuaise nouuelle nous fut apportée par vn ieune Sauuage qui -venoit d'vn autre cartier, lequel nous dit qu'vn Sauuage d'vne autre -cabane plus esloignée estoit mort de disette, que ses gens estoient -fort épouuentez ne trouuans pas de quoy viure, & nous voyant dans la -mesme necessité, cela l'estonnoit encore dauantage. La troisiesme fut -que nos gens découurisent la piste de plusieurs Sauuages qui nous -estoient plus voisins que nous ne pensions, car ils venoient chasser -iusques sur nos marches, enleuans nostre proye & nostre vie tout -ensemble; ces trois nouuelles abbatirent grandement nos Sauuages, -l'alarme estoit par tout, on ne marchoit plus que la teste baissée, ie -ne sçay comme i'estois fait, mais ils me paroissoiẽt tous fort maigres, -fort pensif, & fort mornes, si l'Apostat m'eust voulu [292] ayder à -porter & à gagner le Sorcier, c'estoit bien le temps; mais son diable -muet luy lioit sa langue. - - The second piece of bad news was brought by a young Savage who - came from another quarter, who told us that a Savage of a more - distant cabin had died of hunger, and that his people were greatly - terrified at not finding anything to eat; when he saw us suffering - from the same scarcity, he was frightened still more. The third - news was that our people had discovered the trail of several - Savages, who were nearer to us than we thought, for they were - coming to hunt upon our very grounds, taking away our game and our - lives at the same time. These three pieces of news discouraged - our Savages greatly, the alarm spread everywhere, and all walked - with bowed heads. I do not know how I looked, but they seemed to - me very much emaciated, very sad and mournful. If the Apostate had - consented [292] to help me influence and win over the Sorcerer, - this was the time to do it; but his mute devil tied his tongue. - -Il faut que ie remarque en ce lieu le peu d'estime que font de luy -les Sauuages, il est tombé dans vne grande confusion, voulant éuiter -vn petit reproche, il a quitté les Chrestiens & le Christianisme, ne -pouuãt souffrir quelques brocards des Sauuages, qui se gaussoient -par fois de luy de ce qu'il estoit Sedentaire, & non vagabond comme -eux, & maintenãt il est leur ioüet & leur fallot, il est esclaue du -Sorcier, deuant lequel il n'oseroit branler, ses freres & les autres -Sauuages m'ont dit souuent qu'il n'auoit point d'esprit, que c'estoit -vn busart, qu'il ressembloit à vn chien, qu'il mourroit de faim si on -ne le nourrissoit, qu'il s'égaroit dans les bois comme vn European, les -femmes en font leur entretien, si quelque enfant pleuroit n'ayant pas -dequoy manger, elles luy disoient, tais-toy, tais-toy, ne pleure point, -_Petrichtrich_, c'est ainsi qu'on le nomme par mocquerie, rapportera -vn Castor, & tu mangeras; quand elles [293] l'entendoient reuenir, -allez voir, disoiẽt elles aux enfans, s'il n'a point tué vne Orignac se -gaussant de luy comme d'vn mauuais chasseur, qui est vn grand blasme -parmy les Sauuages: car ces gens là ne sçauroient trouuer ou retenir -des femmes, l'Apostat en a desia eu quatre ou cinq à la faueur de ses -freres, toutes l'ont quitté, celle qu'il auoit cét hyuer me disoit -qu'elle le quitteroit au Prin-temps, & si elle eust esté de ce païs, -elle l'auroit quitté dés lors; i'apprends qu'en effect elle l'a quitté. - - I must here speak of the little esteem the Savages have for him. - He has fallen into great embarrassment, in trying to avoid a - slight reproach. He gave up Christians and Christianity, because - he could not suffer the taunts of the Savages, who jeered at him - occasionally because he was Sedentary and not wandering, as they - were; and now he is their butt and their laughingstock. He is a - slave to the Sorcerer, in whose presence he would not dare to move. - His brothers and the other Savages have often told me that he has - no sense, that he is a buzzard, that he resembles a dog, that he - would die of hunger if they did not feed him, that he gets lost - in the woods like a European; the women make fun of him,--if some - child cries because it does not have enough to eat, they say to - it, "Hush, hush, do not cry, _Petrichtrich_ (they call him this in - sport) will bring back a Beaver, and then thou shalt have something - to eat." When they [293] hear him return, "Go and see," they say to - their children, "if he has not killed a Moose;" thus making sport - of him for being a poor hunter, a great reproach among the Savages. - Because such men cannot find wives or retain them, the Apostate, - with the help of his brothers, has already had four or five, all - of whom have left him. The one he has had this winter told me she - would leave him in the Spring, and, if she had belonged to this - part of the country, she would have left him then. I hear that she - has, in fact, deserted him. - -Certain iour nos chasseurs estans tous dehors, il se tint vn conseil -des femmes dans nostre cabane: or comme elles ne croyoient pas que -ie les peusse entendre, elles parloient tout haut, & tout librement, -déchirant en pieces ce pauure Apostat, l'occasion estoit que le iour -precedent il n'auoit rien rapporté à sa femme d'vn festin où il -auoit esté inuité, & qui n'estoit pas à tout manger, ô le gourmand, -disoient-elles, qui ne donne point à manger à sa femme! encore s'il -pouuoit tuer quelque chose, il n'a point d'esprit, il mange tout [294] -comme vn chien: il y eut vne grande rumeur entre les femmes sur ce -sujet: car comme elles ne vont point ordinairement aux festins, elles -seroient bien affligées, si leurs marys perdoient la bonne coustume -qu'ils ont de rapporter leurs restes à leurs familles, le Renegát -suruenant pendant que cés femmes le depeignoient, elles sceurent fort -bien dissimuler leur ieu, luy témoignant vn aussi bon vsage qu'à -l'ordinaire, voire mesme celle qui en disoit plus de mal, luy donna vn -bout de petun, qui estoit pour lors vn grand present. - - On a certain day, when our hunters had gone out, a council of - women was held in our cabin. Now as they did not think I could - understand, they spoke aloud and freely, tearing this poor Apostate - to pieces. The occasion for this was, that the day before he had - not carried anything home to his wife from a feast to which he - had been invited, and which was not an eat-all feast. "Oh, the - glutton," they said, "who gives his wife nothing to eat! If he - could only kill something! He has no sense; he eats everything - [294] like a dog." There was great excitement among the women over - this subject, for, as they do not usually go to the feasts, they - would be very sorely afflicted if their husbands lost the good - habit they have of bringing home the remains to their families. - The Renegade coming in while these women were drawing this picture - of him, they knew very well how to put a good face on the matter, - showing countenances as smiling as usual, even to such an extent - that the one who had said the worst things about him, gave him a - bit of tobacco, which was then a great present. - -Le neufiesme de Ianuier, vn Sauuage nous venant visiter nous dit, qu'vn -homme & vne femme du lieu dont il venoit estoient morts de faim, & que -plusieurs n'en pouuoient plus, le pauure homme ieusna le iour de sa -venuë aussi bien que nous, pource qu'il ny auoit rien à manger, encore -fallut-il attendre iusques au lendemain à dix heures de nuit, que mon -hoste rapporta deux Castors qui nous firent grand bien. - - On the ninth of January, a Savage, who came to visit us, said that - a man and a woman of the place from which he had come had starved - to death, and that several others were on the verge of starvation. - The poor man fasted the day of his arrival as well as we, for there - was nothing to eat; and we had to wait until ten o'clock of the - next night, when my host brought in two Beavers, which were a great - blessing to us. - -[295] Le iour suiuant nos gens tuerent le second Orignac, ce qui causa -par tout vne grande ioye, il est vray qu'elle fut vn peu troublée par -l'arriuée d'vn Sauuage, & de deux ou trois femmes, & d'vn enfant que -la famine alloit bien tost égorger, s'ils n'eussent fait rencontre de -nostre cabane, ils estoient fort hideux, l'homme particulierement plus -que les femmes, dont l'vne auoit accouché depuis dix iours dans les -neiges, & dans la famine, ayant passé plusieurs iours sans manger. - - [295] On the following day our people killed the second Moose, at - which there was general rejoicing. True, it was a little marred by - the arrival of a Savage, and of two or three women and a child, - whom famine would have slaughtered, if they had not happened to - come to our cabin. They looked most hideous, the man especially, - more so than the women, one of whom had given birth to a child ten - days before in the snow, and, in the famine, had passed several - days without eating. - -Mais admirez s'il vous plaist l'amour que ces barbares se portent les -vns aux autres, on ne demanda point a ces nouueaux hostes pourquoy ils -venoient sur nos limites, s'ils ne sçauoient pas bien que nous estions -en aussi grand danger qu'eux, qu'ils nous venoient oster le morceau -de la bouche; ains au contraire on les receut, non de paroles, mais -d'effect, sans courtoisie exterieure, car les Sauuages n'en ont point, -mais non pas sans charité: on leur ietta de grandes pieces de l'Orignac -nouuellement tué, [296] sans leur dire autre parole, _mitisou_k_ou_ -mangez, aussi leur eust on fait grand tort d'appliquer pour lors leurs -bouches à autre vsage: pendant qu'ils mangeoient on prepara vn festin, -auquel ils furent traictez à grand plat, ie vous en réponds: car la -portion qu'on leur donna à chacun, sortoit beaucoup hors de leurs -_ouragans_ qui sont tres capables. - - But admire, if you please, the love these barbarians have for each - other. These new guests were not asked why they came upon our - boundaries, if they were not well aware that we were in as great - straits as they were, and that they were coming to take the morsel - out of our mouths. On the contrary, they were received, not with - words, but with deeds; without exterior ceremony, for of this the - Savages have none, but not without charity. They threw them large - pieces of the Moose which had just been killed, [296] without - saying another word but, _mitisoukou_, "eat;" and indeed it would - have been very wrong to ask them then to use their mouths for any - other purpose. While they were eating, a feast was prepared, at - which they were treated generously, I assure you; for the portion - given to each one of them more than filled their _ouragans_, which - are very large. - -Le seiziesme du mesme mois nous battismes la campagne, & ne pouuans -arriuer au lieu où nous pretendions, nous ne fismes que gister dans -vne hostelerie que nous dressasmes à la haste, & le lendemain nous -poursuiuismes nostre chemin passans sur vne montagne si haute, -qu'encore que nous ne montassions point iusques au sommet, qui me -paroissoit armé d'horribles rochers, neantmoins le Sorcier me dit, que -si le Ciel obscurcy d'vn broüillard eust esté serain nous eussions -veu à mesme tẽps Kebec & Tadoussac, esloignez l'vn de l'autre de -quarante lieuës pour le moins, ie voyois au dessous de moy auec horreur -des precipices, qui me [297] faisoient trembler, i'apperceuois des -montagnes au milieu de quelques plaines qui me paroissoient comme -des petites tours, ou plustost comme de petits chasteaux, quoy qu'en -effect elles fussent fort grandes & fort hautes: figurez vous quelle -peine ont ces barbares de traisner si haut leur bagage, i'auois de la -peine à monter, i'en trouuois encore plus à descendre: car quoy que -ie m'esloignasse des precipices, neantmoins la pante estoit si roide, -qu'il estoit fort aisé de rouler à bas, & de s'aller fendre la teste -contre vn arbre. - - On the sixteenth of the same month, we rambled about the country; - and, not being able to find the place we wanted, we could only - lodge in a hostelry that we erected in haste; the next day we - pursued our journey, passing over a mountain so high, that even - though we did not ascend to its summit, which seemed to be - fortified with horrible rocks, yet the Sorcerer told me that if the - Sky, which was obscured by a cloud, had been clear, we might have - seen at the same time, both Kebec and Tadoussac, distant from each - other at least forty leagues. I saw with horror precipices beneath - me, which made [297] me tremble. In the midst of some plains, I - saw mountains which seemed to me like little towers, or rather - diminutive castles, although in reality they were very large and - very high. Imagine how hard it is for these barbarians to drag - their baggage so high. I had trouble in getting up, but still more - in coming down; for, although I was going away from the precipices, - yet the slope was so steep that it was very easy to roll down and - break one's head against a tree. - -Le vingt neufiesme nous acheuasmes de descendre ceste montagne portant -nostre maison sur la pante d'vne autre où nous allasmes: voila le -terme de nostre pelerinage, nous commencerons d'oresnauant à tourner -bride & à tirer vers l'Isle où nous auons laissé nostre Chaloupe, nous -vismes icy les sources de deux petits fleuues, qui se vont rendre dans -vn fleuue aussi grand au dire de nos Sauuages, que le fleuue de S. -Laurens, ils l'appellent _Oueraouachticou_. - - On the twenty-ninth, we finished our descent of this mountain, and - carried our house up the slope of another to which we were going. - As this was the end of our pilgrimage, we shall begin hereafter to - turn back and direct our course toward the Island where we had left - our Shallop. We saw here the sources of two little rivers, which - flow into a river as large, our Savages say, as the St. Lawrence; - they call it _Oueraouachticou_. - -[298] Ceste douziesme demeure nous a deliuré de la famine, car les -neiges se trouuant hautes assez pour arrester les grandes iambes de -l'Elan, nous eusmes dequoy manger. Au commencement ce n'estoient que -festins & que danses, mais cela ne dura pas, car on se mit bientost -à faire seicherie passant de la famine dans la bonne nourriture, -ie me portay bien: mais passant de la chair fraische au boucan ie -tombay malade, & ne recouuray point entierement la santé que trois -semaines apres mon retour en nostre petite maisonnette. Il est vray -que depuis le commencement de Feurier iusques en Auril nous eusmes -tousiours dequoy manger, mais d'vn boucan si dur & si sale & en si -petite quantité, horsmis quelques iours d'abondance qui se passoient -en festins que nos Sauuages contoient ces derniers, mois aussi bien -que les precedens entre les mois & les hyuers de leurs famines. Ils -me disoient que pour estre traicté mediocrement & sans patir, il nous -falloit vn Elan gros comme vn boeuf en deux iours, tant à raison du -[299] nombre que nous estions, comme aussi qu'on mange beaucoup de -chair quand on n'a ny pain ny autre chose pour faire durer la viande, -adioustez qu'ils sont grands disneurs, & que la chair d'Elan ne demeure -pas long-temps dans l'estomach. - - [298] This twelfth station delivered us from famine; for the - snow was deep enough to impede the long legs of the Elk, and we - had something to eat. At first, there was nothing but feasts and - dancing; but this did not last long, as they soon began to dry the - meat. Passing thus from starvation to good food, I felt very well; - but when we changed from fresh meat to smoked, I fell ill, and did - not entirely recover my health until three weeks after my return to - our little house. It is true that from the beginning of February - until April we always had something to eat; but it was smoked - meat, so hard and so dirty, and in so small quantities, except - a few days of plenty which passed in feasting, that our Savages - counted these last months as well as the preceding ones, among the - months and winters of their famines. They told me that, to live - moderately well and without suffering, they had to have an Elk as - large as an ox every two days, both because [299] we were rather - numerous, and also because people eat a great deal of meat when - they have neither bread nor anything else to make the food hold - out; add to this that they are great diners, and that Elk meat does - not remain long in the stomach. - -Ie me suis oublié de dire ailleurs que les Sauuages content les années -par les hyuers, pour dire quel aage as-tu, ils disent combien d'hyuers -as-tu passé? ils content aussi par les nuicts comme nous faisons par -les iours, au lieu que nous disons, il est arriué depuis trois iours, -ils disent depuis trois nuicts. - - I have forgotten to say elsewhere that the Savages count the years - by winters. To say, "How old art thou?" they say, "How many winters - hast thou passed?" They count also by nights, as we do by days; - instead of saying, "It happened three days ago," they say, "three - nights ago." - -Le cinquiesme de Feurier nous quittasmes nostre douziesme demeure pour -aller faire la treiziesme, ie me trouuois fort mal, le Sorcier me -tuoit auec ses cris, ses hurlemens, & son tambour, il me reprochoit -incessamment que ie faisois l'orgueilleux, & que le _Manitou_ m'auoit -fait malade aussi bien que les autres. Ce n'est pas, luy disois-je, le -_Manitou_ ou le diable qui m'a causé ceste maladie, mais la mauuaise -nourriture qui m'a gasté l'estomach, & les [300] autres trauaux qui -m'ont debilité, tout cela ne le contentoit point, il ne laissoit pas -de m'attaquer, notamment en la presence des Sauuages, disant que ie -m'estois mocqué du _Manitou_, & qu'il s'estoit vangé de moy comme -d'vn superbe. Vn iour comme il me faisoit ces reproches ie me leue -en mon seant, ie luy dis, afin que tu sçache que ce n'est point ton -_Manitou_ qui cause les maladies & qui tuë les hommes, escoute comme ie -luy parleray, ie m'escrie en leur langue grossissant ma voix, approche -_Manitou_, vien demon, massacre moy si tu as le pouuoir, ie te deffie, -ie me mocque de toy, ie ne te crains point, tu n'as point de pouuoir -sur ceux qui croyent & qui ayment Dieu, viens & me tuë si tu as les -mains libres, tu as plus de peur de moy que ie n'ay de toy, le Sorcier -fut espouuenté, & me dit pourquoy l'appelle tu? puis que tu ne le -crains pas, c'est signe que tu l'appelle afin qu'il te tuë, non pas luy -dis-je, mais ie l'appelle afin que tu ayes cognoissance qu'il n'a point -de puissance sur ceux qui adorent le vray Dieu, & pour te faire [301] -voir qu'il n'est pas la seule cause des maladies comme tu crois. - - On the fifth of February, we left our twelfth dwelling to proceed - to our thirteenth. I was very sick; the Sorcerer was killing me - with his cries, his howls, and his drum; he continually reproached - me with being proud, saying that the _Manitou_ had made me sick - as well as the others. "It is not," I said to him, "the _Manitou_ - or devil that has caused this sickness, but bad food, which has - injured my stomach, and [300] other hardships that have weakened - me." All this did not satisfy him; he did not cease to attack me, - especially in the presence of the Savages, saying I had mocked the - _Manitou_, and that he had revenged himself upon me for my pride. - One day, when he was casting these slurs upon me, I sat upright, - and said, "That thou mayest know it is not thy _Manitou_ who - causes sickness and kills people, hear how I shall speak to him." - I cried out in their language, in a loud voice, "Come, _Manitou_; - come, demon; murder me if thou hast the power, I defy thee, I mock - thee, I do not fear thee; thou hast no power over those who believe - and love God; come and kill me if thy hands are free; thou art more - afraid of me than I am of thee." The Sorcerer was terrified and - said, "Why dost thou call him, since thou dost not fear him? it is - the same as calling him to kill thee." "Not at all," said I; "but - I am calling him to make you see that he has no power over those - who worship the true God, and to show [301] thee that he is not the - sole cause of sickness, as thou thinkest." - -Le neufiesme du mesme mois de Feurier nous battismes la campagne, le -Sorcier nonobstant ma maladie me vouloit faire porter du bagage à toute -force, mais mon hoste eust pitié de moy, voire mesme m'ayant rencontré -en chemin que ie n'en pouuois quasi plus, il prit de son bon gré ce que -ie portois, & le mit sur sa traisne. - - On the ninth of the same month of February we scoured the plains. - The Sorcerer, in spite of the fact that I was sick, would force me - to carry some of the baggage; but my host took pity on me, and, - having encountered me on the way when I was ready to sink from - exhaustion, he took what I carried, of his own free will, and - placed it upon his sledge. - -Le quatorziesme & quinziesme nous fismes de longues traictes pour aller -planter nostre cabane proche de deux petits Orignaux que mon hoste -auoit tué: faisant chemin on reconneust la piste d'vn troisiesme, -mon hoste fit arrester le camp pour l'aller descouurir; i'estois en -l'arriere garde de nostre armée, c'est à dire que ie venois doucement -derriere les autres quand tout à coup ie vis paroistre cét Elan qui -couroit droit à moy, & mon hoste apres, qui luy donnoit la chasse, la -neige estoit fort haute, voila pourquoy il ne fit qu'enuiron cinq cens -pas deuant que d'estre mis à mort, nous cabanames aupres & en fismes -curée. - - On the fourteenth and fifteenth, we made long stages, to go and - plant our cabin near two small Moose that my host had killed. - Upon the way, as we discovered the tracks of a third, my host - interrupted the journey to go and look for it. I belonged to the - rear guard of our army; that is, I was coming up slowly behind the - others, when suddenly this Elk appeared, coming straight toward - me, and after it my host in hot pursuit. The snow was very deep, - and hence, ere it had gone five hundred steps, it was killed. We - encamped near there and made a feast of it. - -[302] L'Apostat continuant icy ses blasphemes, me demandoit deuant -ses freres pour les animer contre Dieu, pourquoy ie priois celuy qui -n'entendoit ny ne voyoit rien, ie le repris fort vertement & luy -imposay silence. - - [302] The Apostate, continuing to blaspheme here, asked me, in the - presence of his brothers, in order to turn them against God, why - I prayed to him who neither saw nor heard anything. I rebuked him - very sharply and imposed silence upon him. - -Le sixiesme iour de Mars nous changeasmes de demeure, le Sorcier, le -Renegat, & deux ieunes chasseurs tirerent deuant nous droit aux riues -du grand fleuue, l'occasion de cette separation fut que mon hoste braue -chasseur ayant descouuert quatre Orignaux, & quantité de cabanes de -Castors, ne pouuant luy seul en mesme temps chasser en tant d'endroits -fort separez, le Sorcier mena ces ieunes chasseurs pour courre les -Orignaux, & luy demeura pour les Castors: cette separation me fit du -bien & du mal. Du bien, pource que ie fus deliuré du Sorcier, ie n'ay -point de paroles pour declarer l'importunité de ce meschant homme. Du -mal, pource que mon hoste ne prenant point d'Orignaux nous ne mangions -que du boucan qui m'estoit fort contraire, que s'il prenoit des Castors -on en faisoit seicherie, [303] excepté des petits que nous mangions, -les plus beaux & les meilleurs estoient reseruez pour les festins -qu'ils deuoient faire au Printemps, au lieu où ils s'estoient donnez le -rendez-vous. - - On the sixth day of March, we shifted our quarters. The Sorcerer, - the Renegade, and two young hunters, directed their steps before - us straight to the banks of the great river. The cause of this - separation was that my host, a good hunter, had discovered four - Moose, and a number of Beaver lodges; and not being able alone to - hunt in places so widely separated, the Sorcerer took these young - hunters to chase the Moose, and he remained for the Beavers. This - separation was fraught with both good and evil for me. With good, - because I was freed from the Sorcerer; I have no words to describe - the pertinacity of this wicked man. With evil, because my host did - not capture any Moose, and we had nothing to eat but smoked meat, - which was very distasteful to me; for, if he captured any Beavers, - they were smoked, [303] except the little ones, which we ate; the - finest and best ones were reserved for the feasts they were to give - in the Spring, at the place where they had appointed a rendezvous. - -Le treiziesme du mesme mois nous fismes nostre dix-huictiesme demeure -proche d'vn fleuue dont les eaux me sembloient sucrées apres la -saleté des neiges fonduës que nous beuuions és stations precedentes -dans vn chauderon gras & enfumé, ie commençay à ressentir en ce lieu -l'incommodité du coucher sur la terre bien froide pendant l'hyuer & -fort humide au Printemps, car le costé droit sur lequel ie reposois -s'estourdit tellement par la froidure qu'il n'auoit quasi plus de -sentiment: or craignant de ne remporter que la moitié de moy-mesme dans -nostre petite maison, l'autre demeurante paralytique, ie promis vne -chemise & vne petite robbe à vn enfant pour vn meschãt bout de peau -d'Orignac que sa mere me donna, ceste peau non passée estoit bien aussi -dure que la terre, mais non pas si humide, [304] i'en fis mon lict qui -se trouua si court que la terre qui auoit iusques alors pris possession -de tout mon corps en retint encore la moitié. - - On the thirteenth of the same month, we made our eighteenth station - near a river, whose waters seemed to me sweet as sugar after the - dirt of the melted snow that we drank at former stations, out of a - greasy and smoky kettle. I began here to experience the discomfort - of sleeping upon the ground, which was cold in winter and damp in - Spring; for my right side, upon which I lay, became so benumbed - from cold that it scarcely had any sense of feeling. Now fearing I - would only carry half of myself back to our little house, the other - being paralyzed, I promised a shirt and a little gown to a child, - for a miserable piece of Moose skin, which his mother gave me; this - undressed skin was about as hard as the ground, but not as damp. - [304] Of this I made my bed, which was so short that the ground, - which had up to that time taken possession of all my body, still - kept the half of it. - -Depuis le depart du Sorcier, mon hoste prenoit plaisir à me faire des -questions, notamment des choses naturelles, il me demanda vn iour comme -la terre estoit faite, & m'apportant vne écorce & vn charbon, il me la -fit décrire, ie luy despeins donc les deux Hemispheres, & apres luy -auoir tracé l'Europe, l'Asia, & l'Affrique, ie vins à nostre Amerique, -luy monstrant comme elle est vne grande Isle, ie luy d'écriuy la coste -de l'Acadie, la grande Isle de Terre-neufue, l'entrée & golfe de nostre -grand fleuue de sainct Laurens, les peuples qui habitent ses riues, -le lieu où nous estions pour lors, ie montay iusques aux Algonquains, -aux Hiroquois, aux Hurons, à la nation neutre, &c. luy designant les -endroits plus & moins peuplez, ie passay à la Floride, au Perou, -au Brasil, &c. luy parlant en mon jargon de ces contrées le mieux -qu'il m'estoit possible, il m'interrogea [305] plus particulierement -des païs dont il a connoissance, puis m'ayans escouté fort -patiemment, il s'escria prononçant vne de leurs grandes admirations -_Amonitatinanioui_k_hi_! Ceste robbe noire dit vray! parlant à vn -vieillard qui me regardoit, puis se tournant deuers moy il me dit, -_nicanis_, mon bien aymé tu nous donne en verité de l'admiration, car -nous connoissons la plus part de ces terres & de ces peuples, & tu -les a descrit comme ils sont, i'insiste là dessus, comme tu vois que -ie dis vray parlant de ton pays, aussi dois-tu croire que ie ne ments -pas parlant des autres, ie le croy ainsi, me repartit-il, ie poursuy -ma pointe, comme ie suis veritable en parlant des choses de la terre, -aussi tu dois te persuader que ie ne voudrois pas mentir quand ie te -parle des choses du Ciel, & partant tu dois croire ce que ie t'ay dit -de l'autre vie: il s'arresta vn peu de temps tout court, puis ayant -vn peu pensé à part soy, Ie te croiray, dit-il quand tu sçauras bien -parler, nous auons maintenant trop de peine à nous faire entendre. - - After the departure of the Sorcerer, my host took pleasure in - asking me questions, especially about the things of nature. One - day he asked me how the earth was made; and, bringing me a piece - of bark and some charcoal, he had me describe it. So I drew for - him the two Hemispheres; and, after having traced Europe, Asia and - Africa, I came to our America, showing him that it is an immense - Island. I described for him the coast of Acadia, the great Island - of Newfoundland, the entrance and gulf of our great river saint - Lawrence, the people who inhabit its banks, the place where we - then were. I went up as far as the Algonquains, the Hiroquois, - the Hurons, to the neutral nation, etc., showing him the places - more and less populous. I passed to Florida, to Peru, to Brazil, - etc., speaking to him in my jargon the best I could about these - countries. He asked me [305] more particularly about the countries - of which he had some knowledge. Then having listened to me - patiently, he exclaimed, using one of their words expressive of - great admiration, _Amonitatinaniouikhi!_ "This black robe tells - the truth," speaking to an old man who was looking at me; and - turning toward me, he said, "_nicanis_, my well-beloved, thou dost - indeed cause our wonder; for we are acquainted with the greater - part of these lands and tribes, and thou hast described them as - they are." Thereupon I urge, "As thou seest I tell the truth in - speaking of thy country, thou shouldst also believe that I do not - lie in speaking of the others." "I do believe thus," he replied. I - followed up my point: "As I am truthful in speaking about things of - the earth, also thou shouldst persuade thyself that I am not lying - when I speak to thee about the things of Heaven; and therefore thou - oughtst believe what I have told thee about the other life." He - paused a few moments, and then, having reflected a little, said, "I - will believe thee when thou shalt know how to speak; but we have - now too much trouble in understanding each other." - -[306] Il m'a fait mille autres questions, du Soleil, de la rondeur de -la terre, des Antipodes, de la France, & fort souuent il me parloit de -nostre bon Roy, il admiroit quand ie luy disois que la France estoit -remplie de Capitaines, & que le Roy estoit le Capitaine de tous les -Capitaines, il me prioit de le mener en France pour le voir, & qu'il -luy feroit des presens, ie me mis à rire luy disant que toutes leurs -richesses n'estoient que pauureté à comparaisson des grandeurs du Roy, -Ie veux dire, me fit-il, que ie feray des presens à ceux de sa suitte, -pour luy ie me contenteray de le voir, il racontoit par apres aux -autres ce qu'il m'auoit ouy dire. Il me demanda vne autrefois s'il y -auoit de grands saults dans la mer, c'est à dire des cheutes d'eau, il -y en a beaucoup dans les fleuues de ce païs cy, vous verrez vne belle -riuiere coulant fort doucement tomber tout à coup dans vn lit plus -bas, les terres ne s'abbaissant pas également, mais comme par degrez -en certains endroits, nous voyons vn de ces sauts proche de Kebec -nommé le saut de [307] Montmorency, c'est vne riuiere qui vient des -terres, & qui se precipite de fort haut dans le grand fleuue de sainct -Laurens, les riues qui le bornent estans fort releuées en cét endroit: -Or quelques Sauuages croyoient que la mer a de ces cheutes d'eau dans -lesquelles se perdent quantité de nauires ie luy ostay cét erreur, ces -inegalitez ne se retrouuans point dans l'Ocean. - - [306] He asked me a thousand other questions,--about the Sun, the - roundness of the earth, the Antipodes, France, and he frequently - spoke to me about our good King. He was surprised when I told him - that France was full of Captains, and that the King was the Captain - of all the Captains. He begged me to take him to France to see him, - and to make him some presents. I began to laugh, telling him that - all their riches were nothing but poverty compared to the splendors - of the King. "I mean," said he, "that I will make presents to his - followers; as to him, I will be content to see him." He recounted - afterwards to the others what he had heard me say. Another time - he asked me if there were any great falls in the sea, that is, - waterfalls. There are a great many in the rivers of this country. - You will see a beautiful river flowing along peacefully; and - all at once it will fall into a lower bed, as the land does not - slope gradually, but as if by steps in certain places. We see - one of these falls near Kebec; it is called the "falls of [307] - Montmorency." They are formed by a river which comes from the - interior, and falls from a very high level into the great river - saint Lawrence, the banks enclosing it being considerably elevated - at this place. Now some of the Savages believe that the sea has - these waterfalls, and that a great many ships are lost in them. I - removed this error by telling them that these inequalities are not - found in the Ocean. - -Le vingt-troisiesme de Mars nous repassames le fleuue -_Capititetchioueth_, que nous auions passé le troisiesme de Decembre. - - On the twenty-third of March, we again crossed the river - _Capititetchioueth_, over which we had passed on the third of - December. - -Le trentiesme du mesme mois, nous vinsmes cabaner sur vn fort beau -lac, en ayant passé vn autre plus petit en nostre chemin, ils estoient -encore autant glacez qu'au milieu de l'hyuer, mon hoste me consoloit -icy me voyant fort foible & fort abbatu, ne t'attriste point, me -disoit-il, si tu t'attriste tu seras encore plus malade, si ta maladie -augmente tu mourras, considere que voicy vn beau pays, ayme-le, si tu -l'ayme, tu t'y plairas, si tu t'y plais tu te resioüiras, si tu te -resioüis tu guariras, ie [308] prenois plaisir d'entendre le discours -de ce pauure barbare. - - On the thirtieth of the same month, we encamped upon a very - beautiful lake, having passed another smaller one on our way, both - of them still frozen over as hard as in the middle of winter. - Here my host, seeing that I was very weak and cast down, consoled - me, saying, "Do not be sad: if thou art sad, thou wilt become - still worse; if thy sickness increases, thou wilt die. See what a - beautiful country this is; love it: if thou lovest it, thou wilt - take pleasure in it, and if thou takest pleasure in it thou wilt - become cheerful, and if thou art cheerful thou wilt recover." I - [308] took pleasure in listening to the conversation of this poor - barbarian. - -Le premier iour d'Auril nous quittasmes ce beau lac & tirasmes à grande -erre vers nostre rendez vous, nous passames la nuit dans vn meschant -trou enfumé & dés le matin continuasmes nostre chemin faisant plus en -ces deux iournées que nous n'auions faict en cinq, Dieu nous fauorisa -d'vn beau temps: car il gela bien fort, & l'air fut serain, s'il eust -fait vn degel comme les iours precedens, & que nous eussions enfoncé -dans la neige, comme quelques fois il nous est arriué, ou il m'eust -fallu traisner, ou ie fusse demeuré en chemin tant i'estois mal. Il est -bien vray que la nature a plus de force qu'elle ne s'en fait accroire, -ie l'experimentay en ceste iournée en laquelle i'estois si foible, que -m'asseant de temps en temps sur la neige pour me reposer, tous les -membres me trembloient, non pas de froid, mais par vne debilité qui me -causoit vne sueur au front. Or comme i'estois alteré voulant puiser -de l'eau dans vn torrent [309] que nous rencontrasmes, la glace que -ie cassois auec mon baston tomba dessous moy, & fit vn grand escarre: -quand ie me vis auec mes raquettes aux pieds sur ceste glace flottante -sur vne eau fort rapide, ie sautay plustost sur le bord du torrent, -que ie n'eu consulté si ie le deuois faire, & la nature qui suoit de -foiblesse trouua assez de force pour sortir de ceste grande eau n'en -voulant pas tant boire à la fois, ie n'eus que la peur d'vn peril qui -fut plustost esuité que recognu. - - On the first day of April, we left this beautiful lake, and drew - rapidly toward our rendezvous. We passed the night in a miserable - smoky hole, and in the morning continued on our way, going farther - in these two days than we had previously gone in five. God favored - us with fine weather, for there was a hard frost, and the air was - clear. If it had thawed as on the preceding days, and we had sunk - down in the snow, as sometimes happened, either they would have - had to drag me, or I would have remained on the way, so ill was I. - It is true that nature has more resistance than she makes believe; - I experienced this that day, when I was so weak that, if I sat down - upon the snow occasionally to rest myself, my limbs would tremble, - not from cold, but from a weakness which caused the perspiration - to come out upon my forehead. Now, as I was thirsty, I tried to - drink some water from a torrent [309] that we were passing. The - ice, which I broke with my club, fell under me and separated into a - big cake. When I saw myself with my snowshoes on my feet, upon this - ice, floating in a very rapid current, I leaped to the edge of the - torrent before consulting as to whether I ought to do it or not, - and nature, which perspired from weakness, found strength enough - to escape from this mass of water, not wishing to drink so much of - it at once; I had nothing but the fear of a peril which was sooner - escaped than realized. - -Le danger passé ie poursuiuis mon chemin assez lentement, aussi ne -pouuois-ie pas estre bien fort, car outre la maladie qui ne m'auoit -point quitté parfaitement depuis le dernier iour de Ianuier, ie ne -mangeois ces derniers iours que trois bouchées de boucan le matin, -& cheminois quasi tout le reste du iour sans autre rafraichissement -qu'vn peu d'eau quand i'en pouuois rencontrer. Enfin i'arriuay apres -les autres sur les riues du grand fleuue, & trois iours apres nostre -[310] arriuée, sçauoir est le quatriesme du mesme mois d'Auril nous -sismes nostre vingt-troisiesme station allant planter nostre cabane -dans l'Isle où nous auions laissé nostre Chalouppe, nous y fusmes -tres-mal logez: car outre que le Sorcier s'estoit remis auec nous, nous -estions si remplis de fumée que nous n'en pouuions plus, d'ailleurs le -grand fleuue estant icy falé, & l'Isle n'ayant aucune fontaine nous ne -beuuions que des eaux de neige, ou de pluye encore tres sale. Ie ne -fis pas long sejour en ce lieu, mon hoste voyant que ie ne guerissois -point, prit resolution de me remener en nostre maisonnette, le Sorcier -l'en voulut detourner, mais ie rompis ses menées, i'obmets mille -particularitez pour tirer à la fin. - - The danger passed, I pursued my way quite slowly; indeed I was not - likely to be very strong, for, besides the malady from which I had - been suffering since the last day of January, and which had not - entirely left me, during these last days I had not been eating more - than three mouthfuls of smoked meat in the morning, and would walk - nearly all the rest of the day without any other refreshment than - a little water, when I could get any. At last I arrived after the - others upon the banks of the great river, and, three days later, - [310] namely, on the fourth of the same month of April, we made our - twenty-third station, going to erect our cabin on the Island where - we had left our Shallop. Here we were very badly lodged; for, in - addition to the presence of the Sorcerer who had returned to us, - we were so full of smoke that we could stand no more; besides, as - the water of the great river was salty here, and as there was no - spring in the Island, we could only drink snow or rainwater, and - that very dirty. I did not make a long stay in this place. My host, - seeing that I was not getting well, decided to take me back to our - little house; the Sorcerer wished to dissuade him from this, but I - broke up his conspiracies. I am omitting a thousand particulars in - order to get to the end. - -Le cinquiesme du mois d'Auril, mon hoste, l'Apostat, & moy, nous -embarquasmes dans vn petit canot pour tirer à Kebec fur le grand -fleuue, apres auoir pris congé de tous les Sauuages: or comme il -faisoit encore froid nous ne fusmes pas loin que [311] nous trouuasmes -vne petite glace formée pendant la nuict, qui feruoit de superficie -aux eaux, voyant qu'elle s'estendoit fort loing, nous donnons dedans, -l'Apostat qui estoit deuant, la brifant auec son auiron: or soit -qu'elle fut trop trenchante, ou l'écorce de nostre gòndole trop foible, -il se fit vne ouuerture qui donna entrée à l'eau dans nostre canot & -à la crainte dans nostre cœur, nous voila aussi tost tous trois en -action, mes deux Sauuages de ramer, & moy de ietter l'eau, nous tirons -à force de rames dans vne Isle que nous rencontrasmes fort à propos, -& mettant pied à terre les Sauuages empoignent leur canot, le tirent -de l'eau, le renuerfent, battent leur fusil, font du feu, recousent -l'escorce fenduë, y appliquent de leur bray, qui est vne espece -d'encens qui decoule des arbres, remettent le canot à l'eau, nous nous -rembarquons & continuons nostre chemin: ie leur dy voyant ce peril que -s'ils croyoient rencontrer souuent de ces glaces tranchantes, [312] -qu'il valloit mieux retourner d'où nous estions partis, & attendre que -le temps fut plus chaud, il est vray me fit mon hoste que nous auons -pensé perir, si l'ouuerture eust esté vn peu plus grande c'estoit -fait de nous, poursuiuons neantmoins nostre chemin ces petites glaces -ne m'estonnent pas. Sur les trois heures du soir nous apperceusmes -deuant nous vn banc de glaces espouuentables qui nous bouchoit le -chemin, s'estendant au trauers de ce fleuue à plus de quatre lieuës -loin: nous fusmes vn peu estonnez, mes gens ne laissent pas pourtant -de les aborder ayant remarqué vne petite esclaircie, ils se glissent -là dedans faisant tournoyer nostre petite gondole, tantost d'vn costé -& puis tantost de l'autre pour gaigner tousjours païs, en fin nous -trouuasmes ces glaces si fort serrées qu'il fut impossible d'auancer -ny de reculer, car le mouuement de l'eau nous enferma de toutes parts, -au milieu de ces glaces s'il y fut suruenu vn vent vn peu violent nous -estions froissez & brisez & [313] nous & nostre canot comme le grain -entre les deux pierres du moulin, car figurez-vous que ces glaces sont -plus grandes & plus espaisses que les meules & la tremuë tout ensemble, -mes Sauuages nous voyant si empressez sautent de glaces en glaces comme -vn ecririeux d'arbres en arbres, & les repoussant auec leurs auirons -font passage au canot dans lequel i'estois tout seul plus prest de -mourir par les eaux que de maladie, nous combattismes en cette sorte -iusques à cinq heures du soir que nous prismes terre: ces barbares sont -tres habiles en ces rencontres, ils me demandoient par fois dans la -plus grande presse des glaces si ie ne craignois point, veritablement -la nature n'ayme point à ioüer à ce jeu là, & leurs sauts de glaces en -glaces me sembloient des sauts perilleux & pour eux & pour moy, veu -mesmes que leür pere, à ce qu'ils me disoient, s'est autrefois noyé en -semblable occasion. Il est vray que Dieu dont la bonté est par tout -aymable, se trouue aussi bien dessus les eaux [314] & parmy les glaces -que dessus la terre, nous eschappasmes encore de ce danger qui ne leur -sembla pas si grand que le premier. - - On the fifth of the month of April, my host, the Apostate, and I - embarked in a little canoe to go to Kebec upon the great river, - after having taken leave of all the Savages. Now, as it was still - cold, we had not gone far when [311] we found that a little ice had - formed during the night, which covered the surface of the water; - seeing that it extended quite far, we entered it, the Apostate, - who was in front, breaking it with his paddle. But either it - was too sharp, or the bark of our gondola too thin; for it made - an opening which let the water into our canoe and fear into our - hearts. So behold us all three in action, my two Savages paddling, - and I baling out the water. We drew with all the strength of our - paddles to an Island which we very fortunately encountered. When - we set foot upon shore, the Savages seized the canoe, drew it out - of the water, turned it upside down; lighted their tinder, made a - fire, sewed up the slit in the bark; applied to it their resin, a - kind of gum that runs out of trees; placed the canoe again in the - water, and we reëmbarked and continued our journey. In view of - this danger, I told them that, if they expected to encounter much - of this sharp ice, [312] it would be better to return whence we - had come, and wait until the weather was warmer. "It is true," - replied my host, "that we came near perishing; if the hole had - been a little larger it would have been all over with us. But let - us pursue our way, this little ice does not frighten me." Towards - the third hour of the evening we saw before us a horrible bank of - ice which blocked our way, extending across the great river for a - distance of more than four leagues. We were a little frightened, - but my people approached it nevertheless, as they had noticed a - small opening in it; they glided into this, turning our little - gondola first to one side and then to the other, in order to always - make some headway. At last we found these masses of ice so firmly - wedged together, that it was impossible either to advance or - recede, for the movement of the water closed us in on all sides. In - the midst of this ice, if a sharp wind had arisen, we would have - been crushed and broken to pieces, [313] we and our canoe, like the - grain of wheat between two millstones; for imagine these blocks of - ice, larger and thicker than the millstone and hopper together. My - Savages, seeing our predicament, leaped from one piece of ice to - another, like squirrels from tree to tree; and, pushing it away - with their paddles, made a passage for the canoe, in which I sat - alone, nearer dying from water than from disease. We struggled - along in this way until five o'clock in the evening, and then we - landed. These barbarians are very skillful in such encounters. - They asked me from time to time, in the greatest danger, if I were - not afraid; truly nature is not fond of playing at such games, and - their leaps from ice to ice seemed to me to be full of peril both - for them and for me, especially as their father, as I have been - told, was drowned under similar circumstances. It is true that God, - whose goodness is everywhere adorable, is found as well upon the - waters, [314] and among the ice, as upon the land. We escaped also - from this danger, which did not seem to them as great as the first. - -Arriuez que nous fusmes à terre nostre maison fut de nous coucher au -pied d'vn arbre, nous mangeasmes vn peu de boucan, beusmes vn peu d'eau -de neige fonduë, ie fis mes petites prieres & me couchay aupres d'vn -bon feu qui contrequarra la gelée & le froid de la nuict. - - When we reached land, our house was the foot of a tree, where we - lay down, after having eaten a bit of smoked meat and drunk a - little melted snow-water. I repeated my little prayers, and rested - beside a good fire which counteracted the frost and cold of the - night. - -Le lendemain nous nous embarquasmes de bonne heure, la marée qui nous -auoit amené ces armées de glaces les porta la nuict d'vn autre costé, -nous fismes donc quelque chemin deliurés de cette importunité, mais le -vent s'animant & nostre petite gondole, commençant à dancer sur les -vagues nous nous iettasmes incontinant à terre. I'auois prié mes gens -de prendre auec eux des escorces pour nous faire la nuict vne cabane & -des viures pour quelques iours n'estant pas asseurez du retardement que -le mauuais temps nous pourroit apporter, ils ne firent [315] ny l'vn -ny l'autre, si bien, qu'il fallut coucher à l'air, & manger en quatre -iours les viures d'vne iournée, ils s'attendoient d'aller à la chasse, -mais les neiges se fondans ils ne pouuoient courre, le temps faisant -mine de s'appaiser nous nous rembarquasmes, mais à peine auions nous -faict trois lieuës que le vent se renforcant nous va ietter dans des -glaces que la marée nous ramenoit, & nous d'enfiler viste vn petit -ruisseau, de sauter tous trois sur ces grandes glaces qui estoient aux -bords, & de gagner la terre, nos Sauuages portant sur les espaules -nostre nauire d'écorce. - - The next day we embarked early. The tide, which had brought us - these legions of icebergs, had carried them during the night to the - other side, so we were for some distance free from this annoyance; - but the wind arose, and as our little gondola began to dance upon - the waves, we turned shoreward and hurriedly landed. I had begged - my people to take with them some pieces of bark, with which to make - a cabin to cover us at night, and food enough for several days, as - we were not sure that the bad weather might not cause us delays. - They did neither [315] one thing nor the other, so we had to lie - out in the open air, and make one day's food last four; they had - expected to go hunting, but, as the snow was melting, they could - not pursue the game. The weather promising to clear up, we embarked - again, but scarcely had we gone three leagues when the wind, - growing stronger, cast us upon the ice which the tide was bringing - back, and caused us to glide quickly through a little stream, and - all three to leap upon these great blocks of ice which were along - its edge, and thus to gain land, our Savages carrying our bark ship - upon their shoulders. - -Nous voila donc logez à vne pointe de terre exposée à tous vents, -nous mettons nostre canot derriere nous pour nous abrier, & comme -nous craignions la pluye ou la neige mon hoste iette vne meschante -peau sur des perches, & voila nostre maison faicte. Les vents furent -si violens toute la nuict qu'ils nous penserent enleuer nostre canot, -le lendemain la [316] tempeste continuant dessus l'eau, mes gens -n'ayant dequoy manger vont à la chasse par vn tres mauuais temps, le -Renegat ne prit rien, mon hoste rapporta vn perdreau qui nous seruit -de deieusner, de disner, & de soupper, vray que i'auois mangé quelques -fueilles de fraisiers, que la terre nouuellement descouuerte de neige -en quelques endroits me donna, nous passasmes donc cette iournée sans -faire chemin, la nuict les tempestes, les foudres de vent, & le froid -nous assaillirent auec telle furie qu'il fallut ceder à la force, nous -estions couchez à platte terre, car ils n'auoient pas pris la peine de -la couurir de branches de pin, nous nous leuasmes tout glassez pour -entrer dans le bois & emprunter des arbres l'abry contre le vent & le -couuert contre le Ciel, nous fismes vn bon feu, & nous nous endormismes -sur la terre encore toute humide pour auoir seruy de lict à la neige -peut-estre la nuict precedente, Dieu soit beny sa prouidence est -adorable, nous mettions ce [317] iour & ceste nuict dans le catalogue -des iours & des nuicts mal-heureux, & ce nous fut vn temps de bon-heur, -car si ces tempestes & ces vents ne nous eussent tenus prisonniers -sur terre pendant qu'ils escartoient les glaces les poussant à val -la riuiere, elles se fussent reserrées au trauers des Isles où nous -deuions passer, & nous eussent faict mourir de trop boire ecrasant -nostre canot, ou de trop peu manger, nous arrestans dans quelque Isle -deserte. Bref si nous fussions eschappez c'eust esté à grand peine, -de plus i'estois si debile & si malade quand ie m'embarquay, que si -i'eusse preueu les trauaux du chemin i'aurois creu deuoir mourir cent -fois, & neantmoins Nostre Seigneur commença à me fortifier dans ces -difficultez, en sorte que i'ayday mes Sauuages à ramer notamment sur la -fin de nostre voyage. - - Now we were lodged upon a point of land exposed to all the winds. - As a shelter, we placed our canoe back of us, and fearing rain or - snow, my host threw a wretched skin upon some poles, and lo, our - house was made. The winds were so boisterous all night that they - nearly blew away our canoe. The next day the [316] storm continuing - upon the water, and my people having nothing to eat, they went - hunting during most wretched weather. The Renegade did not capture - anything; but my host brought back a young partridge, which served - as breakfast, dinner, and supper. True, I had eaten some leaves of - the strawberry plant that I had found upon the ground, from which - the snow had recently melted in some places. So we passed this day - without resuming our journey. That night the storm, gusts of wind, - and the cold, assailed us with such fury that we had to surrender - to these forces, and get up half-frozen (for we had been lying - upon the bare ground, not having taken the trouble to cover it - with pine branches) and go into the woods to borrow from the trees - their shelter against the wind and their covering against the Sky. - Here we made a good fire and went to sleep upon ground still damp - from snow which had probably covered it the night before. God be - praised, his providence is adorable! We set this [317] day and this - night down in the calendar of wretched days and nights, yet it was - for us a period of good fortune. For, if these tempests and winds - had not held us prisoners upon the land while they were clearing - away the ice and driving it down the river, it would have been - massed across the way to the Islands by which we must pass; and we - would have had to die from too much drink crushing our canoe, or - from too little food, caused by having to stop in some deserted - Island. In short, if we had escaped it would have been with great - difficulty. Moreover, I was so weak and sick when I embarked, that - if I had foreseen the hardships of the way I would have expected to - die a hundred times; yet Our Lord began to strengthen me in these - trials, so that I aided my Savages to paddle, especially toward the - end of our journey. - -Le iour qui suiuit ces tempestes paroissant encor animé de vents, -mon hoste & l'Apostat s'en allerent à la chasse, vne heure apres -leur depart le [318] Soleil paroist beau, l'air serein, les vents -s'appaisent, les vagues cessent, la mer se calme, en vn mot il abonit -pour parler en matelot, me voila bien en peine de vouloir suiure mes -Sauuages à la trace pour les appeller, c'estoit mettre vn tortuë apres -des leuriers, ie iette les yeux au Ciel comme au lieu de refuge les -abbaissant vers la terre ie vy mes gens courir comme des cerfs sur -l'orée du bois, tirans vers moy, aussi-tost ie me leue portant nostre -petit bagage vers la riuiere, mon hoste arriuant _eco, eco, pousitau, -pousitau_, viste, viste, embarquons nous, embarquons nous, plustost -fait qu'il n'est dit, le vent & la marée nous fauorisent, nous allons -à rames & à voile, nostre petit vaisseau d'escorce fendant les ondes -d'vne vitesse incomparable, nous arriuasmes en fin sur les dix heures -du soir à la pointe de la grande Isle d'Orleans, il n'y auoit plus que -deux lieuës iusques à nostre petite maison, mes gens n'auoient point -mangé tout le iour, ie leur donne courage, nous nous [319] efforçons -de passer outre, mais le courant de la marée qui descendoit encor -estant fort rapide, il fallut attendre le flot pour trauerser la grande -riuiere, nous entrasmes cependant dans vne anse de terre, & nous nous -endormismes sur le sable aupres d'vn bon feu que nous allumasmes. - - The day after these tempests being still rather windy, my host - and the Apostate went hunting. An hour after their departure the - [318] Sun shone out brightly, the air became clear, the winds died - away, the waves fell, the sea became calm,--in a word, it mended, - as the sailors say. Then I was in great perplexity about following - my Savages to call them back, for it would have been like a turtle - pursuing a greyhound. I turned my eyes to Heaven as to a place of - refuge; and, when I lowered them, I saw my people running like deer - along the edge of the wood straight toward me. I immediately arose, - and started for the river, bearing our little baggage. When my host - arrived, _eco, eco, pousitau, pousitau_, "Quick, quick, let us - embark, let us embark!" No sooner said than done; the wind and tide - favored us, we glided on with paddle and sail, our little bark ship - cutting the waves with incomparable swiftness. We at last arrived - about ten o'clock in the evening at the end of the great Island of - Orleans, from which our little house was not more than two leagues - distant. My people had eaten nothing all day; I encouraged them. We - [319] tried to go on, but the current of the tide, which was still - ebbing, being very rapid, we had to await the flood to cross the - great river. Therefore we went into a little cove, and slept upon - the sand, near a good fire that we lighted. - -Sur la minuit le flot retournant nous nous embarquasmes, la Lune -nous éclairant, le vent & la marée nous faisoient voler, mon hoste -n'ayant pas voulu tirer du costé que ie luy dis, nous pensasmes nous -perdre dans le port, car comme nous vinsmes pour entrer dans nostre -petite riuiere nous la trouuasmes encore toute glacée, nous voulusmes -approcher du riuage, mais le vent y auoit rangé vn grand banc de glace, -qui se choquoient les vnes les autres nous menaçoient de mort si nous -les abordions, si bien qu'il fallut tourner bride, mettre le cap au -vent & se roidir contre la marée, c'est icy que ie vy les vaillances de -mon hoste, il s'estoit [320] mis deuant comme au lieu le plus important -dans les grands perils, ie le voyois au trauers de l'obscurité de la -nuict qui nous donnoit de l'horreur & augmentait nostre danger, bander -ses nerfs, se roidir contre la mort, tenir nostre petit canot en estat -dans des vagues capables d'engloutir vn grand vaisseau, ie luy crie -_Nicanis ouabichtigoueia_K_hi ouabichtigoueia_k_hi_, mon bien-aymé -à Kebec, à Kebec, tirons là. Quand nous vismes à doubler le saut au -Matelot, c'est le detour de nostre riuiere dans le grand fleuue, vous -l'eussiez veu ceder à vne vague, en couper vne autre par le milieu, -éuiter vne glace, en repousser vne autre, combattre incessamment contre -vn furieux vent de Nordest qu'il auoit en teste. - - Toward midnight, the tide again arising, we embarked. The Moon - shone brightly, and wind and tide made us fly. As my host would - not take the direction I advised, we very nearly perished in the - port; for, when we came to enter our little river, we found it - still covered with ice. We tried to approach the banks, but the - wind had piled up great masses of ice there, striking and surging - against each other, which threatened us with death if we approached - them. So we had to veer around and turn our prow to the wind and - work against the tide. It was here I saw the valor of my host. - He had [320] placed himself in front, as the place where the - greatest danger was to be found. I saw him through the darkness - of the night, which filled us with terror while augmenting our - peril, strain every nerve and struggle against death, to keep - our little canoe in position amid waves capable of swallowing up - a great ship. I cried out to him, _Nicanis ouabichtigouciakhi - ouabichtigouciakhi_, "My well-beloved, to Kebec, to Kebec, let us - go there." When we were about to double the Sailor's leap, that is, - the bend where our river enters the great river, you might have - seen him ride over one wave, cut through the middle of another, - dodge one block of ice, and push away another, continually fighting - against a furious Northeast wind which we had in our teeth. - -Ayans éuité ce danger nous voulumes aborder la terre, mais vne armée -de glaces animée par la fureur des vents nous en deffendoit l'entrée: -nous allõs donc iusques deuant le fort costoyant le riuage, cherchant -dans les tenebres [323 i.e., 321] vn petit iour ou vne petite eclaircie -parmy ces glaces; mon hoste ayant apperceu vn rerin on detour qui est -au bas du fort, où les glaces ne branloiẽt point pour estre à l'abry -du vent, en detourne auec son auiron trois on quatre furieuses qu'il -rencontre, & vous iette là dedans, il saute viste hors du Canot, -craignant le retour des glaces, criant _Capatau_, desembarquons nous; -le mal estoit que les glaces estoient si hautes & si épaisses sur -le riuage, qu'à peine y pouuois-ie atteindre auec les mains; ie ne -sçauois à quoy m'aggraffer pour sortir du Canot, & monter sur ces riues -glacées; ie prends mon hoste par le pied d'vne main, & de l'autre vn -coing de glace que ie rencontre, & ie me iette en sauueté, vn auec les -deux autres, vn lourdaut deuient habille homme en ces occasions: estant -sorty du Canot, ils l'enleuent par les deux bouts, & le mettent en lieu -d'asseurance: cela fait nous nous regardons tous trois, & mon hoste -reprenant son haleine, me dit, _nicanis_ k_hegat nipiacou_, mon grand -amy, nous auons pensé mourir: il auoit encore horreur, de la grandeur -du peril. Il est vray que [324 i.e., 322] s'il n'eust eu des bras de -Geant (il est homme grand & puissant) & vne industrie non commune, -ny aux François ny aux Sauuages, ou vne vague nous eust englouty, ou -le vent nous eust renuersé, ou vne glace nous eust escrasé; disons -plustost que si Dieu n'eust esté nostre Nocher, les ondes qui battent -les riues de nostre demeure auroient esté nostre sepulchre. De -verité quiconque habite parmy ces peuples, peut bien dire auec le Roy -Prophete, _anima mea in manibus meis semper_: depuis peu vn de nos -François s'est noyé en semblable occasion, & encore moindre, car il ny -auoit plus de glaces. - - Having escaped this danger, we would have liked to land; but an - army of icebergs, summoned by the raging wind, barred our entrance. - So we went on as far as the fort, coasting along the shores, and - sought in the darkness [323 i.e., 321] a little gleam of light or a - small opening among these masses of ice. My host having perceived - a rerin, or turn, which is at the bottom of the fort, where the - ice did not move, as it was outside the current of wind, he turned - away with his paddle three or four dreadful masses of it which - he encountered, and dashed in. He leaped quickly from the Canoe, - fearing the return of the ice, crying, _Capatau_, "Let us land;" - the trouble was, that the ice was so high and densely packed - against the bank, that it was all I could do to reach to the top - of it with my hands; I did not know what to take hold of to pull - myself out of the Canoe, and to climb up upon these icy shores. - With one hand I took hold of my host's foot, and with the other - seized a piece of ice which happened to project, and threw myself - into a place of safety with the other two. A clumsy fellow becomes - agile on such occasions. All being out of the Canoe, they seized it - at both ends and placed it in safety; and, when this was done, we - all three looked at each other, and my host, taking a long breath, - said to me, _nicanis khegat nipiacou_, "My good friend, a little - more, and we would have perished;" he still felt horror over the - gravity of our danger. It is true that [324 i.e., 322] if he had - not had the arms of a Giant (he is a large and powerful man), and - an ingenuity uncommon among either Frenchmen or Savages, either a - wave would have swallowed us up, or the wind would have upset us, - or an iceberg would have crushed us. Or rather let us say, if God - had not been our Pilot, the waves which beat against the shores of - our home would have been our sepulchre. In truth, whoever dwells - among these people can say with the Prophet King, _anima mea in - manibus meis semper_. Only a little while ago one of our Frenchmen - was drowned, under like circumstances, yet less dangerous, for - there was no longer any ice. - -Estant échappez de tant de périls, nous trauersâmes nostre riuiere sur -la glace, qui n'estoit point encore partie; & sur les trois heures -apres minuict, le Dimanche de Pasques fleurie 9. d'Auril, ie r'entray -dans nostre petite maisonnette, Dieu sçait auec quelle ioye de part & -d'autre, ie trouuay la maison remplie de paix & de benediction, tout -le monde en bonne santé par la grace de nostre Seigneur. Monsieur le -Gouuerneur sçachant mon retour, m'enuoya [323] deux des principaux -de nos François pour sçauoir de ma santé, son affection nous est -tres sensible; l'vn des chefs de l'ancienne famille du pays accourut -aussi pour se resioüyr de mon retour, ils auoient connu par le peu de -neige qu'il y a eu cét Hiuer, moins rigoureux que les autres, que les -Sauuages & moy par consequent estions pressez de la faim; c'est ce -qui en resioüit quelques-vns iusques aux larmes, me voyant reschappé -d'vn si grand danger; nostre Seigneur soit beny dans les temps & dans -l'eternité. - - Having escaped so many perils, we crossed our river on the ice, - which was not yet broken; and three hours after midnight, on Palm - Sunday, April 9th, I reëntered our little house. God knows what - joy there was on both sides! I found the house filled with peace - and blessings, every one being in good health, by the grace of - our Lord. Monsieur the Governor, learning of my return, sent to - me [323] two of our most prominent Frenchmen, to inquire after my - health. His affection for us is indeed very evident. One of the - heads of the old family in the country[5] also hastened to express - his joy at my return. They knew by the small amount of snow that - had fallen that Winter, which was less severe than others, that - the Savages, and consequently I, would suffer greatly from famine; - and hence some even shed tears of joy at seeing me escaped from so - great a danger. Blessed be our Lord, in time and in eternity. - -I'ay bien voulu d'escrire ce voyage, pour faire voir à V. R. les -grands trauaux qu'il faut souffrir en la suitte des Sauuages, mais ie -supplie pour la derniere fois ceux qui auroient enuie de les ayder, de -ne point prendre l'espouuente, non seulement pource que Dieu se faict -sentir plus puissamment dans la disette, & dans les delaissements des -creatures, mais aussi pource qu'il ne sera plus de besoin de faire ces -courses, quãd on aura la connoissance des langues, & qu'on les aura -reduites en preceptes: I'ay rapporté quelques particularitez [324] -qui se pouuoient obmettre, i'en ay passé beaucoup sous silence, qu'on -auroit peu lire auec plaisir, mais la crainte d'estre long, & mon peu -de loisir, me fait tomber dans le desordre; il est vray que i'escris -à vne personne, _quæ ordinabit me charitatem_, les autres qui verront -cette Relation par son entremise, me feront la mesme faueur. Ie dirois -volontiers ces deux mots, à quiconque lira ces escrits, _ama & fac quod -vis_, retournons à nostre journal. - - I wanted to describe this journey, to show Your Reverence the - great hardships that must be endured in following the Savages; but - I entreat, for the last time, those who have any desire to help - them not to be frightened; not only because God makes himself more - powerfully felt in our time of need, and in the helplessness of his - creatures, but also because it will no longer be necessary to make - these sojourns when we shall know their languages and reduce them - to rules. I have reported some details [324] which might have been - omitted; and have passed over in silence much that would, perhaps, - have been read with pleasure; but the fear of being tedious, and - my little leisure, have caused some disorder in my work. It is true - that I am writing to a person, _quæ ordinabit me charitatem_; and - the others who through his agency see this Relation will do me the - same favor. I feel like saying these two words to whomsoever will - read these writings, _ama et fac quod vis_. Let us return to our - journal. - -Le 31. de May, arriua vne chalouppe de Tadoussac, qui apportoit -nouuelle que trois vaisseaux de Messieurs les Associez estoient -arriuez, deux estoient dans le port, & le troisiéme au Moulin Baude, -c'est vn lieu proche de Tadoussac, que les François ont ainsi nommé: -on attendoit le quatriéme, dans lequel commandoit Monsieur du Plessis, -general de la flotte, qui vint bien-tost apres, & loüa grandement le -Capitaine Bontemps, pour s'estre rendu fort recommandable en la prise -du nauire Anglois, dont i'ay parlé cy-dessus; si tost que ces bonnes -nouuelles furent portées à Mõsieur de Champlain, comme il n'obmet -[325] aucune occasion de nous tesmoigner son affection, il nous en fit -donner aduis par homme exprés, nous enuoyans en outre les lettres du -R. P. Lallement qui m'escriuoit qu'il estoit arriué auec N. F. Iean -Ligeois en bonne santé, & qu'au premier vent il seroit des nostres, il -est aisé à conjecturer auec quelle ioye nous benismes & remerciasmes -nostre Seigneur de ces bonnes & si fauorables nouuelles; il arriua deux -iours apres dans la barque que commandoit Monsieur Castillon, qu'on dit -s'estre fort bien comporté en la prise de l'Anglois. - - On the 31st of May, a shallop arrived from Tadoussac which bore - the news that three vessels of Messieurs the Associates had - arrived,--two being in that port, and the third at Moulin Baude, - a place near Tadoussac, thus named by the French.[6] They were - waiting for the fourth, commanded by Monsieur du Plessis, general - of the fleet, who came soon afterwards and bestowed high praise - upon Captain Bontemps for having shown very meritorious conduct in - the capture of the English ship, of which I have spoken above. As - soon as this good news was brought to Monsieur de Champlain, as he - never omits [325] any occasion to show his good will, he sent us - tidings thereof by a special messenger, sending us also the letters - of Reverend Father Lallement who wrote me that he had arrived - with Our Brother Jean Ligeois in good health, and that the first - breeze would bring him to us.[7] It is easy to guess with what joy - we blessed and thanked our Lord for this good and so favorable - news. He arrived two days later in the bark commanded by Monsieur - Castillon, who is said to have done good work in the capture of the - English. - -Le quatriéme iour de Iuin Feste de la Pentecoste le Capitaine de Nesle -arriua à Kebec, dans son vaisseau estoit Mõsieur Giffard, & toute sa -famille, composée de plusieurs personnes qu'il ameine, pour habiter le -pays, sa femme s'est mõstrée fort courageuse à suiure son mary: elle -estoit enceinte quand elle s'embarqua; ce qui luy faisoit apprehender -ses couches, mais nostre Seigneur la grandement fauorisée, car huict -iours apres son arriuée, sçauoir est le Dimanche de la Saincte Trinité, -elle s'est deliurée fort heureusement d'vne fille qui se porte [326] -fort bien, & que le Pere Lallement baptisa le lendemain. - - On the fourth day of June, the Feast of Pentecost, Captain de Nesle - arrived at Kebec; in his vessel was Monsieur Giffard and his whole - household, composed of many persons, whom he brought to settle - in this country.[8] His wife showed great courage in following - her husband; she was pregnant when she embarked, which made her - dread her accouchement; but our Lord was wonderfully kind to her, - for eight days after her arrival, that is, on the Sunday of holy - Trinity, she was delivered happily of a daughter who is doing [326] - very well and whom Father Lallement baptized the following day. - -Le 24. du mesme mois, feste de S. Iean Baptiste, le vaisseau de -l'Anglois commandé par le Capitaine de Lormel, monta iusques icy, -& nous apporta le P. Iacques Buteux en assez bonne santé, Monsieur -le General nous honorant de ses lettres, me manda que ce bon Pere -auoit esté fort malade pendant la trauersée, & le Pere nous dit qu'il -auoit esté secouru & assisté si puissamment, & si charitablement de -Monsieur le General & de son Chirurgien, qu'il en restoit tout confus, -maintenant il se porte mieux que iamais il n'a fait. - - On the 24th of the same month, feast of St. John the Baptist, the - English ship, commanded by Captain de Lormel, came up thus far, and - brought us Father Jacques Buteux[9] in fairly good health. Monsieur - the General, honoring us with his letters, sent me word that this - good Father had been very sick during the passage; the Father told - us that he had been so effectively nursed and assisted by Monsieur - the General and his Surgeon, that he felt overwhelmed by their - kindness; he feels better now than ever before.[10] - -Le premier de Iuillet le P. Breboeuf & le P. Daniel partirent dans -vne barque, pour s'en aller aux trois Riuieres, au deuant des Hurons, -la barque alloit commencer vne nouuelle habitation en ce quartier -là, le P. Dauost qui estoit descendu de Tadoussac, pour l'assistance -de nos François, suiuit nos Peres trois iours apres, en la compagnie -de Monsieur le General, qui se vouloit trouuer à la traite auec ces -peuples. Ils attendoient là quelque temps les Hurons, qui ne sont point -descendus en si grand nombre cette année qu'à l'ordinaire, à raison que -les Hiroquois estans aduertis que cinq cens hommes de cette nation -tiroient en leur pays, pour leur faire la guerre, leurs allerent au -deuant au nombre de quinze cens dit on, & ayant surpris ceux qui les -vouloient surprendre: ils en ont tué enuiron deux cens, & pris plus -d'vne centaine de prisonniers, dont Louys Amantacha est du nombre; on -disoit que son pere estoit mis à mort, mais le bruit est maintenant -qu'il s'est sauué des mains de l'ennemy. On nous rapporte que ces -Hiroquois [327] triomphans ont renuoyé quelques Capitaines aux Hurons -pour traitter de paix, retenans par deuers eux les plus apparens, apres -auoir cruellement massacré les autres. - - On the first of July, Father Brebœuf and Father Daniel left in a - bark to go to three Rivers, there to wait for the Hurons. This - bark was destined to begin a new settlement in that quarter. - Father Davost, who had come down from Tadoussac for the assistance - of our French, followed our Fathers three days later in company - with Monsieur the General, who wanted to meet these people at the - trading post.[11] They waited there some time for the Hurons, who - did not come down in so great numbers this year as usual; because - the Hiroquois, having been informed that five hundred men of this - nation were moving toward their country to make war upon them, - themselves went on ahead to the number of fifteen hundred, it is - said; and, having surprised those who were to surprise them, they - killed about two hundred of them, and took more than one hundred - prisoners, Louys Amantacha[12] being one of the number. They said - his father was put to death, but the report is now that he escaped - the hands of the enemy. We were told that these triumphant [327] - Hiroquois sent some Captains to the Hurons to treat for peace, - retaining the most prominent ones in their possession after having - cruelly massacred the others. - -Cette perte a esté cause que les Hurons sont venus en petites trouppes, -au commencement ils ne sont descendus que sept Canots: Le Pere Brebœuf -en ayant eu nouuelle, les aborde, & fait tout ce qu'il peut pour les -engager à le receuoir, & ses compagnons, & les porter en leur pays, -ils s'y accordent volontiers. Là dessus [328] vn Capitaine Algonquain, -nommé la Perdrix, qui demeure en ville, fit vne harangue, par laquelle -il recommandoit qu'on n'embarquast aucun François: Voila les Hurons qui -doiuent passer par le pays de ce Capitaine, à leur retour entierement -refroidis: sur ces entrefaites arriue Monsieur du Plessis, tout cecy se -passoit en vn lieu nommé les trois Riuieres, trente lieuës plus haut -que Kebec; comme il desiroit ardemment que nos Peres penetrassent dans -ces nations, il fit assembler les Algonquains en Conseil, notamment -ce Capitaine, pour luy faire rendre raison de sa deffence; il en -apporte plusieurs, on luy satisfaict sur le chãp, il insistoit, comme -ie le conjecture, des lettres du Pere Brebœuf, sur le desordre qui -arriueroit, au cas que quelque François mourut aux Hurons; on luy -repart que les Peres n'estans point en son pays, la paix entre les -François, & ses Compatriotes, ne seroit point rompue, quoy qu'ils -mourussent d'vne mort naturelle ou violente. Voila les Algonquains -contents: mais les Hurons commencerent à s'excuser sur leur [329] petit -nombre, qui ne sçauroit passer tant de François sur la petitesse de -leurs Canots, & sur leurs maladies; en vn mot ils eussent bien voulu -embarquer quelques François bien armez, mais non pas de ces longues -robbes, qui ne portent point d'arquebuses. Monsieur du Plessis presse -tant qu'il peut, prent nostre cause en main, on trouue place pour -quelques vns; vn certain Sauuage s'adresse au Pere, & luy dit, fais moy -traiter mon petun pour de la porcelaine, & mon Canot estant deschargé; -ie prendray vn François, le Pere n'en auoit point, mais Monsieur du -Plessis sçachãt cela, & Monsieur de l'Espinay acheterent ce petun; -voila donc place pour six personnes, quand se vint à s'embarquer, les -Sauuages qui estoient malades en effect, disent qu'ils n'en sçauroient -porter que trois, deux ieunes hommes Frãçois, & vn Pere; les Peres -promettẽt qu'ils rameront, ils font des presents, Monsieur du Plessis -en fait aussi, insiste tant qu'il peut, ils n'en veulent point receuoir -dauantage. - - This loss caused the Hurons to come in small bands, only seven - Canoes coming down at first. When Father Brebœuf heard of their - arrival, he went to them, and did all he could to make them - promise to receive him and his companions, and take them to their - country; this they willingly granted. Thereupon [328] an Algonquain - Captain, called the Partridge, who lives in the town, made a - speech recommending them not to take any Frenchmen on board. Now - these Hurons, who had to pass through the country of this Captain - on their return, became very cold, and at this point Monsieur du - Plessis arrived. All this had occurred at a place called the three - Rivers, thirty leagues farther up the river than Kebec. As he was - very anxious to have our Fathers penetrate into these nations, he - had the Algonquains assembled in Council, especially this Captain, - to have him explain the reason of his opposition. He brought forth - several arguments, which they answered for him at once; he dwelt, - as I judge from Father Brebœuf's letters, upon the trouble that - would occur in case some Frenchman should die among the Hurons. - He was told that, as the Fathers would not be in his country, - the peace between the French and his Compatriots would not be - disturbed, whether their death were a natural or a violent one. So - now the Algonquains were satisfied; but the Hurons began to excuse - themselves on account of the [329] small number of their men, who - could not carry so many Frenchmen; also on account of their small - Canoes and the presence of sickness among them. In a word, they - would have been very willing to take on board some Frenchmen who - were well armed; but they did not want these long robes, who carried - no guns. Monsieur du Plessis became urgent, pressing our cause - with all the power he had; they find a place for a few. A certain - Savage, addressing the Father, said, "Arrange for me to trade my - tobacco for porcelain; and, my Canoe being unloaded, I will take - one Frenchman." The Father had none of this; but, when Monsieur du - Plessis and Monsieur de l'Espinay[5] heard of it, they bought his - tobacco, and this made a place for six persons. When they came to - embark, the Savages, who were, in fact, sick, said they could not - carry more than three,--two young Frenchmen, and one Father. The - Fathers promised that they would paddle; they made presents, and - Monsieur du Plessis made some also and urged them as strongly as he - could; they would not receive any more. - -Le Pere Brebœuf a recours à Dieu, [330] voicy comme il parle en sa -lettre: Iamais ie ne veys embarquement tant balotté & plus trauersé -par les menées, comme ie croy de l'ennemy commun du salut des hommes, -c'est vn coup du Ciel que nous soyons passé outre, & en effect du -pouuoir du Glorieux sainct Ioseph, auquel Dieu m'inspira dans le -desespoir de toutes choses, de promettre 20. sacrifices en son -honneur; ce veu fait, le Sauuage qui auoit embarqué Petit Pré, l'vn -de nos François, le quitta pour me prendre, veu mesme que Monsieur du -Plessis insistoit fort que cela se fist. Et ainsi le Pere Brebœuf, -le Pere Daniel, & vn ieune homme nommé le Baron, furent acceptez de -ces Barbares qui les portent en leur pays dans des Canots d'escorce. -Restoient le Pere Dauost, & cinq de nos François, ne demandez pas si -le Pere estoit triste: voyant partir ses compagnons sans luy, & sans -quasi rien porter des choses necessaires pour leur vie, & pour leurs -habits: De verité ils ont monstré qu'ils auoient vn grand cœur! car le -desir d'entrer dans le pays de la Croix, leur fit quitter leur petit -bagage, pour ne point chercher [331] leurs Sauuages qui se trouuoient -mal, se contentants des ornements de l'Autel, & se confiant du reste -en la prouidence de nostre Seigneur, leur depart de trois Riuieres fut -si precipité, qu'ils ne peurent pas nous rescrire: mais estant arriuez -au lõg Sault, à quelque quatre vingts lieuës de Kebec, & rencontrant -des Hurons qui descendoient, ils nous enuoyerent quelques lettres, dans -l'vne desquelles le Pere Brebœuf ayant raconté les difficultez de son -embarquement, parle ainsi: Ie prie V. R. de remercier, mais de bonne -façon Monsieur du Plessis, auquel apres Dieu nous deuons grandement en -nostre embarquement: car outre les presents qu'il a fait aux Sauuages, -tant publics que particuliers, & la Porcelaine qu'il a traittée, il -a tenu autant de conseils que nous auons desiré, il nous a fourny de -viures au depart, & nous a honorez de plusieurs coups de Canon; & le -tout auec vn grand soing & vn tesmoignage d'vne tres-particuliere -affection. - - Father Brebœuf has recourse to God; [330] this is the way he speaks - of it in his letter: "Never did I see an embarkation about which - there was so much quibbling and opposition, through the tactics, - as I believe, of the common enemy of man's salvation. It was by a - Providential chance that we were taken, and through the power of - the Glorious saint Joseph, to whom God inspired me to offer, in - my despair of all things, the promise of 20 masses in his honor. - After this vow was made, the Savage who had taken on board Petit - Pré, one of our Frenchmen, gave him up to receive me, especially as - Monsieur du Plessis insisted strongly that this should be done." - And thus Father Brebœuf, Father Daniel, and a young man named le - Baron were accepted by these Barbarians, who carried them into - their country in bark Canoes. There remained Father Davost and - five of our Frenchmen. Do not ask if the Father was sad at thus - seeing his companions depart without him, almost without taking - the necessaries of life, or their clothing. In truth, they have - shown that they possess a generous heart! For the desire to go into - the country of the Cross made them leave their little baggage, in - order not to irritate [331] their Savages, who were ill, contenting - themselves merely with the Altar ornaments, and trusting the - rest to the providence of our Lord. Their departure from three - Rivers was so hurried that they could not write to us; but when - they reached the long Sault, some twenty-four leagues from Kebec, - they encountered some Hurons who were coming down the river, and - sent us letters, in one of which Father Brebœuf, having recounted - the difficulties of his embarkation, speaks thus: "I beg Your - Reverence to express our warmest thanks to Monsieur du Plessis, - to whom, after God, we are greatly indebted for our embarkation. - For--besides the presents he made to the Savages, publicly and - privately, and the Porcelain he traded--he held as many councils - as we desired, furnished us with provisions at our departure, and - honored us with several Cannon salutes; and all with great care, - and an appearance of very special interest in us." - -Nous nous en allons à petites iournées bien sains, quand à nous, mais -nos Sauuages sont tous malades, nous ramons [332] continuellement, & -ce d'autant plus que nos gens sont malades pour Dieu & pour les ames -racheptés du sang du Fils de Dieu, que ne faut-il faire! tous nos -Sauuages sõt tres-cõtents de nous, & ne voudroiẽt pas en auoir embarqué -d'autres; ils disent tant de biẽ de nous à ceux qu'ils rẽcõtrent, -qu'ils leurs persuadent de n'en embarquer point d'autres, Dieu soit -beny. V. R. excuse à l'escriture & l'ordre, & le tout: nous partons si -matin, gistons si tard, & ramons si continuellement, que nous n'auons -quasi pas le loisir de satisfaire à nos prieres; de sorte qu'il m'a -fallu acheuer la presente à la lueur du feu, ce sont les propres -paroles du Pere, qui adjouste en vn autre endroit, que les peuples par -où ils passent sont quasi tous malades, & meurent en grand nombre. Il y -a eu quelque espece d'Epidimie cette année, qui s'est mesme communiquée -aux François, mais Dieu mercy personne n'en est mort, c'estoit vne -façon de rougeolle, & vne oppression d'estomach; reuenons aux trois -Riuieres. - - "We are going on by short stages, quite well, as far as we are - concerned; but our Savages are all sick. We paddle [332] all the - time, and do this the more because our people are sick. What ought - not to be done for God, and for souls redeemed by the blood of - the son of God! All our Savages are very much pleased with us, - and would not have cared to take others on board; they speak well - of us to those whom they meet, persuading them not to embark any - others. God be praised! Your Reverence will excuse this writing, - order and all; we start so early in the morning, and lie down so - late, and paddle so continually, that we hardly have time enough - to devote to our prayers; indeed, I have been obliged to finish - this by the light of the fire." These are the exact words of the - Father, who adds in another place that the people of the countries - through which they pass are nearly all sick, and are dying in - great numbers. There has been a sort of Epidemic this year, which - has even been communicated to the French; but, thank God, no one - has died of it; it is a sort of measles, and an oppression of the - stomach. Let us return to three Rivers. - -Ceux qui attendoient quelque autre occasion pour s'embarquer, furent -consolez [333] par la venuë de trois Canots, dans lesquels Monsieur du -Plessis fit embarquer le Pere Dauost, & deux de nos François, auec vne -vigilance incomparable, comme m'escrit le Pere. A quelque temps de là -vindrent encore d'autres Hurons, il plaça dans leurs Canots & hommes & -bagage; en vn mot tout ce qui restoit, si bien que trois de nos Peres, -& six de nos François, sont montez aux Hurons. - - Those who were awaiting some other occasion to embark were consoled - [333] by the coming of three Canoes, in which Monsieur du Plëssis - had Father Davost and two of our Frenchmen embark, looking out for - their interests with wonderful care, as the Father writes me. A - short time after this, other Hurons came; and he placed in their - Canoes both men and baggage, in a word, all that remained. So that - three of our Fathers and six of our Frenchmen have gone up to the - Hurons. - -Ils ont trois cents lieuës à faire dans des chemins qui font horreur -à en ouyr parler les Hurons, auec lesquels ils vous cachent de deux -iours en deux iours de leur farine pour manger au retour, il n'y a -point d'autres hostelleries que ces cachettes, s'ils manquent à les -retrouuer, ou si quelqu'vn les desrobe, car ils sont larrons au dernier -point, il se faut passer de manger, s'ils les retrouuent; ils ne font -pas pour cela grande chere, le matin ils detrempent vn peu de cette -farine auec de l'eau, & chacun en mange enuiron vne ecuellée; là dessus -ils ioüent de leur auiron tout le iour & sur la nuit: ils mangent -comme [334] au point du iour, c'est la vie que doiuent mener nos Peres -iusques à ce qu'ils soient arriués au païs de ces barbares, où estants, -ils se feront bastir vne maison d'escorce, dans laquelle ils viuront du -bled & de farine d'inde, de poisson en certain temps: pour la chair, -comme il n'y a point de chasse ou ils sont, ils n'en mangent pas six -fois l'an, s'ils ne veulent manger leurs chiens, comme fait le peuple -qui en nourrit, comme on fait des moutons en Frãce; leur boisson c'est -de l'eau. Voila les delices du païs, pour les sains & pour les malades, -le pain, le vin, les diuerses sortes de viandes, les fruits, & mille -raffraichissements qui sõt en France, ne sont point encore entrés dans -ces contrées. - - They have three hundred leagues to make over a route full of - horrors, as it is described by the Hurons; on their way down, - they hide meal every two days, to eat on their return, and these - hiding-places are the only hotels they have. If they fail to find - them, or if some one robs them, for they are the worst kind of - thieves, they must get along without eating. If they do find their - provisions, they cannot feast very sumptuously upon them. In the - morning they mix a little of this meal with water, and each one - eats about a bowlful of it; upon this they ply their paddles all - day, and at nightfall they eat as [334] they did at break of day. - This is the kind of life that our Fathers must lead until they - reach the country of these barbarians. When they arrive, they will - build themselves a bark house, and there they will live on wheat, - and cornmeal, and, in certain seasons, on fish. As for meat, there - being no hunting where they are, they will not eat it six times a - year, unless they eat their dogs, as the people do, who raise these - animals as they do sheep in France; their drink will be water. - So these are the delicacies of the country for well people and - sick,--bread, wine, different kinds of meat, fruit, and a thousand - refreshing viands found in France not yet having been introduced - into these countries. - -La mõnoye dõt ils acheteront leurs viures, leur bois, leur maisõ -d'écorce, & autres necessités, sont des petits canons ou tuiaux de -verre, des couteaux, des alesnes, des castelognes, des chaudieres, des -haches: & choses semblables, c'est l'argent qu'il faut porter auec soy: -si la paix se fait entre les Hurons, & les Hiroquois, ie preuoy vne -grande porte ouuerte à l'Euangile, [33 i.e., 335] nous disons alors -auec ioye & auec tristesse _messis, quidem multa operarij vero pauci_: -car on ver[r]a la disette de personnes qui entendent les langues. -I'apprend qu'en 25 ou 30 lieuës de pays qu'occupent les Hurons, -d'autres en mettent bien moins; il se trouue plus de trente mille -ames, la nation neutre est bien plus peuplée, les Hiroquois le sont -grandement, les Algonquains ont vn pays de fort grande estenduë. Ie -ne souhaitterois maintenant que cinq ou six de nos Peres en chaqu'vne -de ces nations, & cependant ie n'oserois les demander quoy que pour -vn qu'on desire, il s'en presente dix toute prests de mourir dans ces -trois: mais i'apprend que tout ce que nous auons en France pour cette -mission est peu: comme donc prendrons nous les enfans, notamment de -ces nations peuplées, pour les nourrir & les instruire, las! faut il -que les biens de la terre, empeschent les biens du Ciel! que n'auons -nous tant seulement les mies de pain qui tombent de la table des riches -du monde, pour donner à ces petits enfans! Ie ne me plains [336] -point, ie ne demande rien à qui que ce soit: mais ie ne puis tenir mes -sentiments, quand ie voy que la fange (que sont autres choses les biens -d'icy bas) empesche que Dieu ne soit conneu & adoré de ces peuples. Et -si quelqu'vn trouue estrange que ie parle en cette sorte, qu'il vienne, -qu'il ouure les yeux, qu'ils voyent ces peuples crier apres le pain de -la parole de Dieu, & s'il n'est touché de compassion, & s'il ne crie -plus haut que moy, ie me condam[ne]ray à vn perpetuel silence. - - The money with which they will buy their food, wood, bark house, - and other necessaries, is little beads or tubes of glass, knives, - awls, blankets, kettles, hatchets, and similar things; this is the - money they must carry with them. If peace is negotiated between the - Hurons and Hiroquois, I foresee a splendid opening for the Gospel. - [33 i.e., 335] We can say then with joy and with sadness, _messis, - quidem multa operarii vero pauci_, for we shall see few persons - who understand these languages. I learn that in the 25 or 30 - leagues of country which the Hurons occupy,--others estimate it at - much less,--there are more than thirty thousand souls. The neutral - nation is much more populous, the Hiroquois largely so, and the - Algonquains have a country of very great extent. I would like to - have now only five or six of our Fathers in each of these nations; - and yet I would not dare to ask for them, although for one that we - desire ten would volunteer, all ready to die in these countries. - But I learn that all we have in France for this mission is little; - how then shall we take the children, especially those of these - populous nations, to maintain and instruct them? Alas, must it be - that the goods of this world are a barrier to the blessings of - Heaven? Oh, that we had only the crumbs of bread that fall from the - tables of the rich of the world, to give to these little children! - I do not [336] complain, I ask nothing from any one whomsoever; but - I cannot restrain my emotion when I see that dirt (for what else is - wealth here below?) prevents these people from knowing and adoring - God. And if any one thinks it strange that I speak in this way, let - him come, let him open his eyes, let him see these people crying - for the bread of the word of God; and, if he is not touched with - compassion, and if he does not cry louder than I do, I will condemn - myself to perpetual silence. - -Le troisiesme d'Aoust Monsieur de Champlain retournant des trois -Riuieres où il estoit allé apres le depart de nos Peres, nous dit -qu'vn truchement François pour la nation Algonquine venant d'auec -les Hurons, auoit rapporté nouuelle que le Pere Brebeuf souffroit -grãdement, que ses Sauuages estoient malades, qu'il ramoit incessamment -pour les soulager: que le Pere Daniel estoit mort de faim, où en grand -danger d'en mourir, à raison que les Sauuages qui l'ont embarqué -quittans le chemin ordinaire où ils auoient faict les chaches [337] de -leurs viures, auoient tiré dans les bois, esperant trouuer vne certaine -nation qui leur dõneroit à manger, mais n'ayant point trouué ce peuple -errant qui s'estoit transporté ailleurs, on conjecture qu'ils sont -tous, Sauuages & François en danger de mort; veu mesmement qu'il n'y a -point de chasse en ce quartier là, & que la pluspart de ces Barbares -sont malades, Dieu soit beny de tout. Ceux qui meurent allants au -martyre, ne laissent pas d'estre martyrs. Quand au Pere Dauost, il se -porte bien; mais les Sauuages qui le menent luy ont desrobé vne partie -de son bagage; i'ay desia dit qu'estre Huron & Larron, ce n'est qu'vne -mesme chose; voila ce qu'a rapporté ce truchement. Les Peres nous -escrirons l'an qui vient, s'il plaist à Dieu, toutes les particularitez -de leur voyage, nous ne sçaurions pas auoir de leurs nouuelles deuant -ce temps-là: si leur petit equipage est perdu ou volé, ils sont pour -beaucoup endurer en ces contrée[s], si esloignées de tout secours. - - On the third of August, Monsieur de Champlain, having returned from - three Rivers, where he had gone after the departure of our Fathers, - told us that a French interpreter for the Algonquin nation had come - from the Hurons and brought the tidings that Father Brebeuf was - suffering greatly; that his Savages were sick, and that he had to - paddle continually, to relieve them; that Father Daniel had died - of starvation, or was in great danger of dying, because the Savages - who had taken him on board had left the usual route, where they - had hidden [337] their food, and had turned off into the woods, - hoping to find a certain tribe who would give them something to - eat; but, not having found these wandering people, who had gone to - some other place, they supposed that they all, Savages and French, - were in danger of death, especially as there is no game in that - quarter, and as the greater part of these Barbarians are sick. - God be praised for all. Those who die on the way to martyrdom are - surely martyrs. As to Father Davost, he is getting along very well, - but the Savages who are taking him have stolen part of his baggage; - I have already said that to be a Huron, and to be a Thief, is one - and the same thing. So much for what this interpreter reported. The - Fathers will write us next year, please God, all the particulars of - their journey; but we cannot have news from them before that time. - If their little outfit is lost or stolen, they will have to endure - a great deal in those countries, so far from all help. - -Le quatrième, Monsieur du Plessis descendit des trois Riuieres comme -ie [338] l'allay saluër, il me dit qu'il nous amenoit vn petit Sauuage -orphelin, nous en faisant present, pour luy seruir de pere; si tost -qu'on aura moyen de recueillir ces pauures enfans, on en pourra auoir -quelque nombre, qui seruiront par apres à la conuersion de leurs -Compatriottes. Il nous dit encore qu'on trauailloit fort & ferme au -lieu nommé les trois Riuieres, si bien que nos François ont maintenant -trois habitations sur le grand fleuue de sainct Laurens, vne à Kebec -fortifiée de nouueau, l'autre à quinze lieuës plus haut dans l'Isle -de saincte Croix, où Monsieur de Champlain a faict bastir le fort de -Richelieu. La troisiéme demeure se bastit aux trois Riuieres, quinze -autres lieuës plus haut, c'est à dire a trente lieuës de Kebec. -Incontinent apres le depart des vaisseaux, le Pere Iacques Buteux & moy -irons là demeurer pour assister nos François, les nouuelles habitations -estant ordinairement dangereuses, ie n'ay pas veu qu'il fut à propos -d'y exposer le Pere Charles Lallemant, ny autres, le Pere Buteux y -vient auec moy [339] pour estudier à la langue. - - On the fourth, Monsieur du Plessis came down from three Rivers. - As I [338] went to greet him, he told me that he had brought us - a little orphan Savage, making a present of him to us, to take - the place of his father. As soon as we shall have the means for - gathering in these poor children, we shall have a number of them - who will afterwards serve in the conversion of their Compatriots. - He also told us that they were working with might and main in the - place called the three Rivers; so, indeed, our French now have - three settlements upon the great river saint Lawrence,--one at - Kebec, newly fortified; another fifteen leagues farther up the - river, on the Island of sainte Croix, where Monsieur de Champlain - has had fort Richelieu built;[13] the third colony is being - established at three Rivers, fifteen leagues still higher up the - river, that is to say thirty leagues from Kebec. Immediately after - the departure of the vessels, Father Jacques Buteux and I will go - there to live, to assist our French. As new settlements are usually - dangerous, it has not seemed to me proper to expose Father Charles - Lallemant or others there. Father Buteux goes there with me [339] - to study the language. - -V. R. connoistra maintenant, que la crainte qu'ont eu quelques vns que -l'estranger ne vint vne autre fois rauager le pays, & empescher la -conuersion de ces pauures Barbares n'est pas bien fondée; puis que les -familles s'habituent icy, puis qu'on y bastit des forts & des demeures -en plusieurs endroits, & que Monseigneur le Cardinal fauorise cette -entreprise honorable deuant Dieu, & deuant les hommes. Cet esprit -capable d'animer quatre corps, à ce que i'apprend, void de bien loing, -ie le confesse, mais i'ay quelque creance, qu'il n'attend point de nos -Sauuages qui entendent la parole de Dieu, & les veritez du Ciel par -son entremise, car c'est luy qui nous a honorez de ses cõmandements; -nous renuoyant en ces contrées auec la bien-veillance de Messieurs les -Associez: Ie croy, dis-je, qu'il n'attend point de cette vigne, qu'il -arrouse de ses soings les fruicts qu'elle luy presentera en terre, & -qu'il les goustera vn iour dedans les Cieux. Pleust à Dieu qu'il veist -cinq ou six cens Hurons, hommes [340] grands, forts, & bien faits, -prester l'oreille aux bonnes nouuelles de l'Euangile qu'on leur va -porter cette année: Ie me figure qu'il honoreroit par fois la nouuelle -France d'vn de ses regards, & que cette veuë luy donneroit autant de -contentement, que ces grandes actions dont il remplit l'Europe; car -de procurer que le sang de Iesus-Christ soit appliqué aux ames pour -lesquelles il est respandu, c'est vne gloire peu connuë des hommes, -mais enuiée des grandes intelligences du Ciel & de la terre. - - Your Reverence will now see that the fear some people had that the - foreigner would again come to ravage the country, and prevent the - conversion of these poor Barbarians, is not well founded; since - households have been established here, since forts and dwellings - are being built in several places, and as Monseigneur the Cardinal - favors this enterprise, honorable in the eyes of God and of man. - That mind,--capable of animating four bodies, according to what I - have heard,--sees far indeed, I confess; but I am of the opinion - that he does not expect from our Savages, who hear the word of God - and the truths of Heaven through his agency,--for it is he who has - honored us with his commands, sending us again into these countries - under the care of Messieurs the Associates,--I believe, I say, - that he does not expect from this vine, which he waters with his - care, the fruits which it will bear for him on earth, and which he - will enjoy one day in Heaven. God grant that he may see five or - six hundred Hurons,--large, [340] strong, well-made men,--ready - to listen to the good news of the Gospel which is being carried - to them this year. I imagine that he would honor occasionally new - France by a look, and that this glance would give him as much - satisfaction as those great deeds with which he is filling Europe; - but to cause the blood of Jesus Christ to be applied to the souls - for whom it was shed, is a glory little known among men, but longed - for by the great powers of Heaven and earth. - -Il est temps de sonner la retraitte, les vaisseaux sont prests à -partir, & cependant ie n'ay pas encore releu ny interponctué cette -grãde Relation, qui peut suffir pour trois années: V. R. iugera par -la necessité que i'ay eu d'emprunter la main d'autruy, pour luy -escrire que ie n'ay pas tout le loisir que ie pourrois desirer. Ie ne -sçay cõme cela se fait, que les nouuelles s'escriuent tousiours auec -empressement, aussi n'y recherche-on pas tant de politesse que la -verité & la naïfueté, mon cœur a plus parlé que mes lettres, & n'estoit -la pensée que i'ay, [341] qu'en escriuant à vne personne, ie parle à -plusieurs, il se respandroit bien dauantage. - - It is time to sound the retreat; the vessels are ready to depart, - and still I have not yet read over nor repunctuated this long - Relation, which ought to be enough for three years. Your Reverence - will understand, through the necessity that has obliged me to - borrow the hand of another to write to you, that I have not all the - leisure I could desire. I do not know how it happens that news is - always written in haste. Let no one seek herein elegance, so much - as truth and simplicity; my heart has spoken more than my lips, and - were it not for the feeling I have [341] that, in writing to one - person, I speak to many, it would overflow still more. - -Encore ce mot, puisque V. R. nous ayme si tendrement, & que ses soins -nous viennent si puissamment secourir iusques au bout du mõde, dõnez -nous, mon R. P. s'il vous plaist des personnes capables d'apprendre -les langues, nous pensions nous y appliquer, cette année, le Pere -Lallemant, le Pere Buteux & moy, cette nouuelle habitation nous -separe. Qui sçait si le Pere Daniel est encore en vie? & si le Pere -Dauost arriuera auec les Hurons: car ses Sauuages ayans commencé à -le derober, luy pourront bien iouër vn autre plus mauuais traict. -Depuis la mort d'vn pauure miserable François massacré aux Hurons, -on a découuert que ces Barbares auoiẽt fait noyer le R. P. Nicolas -Recolect, tenu pour vn grand homme de bien; tout cecy nous fait voir -qu'il est besoing de tenir icy le plus de Peres qu'on pourra; car si -par exemple le Pere Brebœuf & moy venions à mourir, tout le peu que -nous sçauons de la langue Huronne [342] & Montagnaise se perdroit, & -ainsi ce seroit tousiours à recommencer & à retarder le fruict que -l'on desire recueillir de cette Mission, Dieu suscitera des personnes -qui auront compassion de tant d'ames, secourãs ceux qui les viennent -chercher parmy tant de dangers; c'est en luy que nous remercions tous -V. R. de son affection si cordiale, & de son assistance, la suppliant -tres-humblement de se souuenir à l'Autel & à l'Oratoire de ses enfans, -& de ses subjets, notamment de celuy qui en a plus de besoin; lequel se -dira confidemment ce qu'il est de tout son cœur. - - MON R. PERE. - - Vostre tres-humble & tres-obeïssant - seruiteur en N. S. IESVS-CHRIST. - - PAVL LE IEVNE. - - De la petite Maison de - N. Dame des Anges, - en la Nouuelle - France, ce 7, d'Aoust - 1634. - -_V. R. Nous permettera, s'il luy plaist, d'implorer prieres de tous nos -Peres, & de tous nos freres de sa Prouince. Nostre grand secours doit -venir du Ciel._ - - One word more. Since Your Reverence loves us so tenderly, and your - kind care reaches out so effectively to help us, even to the ends - of the earth, give us, my Reverend Father, if you please, persons - capable of learning these languages. We intended to apply ourselves - to this work this year, Father Lallemant, Father Buteux, and I; but - this new settlement separates us. Who knows whether Father Daniel - is still living, whether Father Davost will reach the Hurons? - For, as his Savages have begun to rob him, they may truly play - a still worse game upon him. Since the death of a poor unhappy - Frenchman, murdered by the Hurons, it has been discovered that - these Barbarians caused the drowning of Reverend Father Nicolas, - Recolect, considered a very worthy man.[14] All this convinces us - that we must retain here as many of our Fathers as we can; because - if, for example, Father Brebœuf and I should happen to die, all the - little we know of the Huron [342] and Montagnais languages would - be lost; and thus they would always be beginning over again, and - retarding the fruits that they wish to gather from this Mission. - God will raise up persons who will have pity upon so many souls, - and who will succor those who come to seek them in the midst of - so many dangers. It is he whom we thank for Your Reverence's so - cordial affection and assistance, very humbly supplicating you - to remember at the Altar and at the Oratory your children and - subjects,--especially the one who is most in need of it, who will - sign himself confidently and from the depths of his heart, what he - is, - - MY REVEREND FATHER, - - Your very humble and very obedient - servant in Our Lord JESUS CHRIST, - - PAUL LE JEUNE. - - From the little house - of N. Dame des Anges, - in New France, - this 7th of August, - 1634. - - _Your Reverence will permit Us, if you please, to implore the - prayers of all our Fathers, and of all our brothers of your - Province. Our great help must come from Heaven._ - - - Table des Chapitres contenvs en cette Relation. - - Chap. - - I _Des bons deportemens des François. fol._ 3 - - II _De la conuersion, du Baptesme & de l'heureuse mort de quelques - Sauuages. fol._ 7 - - III _Des moyens de conuertir les Sauuages. fol._ 35 - - IV _De la creance des superstitions & des erreurs des Sauuages - Montagnais. fol._ 43 - - V _Des choses bonnes qui se trouuent dans les Sauuages. fol._ 101 - - VI _De leurs vi_[_c_]_es & de leurs imperfections. fol._ 109 - - VII _Des viandes & autres mets dont mangent les Sauuages & leur - assaisonnement, & de leurs boissons. fol._ 131 - - VIII _De leurs festins. fol._ 136 - - IX _De leur chasse & de leur pescherie. fol._ 148 - - X _De leurs habits & de leurs ornements. fol._ 164 - - XI _De la langue des Sauuages montagnais. fol._ 174 - - XII _De ce qu'il faut souffrir hyuernant auec les Sauuages. fol._ 185 - - XIII _Contenant vn iournal des choses qui n'ont peu estre couchées sur - les Chapitres precedens. fol._ 209 - - Table of Chapters contained in this Relation.[15] - - Chap. - - I _On the good conduct of the French. page._ 3 - - II _On the conversion, Baptism and happy death of some Savages. - page._ 7 - - III _On the means of converting the Savages. page._ 35 - - IV _On the belief, superstitions, and errors of the Montagnais - Savages. page._ 43 - - V _On the good things which are found among the Savages. page._ 101 - - VI _On their vices and imperfections. page._ 109 - - VII _On the meats and other food which the Savages eat, and their - seasoning, and their beverages. page._ 131 - - VIII _On their feasts. page._ 136 - - IX _On their hunting and fishing. page._ 148 - - X _On their dress and ornaments. page._ 164 - - XI _On the language of the montagnais Savages. page._ 174 - - XII _On what one must suffer in wintering with the Savages. page._ - 185 - - XIII _Containing a journal of things which could not be set down in - preceding Chapters. page._ 209 - - - - - XXIV - - LETTRE DE PAUL LE JEUNE - - à Cardinal de Richelieu - - Kebek, Aoust 1, 1635 - - -SOURCE: The original is in the Archives des affaires étrangères, Paris. -We follow a transcript of the copy in the Library of the Dominion -Parliament, Ottawa. - - - - -Lettre de Paul Lejeune, de la Cie de Jésus, à Monseigneur le Cardinal. - - -MONSEIGNEUR, - -Très humble salut en celuy qui est le salut de tous les hommes. Je -ne scay pas si je deviens sauvage conversant tous les jours avec les -sauvages, mais je scay bien que ce n'est pas tant la communication -de leur barbarie que le respect que je dois à Votre Grandeur qui m'a -empesché jusques icy de me donner l'honne[u]r de vous escrire. Or je -crains que cette retenue ne me jette dans l'ingratitude veu mesme -qu'il est bien difficile de demeurer tous les jours dans l'estonnement -de vos grandes actions et de vos bienfaits sans que la langue rende -quelque témoignage du sentiment de son cœur. Toute l'Europe, voire tout -l'ancien monde, vous regarde avec admiration. L'Eglise vous chérit et -vous honore comme l'un de ses plus grands princes toute ravie de joie -de voir l'orgueil de ses enemis terrassés par vostre conduite. Toute -la France vous doit sa guérison ayant dissipé le venin qui luy gagnoit -le cœur. hélas! que de malheurs luy seroient arrivés depuis quelques -années si ce poison fut demeuré en sa force au milieu de l'Etat. Les -amis et les alliés de la plus noble couronne de l'univers n'ont pas -assez de paroles pour recognoistre vos bienfaits et ses ennemis n'ont -plus de cœur devant vous. Vous scavez donner la paix et la guerre comme -vous possédez également la bonté et la Justice. La terre est trop -petite pour vos soins. Les mers recognoissent vostre puissance c'est -vous qui alliez la Nelle France à l'ancienne et tous ces peuples qui ne -cognoissent pas encore le vray Dieu commencent à cognoistre et admirer -vostre authorité et jouir des doux fruits de vostre bienveillance. -Je contemple tout cecy avec étonnement, mais je suis ravy quand je -voy vostre esprit sans quitter le soin des grandes affaires prendre -des pensées et des affections si douces et si fortes pour un petit -nombre de personnes logées au bout du monde. Je parle des religieux de -nostre compagnie que vous honorés d'une affection particulière en ces -dernières contrées. Je ne scaurois lire sans admirer vostre bonté la -recommandation que ie garde encore signée de vostre propre main par -laquelle nous prenant soubs vostre protection vous commandiez à ceux -qui suivant vos ordres venoient retirer le pays d'entre les mains des -Anglois de nous traiter favorablement sur peine d'en repondre en leur -propre personne. Il eut fallu avoir un cœur de bronze pour n'avoir -point de sentiment à la veue de cette recommandation qui nous fut -apportée en la Nelle France de vostre part et qui essuia une bonne -partie de la tristesse que nous avions de voir ce païs en la déplorable -estat depuis un si longtems que nos François le possédoient mais il va -tous les jours changeant de face depuis que vous le daignés honorer -de vos soins. Ces Messieurs de la Nvelle Compagnie y ont plus faict -de bien en un an que ceux qui les ont devancés en toute leur vie. Les -familles commencent à s'y multiplier et nous pressent déjà d'ouvrir -quelque escole pour instruire leurs enfans et que nous commencerons -bientost Dieu aidant. Je ne crains qu'un malheur que ces Messieurs qui -font à n'en point mentir de très grandes dépenses comme il appert par -les beaux équipages qu'ils mettent en mer ne perdent ou ne diminuent -quelque chose de ce grand courage qu'ils font maintenant paroistre. -Si par malheur leur traite de pelleteries ne leur succédoit pas -tousjours, Monseigneur, vous êtes tout puissant en ce point comme en -plusieurs autres un seul regard de vos yeux les peut protéger et animer -et secourir encore toutes ces contrées d'ou la France peut tirer un -jour de grands avantages. On scait assez par l'expérience et par la -lecture des historiens et des géographes qu'il sort tous les ans très -grand nombre de personnes de la France se jettant qui de çà qui de là -chez l'estranger pour n'avoir de quoy s'employer dans leur pays. Je me -suis laissé dire et ne l'ay pas entendu qu'avec un grand regret qu'une -bonne partie des artisans qui sont en Espagne sont François. Quoy donc -faut-il que nous donnions des hommes à nos ennemis pour nous faire la -guerre et nous avons icy tant de terres si belles si bonnes où l'on -peut jeter des colonies qui seront fidèles à sa Majesté et à Vostre -Grandeur. Le fils d'un artisan françois nay en Espagne est Espagnol, -naissant en la Nelle France il sera François. Tout gist à emploier -forces hommes à déserter et desfricher les bois pour distribuer la -terre aux familles qu'on fait et qu'on fera passer. Messieurs de la -Compagnie font merveille en ce point mais les frais sont si excessifs -que je ne douterois quasi de leur persévérance s'ils n'estoient appuyés -de Votre Grandeur. Monseigneur vous estes le cœur et l'âme de cette -compagnie et de toute la Nelle France vous pouvez non seullement donner -la vie du corps à une infinité de pauvres artisans françois qui la -vont mendier chez l'étranger faute de terre, mais vous pouvez encore -donner la vie de l'âme à une infinité de peuples barbares qui meurent -tous les jours dans l'esclavage de Satan, faute de prédicateurs de -l'Evangile. Si vostre Grandeur nous continue sa faveur et ces Messieurs -leur bienveillance j'espère qu'aussytost que nous saurons la langue -que vous verrez et gouterés les fruits d'une nouvelle Eglise d'auttant -plus doux et savoureux que ces pauvres barbares sont maintenant dans un -Estat pitoiable. Nous avons desjà dans nos premiers begaimens envoié -quelques âmes au ciel lavées dans le sang de l'agneau. Ce sont des -fruits d'une vigne que vous plantez, Monseigneur, et que vous arrousez -de vos faveurs. Aussi est-il bien raisonable que cette nouvelle Eglise -prenne ses commencemens et ses progrès soubs l'authorité et soubs -l'assistance d'un Prince de l'Eglise, mais je m'égare dans la longueur -de mes discours ne me souvenant pas que parlant aux Grands il faut -plustot tenir du Laconien que de l'Athénien. Je ne tiens ni de l'un -ni de l'autre, je relesve de vostre douceur et de vostre bonté qui me -donne et faict accès auprès de Sa Grandeur et qui me permettera s'il -luy plaist de porter en ce nouveau monde le tiltre et la qualité - - Monseigneur - - De Vostre très humble - très obéissant et très - obligé serviteur en - nostre Seigneur. - Paul Lejeune, de la - Compagnie de Jésus. - -A KEBEK en la N'ELLE FRANCE, le 1er Jour d'Aoust 1635. - - Letter from Paul Lejeune, of the Society of Jesus, to Monseigneur - the Cardinal. - - - MONSEIGNEUR, - - My very humble greetings, in him who is the salvation of all men. - I do not know whether I am becoming savage, by associating every - day with the savages; but I do know well that it is not so much - the contact with their barbarism as the respect I owe to Your - Eminence, which has prevented me until now from giving myself the - honor of writing to you. Now I fear that this reserve makes me seem - ungrateful, especially as it is hard to remain from day to day in a - state of wonder at your great deeds and benefactions, and not allow - the tongue to give some evidence of the sentiments of the heart. - All Europe, yes, all the old world regards you with admiration. The - Church cherishes and honors you as one of its greatest princes, - full of joy at seeing the arrogance of its enemies crushed by your - government. All France owes her recovery to you, who dissipated - the poison which was creeping to her heart. Alas, what misfortunes - would have befallen her in these past years, if this poison had - retained its strength in the midst of the State![16] The friends - and allies of the most noble crown in the universe have not words - enough to acknowledge your kind deeds, and its enemies no longer - have courage in your presence. You know when to make both peace and - war, as you possess equally goodness and Justice. The land is - too small for your efforts. The seas acknowledge your power, for - it is you who have joined the New France to the old; and all these - peoples, who do not yet know the true God, begin to acknowledge - and admire your authority, and to enjoy the sweet fruits of your - benevolence. I contemplate all this with astonishment, but I am - charmed when I see how your mind, without leaving the care of great - affairs, takes so kind and deep an interest and fondness for a - small number of people lodged at the ends of the earth. I mean the - religious of our society, whom you honor with special affection - in these distant countries. I could not read without wondering - at your goodness the recommendation which I still keep, signed - by your own hand,--in which, taking us under your protection, - you commanded those who, in accordance with your orders, came to - take the country from the hands of the English, to accord us good - treatment under penalty of answering for it in their own persons. - It would have taken a heart of bronze not to feel emotion at the - sight of this recommendation,[17] which was brought to us in New - France by your authority, and which largely dispelled our sadness - in seeing this country in such a deplorable state, after so long a - time as our French had been in possession of it. But its condition - goes on changing every day since you have deigned to honor it with - your interest. These Gentlemen of the New Company have done more - good here in one year than those who preceded did in all their - lives. Families are beginning to multiply, and these already urge - us to open a school for the education of their children, which we - will begin soon, God helping us. I fear but one misfortune,--that - these Gentlemen, who have told no untruth about their great - expenses, which are evident in the fine outfits they put to sea, - may altogether or partly lose the great courage they now display, - if unfortunately their trade in peltries should not always succeed. - Monseigneur, you are all-powerful in this matter, as in many - others; a single glance of your eyes can protect, animate, and help - them, and indeed all these countries, from which France can one - day derive great benefits. It is well known, both from experience - and from reading historians and geographers, that every year a - very great number of people leave France, and cast themselves, - some here, some there, among foreigners, because they have no - employment in their own country. I have been told, and have heard - it only with great regret, that a large part of the artisans in - Spain are Frenchmen. How then! must we give men to our enemies to - make war upon us, when we have here so many lands, so beautiful and - good, where colonies can be introduced which will be loyal to His - Majesty and to Your Eminence? The son of a french artisan born in - Spain is a Spaniard; but, if he is born in New France, he will be - a Frenchman. It all lies in employing strong men to cut down and - clear the woods, so that the land may be distributed among families - which are here, or will be brought over here. The Gentlemen of - the Company are doing wonders in this regard; but the outlay is - so great that I would almost have doubts of their continuing in - the work, were they not supported by Your Eminence. Monseigneur, - you are the heart and soul of this company and of all New France. - You not only can give physical life to an infinite number of - poor french workmen, who go begging it among strangers for lack - of land; but you can give spiritual life to a great number of - barbarous people, who die every day in the slavery of Satan for - lack of preachers of the Gospel. If Your Eminence continues your - favors to us, and these Gentlemen their kindness, I hope that, as - soon as we shall know the language, you will see and taste the - fruits of a new Church, so much sweeter and more savory as these - poor barbarians are now in so pitiable a State. We have already, - in our first stammerings, sent some souls to heaven, bathed in - the blood of the lamb. These are a few fruits of a vine that you - are planting, Monseigneur, and that you bedew with your favors. - Also, it is very reasonable that this new Church should begin and - progress under the authority and assistance of a Prince of the - Church. But I am losing myself in the details of my discourse, - forgetting that, in speaking to the Great, one must imitate the - Laconian fashion, rather than the Athenian. I am following neither, - but am simply relying upon your gentleness and goodness, which - procure and grant me access to Your Eminence, and will permit me, - if you please, to bear in this new world the title and character, - - Monseigneur, - - Of Your very humble, - very obedient, and greatly - obliged servant in - our Lord, - Paul Lejeune, of the - Society of Jesus. - - KEBEK, NEW FRANCE, the 1st Day of August, 1635. - - - - - XXV - - LE JEUNE'S RELATION, 1635 - - PARIS: SEBASTIEN CRAMOISY, 1636 - - -SOURCE: Title-page and text reprinted from the copy of the first issue -(H. 63), in Lenox Library. - -Chaps. i.-ii. are given in the present volume; the remainder of the -document will appear in Volume VIII. - - - - - RELATION - DE CE QVI SEST PASSÉ - EN LA - NOVVELLE FRANCE - +EN L'ANNÉE+ 1635. - - Enuoyée au - +R. PERE PROVINCIAL+ - de la Compagnie de +IESVS+ - en la Prouince de France. - - _Par le P. Paul le Ieune de la mesme Compagnie, - Superieur de la residence de Kebec._ - -[Illustration] - - A PARIS. - - Chez +SEBASTIEN CRAMOISY+, Imprimeur - ordinaire du Roy, ruë sainct Iacques, - aux Cicognes, - - M. DC. XXXVI. - - _AVEC PRIVILEGE DV ROI._ - - - RELATION - OF WHAT OCCURRED - IN - NEW FRANCE - IN THE YEAR 1635. - - Sent to the - REVEREND FATHER PROVINCIAL - of the Society of +JESUS+ - in the Province of France. - - _By Father Paul le Jeune of the same Society, - Superior of the residence of Quebec._ - - - PARIS. - - +SEBASTIEN CRAMOISY+, Printer in ordinary - to the King, ruë sainct Jacques, - at the Sign of the Storks. - - M. DC. XXXVI. - - _BY ROYAL LICENSE._ - - - - -[iii] Table des Chapitres contenus en ce liure. - - - RELATION _de ce qui s'est passé en la Nouuelle France, en l'année - 1635._ Pag. 1 - - _De l'estat & l'employ de nostre Compagnie_ en la _Nouuelle France_, - Ch I. 9 - - _De la conuersion & de la mort de quelques Sauuages_, Chap. II. 21 - - _Que c'est vn bien pour l'vn & l'autre France, d'enuoyer icy des - Colonies_, Chap. III. 51 - - _Ramas de diuerses choses dressé en forme de Iournal._ Chap. IV. 60 - - Relation de ce qui s'est passé aux Hurons en l'année 1635. - _Enuoyée à Kebec au P. le Ieune, par le P. Brebeuf._ 113 - - [iiii] Relation de quelques particularitez du lieu & des Habitans de - l'Isle du Cap Breton. - _Enuoyée par le P. Iulien Perrault de la Compagnie de IESVS, à son - Prouincial en France 1634. & 35._ 207 - - Diuers Sentimens & aduis des Peres qui sont en la Nouuelle France. - _TireZ de leurs dernieres lettres de 1635._ 220 - - [iii] Table of Chapters contained in this book. - - - RELATION _of what occurred in New France in the year 1635._ Pag. 1 - - _Of the condition and occupations of our Society in New France._ - Ch. I. 9 - - _Of the conversion and of the death of some Savages._ Chap. II. 21 - - _How it is a benefit to both old and new France, to send Colonies - here._ Chap. III. 51 - - _A collection of various matters prepared in the form of a - Journal._ Chap. IV. 60 - - Relation of what occurred among the Hurons in the year 1635. - _Sent to Kebec to Father le Jeune by Father Brebeuf._ 113 - - [iiii] Relation of certain details regarding the Island of Cape - Breton and its Inhabitants. - _Sent by Father Julien Perrault of the Society of JESUS, to his - Provincial in France, in 1634 & 35._ 207 - - Various sentiments and opinions of the Fathers who are in New - France. - _Taken from their last letters of 1635._ 220 - - - - -[1] Relation de ce qui s'est passé en la Novvelle France, en l'année -1635. - - -MON R. PERE, - -Dieu soit beny pour vn iamais. C'est à ce coup que la Nouuelle Frãce se -va ressentir des benedictions de l'ancienne, & que l'équité triomphant -de l'iniustice, fera que ces contrées cesseront d'estre ce qu'elles -ont esté depuis tant de siecles; vne forest sans limites; la demeure -de la [2] barbarie; le pays de l'infidelité. Nous commençons à voir -l'ouuerture de quelques campagnes, par les défrichements qu'on fait -en diuers endroits; Les familles qui passent chaque année, changent -la barbarie des Sauuages en la courtoisie naturelle aux François; & -le petit aduancement que nous faisons par nos begayements, nous fait -coniecturer que la foy bannira l'infidelité de son Empire. Bref, -i'espere qu'on verra vn iour ces paroles accomplies dans nos grands -deserts, _Multi filij desertæ, magis quàm eius quæ habet virum_. Il est -bien conuenable que sous le Regne d'vn Roy si sainct, la vertu entre -dans l'vne des grandes Seigneuries de sa Couronne: Que sous la faueur -& la conduite d'vn Prince de l'Eglise, on voye naistre vne nouuelle -Eglise, _quæ extendet palmites suos vsque ad mare, & vsque ad flumen_ -[3] _propagines eius_; qui étendra ses pampres iusques à la mer, & -prouignera ses seps du long des riues du premier de tous les fleuues. -Mille raisons nous donnent ces pensées, & nous font entrer dans ces -attentes. Cette entreprise est appuyée de personnes de merite & de -condition, dont la vertu regardée des yeux de toute la France, reçoit -vne approbation generale, & vn applaudissement mesme de la bouche de -nostre grand Roy. Le rebut qu'on a fait de ceux, qui ayans succé le -bien qu'on peut recueillir en ces contrées, les ont laissées sans -peuplades & sans culture, n'ayans pas en tant d'années qu'ils en ont -iouy, fait défricher vn seul arpent de terre: Les grãdes dépenses que -font Messieurs de la Compagnie de la Nouuelle France, soit sur le pays, -soit en leurs équipages; l'affection que nous [4] voyons en plusieurs -personnes de fauoriser ce dessein, les vns de leurs moyens, les autres -par leurs propres trauaux, nous font conclure que Dieu conduit cét -affaire. - - [1] Relation of what occurred in New France, in the year 1635. - - - MY REVEREND FATHER, - - May God be forever blessed. Now, at last, New France is about - to experience the blessings of the mother country; and right, - triumphing over injustice, will cause these countries to cease - being what they have been for so many centuries,--boundless - forests, the abode of [2] barbarism, and the land of infidelity. - We begin to see some open country, through the clearings that have - been made in different places. The families who come over every - year are beginning to change the barbarism of the Savages into the - courtesy natural to the French; and the slight progress we are - making, through our stammerings, leads us to conjecture that the - faith will banish infidelity from its Empire. In short, I hope to - see, some day, these words fulfilled in our great deserts: _Multi - filii desertæ, magis quàm eius quæ habet virum._ It is, indeed, - proper that, in the Reign of so saintly a King, virtue should enter - one of the great Seigniories of his Crown; that, under the favor - and leadership of a Prince of the Church, we should see a new - Church arise, _quæ extendet palmites suos usque ad mare, et usque - ad flumen_ [3] _propagines eius_, which shall extend its branches - even to the sea, and shall propagate itself along the shores of - the chief of all rivers. A thousand considerations suggest these - thoughts, and arouse in us these expectations. This enterprise is - supported by persons of merit and rank, whose integrity, viewed by - the eyes of all France, receives general approbation and praise, - even from the lips of our great King. The exclusion of those - who, having drained off the wealth that can be gathered in this - country, left it without settlers and without cultivation,--not - having, in all the years they enjoyed it, cleared a single arpent - of land; the great sums that the Gentlemen of the Company of - New France are expending, either upon the country or upon their - establishments;[18] the disposition we [4] see in many persons to - favor this project, some by their means, others by their personal - labors: [all these considerations] lead us to conclude that God is - conducting this enterprise. - -Ie ne diray rien du zele de ceux, dont l'ardeur nous échaufe & confond -tout ensemble, dont les secours nous réiouyssent & nous renforcent. Ie -ne parleray non plus des desirs brulans d'vn tres-grand nombre de nos -Peres, qui trouuent l'air de la Nouuelle France vn air du Ciel, puis -qu'on y peut souffrir pour le Ciel, & qu'on y peut ayder les ames à -trouuer le Ciel. Ie passe sous silence quantité d'autres Religieux, qui -ont les mesmes sentiments, & les mesmes volontez. Mais ce qui m'étonne, -c'est qu'vn grand nombre de filles Religieuses, consacrées à nostre -Seigneur, veulent estre de la partie; surmontant la crainte naturelle -[5] à leur sexe, pour venir secourir les pauures filles, & les pauures -femmes des Sauuages. Il y en a tant qui nous écriuent, & de tant de -Monasteres, & de diuers Ordres tres-reformez en l'Eglise; que vous -diriez que c'est à qui se mocquera la premiere des difficultez de la -Mer, des mutineries de l'Ocean, & de la barbarie de ces contrées. On me -mande que la Superieure d'vne Maison tres-reglée, sollicitée de donner -de ses Filles pour fonder vn Conuent de son Ordre en quelque ville -de France, a respondu qu'elle n'auoit point de Filles, sinon pour la -Nouuelle France, & pour l'Angleterre, au cas que Dieu y fist rentrer la -foy Catholique. Vne autre non moins zelée, m'ayant déduit les grandes -deuotions qu'on fait en sa Maison, pour l'heureuse conuersion de ces -Peuples, dit que la Relation [6] de l'an passé, capable d'étonner vn -courage assez fort, non seulement n'a point ébranlé le cœur de ses -Filles, ains au contraire les a tellement animées, que treize d'entre -elles ont signé de leur propre main vn vœu, qu'elles ont fait à Dieu -de passer en la Nouuelle France, pour y exercer les fonctions de leur -Institut, s'il plaist à leurs Superieurs de leur permettre. I'ay receu, -veu, & leu ce vœu auec étonnement. I'en sçay vne autre, qui apres auoir -étably plusieurs Monasteres de son Ordre en France, tiendroit à vne -grande faueur de Dieu, si elle venoit finir ses iours dans vne petite -maisonnette, dediée au seruice des petites Sauuages, qui vont errantes -parmy ces grands bois. A tout cela ie ne dis rien autre chose, sinon -que _Digitus Dei est hîc_, que la main de Dieu conduit cette entreprise. - - I shall say nothing of those whose ardent zeal warms and at the - same time confounds us, whose help cheers and strengthens us. - Neither shall I say any more about the burning desire of a great - number of our Fathers, who find the air of New France the air of - Heaven, since there they can suffer for Heaven, and there can help - souls to find Heaven. I pass over in silence many other Religious, - who have the same sentiments and the same willingness. But what - surprises me is that many young Nuns, consecrated to our Lord, - wish to join us,--overcoming the fear natural [5] to their sex, in - order to come and help the poor girls and poor women among these - Savages. There are so many of these who write to us, and from - so many Convents, and from various Orders in the Church, of the - strictest discipline, that you would say that each one is first to - laugh at the hardships of the Sea, the riotous waves of the Ocean, - and the barbarism of these countries. They have written me that - the Superior of a very well-ordered House, being asked to send - some Sisters to establish a Convent of her Order in some town of - France, answered that she had no Sisters except for New France, - and for England, in case God restored the Catholic faith there. - Another one, no less zealous, having recounted the great devotions - that were performed in her House for the happy conversion of - these Tribes, said that the Relation [6] of last year, capable of - appalling the stoutest heart, not only has not disheartened these - Sisters, but on the contrary has so inspired them, that thirteen - have with their own hands signed a vow to God, to cross over into - New France, there to exercise the functions of their Order, if - their Superiors are pleased to allow them. I have received, seen, - and read this vow with astonishment. I know another one, who, after - having established several Convents of her Order in France, would - consider it a great favor of God if she could come and end her days - in a little home, dedicated to the service of the little Savage - girls who go wandering through these great forests. To all of which - I can only say that _Digitus Dei est hîc_, that the hand of God - guides this enterprise. - -[7] Mais il faut que ie donne cét aduis en passant à toutes ces -bonnes Filles, qu'elles se donnent bien de garde de presser leur -depart, qu'elles n'ayent icy vne bonne Maison, bien bastie, & bien -rentée, autrement elles seroient à charge à nos Francois, & feroient -peu de choses pour ces Peuples. Les hommes se tirent bien mieux des -difficultez: mais pour des Religieuses, il leur faut vne bonne Maison, -quelques terres défrichées, & vn bon reuenu pour se põuuoir nourrir; & -soulager la pauureté des femmes & des filles Sauuages. - - [7] But I must give this advice, in passing, to all these good - Sisters,--that they be very careful not to urge their departure - until they have here a good House, well built and well endowed; - otherwise, they would be a burden to our French, and could - accomplish little for these Peoples. Men can extricate themselves - much more easily from difficulties; but, as for the Nuns, they must - have a good House, some cleared land, and a good income upon which - to live, and relieve the poverty of the wives and daughters of the - Savages. - -Helas mon Dieu! si les excés, si les superfluitez de quelquez Dames de -France s'employoient à cét œuure si sainct; quelle grande benediction -feroient-elles fondre sur leur famille? Quelle gloire en la face des -Anges, d'auoir recueilly le sang du [8] Fils de Dieu, pour l'appliquer -à ces pauures infidelles? Se peut-il faire que les biens de la terre -nous touchent de plus prés que la propre vie? Voila des Vierges tendres -& delicates, toutes prestes à ietter leur vie au hazard sur les ondes -de l'Ocean; de venir chercher de petites ames dans les rigueurs d'vn -air bien plus froid que l'air de la France; de subir des trauaux qui -étonnent des hommes mesmes, & on ne trouuera point quelque braue Dame -qui donne vn Passeport à ces Amazones du grand Dieu, leur dotant vne -Maison, pour loüer & seruir sa diuine Majesté en cét autre monde? Ie ne -sçaurois me persuader que nostre Seigneur n'en dispose quelqu'vne pour -ce sujet. - - Alas, my God! if the waste, the superabundance of some of the - Ladies of France were employed in this so holy work, what great - blessings would it bring down upon their families! What glory in - the sight of the Angels, to have gathered the blood of the [8] Son - of God, to apply it to these poor infidels! Is it possible that - earthly possessions are of greater concern to us than life itself? - Behold these tender and delicate Virgins all ready to hazard their - lives upon the waves of the Ocean, to come seeking little souls in - the rigors of an air much colder than that of France, to endure - hardships at which even men would be appalled; and will not some - brave Lady be found who will give a Passport to these Amazons of - the great God, endowing them with a House in which to praise and - serve his divine Majesty, in this other world? I cannot persuade - myself that our Lord will not dispose some one to this act. - -Mais changeons de discours, & déduisons briéuement le peu que i'ay -à dire pour cette année. Ie diuiseray [9] cette Relation en quatre -Chapitres seulement. - - But let us change the subject, and briefly relate the little I have - to say for this year. I will divide [9] this Relation into only - four Chapters. - - - - -CHAPITRE I. - -DE L'ESTAT, & DE L'EMPLOY DE NOSTRE COMPAGNIE EN LA NOUUELLE FRANCE. - - -NOVS auons six Residences en la Nouuelle France. La premiere, -commençant par les premieres terres qu'on rencontre venant en ces -pays, se nomme la Residence de Saincte Anne; elle est au Cap Breton. -La seconde la Residence de Sainct Charles, à Miskou. La troisiéme, -que nous allons habiter cette Automne, la Residence de Nostredame -de Recouurance, à Kebec, proche du Fort. La quatriéme, la Residence -de Nostredame des Anges, à vne demie lieuë de Kebec. La cinquiéme, -la Residence de la Conception, aux trois Riuieres. La sixiéme, la -Residence de Sainct Ioseph, [10] à Ihonatiria, aux Hurons; i'espere -que nous en aurons bien-tost vne septiéme au mesme pays, mais dans -vne Bourgade differente d'Ihonatiria. Or comme les Vaisseaux qui -vont au Cap Breton & à Miskou, ne montent point iusques à Kebec, -de là vient que nous n'auons aucune communication auec nos Peres -qui sont és Residences de Saincte Anne, & de Sainct Charles, si ce -n'est par la voye de France: & par consequent il ne faut point nous -adresser ny lettres, ny autres choses pour leur faire tenir, ains les -donner aux Vaisseaux qui vont en ces habitations de nos François. Il -s'ensuit encor que ie ne puis rien dire des choses qui se passent en -ces Residences, pour la distance des lieux, & le peu de commerce -que nous auons auec elles. Toutes ces Residences sont entretenuës -par Messieurs de la Compagnie [11] de la Nouuelle France, qui font -dresser des Forteresses, & des demeures pour nos François en diuers -endroits de ces contrées, excepté la Residence de Nostredame des Anges, -appuyée principalement sur les liberalitez de Monsieur le Marquis de -Gamache. Cette Residence a trois grands desseins pour la gloire de -nostre Seigneur; Le premier, de dresser vn College pour instruire les -enfans des familles qui se vont tous les iours multipliant. Le second, -d'établir vn Seminaire de petits Sauuages, pour les éleuer en la foy -Chrestienne. Le troisiéme, de secourir puissamment la Mission de nos -Peres aux Hurons, & autres Peuples sedentaires. Pour le College, -bien qu'il ne soit pas encor erigé, si est-ce que nous commencerons -dés cette année à enseigner quelques enfans. Toutes choses ont leur -commencement, [12] les plus doctes n'ont sceu autrefois que les -premiers elements de l'Alphabet. - - CHAPTER I. - - OF THE CONDITION AND EMPLOYMENT OF OUR SOCIETY IN NEW FRANCE. - - - WE have six Residences in New France. The first, beginning with the - first land encountered in coming into these countries, is called - the Residence of Sainte Anne; it is at Cape Breton. The second is - the Residence of Saint Charles, at Miskou. The third, which we - are going to occupy this Autumn, the Residence of Nostredame de - Recouvrance, at Kebec, near the Fort. The fourth, the Residence - of Nostredame des Anges, half a league from Kebec. The fifth, - the Residence of the Conception, at the three Rivers. The sixth, - the Residence of Saint Joseph, [10] at Ihonatiria, among the - Hurons.[19] I hope that we shall soon have a seventh, in the same - country, but in a Village other than Ihonatiria. Now, as the - Vessels which go to Cape Breton and to Miskou do not go up as far - as Kebec, it thus happens that we have no communication with our - Fathers who are in the Residences of Sainte Anne and of Saint - Charles, except by way of France; hence neither letters nor other - things should be sent to us to hold for them, but they should be - given to those Vessels which go to these French settlements. It - follows also that I can say nothing of the things which take place - in these Residences, on account of their remoteness and the little - commerce we have with them. All these Residences are maintained - by the Gentlemen of the Company [11] of New France,--who have had - Fortresses and dwellings for our French people built in different - parts of the country,--except the Residence of Nostredame des - Anges, which is supported principally through the liberality of - Monsieur le Marquis de Gamache.[20] This Residence has three great - plans for the glory of our Lord; the first, to erect a College for - the education of the children of the families, which are every day - becoming more numerous. The second, to establish a Seminary for the - little Savages, to rear them in the Christian faith. The third, to - give powerful aid to the Mission of our Fathers among the Hurons - and other stationary Tribes. As to the College, although it is - not yet built, we shall begin this year to teach a few children. - Everything has its beginning; [12] the most learned once knew only - the first elements of the Alphabet. - -Quant au Seminaire, nous le faisons bastir: il sera pour vn temps en la -Residence de Nostredame des Anges: mais s'il se trouue quelque personne -de pieté qui le veüille fonder, & nourrir de pauures petits barbares, -pour les rendre enfans de Iesus Christ, il le faudra transporter plus -haut; & là les Sauuages ne seront point de difficulté d'amener leurs -enfans. I'en enuoye vn petit à V.R. laquelle s'il luy plaist nous le -renuoyera dans vne couple d'années; il seruira à arrester & instruire -ses petits compatriotes; celuy que i'auois enuoyé, & qu'on nous a -ramené, nous contente fort. Les Sauuages commencent à ouurir les yeux, -& à connoistre que les enfans sont bien instruits auec nous. - - In regard to the Seminary, we are now having one built. For a while - it will be in the Residence of Nostredame des Anges; but, if some - pious person be found who wishes to endow it, and to support the - poor little barbarians that they may be made children of Jesus - Christ, it will have to be moved farther up the river, to a place - where the Savages will not object to bring their children. I send a - little boy to Your Reverence, and, if you please, you will return - him to us in a couple of years; he will help to retain and teach - his little compatriots; the one I did send you, and who has been - returned to us, pleases us greatly. The Savages are beginning to - open their eyes and to recognize that children who are with us are - well taught. - -[13] Reste pour la Mission des Hurons & d'autres Peuples stables, elle -est de tres-grande importance pour le seruice de nostre Seigneur; -Messieurs de la Compagnie la cherissent & la soulagent: C'est de ces -Peuples que nous attendons de plus grandes conuersions; c'est là où il -faudra enuoyer grand nombre d'ouuriers, si la foy commence à éclairer -ces ames plongées dans les tenebres depuis tant de mille ans. Que si -on ne peut trouuer quelque fondation pour l'entretenir, ie quitterois -quasi volontiers, & le soin d'vn College & d'vn Seminaire, pour la -faire reüssir. Mais des personnes qui ayment mieux que leurs noms -soient écrits au Liure de vie que sur ce papier, nous defendent bien -fort de rien quitter de nos desseins, nous asseurant d'vne verité bien -certaine, que Dieu a plus de force, & plus de volonté [14] de nous -secourir, que nous n'auons de cœur d'entreprendre pour sa gloire. - - [13] Finally, as to the Mission among the Hurons and other - stationary Tribes, it is of the greatest importance for the service - of our Lord. The Gentlemen of the Company cherish and assist it. - It is among those Tribes that we expect the greatest conversions; - it is there that a great number of laborers must be sent, if the - faith begins to illumine those souls, so many thousands of years - plunged in darkness. If some fund cannot be found to maintain it, - I would almost willingly give up the care both of a College and - of a Seminary, to make it succeed. But some persons, who prefer - to have their names written in the Book of life rather than upon - this paper, positively forbid us to abandon in any wise our plans, - assuring us of a very certain truth, that God has more strength and - more willingness [14] to help us than we have courage to undertake - enterprises for his glory. - -Or pour ne m'éloigner de nos Residences, nous exerçons en -icelles toutes les fonctions de Curé ou de Pasteur, n'y en ayant -point d'autres que nous; nous annonçons la parole de Dieu; nous -administrons les Sacrements de Baptesme, de l'Autel, & de Penitence, -de l'Extréme-Onction; nous assistons au Sacrement de Mariage; nous -enterrons & enseuelissons par fois les morts; nous allons visiter les -malades; nous enseignons la Doctrine Chrestienne aux enfans, & comme -ils se vont multipliant par la venuë des familles, nous leur donnerons -bien-tost la premiere teinture des lettres, comme i'ay dit. Que si les -commencemens sont petits, la fin en peut estre grande & bien-heureuse. - - Now not to wander from the subject of our Residences, we exercise - in these all the functions of Curé or Pastor, as there are no - others here besides ourselves; we preach the word of God, we - administer the Sacraments of Baptism, of the Altar and of Penance, - of Extreme Unction; we assist at the Sacrament of Marriage; at - times we bury and lay out the dead; we visit the sick; we teach the - Christian Doctrine to the children, and, as they are becoming more - numerous through the arrival of families, we shall soon give them - the elements of letters, as I have said. Thus, if the beginnings - are small, the end may be great and blessed. - -[15] Outre cela vne partie de nous estudie fort & ferme à la langue, -occupation qui sera vn iour d'autant plus vtile, qu'elle est -maintenant épineuse: Nous visitons encor les Sauuages, & par nos -begayements nous tâchons de ietter dans leurs ames quelque petit grain -de la semence Euangelique, qui fructifiera en son temps s'il plaist -à Dieu. Voila nos exercices plus ordinaires, outre les obseruances -de la Religion, qui ne se doiuent iamais obmettre. Pour nos François -ils s'occupent à se fortifier, à bastir, à défricher, à cultiuer la -terre: mais ie ne pretends pas d'écrire tout ce qui se fait en ce pays, -ains seulement ce qui tend au bien de la foy, & de la Religion. Cét -hyuer passé, la maladie de terre ou de scurbut, s'estant iettée dans -la nouuelle habitation des trois Riuieres, où le Pere Buteux [16] & -moy estions allez, nous a donné nouuelle occupation meflée de ioye & -de tristesse. Nous estions marris d'vn costé, de voir souffrir quasi -tous nos pauures François, & d'en voir mourir quelques vns: de l'autre -nous nous réiouyssions de voir des effects tout à fait admirables de -la grace de nostre Seigneur dedans leurs ames; bon nombre des malades -n'ont iamais voulu demander la santé à Dieu, disans ces paroles auec -vne grande resignation; Il est nostre Pere, il sçait mieux ce qui nous -est bon que non pas nous, laissons le faire, sa saincte volonté soit -faite. Ie croy qu'il n'y en a qu'vn seul de ceux qui sont passez en -l'autre vie, qui n'aye fait vne confession generale deuant sa mort. -Comme i'auois grand desir que l'vn d'eux, pour estre vn ieune homme de -fort bonnes mœurs, retournast [17] en santé, ie luy conseillay de faire -vn vœu au glorieux Patriarche S. Ioseph, pour impetrer la deliurance -de son mal, Ie vous obeyray, me fist-il, mais si vous me laissez en ma -liberté, ie prieray seulement le bon S. Ioseph, de m'obtenir de nostre -Seigneur la grace d'accomplir sa tres-saincte volonté. Vne autrefois vn -ieune garçon fort & robuste se pourmenant dans la chambre des malades, -leur demánda ce qu'ils voudroient bien donner pour iouyr d'vne aussi -forte santé que la sienne; l'vn d'eux repartit fort sainctement, Ie -ne voudrois pas détourner la teste d'vn costé pour iouyr de toute la -santé du monde, si bien pour acquiescer au bon plaisir de Dieu. Cette -repartie fit veoir combien la grace operoit fortement dans ceste ame. -Vn autre qui auoit esté heretique, & d'vne vie assez libertine, estonna -[18] tous ses compagnons à la mort: car apres auoir rendu des preuues -de sa croyance, apres s'estre reconcilié auec vne grande douleur de -ses offenses, comme ie luy presentois le saint Viatique, Ie croy en -vous mon Sauueur, disoit-il, ouy ie croy en vous, venez, faites moy -misericorde, vous estes assez puissant pour me pardonner tous mes -pechez: & se sentant affoiblir il nous pressa sur l'heure mesme de -luy donner l'Extreme-Onction, ce que nous fismes; l'ayant receuë auec -beaucoup de sentimens de douleur, il apostrophe tous ses Camarades, & -leur dit, Adieu mes Camarades, Adieu mes compagnõs, il faut partir, -ie vous demande pardon, ie vous crie mercy à tous, ie suis bien marry -d'auoir si mal vescu; mais i'espere que Dieu me fera misericorde, mon -Dieu ayez pitié de moy. Proferant ces paroles il expira. [19] Qu'on -mette la maladie tant qu'on voudra au rang des mal heurs de ceste vie, -ie tiens celle qui a emporté ces ieunes gens, pour l'vne des plus -signalées faueurs, qu'ils ayent iamais receu de la main de Dieu. Pour -conclusion la santé est maintenant par toutes nos habitations, mais non -pas encore la saincteté. - - [15] Besides this, some of us are making an arduous and thorough - study of the language, an occupation which will some day be so - much the more useful as it is now difficult. We also visit the - Savages, and through our stammerings try to cast into their souls - some little grain of Gospel seed, which will ripen in its time, - God willing. These are our more ordinary occupations, besides the - observances of Religion, which must never be omitted. In regard to - our French people, they are occupied in fortifying, in building, - in clearing and cultivating the land. However, I do not pretend - to describe all that takes place in this country, but only that - which concerns the welfare of the faith and of Religion. This last - winter, the land disease, or scurvy, appeared in the new settlement - of the three Rivers, where Father Buteux [16] and I had gone; - and this gave us a new occupation, which was mixed with joy and - sadness. On the one hand, we were grieved to see almost all our - poor Countrymen suffer, and to see some of them die; on the other, - we rejoiced to see the altogether admirable effects of the grace - of our Lord within their souls. A great many of the sick men never - cared to ask God to restore their health, saying these words with - great resignation: "He is our Father; he knows better than we what - is good for us; leave it all to him, his holy will be done." I - believe there was only one of those who passed to the other life, - who did not make a general confession before his death. As I was - very anxious that one of them, since he was a young man of very - good morals, should be restored [17] to health, I advised him to - make a vow to the glorious Patriarch St. Joseph, to grant him - deliverance from the disease. "I will obey you," he replied; "but, - if you leave me free to act as I please, I will merely pray the - good St. Joseph to obtain for me from our Lord the grace to carry - out his most holy will." Another time, a young man, very strong and - robust, walking about in the room of the sick, asked them what - they would give to enjoy such vigorous health as his; one of them - answered, very piously, "I would not even turn my head aside to - enjoy all the health in the world, so readily as I would acquiesce - in the good pleasure of God." This answer showed how powerfully - grace was working in this soul. Another who had been a heretic, and - something of a libertine, astonished [18] all his companions at his - death; for, after having given proofs of his belief, after having - made his confession, with great contrition for his offenses, when I - presented to him the holy Viaticum, "I believe in you, my Savior," - said he, "yes, I believe in you; come, be merciful to me; you - are powerful enough to pardon all my sins," and, feeling himself - growing weaker, he urged us at that very moment to give him Extreme - Unction, which we did. Having received it with many expressions of - grief, he addressed all his Comrades, saying, "Adieu, my Comrades, - adieu, my companions; I must go; I ask your pardon, I ask pity from - all of you, I am very sorry to have lived so badly; but I hope that - God will have mercy upon me; my God, have pity upon me." Uttering - these words, he expired. [19] One may place sickness as much as - he pleases in the catalogue of the misfortunes of this life; yet - I consider that which carried off these young men as one of the - most signal favors they ever received from the hand of God. In - conclusion, health prevails throughout all our settlements, but not - saintliness, as yet. - -Ie crains fort que le vice ne se glisse dans ces nouuelles peuplades, -si neantmoins ceux qui tiendront les resnes du gouuernement en main, -sont zelez pour la gloire de nostre bon Dieu, suiuant les desirs & les -intentions de Messieurs les Directeurs & Associez de la Compagnie, il -se dressera icy vne Hierusalem benite de Dieu, composée de Citoyens -destinez pour le Ciel. Il est bien aisé dans vn pays nouueau, où -les familles arriuent toutes disposées à receuoir les loix qu'on -y establira, de [20] bannir les méchantes coustumes de quelques -endroi[t]s de l'ancienne France, & d'en introduire de meilleures. Ces -Messieurs qui s'interessent dauantage dans la cause de Dieu, & dans la -vertu que dans le commerce, n'ont point de vaisseaux pour passer icy -les yurongneries, les ieux & les dissolutions du Carneual, non plus que -les saletez, & les blasphemes: la Nouuelle France ne veut point de ces -habitans de Cedar, & de Babylone, qui ne laisseront pas de s'y glisser, -si ceux qui peuuent tout ne leur font teste; les dissimulations en cet -endroit, & en ces commencemens, sont fort dangereuses, & Dieu demandera -compte des obmissions aussi bien que des fautes commises. - - I fear very much that vice will slip into these new colonies. - If, however, those who hold the reins of government in hand are - zealous for the glory of our good God, following the desires and - intentions of the Honorable Directors and Associates of the - Company, there will arise here a Jerusalem blessed of God, composed - of Citizens destined for Heaven. It is very easy in a new country, - where families arrive who are all prepared to observe the laws that - will be established there, to [20] banish the wicked customs of - certain places in old France, and to introduce better ones. These - Gentlemen, who interest themselves more in the cause of God, and in - virtue, than in commerce, have no ships to bring over drunkenness, - gambling, and the dissoluteness of the Carnival, any more than - uncleanness and blasphemy. New France does not desire those - inhabitants of Cedar and of Babylon, who will surely slip in here, - unless opposed by those who have all the power; dissimulation in - this place and in these beginnings is very dangerous; and God will - ask an account for duties omitted as well as for faults committed. - - - - -[21] CHAPITRE II. - -DE LA CONUERSION & DE LA MORT DE QUELQUES SAUUAGES. - - -VINGT-DEVX sauuages ont esté baptisez ceste année, si nous auions -la cognoissance des langues, ie croy que la foy prendroit de grands -accroissemens: nous n'osons encor confier le baptesme qu'à ceux -que nous voyons en danger de mort, ou à des enfans qui nous sont -asseurez: Car ne pouuant encore plainement instruire ces Barbares, ils -mépriseroîent bien-tost nos saincts Mysteres, s'ils n'en auoient qu'vne -legere cognoissance. Il est bien vray que si ce peuple estoit curieux -de sçauoir, comme sont toutes les nations policées, que quelques-vns -[22] d'entre nous ont vne assez grande cognoissance de leur lãgue, pour -les instruire: mais comme ils sont profession de viure, & non pas de -sçauoir; leur plus grand soucy est de boire & de manger, & non pas de -cognoistre. Quand vous leur parlez de nos veritez, ils vous écoutent -paisiblement; mais au lieu de vous interroguer sur ce sujet, ils se -iettent incontinent sur les moyens de trouuer dequoy viure, monstrans -leur estomach tousiours vuide, & tousiours affamé. Que si on sçauoit -haranguer comme eux, & qu'on se trouuast en leurs assemblées, ie croy -qu'on y seroit bien puissant, la bonté de Dieu sera tout reussir en son -temps: venons à nos Neophytes. Le 16. d'Aoust de l'année passée 1634. -vn peu apres le depart des vaisseaux, ie baptisay à la mort vn ieune -garçon aagé d'enuiron 12. ou 14. ans, les [23] Saunages le nommoient -_Akhikouch_, nous luy auions destiné le nom de Dieudonné. Monsieur du -Plessis Bochard General de la flotte l'auoit amené des trois Riuieres -tout malade, & nous l'auoit donné pour luy sauuer si on pouuoit la vie -du corps, & luy donner celle de l'ame: il n'a vescu chez nous que le -temps necessaire pour estre sommairement instruit. - - [21] CHAPTER II. - - OF THE CONVERSION AND OF THE DEATH OF SOME SAVAGES. - - - TWENTY-TWO savages have been baptized this year. If we were - acquainted with the languages, I believe the faith would be widely - extended. We dare not yet trust baptism to any except those whom - we see in danger of death, or to children who are assured to us; - for, not yet being able to fully instruct these Barbarians, they - would soon show a contempt for our holy Mysteries, if they had only - a slight knowledge of them. It is quite true that, if these people - were as desirous of learning as are all civilized nations, some - [22] of us have a good enough knowledge of their language to teach - them. But as they make living, and not knowledge, their profession, - their greatest anxiety is about eating and drinking, and not about - learning. When you speak to them of our truths, they listen to you - patiently; but instead of asking you about the matter, they at - once turn their thoughts to ways of finding something upon which - to live, showing their stomachs always empty and always famished. - Yet if we could make speeches as they do, and if we were present - in their assemblies, I believe we could accomplish much there. The - goodness of God will ensure success in all things in his own time; - let us turn to our Neophytes. On the 16th of August of last year, - 1634, shortly after the departure of our vessels, I baptized, when - he was dying, a young boy about 12 or 14 years of age. The [23] - Savages called him _Akhikouch_; we had chosen for him the name - Dieudonné. Monsieur du Plessis Bochard, Commandant of the fleet, - had brought him to us from the three Rivers, very sick; and had - given him to us that we might, if possible, save the life of the - body, at the same time giving him that of the soul. He lived with - us only long enough to be hastily instructed. - -Le 3. de Nouembre de la mesme année, le Pere Charles l'Allemant baptisa -vn ieune Sauuage aagé d'enuirõ vingt cinq ans, nommé de ceux de sa -nation _Matchonon_, surnommé des François Martin, il receut le nom -de Ioseph en son baptesme. Les iugemens de Dieu sont épouuantables, -ce pauure miserable a fait vne mort horrible. C'est celuy dont ie -parle au Chapitre deuxiesme de la Relation de l'an passé, lequel eust -volontiers [24] diuerty s'il eust peu le bon François Sasousmat de -receuoir la Foy, & qui disputant certain iour contre le Pere Brebeuf, -profera ce blaspheme, qui luy a fait perdre la vie du corps, & -peut-estre de l'ame. Tu nous conte, que c'est par la conduite de ton -Dieu, que nous trouuons dequoy manger, dis luy qu'il m'empesche tant -qu'il pourra de prendre des Castors, & des Elans, & tu verras que ie -ne laisseray pas d'en prẽdre malgré luy. Vn de nos François saisy d'vn -grand zele, entendant ceste impieté, fut tout prest de se ietter sur -luy, & l'auroit bien battu n'eust esté la presence du Pere. Ce pauure -impie n'a onques depuis ce blaspheme, tué ny Castor ny Elan. Il s'en -alla au dessus des trois Riuieres, où la maladie le terrassa. Le Pere -Brebeuf montant aux Hurons l'an passé le rencontra, & le voyant dans -[25] vn estat pitoyable luy demanda combien il auoit tué d'animaux -depuis son blaspheme; le pauure homme demeura tout confus: le Pere -en eut compassion, & luy dit qu'il m'écriroit ce rencontre, & qu'il -se promettoit bien qu'on le secoureroit s'il vouloit demander à Dieu -pardon, & receuoir sa creance; quelque temps apres que i'eu receu -la lettre du Pere, nous nous en allasmes le Pere Buteux & moy en la -nouuelle habitation des trois Riuieres, pour commencer la Residence -de la Conception: nous trouuasmes ce blasphemateur nud comme vn ver, -tout malade, couché sur la terre, n'ayant pour toutes richesses -qu'vne méchante écorce, vne cabane de Sauuages qui estoient là luy -refusant le couuert. Son frere l'auoit amené proche de l'habitation -de nos François, & l'auoit quitté là, [26] nous luy demandasmes s'il -ne recognoissoit pas la vengeance de Dieu, n'ayant peu rien prendre -depuis son impieté, Ie n'ay garde, fit-il, d'auoir peû rien prendre, -car i'ay tousiours esté malade. Mais ne vois tu pas que c'est Dieu -qui t'a chastié par ceste maladie? Peut-estre que tu dis vray, me -respond-il. Ie luy voulu dire que son frere n'auoit point de compassion -de luy, il l'excusa bien à propos. Que veux tu qu'il face, comment me -traisnera-il dans ce bois, où il va chercher sa vie? Mais encor si -ta nation auoit pitié de toy? Que ne dis-tu à ces Sauuages qu'ils te -reçoiuent en leur cabane, ou bien qu'ils te donnent vn peu d'écorce -pour en faire vne petite? Il n'osa iamais leur parler tant ils sont -honteux de s'importuner les vns les autres: mais il me dit tout bas -que ie leur demandasse: ie le fis tout sur l'heure en sa presence: -au [27] commencement ils ne me donnerent aucune response, en fin -vne femme me dit, qu'ils s'en alloient biẽ tost cabaner en vn autre -endroit, & qu'ils n'auoient point trop d'escorce pour eux. Bref ce -mal-heureux voyant que la barque qui nous auoit amené retournoit -à Kebec, me pria de luy faire porter. Car nous ne le pouuiõs pas -loger, nostre maison en ce premier commencement n'estoit que quelques -busches de bois iointes les vnes auprés les autres, enduites par les -ouuertures d'vn peu de terre, & couuertes d'herbes, nous auions en -tout douze pieds en carré pour la Chapelle, & pour nostre demeure, -attendant qu'vn bastiment de charpente qu'on dressoit fust acheué. -Voyant donc qu'il estoit impossible de le secourir, ie prie qu'on le -reçoiue dans la barque, ce qui fut fait; on l'apporte à Kebec, où les -[28] Sauuages le delaisserẽt. Le Pere l'Allemant le voyant abandonné -le fait venir en nostre maison, ce qu'il souhaitoit grandement; Tous -les iours vn de nos Freres le pansoit, & le Pere l'instruisoit pour -le rendre capable du baptesme. Or comme on le iugeoit en danger de -mort le Pere le baptisa, & l'a fait nourrir & panser tout l'hyuer. -Retournant sur le Printemps des trois Riuieres, ie fus bien aise de le -voir, esperant qu'il m'instruiroit en la cognoissance de sa langue, & -que ie luy enseignerois plus à loisir les veritez de nostre creance. -A peine estois-je arriué que son frere suruint, luy bien ioyeux de -voir me demande permission de s'en aller auec luy aux trois Riuieres, -ie l'en détournay le plus qu'il me fut possible, preuoyant bien sa -ruine s'il retournoit parmy les Sauuages: ie luy promets toute [29] -assistance s'il vouloit demeurer: Non, me fit-il, ie desire d'aller -voir la haut mes parens. Or comme ie cognois bien le genie de ces -Barbares, ie luy dis que les Sauuages le ietteroient bientost hors de -leurs cabanes, qu'ils ne luy donneroient gueres à manger, & en fin se -lassans de luy, qu'ils le tueroient. Il se mit à rire, me disant qu'ils -n'en viendroient pas là. Ie le menace que s'il s'en va, que nous ne -le receurons plus iamais; il n'y eut pas moyen de l'arrester. Estant -aux trois Riuieres, le Pere Buteux qui estoit là, luy voulut faire -recognoistre le mal qu'il luy pouuoit arriuer de nous auoir quitté; -il s'en mocqua; il le menaça des iugemens de Dieu, il repartit qu'il -endureroit aussi bien les feux dans l'enfer, qu'il auoit souffert le -froid pendant l'hyuer. Au commencement les Sauuages le tenoient [30] -dans leurs cabanes, mais venans à s'en lasser ils le placẽt dehors, le -voila abbrié du Ciel & d'vne escorce, on ne luy donne plus qu'vn peu -de poisson, & peu souuent: luy se doutãt quasi de ce que ie luy auois -predit; car il n'ignore pas les coustumes de sa nation, dit au Pere -Buteux qui s'en reuenoit faire vn tour à Kebec, Ton frere m'a dit que -si ie sortois de vostre maison, qu'il ne m'y receuroit iamais, i'y -voudrois bien estre maintenant, dis-luy, que s'il m'y veut receuoir, -qu'il en écriue à quelque François, & que ie m'y feray transporter à -la premiere occasion. Le Pere estãt arriué, & m'ayant donné cet aduis, -nous-nous transportasmes incontinent au fort de Kebec pour chercher -quelque occasion de le mander, desirans sauuer ce pauure miserable, -puis qu'il portoit le charactere de Chrestien: mais [31] ô iuste & -épouuantable vengeance du grand Dieu! nous trouuasmes en chemin vn -Montagnais, qui nous dit qu'incontinent apres le depart du Pere Buteux, -vn Sauuage auoit donné vn coup de hache à ce deplorable homme pẽdant la -nuict, qui luy auoit fait voler la ceruelle de la teste. Voila comme il -est passé en l'autre monde. - - On the 3rd of November of the same year, Father Charles l'Allemant - baptized a young Savage about twenty-five years old, called by the - people of his nation _Matchonon_, surnamed by the French, Martin; - at baptism he received the name of Joseph. The judgments of God - are terrible; this poor wretch met with a horrible death. It was - of him I spoke in the second Chapter of the Relation of last year. - He would gladly, [24] if he had been able, have diverted the good - François Sasousmat from receiving the Faith; and, while one day - disputing with Father Brebeuf, he uttered this blasphemy, which - caused him to lose the life of the body and perhaps that of the - soul: "Thou tellest us that it is through the guidance of thy - God that we find something to eat; tell him that he may oppose, - with all his power, my taking Beavers and Elks; and you will see - that I shall not fail to take them, in spite of him." One of our - Frenchmen, seized with great zeal, hearing this impiety, was ready - to leap upon him, and would have beaten him soundly, had it not - been for the presence of the Father. This poor, impious wretch - has not, since this blasphemy, killed either Beaver or Elk. He - went up beyond the three Rivers, where illness prostrated him. - Father Brebeuf, when he was going up to the Hurons last year, - encountered him, and seeing him in [25] a pitiful state, asked him - how much game he had killed since his blasphemy; the poor man was - covered with confusion. The Father took pity on him, and said that - he would write to me about this meeting; and that he trusted that, - if he wished to ask God's forgiveness, and embrace his faith, he - would be succored. Some time after I had received the Father's - letter, we, Father Buteux and I, went to the new settlement of - the three Rivers, to begin the Residence of the Conception. We - found this blasphemer as naked as a worm, very sick, lying upon - the ground, his only possession being a wretched piece of bark,--a - cabin of Savages who were encamped there having refused him - shelter. His brother had brought him to a place near the French - settlement, and had left him there. [26] We asked him if he did - not see that it was the vengeance of God, that he had not captured - anything since his impious act. "I have not been able," said he, - "to capture anything, for I have been sick all the time." "But - dost thou not see that it is God who has punished thee by this - sickness?" "Perhaps thou sayest the truth," he answered me. I tried - to tell him that his brother had no pity on him, and he excused him - very readily,--"What wouldst thou have him do; how will he drag me - about in the forest where he is going to seek his living?" "But - thy people, have they no pity on thee? Why dost thou not ask these - Savages to take thee into their cabin, or else to give thee a small - piece of bark, to make a little one for thyself?" He did not even - dare ask them, they are so ashamed to beg from each other; but he - told me in a low voice to ask them to do it; I did so immediately - in his presence. At [27] first, they gave me no answer; but - finally a woman said that they were going elsewhere to camp, and - they had none too much bark for themselves. In short, this unhappy - man, seeing that the bark which brought us was returning to Kebec, - begged me to have him carried there, for we could find no place - for him; our house in this early stage was only some logs of wood, - fitted to each other, plastered over the cracks with a little clay, - and covered with grass; we had in all twelve feet square for the - Chapel and for our living room, awaiting the completion of a frame - building which was being constructed. So, realizing that it was - impossible for us to help him, I begged them to take him in the - bark, which they did, and carried him to Kebec, where the [28] - Savages deserted him. Father l'Allemant, seeing him abandoned, - had him come to our house, the very thing he desired; one of our - Brothers dressed his sores every day and the Father instructed him, - in order to prepare him for baptism. Now, as they supposed that - he was in danger of death, the Father baptized him, and they fed - and nursed him all winter. When I returned in the Spring from the - three Rivers, I was very glad to see him, hoping he would instruct - me in the knowledge of his language, and that I could teach him - more at leisure the truths of our belief. I had hardly arrived - when his brother came along, and he [the sick man], overjoyed to - see him, asked me to let him go with him to the three Rivers; I - did all I could to dissuade him, foreseeing his certain ruin if he - returned among the Savages, and promised all [29] assistance if - he would stay. "No," said he, "I want to go up the river to see - my relatives." Now, as I know the character of these Barbarians - very well, I told him that the Savages would soon throw him out - of their cabins; that they would give him nothing to eat, and, at - last becoming tired of him, they would kill him. He began to laugh, - saying to me that they would not go so far as that. I threatened - that, if he went away, we would not take him back again; but there - was no way of stopping him. When he reached the three Rivers, - Father Buteux, who was there, tried to make him see the evil that - might result from his having left us, but he merely laughed at him; - the Father threatened him with the judgments of God; he answered - that he could as well endure the fires in hell as he had borne the - cold during the winter. At first the Savages kept him [30] in their - cabins; but, getting tired of him, they put him out, and there he - lay, under the shelter of the Sky and a piece of bark; they gave - him only a little fish, and that not often. So he almost began to - fear what I had predicted for him, as he was not ignorant of the - customs of his nation. He said to Father Buteux, who was returning - to Kebec to make a visit, "Thy brother told me that, if I left your - house, he would never take me back again. I would like very much - to be there now; tell him that if he will receive me, he may write - to some Frenchman, and I will have myself taken there at the first - opportunity." When the Father arrived and reported this to me, we - immediately betook ourselves to the fort at Kebec, to seek some - opportunity to send for him, wishing to save this poor wretch since - he bore the mark of a Christian; but [31] oh, just and terrible - vengeance of the great God! On our way we met a Montagnais, who - told us that, immediately after the departure of Father Buteux, a - Savage had given this wretched man a blow from an axe, during the - night, which dashed his brains out of his head. So thus he passed - into the other world. - -Le huictiéme du mesme mois de Nouembre Monsieur Giffart baptisa vn -petit enfant sauuage aagé d'enuiron six mois, le croyant si prés de -la mort qu'on n'auroit peu nous appeller, il surueseut encor quelque -temps, sa femme allaictoit ce pauure petit, & en auoit vn soin comme -s'il eust esté son propre enfant. Certaine nuict s'éueillant toute -pleine d'étonnement & de ioye, elle dit à son mary, qu'elle croyoit que -ce petit Ange estoit passé au [32] Ciel: Non, repart-il, ie le viens -tout maintenant de veoir, il vit encore. Ie vous supplie, replique-elle -d'y regarder encore vne fois, ie ne puis croire qu'il ne soit mort, -d'autant que ie viens de voir tout maintenant dans mon sommeil vne -grande troupe d'Anges qui le venoient querir. Ils le visitent donc, & -le trouuent trépassé, bien ioyeux d'auoir aydé à mettre au Ciel vne ame -qui benira Dieu dans toute l'estendue de l'eternité. Le sixiéme iour de -Ianuier de cette année mil six cens trente cinq, le Pere Lallemant laua -des eaux du sainct Baptesme vne petite fille aagée d'enuiron neuf à dix -ans, qu'vne famille Françoise éleue en sa maison: cette enfant ayant -fait prier le Pere de luy donner l'entrée en l'Eglise, l'examina sur sa -croyance, & la voyant suffisamment instruite, cognoissant d'ailleurs -qu'elle [33] n'auoit aucuns parens qui la peussent retirer des mains -de nos François, il en fit vn present au petit Iesus le iour des Roys: -elle a touiours continué depuis à bien faire, fuyant tellement les -Sauuages, qu'on ne luy sçauroit faire parler. - - On the eighth of the same month, November, Monsieur Gissart[8] - baptized a little savage child, aged about six months, believing - him so near death that we could not be summoned; yet he lived on - for some time. His wife nursed this poor little child, and cared - for it as if it had been her own. One night, awakening full of - astonishment and joy, she said to her husband that she believed - this little Angel had gone to [32] Heaven; "No," he replied, "I - have just now been to see it, and it still lives." "I beg you," - she answered, "to go and look again; I cannot believe that it is - not dead, as I have just seen in my sleep a great troop of Angels - coming to take it." So they went to see it again, and found that - it had passed away. They were very glad that they had helped send - to Heaven a soul that will bless God throughout all eternity. On - the sixth day of January of this year, one thousand six hundred and - thirty-five, Father Lallemant applied the waters of holy Baptism to - a little girl about nine or ten years of age, who is being reared - in the house of a French family. This child had some one ask the - Father to admit her into the Church; he examined her in regard - to her belief, and, seeing her sufficiently instructed, knowing - besides that she [33] had no relatives who could take her from the - hands of our French people, he made a present of her to the little - Jesus on Epiphany; she has continued to do well since then, fleeing - from the Savages, so that she cannot be induced to speak to them. - -Le deuxiesme iour de Feurier la petite Sauuage qu'on porta en France -l'an passé, fut baptisée au Monastere des filles de la Misericorde, -c'est à dire, en l'Hospital de Dieppe: puis qu'elle estoit née en la -Nouuelle France, ie luy donneray place entre ceux de sa patrie, qui -ont esté faits enfans de Dieu ceste année. On l'auoit mise en pension -chez ces bonnes filles. Voicy ce que m'en écrit leur Mere Superieure, -aussi zelée & toute sa maison, pour le salut des pauures Sauuages, -que pas vne autre. Nostre petite Canadienne deceda le iour de la -Purification [34] de nostre Dame, de la petite verole qu'on ne pût -faire sortir, quoy qu'on y apportast tous les remedes possibles: elle -receut le baptesme demie heure auant sa mort, c'est quasi vn miracle -que nous ne fusmes point surprises, à raison que comme elle estoit -robuste pour son aage, elle ne paroissoit point si voisine de la mort -comme elle estoit ses funerailles furent honorées de belles ceremonies, -& de chants d'allegresse au lieu de l'Office des morts, puis que son -decés auoit suiuy de si prés son baptesme. Ceste enfant se faisoit -aimer d'vn chacun, elle estoit fort officieuse, tres-obeyssante, aussi -exacte à ne point entrer aux lieux defendus qu'vne Religieuse; & quand -on luy vouloit faire entrer, soit par mégarde, ou pour faire preuue -de son obeyssance, elle respondoit fort gentilement, Ie n'ay point -permission, [35] la Mere Superieure ne le veut pas. Elle sçauoit desia -plusieurs leçons de son Catechisme, & entendoit beaucoup de la lãgue -Françoise; c'est pourquoy nous luy auions fait conceuoir les trois -Articles principaux de nostre creance. Elle sçauoit fort bien dire que -le Manitou ne valoit rien, qu'elle ne vouloit plus retourner en Canada; -mais qu'elle vouloit estre Chrestienne & baptisée, sçachant bien qu'on -ne pouuoit aller au Ciel sans cela. Nous prenions toutes grand plaisir -en ces discours: pour trancher court, suffit de dire qu'elle taschoit -d'imiter tout le bien qu'elle voyoit faire selon sa capacité. Ce sont -les propres termes de la Reuerende Mere Elizabeth de sainct François -Superieure de cét Hospital, l'vn des mieux reglez de l'Europe; il ne -faut qu'entrer dans la sale des pauures, contempler [36] la modestie -des filles qui les seruent, considerer leur charité dans les plus -fascheuses maladies, ietter les yeux sur la netteté de ceste maison, -pour en sortir tout affectionné, & donner mille loüanges à nostre -Seigneur. Si vn Monastere semblable à celuy-là, estoit en la Nouuelle -France, leur charité feroit plus pour la conuersion des Sauuages, que -toutes nos courses & nos paroles. - - On the second day of February, the little Savage who was taken to - France last year was baptized in the Convent of the sisters of - Mercy, that is, in the Hospital of Dieppe; as she was born in New - France, I will place her among those of her country who have been - made children of God this year. She was placed as a boarder with - these good sisters. Here is what the Mother Superior, who with her - whole house cannot be excelled in zeal for the salvation of the - poor Savages, has written me about her: "Our little Canadian girl - died on the day of the Purification [34] of our Lady, of smallpox, - which could not be cured, although all possible remedies were used; - she was baptized half an hour before her death, and it was almost - a miracle that we were not surprised, for she was strong for her - age, and did not seem to be so near death as she was. Her funeral - was honored with beautiful ceremonies, and with songs of gladness - instead of the Service for the dead, as her death followed so - closely upon her baptism. This child won the love of all; she was - very obliging, very obedient, and as careful as a Nun not to enter - forbidden places; and when it was desired to make her enter, either - through inadvertence or to test her obedience, she answered very - sweetly, 'I have not permission; [35] the Mother Superior does not - wish it.' She already knew several of the lessons in her Catechism, - and understood a great deal of the French language; it was through - this that we had made her comprehend the three principal Articles - of our belief. She could say very well that the Manitou was good - for nothing; that she no longer wished to return to Canada, but - that she desired to be a Christian and to be baptized, knowing well - that no one could go to Heaven without that. We all enjoyed these - talks: in a word, suffice it to say, that she tried to imitate, in - so far as she was able, all the good that she saw done." These are - the very words of the Reverend Mother Elizabeth of saint François, - Superior of this Hospital, one of the best regulated in Europe; it - is only necessary to enter the hall of the poor patients, to see - [36] the modesty of the sisters who serve them, to consider their - kindness in the most annoying cases of sickness, to cast the eyes - over the cleanliness of this house, to go hence full of affection - and to offer a thousand praises to our Lord. If a Monastery like - that were in New France, their charity would do more for the - conversion of the Savages than all our journeys and our sermons. - -Le dix-huictiesme du mesme mois de Feurier, le Pere Buteux & moy -receumes au nombre ches Chrestiens, vne bonne femme Sauuage, qui fut -solemnellement baptisée en nostre Chapelle de la Conception aux trois -Riuieres. Elle s'appelloit _Ouetata Samakheou_, & nous luy donnasmes -le nom d'Anne. Les Sauuages s'en allans l'auoient delaissée auprés -de nostre Habitation toute malade, & couchée sur la terre dure, [37] -d'autres estans suruenus, nous la fismes entrer dans leur Cabane; -ceux-cy décampans apres quelque seiour, nous la logeasmes encore dans -vne autre qui resta seule: mais ceste Cabane s'en voulant aller apres -les autres, nous priasmes les Sauuages de laisser quelques rouleaux -de leur escorce pour faire vn méchant todis à ceste pauure creature; -ils font la sourde oreille. Or comme nous ne pouuuions point faire -entrer ceste femme dans le fort, où il n'y auoit que des hommes, & que -d'ailleurs nous ne la voulions pas voir mourir deuant nos yeux par -la rigueur du froid, n'ayans pas dequoy luy faire vne maison, nous -priasmes nos François d'intimider ces Barbares, si cruels enuers leur -nation; les voyla aussi-tost le pistolet au poing, qui se saisissent -par force de quelques escorces; leur disant que ceste [38] femme -mourroit ou gueriroit bien-tost, & qu'ils reprendroient ce qu'ils luy -auroient presté; cela les fascha fort, mais neantmoins comme ceste -violence estoit raisonnable, l'vn d'eux pour expier leur cruauté, -retourna du bois où ils s'estoient allez cabanner, & luy dressa luy -mesme vne petite cabanne, où tous les iours nous luy portions à manger, -& en suitte nous l'instruisions. Cõiecturez, s'il vous plaist, la -grande necessité qu'il y a icy d'vn Hospital, & quel fruit il pourroit -produire. Trois choses me consolerẽt fort, en luy déduisant les -Articles de nostre creance. La 1. fut que luy voulant faire exercer -quelque acte de douleur de ses pechez pour la disposer au baptesme; ie -luy rapportay le nom de plusieurs offenses, la menaçant du feu d'enfer, -si ayant commis ces crimes, elle n'estoit lauée des eaux Sacramentales; -[39] ceste pauure malade épouuantée, commence à nommer tout haut ses -offenses, disant, Ie n'ay point commis ces pechez que tu dis: mais bien -ceux-là, s'accusant de plusieurs choses bien vergongneuses. Ie luy -dis qu'il suffisoit d'en demander pardon en son cœur sans les nommer, -la Confession n'estant point necessaire qu'apres le Baptesme; elle ne -laissa pas de poursuiure, & d'en crier mercy à celuy qui a tout fait. -En second lieu, luy parlant vn iour de la mort apres son baptesme, -elle se mit à pleurer, se faschant contre moy de ce que ie luy parlois -d'vne chose si horrible; cela m'estonna vn petit, i'estois quasi fasché -de l'auoir baptisée, nous la recommandasmes à nostre Seigneur, qui -luy toucha le cœur: car l'estant retourné voir, elle me fit plusieurs -interrogations: Mon ame, disoit-elle, [40] aura-elle de l'esprit quand -elle sera sortie de mon corps? verra-elle? parlera-elle? ie l'asseuray -qu'en effet elle ne perdroit rien de ces facultez, qu'au contraire -elle les auroit d'vne façon bien plus parfaite, & que si elle croyoit -en Iesus-Christ sans feintise, qu'elle cognoistroit des merueilles, & -iouyroit de tres-grands contentemens. Tu m'as dit que ie resusciteray -quelque iour, seray-ie semblable, me dit-elle, à moy-mesme, à celle que -ie suis maintenant, ou bien à vne autre? C'est toy-mesme, c'est ton -propre corps qui reprendra vie, & qui sera beau comme le iour, si tu -as eu la Foy; sinon il sera horrible, & tout difforme, & destiné aux -flammes eternelles. Que mangera mon ame apres ma mort? Ton ame n'est -point corporelle, elle n'a point besoin des viandes d'icy bas, elle se -repaistra [41] de plaisirs qu'on ne peut conceuoir. Que verray-ie si -ie vay au Ciel? Tu verras ce qui se fait ça bas, la bestise de ceux de -ta nation qui ne veulent pas receuoir la Foy, la beauté & la grandeur -de celuy qui a tout fait, tu le prieras pour moy. Que luy diray-ie, -me repart-elle? Dis luy qu'il me face misericorde, qu'il aye pitié de -moy, & qu'il m'appelle bien-tost pour aller auec luy au Ciel. C'est -donc, fit-elle, vne chose bien bonne d'estre, là haut, puis que tu -voudrois bien mourir pour y aller. Mais peut-estre que ie m'oublieray -de ce que tu me dis. Non, tu ne t'en oublieras point, si tu crois en -verité & sans mensonge. Que fera-on de mon corps quand ie seray morte? -On le mettra dans vn beau cercueil, & tous les François le porteront -auec honneur au lieu où nous enterrons nos morts. Dis moy encore [42] -vn coup, mon ame aura elle de l'esprit quand elle sera sortie de son -corps? Ouy elle en aura, elle verra, elle entendra, elle conceura -fort bien, & parlera d'vne façon plus noble que ne font tes leures. -Escoutant mes réponses, son visage s'alloit espanoüissant. En fin elle -me dit d'vn accent tout gay, _Nitapoueten, nitapoueten_, ie croy, ie -croy, & pour preuue de ma creãce, tu ne me verras iamais craindre -la mort; iusques icy ie tremblois quand tu m'en venois parler; mais -doresnauant ie la souhaitteray pour aller veoir celuy qui a tout fait; -ie luy disois tousiours en mes prieres, gueris moy, tu me peux guerir; -ie luy diray cy-apres, ie ne me soucie plus de la vie, ie suis contente -de mourir pour te veoir. Et en effect le reste du temps qu'elle a vescu -apres ces demandes, ie n'ay iamais remarqué en elle aucun petit indice -[43] de la crainte de la mort. La troisiesme chose qui nous resioüit -fort, fut qu'vn Sauuage nommé _Sakapouan_ la voulut diuertir de nostre -creance, disant que nous estions des conteurs, & qu'il ne falloit pas -nous croire, puis que nous ne sçaurions monstrer ny faire veoir à -personne ce que nous enseignons: ceste pauure Neophyte fortifiée de -l'esprit de Dieu tint bon, & repartit fort bien, qu'elle croyoit que -nous disions la verité, & ainsi elle est morte fort bonne Chrestienne. -Pour le Sauuage qui vouloit mettre obstacle à sa creance, il ne la fit -pas longue, Dieu en tira vne vengeance bien rigoureuse: ce miserable se -trouuoit desia mal, bien-tost apres son impieté il tomba en phrenesie -& mourut insensé. Nous l'auions assez bien instruit, mais les respects -humains qui regnent puissamment [44] parmy ces peuples, l'ont empesché -de professer la Foy. Il nous a dit plusieurs fois, Ie croy bien que -tout ce que vous dites est veritable, mais si ie vous obeï, quãd ie me -trouueray aux festins de mes Compatriotes, tout le monde se mocquera -de moy, Fais sorte, me disoit-il qu'_Outaouau_ (c'est l'vn des grands -discoureurs d'entre les Sauuages) reçoiue la Foy quand il viendra -icy, & pour lors ie ne feray plus aucune difficulté de vous croire. -_Outaouau_ l'a trouué mort & enterré à son retour. - - On the eighteenth of the same month of February, Father Buteux and - I received among the number of Christians, a good Savage woman, who - was solemnly baptized in our Chapel of the Conception at the three - Rivers. She was called _Ouetata Samakheou_, and we gave her the - name of Anne. When the Savages went away, they left her near our - Settlement, very sick and lying upon the hard ground; [37] others - arriving, we had her placed in their Cabin; and when these moved - away, after a short sojourn, we had her placed in another, the - only one remaining; as the people of this Cabin wished to follow - the others, we begged them to leave a few rolls of their bark to - make a miserable hut for this poor creature; but they turned a deaf - ear. Now as we could not have this woman taken into the fort, where - there were only men, and as on the other hand we did not wish to - see her die before our eyes a victim to the cold, having nothing - with which to make her a house, we begged our French people to - intimidate these Barbarians, who were so cruel towards their own - people. So some of them came at once, pistol in hand, and took - some of the bark by force, telling them that this [38] woman would - soon either die or recover, and they would get back what they had - loaned. They were very angry; but nevertheless, as this violence - was reasonable, one of them, to atone for their cruelty, returned - from the woods where he had gone to camp, and himself put up a - little cabin for her, where every day we carried her food and then - instructed her. Imagine, if you please, how great is the necessity - for a Hospital here, and how much fruit it could produce. Three - things consoled me greatly in expounding to her the Articles of our - belief; the 1st was, that, wishing to make her perform some act - of contrition for her sins, in order to prepare her for baptism, - I called up the names of several offenses, threatening her with - the fires of hell if, having committed these crimes, she were not - washed in the waters of the Sacrament; [39] this poor, frightened, - sick woman began to name her offenses aloud, saying, "I have not - committed those sins that thou sayest, but I have these," accusing - herself of several very shameful ones. I told her it would be - enough for her to ask pardon in her heart without naming them, - Confession not being necessary except after Baptism; but she did - not cease, begging for mercy from him who has made all. In the - second place, speaking with her about death, one day after her - baptism, she began to cry, being angry at me for speaking to her - of such a horrible thing; I was somewhat astonished at this, and - almost sorry that I had baptized her. We recommended her to our - Lord, who touched her heart; for, having returned to see her, she - asked me a number of questions: "Will my soul have any [40] sense - when it leaves my body?" said she. "Will it see? Will it speak?" - I assured her that indeed it would lose none of these faculties, - but on the contrary would have them in a much more perfect way; - and that, if she believed in Jesus Christ without dissembling, she - would know wonders and would enjoy great consolation. "Thou hast - told me that I shall come to life again some day; shall I be like - myself," she said to me, "like what I am now, or like some one - else?" "It is thyself, it is thy own body which will live again, - and which will be as beautiful as the day, if thou hast had Faith; - if not, it will be horrible, all deformed and destined to the - eternal flames." "What will my soul eat after death?" "Thy soul has - no body, it has no need of the food here below; it will feast upon - [41] joys beyond conception." "What shall I see if I go to Heaven?" - "Thou wilt see what is going on down here,--the foolishness of such - of thy people as will not receive the Faith, the beauty and the - grandeur of him who has made all; and thou wilt pray to him for - me." "What shall I say to him?" she asked. "Tell him to be merciful - to me, to have pity on me; and to call me soon, to be with him in - Heaven." "Then," said she, "it is a good thing to be up there, - since thou wishest to die to go there. But perhaps I shall forget - what thou tellest me." "No, thou wilt not forget it, if thou dost - really and truthfully believe." "What will they do with my body - when I am dead?" "It will be placed in a beautiful coffin, and all - the French will bear it with honor to the place where we bury our - dead." "Tell me once [42] more, will my soul have sense when it - has left my body?" "Yes, it will; it will see, hear, understand - readily, and will speak in a more noble way than thy lips." While - listening to my answers, her face began to brighten; and at last - she exclaimed, joyfully, _Nitapoueten, nitapoueten_, "I believe, I - believe; and, as a proof of my belief, thou wilt never see me fear - death; until now I was trembling when thou wert speaking of it to - me, but from now on I shall wish for it, so that I may go and see - him who has made all; I was saying always in my prayers 'Make me - well, thou canst cure me;' but hereafter I shall say to him, 'I do - not care to live any longer, I am content to die to see thee.'" - And, in fact, the rest of the time she lived after these questions, - I never noticed in her the least indication [43] that she was - afraid to die. The third thing that gladdened us was, that when a - Savage called _Sakapouan_, wishing to divert her from our belief, - said that we were story-tellers and she must not believe us, since - we could not show nor make any one see what we were teaching, this - poor Neophyte, fortified by the spirit of God, held firm, and - answered steadfastly that she believed we told the truth. Thus she - died a very good Christian. As to the Savage who tried to shake - her faith, he did not do so long, for God drew down upon him a - most severe revenge; this wretch, who already felt ill, was seized - with frenzy, soon after his act of impiety, and died a maniac. We - had taught him well enough; but the fear of what others would say, - which is a potent factor [44] among these people, prevented him - from professing the Faith. He said to us several times, "I indeed - believe that all you say is true; but if I obey you, when I go to - the feasts of my People, they will all make sport of me." "Arrange - it," said he to me, "so that _Outaouau_" (this is one of the great - orators among the Savages) "may receive the Faith when he comes - here; and after that I will have no more difficulty in believing - you." _Outaouau_ found him dead and buried at his return. - -Le septiesme d'Auril le petit Sauuage que nous auions enuoyé en -France, & que le Pere Lallemant nous ramena, fut fait Chrestien, & -baptisé solemnellement par le mesme Pere. Monsieur de Champlain nostre -Gouuerneur luy donna nom Bonauenture. Tous les matins venant donner -le bon iour au Pere, [45] qui prenoit le soin de l'instruire, il ne -manquoit pas de luy demander le baptesme; il fait maintenant fort -bien Dieu mercy, se rendant fort docile. I'espere qu'il nous seruira -grandement pour nostre Seminaire. - - On the seventh of April, the little Savage whom we had sent to - France, and whom Father Lallemant brought back to us, was made a - Christian and solemnly baptized by the same Father. Monsieur de - Champlain, our Governor, gave him the name Bonaventure. Every day, - when he came to say good day to the Father, [45] who took care to - instruct him, he never failed to ask him for baptism; he is doing - very well now, thank God, and is becoming quite docile. I am hoping - he will be of great service to us in our Seminary. - -Le treiziesme de May ie baptisay le fils de ceste bonne femme, que -i'auois fait Chrestienne & nommé Marie l'an passé, laquelle ie -laissay malade proche de nostre Maison, m'en allant hyuerner aux -trois Riuieres. Sa maladie se rengregeant le Pere Lallemant luy donna -l'Extreme-Onction, & venant à mourir l'enterra solemnellement dans -nostre Cimetiere. Elle laissa pour tout heritage sa maladie à son petit -enfant, qu'vne fieure lente a faict passer au Ciel apres le baptesme; -il portoit en sa langue le nom d'_Aouetitin_, qui luy fut changé au nom -de Pierre. - - On the thirteenth of May, I baptized the son of the good woman whom - I made a Christian and named Marie last year, and whom I had left - sick near our House when I went to pass the winter at the three - Rivers. As she was growing worse, Father Lallemant gave her Extreme - Unction; and, when she died, buried her solemnly in our Cemetery. - She left, as her only heritage, her disease to her little child, - whom a slow fever sent to Heaven after his baptism; in his language - he bore the name of _Aouetitin_, which was changed to that of - Pierre. - -[46] Le dix-neufiesme d'Aoust le Pere Lallemant a baptisé vne fille -aagée d'enuiron quatre ans; elle est née au païs des Bissiriniens; on -la mene en France pour estre esleuée & instruite en la Foy Chrestienne. - - [46] On the nineteenth of August, Father Lallemant baptized a - girl about four years old, who was born in the country of the - Bissiriniens.[21] She is being taken to France to be reared and - educated in the Christian Faith. - -Le reste des personnes faites Chrestiennes depuis que nous n'auons -escrit en France, ont esté baptisées aux païs des Hurons, comme V.R. -pourra voir par la Relation que nos Peres m'ont enuoyée, que ie luy -addresse. Ils ont entre autres conferé ce Sacrement à vn bon homme, -dont le Pere de Nouë qui l'a cogneu en ces païs si esloignez, me parle -en tres-bons termes. Nous auons, dit-il, tousiours creu que cet homme -mourroit Chrestien, & que Dieu luy feroit misericorde; car il estoit -fort porté au bien, il faisoit volontiers l'aumosne secourant ses -Compatriotes, voire mesme nous [47] autres qui estions estrangers. -Retournant de la pesche il nous apportoit tousiours quelque poisson, -non à la façon des autres Sauuages, qui ne donnent que pour auoir le -reciproque, mais gratuitement; il nous venoit visiter vne fois ou deux -la semaine, & apres s'estre entretenu quelque tẽps auec nous, voyant -que nous estions en bonne santé, il s'en alloit tout content. Or comme -il gardoit passablement la Loy que la nature a graué dans le cœur de -tous les hommes, Dieu luy a donné auant son trespas, la cognoissance de -la Loy de son fils. - - The rest of the persons who have been made Christians since we - have written to France, were baptized in the Huron country, as - Your Reverence can see by the Relation our Fathers have sent me, - which I forward to you. Among others, they have conferred this - Sacrament upon an honest fellow whom Father de Nouë, who knew him - in that so distant country, recommended to me highly. "We have," - said he, "always believed that this man would die a Christian, - and that God would be merciful to him; for he had a very good - disposition,--giving alms freely to aid his Countrymen, and even - to us, [47] who were strangers. When he returned from fishing he - always brought us some fish, not in the way the other Savages - did, who give only that they may get something in return, but - gratuitously; he came to see us once or twice every week, and, - after having talked for some time with us, seeing that we were in - good health, he would go away well satisfied." Now as he observed - fairly well the Law which nature has graven upon the hearts of all - men, God gave him before his death the knowledge of the Law of his - son. - -Ie rapporteray en ce lieu le chastiment manifeste que Dieu a tiré du -miserable Sorcier, & de son frere, dont i'ay parlé bien amplement dans -la Relation de l'an passé. Ce méchant homme pour me déplaire [48] -s'attaquoit par fois à Dieu comme i'ay dit. Il disoit certain iour aux -Sauuages en ma presence, Ie me suis auiourd'huy bien mocqué de celuy -que la robbe noire nous dit qui a tout fait. Ie ne pûs supporter ce -blaspheme, ie luy dis tout haut, que s'il estoit en France on le feroit -mourir. Au reste qu'il se mocquast de moy tant qu'il voudroit, que ie -le souffrirois: mais qu'il me tueroit & massacreroit plustost, que -d'endurer qu'il se rist de mon Dieu où ie ferois present; qu'il ne -porteroit pas loing ceste impudence, Dieu estant assez puissant pour le -brusler, & le ietter dans les enfers, s'il continuoit ses blasphemes. -Il ne tint iamais plus ces discours deuãt moy; mais en mon absence, il -ne relaschoit rien de ses boufonneries & de ses impietez. Dieu n'a pas -manqué de l'attraper; car l'année n'estoit pas [49] encore expirée, -que le feu s'estant mis en sa cabane, ie ne sçay par quel accident, -il a esté tout grillé, rosty, & miserablement bruslé, à ce que m'ont -rapporté les Sauuages, non sans estonnement. - - I will relate in this place the manifest chastisement which God has - drawn down upon the wretched Sorcerer and his brother, of whom I - spoke very fully in the Relation of last year. This wicked man, in - order to displease me, [48] occasionally made attacks upon God, as - I have said. One day he said to the Savages in my presence, "I have - to-day made a great deal of sport of the one whom the black robe - tells us has made all things." I could not stand this blasphemy, - and told him aloud that, if he were in France, they would put him - to death; furthermore, that he might sneer at me as much as he - pleased and I would endure it, but that he might better kill and - murder me than to expect me to suffer him to mock my God when I - was present; that he would not continue much longer with this - impertinence, for God was powerful enough to burn and cast him into - hell, if he kept on with his blasphemies. He never again spoke - in this way before me, but in my absence he did not in the least - refrain from his scoffing and impious speeches. God did not fail to - strike him; for the year had not [49] yet expired, when his cabin - took fire, I know not how, and he was dreadfully scorched, roasted - and burned, as it was related to me by the Savages, not without - wonder. - -Ils m'ont dit encor que Mestigoü lequel i'auois pris pour mon hoste -a esté noyé; i'aurois bien plus souhaitté que Dieu leur eust touché -le cœur; i'ay esté marry particulierement de mon hoste; car il auoit -de bonnes inclinations; mais s'estant mocqué en quelque compagnie de -Sauuages des prieres que ie leur auois fait faire en nostre extremité, -il a esté enueloppé dans la mesme vengeance, tombant dans vne maladie -qui luy fit perdre l'esprit, si bien qu'il couroit çà & là tout nud -comme vn fol; s'estant trouué de basse mer sur le bord du grand fleuue, -la marée montante l'a etouffé [50] dans ses eaux. - - They told me also, that Mestigoü, whom I had taken for my host, - was drowned. I would much rather God had touched their hearts; - I have been particularly grieved about my host, for he had good - inclinations; but having sneered, in company with some of the - Savages, at the prayers I had made them say in the time of our - great need, he was involved in the same vengeance. Falling ill of - a disease which made him lose his reason, so that he ran hither - and thither naked, like a madman, he found himself upon the shore - of the great river, at low tide; and, when the tide arose, he was - smothered [50] in the waters. - -Quasi tous ceux qui estoient dans la cabanne où le Sorcier m'a assez -mal traité, font morts qui d'vn costé, qui de l'autre, & tous d'vne -mort deplorable. Il n'y a que trois iours qu'on m'a amené le fils du -Sorcier pour le mettre dans vn Seminaire que nous voulons commencer; -i'auois grand desir de le prendre, & de luy faire autant de bien, que -son pere m'a fait de mal; mais comme il a les escroüelles d'vne façon -fort horrible auprés de l'oreille, la crainte que nous auons en qu'il -ne donnast ce mal aux petits garçons, que nous tenons en nostre Maison, -nous l'a fait éconduire. Monsieur Gand, homme tout a fait charitable, -fait penser & pense luy-mesme cét enfant; s'il guerit nous le mettrons -en nostre Seminaire. - - Almost all of those who were in the cabin where the Sorcerer - treated me so badly, have died, some here, some there, and all - by a lamentable death. Only three days ago they brought me the - Sorcerer's son, to have him put in a Seminary we intend to - establish; I was very anxious to take him, and to do him as much - good as his father had done me evil; but, as he has a most horrible - scrofulous affection near the ear, we were afraid he would give the - disease to the little boys we have in our House, and so we refused - him. Monsieur Gand,[22] a very charitable man, has this child's - sores dressed and dresses them himself; if he recovers, we will - place him in our Seminary. - -Quant à l'Apostat, il nous est venu [51] voir, faisãt mine de se -vouloir recõcilier à l'Eglise; nous luy auons demandé quelques preuues -de sa bonne volõté; sçauoir est qu'il nous vint voir non dans la -famine des Sauuages, qui luy fait rechercher les François, mais dans -leur abondance: que s'il retourne en ce temps-là, nous le receurons & -retiendrons quelques mois auant que de luy donner l'entrée de l'Eglise. - - As to the Apostate, he came [51] to see us, pretending that he - wished to be reconciled to the Church; we demanded some proof of - his good will; namely, that he should come to see us, not when - the Savages were having a famine, which forced him to seek the - French, but in the time of their abundance; if he returns then, we - will receive him, and keep him several months before giving him - permission to enter the Church. - - - - -BIBLIOGRAPHICAL DATA: VOL VII - - -XXIII - -See Volume VI. for particulars of this document. - - -XXIV - -The original of Le Jeune's letter to Cardinal Richelieu, dated at -Quebec, August 1, 1635, is in the Archives of Foreign Affairs, at -Paris. We follow a transcript of the document, in the library of the -Dominion Parliament, Ottawa. So far as we are aware, this is its first -publication. - - -XXV - -As will be seen from the Preface to the present volume, this document, -which for convenience is designated by bibliographers as Le Jeune's -_Relation_ of 1635, is, like most of the Cramoisys, a composite. It is -often referred to as "H. 63," because described in Harrisse's _Notes_, -no. 63. - -For the text of this document, we have had recourse to a copy in the -Lenox Library. - -_Collation:_ Title, with verso blank, 1 l.; "Table des Chapitres," pp. -(2); Relation signed by Le Jeune and eighteen of his confrères, pp. -1-112; Brébeuf's Huron Relation, pp. 113-206; Perrault's Relation of -Cape Breton, pp. 207-219; "Divers Sentimens," pp. 220-246; "Extraict du -Priuilege du Roy," with the "Approbation" on the verso, 1 l. There is -no misnumeration. - -The (civil) Privilege for this volume is dated January 12, 1636, and -the (ecclesiastical) Approbation January 15, 1635. This apparent -discrepancy arises from difference in the calendar: the civil -authorities were using the present calendar; whereas the officers of -the church were still clinging to the old ecclesiastical year, which -began in March. The Approbation of the Jesuit provincial was granted -three days after the granting of the royal Privilege. - -Another edition of this _Relation_ appears in the octavo volume -published at Avignon, also in 1636, and containing the _Relations_ -for 1634 and 1635 conjunctively. The volume is described in the -Bibliographical Data for document XXIII., in Volume VI., p. 321, of the -present series. - -There are at least two issues of the Paris edition. We note the -following differences: - - | - FIRST ISSUE. |SECOND ISSUE. - | - | - P. 82, reads: _Miriuan |P. 82, reads. _Mirinan oukachigakhi - oukachigakhi nimitchiminon._ |nimitchiminan_. - | - P. 90, reads: On l'appelle Rat |P. 90, reads: On l'appelle Rat - musqué, pource qu'en effect les |musqué, pource qu'en effect vne - testicules pris au Printemps |partie de son corps prise au - sentent le musc, en autre temps |Printemps sent le musc, en autre - ils n'ont point d'odeur. |temps elle n'a point d'odeur. - | - P. 91, the first paragraph ends |P. 91, the first paragraph ends - with: "coste de l'Acadie." |with: "coste de l'Acadie à Mr le - |Com. de Razilly." - -The Avignon edition follows the wording of the first Paris issue, -though it deviates somewhat in the matter of paragraphing; _cf._, -_e.g._, pp. 127 and 199 of the Paris edition with pp. 345 (mispaged -245) and 388 of the Avignon edition. - -The Quebec reprint (1858) follows the text of the second Paris issue. - -The only copy of the Avignon edition, known to us, is in the Lenox -Library. Copies of the Paris edition are in the following libraries: -Lenox (two issues), Harvard, Riggs (Georgetown University), Brown, -British Museum, and Bibliothèque Nationale. Copies have been sold or -priced as follows: Leclerq (1878), no. 778, 140 francs; O'Callaghan -(1882), no. 1214, $35--it had cost him $32.50 in gold; Barlow (1889), -no. 1275, $12.50; Dufossé, of Paris, priced (1891-1893) at 300 and 400 -francs. - - - - -NOTES TO VOL. VII - -(_Figures in parentheses, following number of note, refer to pages of -English text._) - - -1 (p. 15).--_Matachias_: ornaments of shell, beads, etc.; see vol. ii., -_note_ 17. - -2 (p. 31).--Cf. vol. ii., page 67, where Plaisance is called -_Præsentis_ by the natives. - -3 (p. 39).--_Mille-pertuis_: literally, "a thousand holes," referring -to the appearance of transparent points in the leaves, caused by cells -filled with volatile oil; a name applied to the genus _Hypericum_. - -4 (p. 171).--Concerning these Iroquois prisoners, see Le Jeune's -_Relation_ of 1632 (vol. v., of this series, pp. 27-31, 45-49). - -5 (p. 209).--This was the Hébert-Couillard family. Hébert (see vol. -ii., _note_ 80) bore the title of Sieur de l'Espinay (or L'Epinay), to -which, upon his death (1627), his son-in-law Couillard succeeded. - -6 (p. 211).--The Moulin Baude River, in Saguenay county, Que., enters -the St. Lawrence four miles below Tadoussac. It is noted for the fine -quarry of white statuary marble near its mouth. - -7 (p. 211).--For sketch of Lalemant, see vol. iv., _note_ 20. The lay -brother, Jean Liégeois, was long a useful member of the mission; he had -charge of the construction of the college at Quebec, and also erected -at Three Rivers the house and chapel occupied by the mission there. -He was several times sent to France on the business of the mission. -He was slain by the Iroquois, May 29, 1655, while superintending the -construction of a fort near Sillery, for the defence of the native -converts there resident. - -8 (p. 213).--See sketch of Giffard in vol. vi., _note_ 8. Ferland says -(_Cours d'Histoire_, vol. i., pp. 265-267): "This edifice [Champlain's -chapel, built in 1633] was not long adequate for the French population, -which was every year increased by the arrival of new colonists; and in -a short time it became necessary to make a considerable enlargement of -the building.... The return of the French to Canada had produced such -a movement in the maritime provinces of Western France, and especially -in Normandy. From all sides came offers of aid; pious persons sent -charitable gifts, either for the missions, or for the instruction -of the French and the savages. In many communities, nuns offered -themselves to nurse the sick, or to educate young girls; some even -were pledged to this work by vows. Christian families, desiring to -seek peace in the solitudes of the new world, asked for information -as to the advantages that Canada could offer them. This interest was -aroused by the relations that the Jesuits sent in 1632 and 1633. These -being published, and disseminated in Paris and the provinces, had drawn -public attention to the colony. From Dieppe, from Rouen, from Honfleur, -and from Cherbourg, went forth many young men to seek their fortunes on -the shores of the St. Lawrence; many heads of families followed them; -and soon the movement spread to Perche, to Beauce, and to the Isle of -France. To render emigration easier, associations were formed. One of -the most successful was established, at Mortagne, in 1634, under the -direction of Sieur Robert Giffard." - -9 (p. 213).--For sketch of Buteux, see vol. vi., _note_ 5. - -10 (p. 213).--This paragraph occurs, in the text we follow, on page -327, after the paragraph ending, "apres avoir cruellement massacré -les autres." But in the second (Paris) issue, and in those of Quebec -and Avignon, it is found as here given. The latter arrangement is -undoubtedly correct, for St. John Baptist's day occurred on June 24, -not on July 24. - -11 (p. 213).--For sketch of Brébeuf, see vol. iv., _note_ 30; of Daniel -and Davost, vol. v., _notes_ 31, 32; of the foundation of Three Rivers -settlement, vol. iv., _note_ 24. - -12 (p. 215).--For sketch of Louis Amantacha, see vol. v., _note_ 20. - -13 (p. 229).--Concerning this Sainte Croix Island, see vol. ii., _note_ -66. - -14 (p. 233).--The Frenchman murdered by the Hurons was Étienne Brulé -(see vol. v., _note_ 37). Concerning Nicolas Viel, see vol. iv., _note_ -25. - -15 (p. 235).--This Table of Chapters is not in the first issue; we copy -it from the second issue (see Bibliographical Data, vol. vi., doc. -xxiii). - -16 (p. 239).--This "poison" was the Huguenot or "reformed" faith. The -third Huguenot war had ended with the surrender of La Rochelle, Oct. -29, 1628. The edict of Nismes (July, 1629) was one of amnesty and -pacification; and under Richelieu's administration, until his death -(Dec. 4, 1642), the Huguenots were fairly sheltered and prosperous. -Richelieu had said to the Protestant ministers of Montauban, upon the -capitulation of that city: "I shall make no discrimination between -the King's subjects, save as to their loyalty. This loyalty being -henceforth common to the adherents of both religions, I shall help both -equally, and with the same affection." Baird says that the cardinal was -honest in this declaration, and that his treatment of the Protestants -was, on the whole, tolerably impartial. Still, they were, since -their defeat, deprived of all political and military power; and court -influences were often unfavorable and even hostile to them. Numerous -restrictions were laid upon their assemblies, the functions of their -pastors, and the erection or restoration of their churches,--in some -cases nullifying the provisions of the edict of Nismes. It is doubtless -these restrictions for which Le Jeune commends Richelieu. The condition -of the Huguenots at this time, and Richelieu's policy toward them, are -discussed at length in Baird's _Huguenots and the Revocation_ (N. Y., -1895), vol. i., pp. 343-359. A detailed account of the war above -referred to (in which Charles I. of England at first assisted the -Huguenots), with the text of the edict of Nismes, is given in _Merc. -François_, vol. xv. (1629), pp. 227-565. - -17 (p. 241).--_This recommendation_ was the "passport" given to the -Jesuits by Richelieu (see vol. v., _note_ 2). - -18 (p. 257).--Le Jeune's expectations were somewhat too sanguine. The -Company of New France (see vol. iv., _note_ 21) was expending enormous -sums on its Canadian enterprise; but these were directed more to the -extension of its own commerce than to the development of the country. -The reasons for its policy are thus concisely explained by Faillon -(_Col. Fr._, vol. i., pp. 333, 334): "Unfortunately, this Company, -although numbering over one hundred members, taken from the magistrates -and wealthy merchants of the Kingdom, had only about 300,000 livres of -capital,--each of the members being obliged to put in 3,000 livres. -These funds were moreover, diminished not only by the losses that the -company suffered at the hands of the English, in its first equipment, -but by the indemnity demanded by De Caen for the abandonment of his -pretensions to New France. But, as most of these Associates were -unacquainted with business, there was formed, within the company -itself, another and private company, which took charge of the trade, -and established a fund of 100,000 francs for its own interests. Thus -Champlain put 3,000 livres into the funds of the general company, and -800 livres into those of the other. This active association was obliged -to pay the salary of the Governor, and furnish him with provisions; to -support garrisons in the country, and furnish all military supplies; -and to be responsible for keeping the storehouses in repair. In order -to cover its expenses, it had exclusive possession of the trade in -peltries, which had been transferred to it by the larger company, on -condition that the surplus of profits should belong to the general -association. The result was that the entire management of affairs was -in the hands of merchants, who became by this arrangement the prime -movers of all the company's operations; and it was difficult for them -to enter into views so pure and disinterested as those that the other -Associates had entertained in its formation." Cf. _Merc. François_, -vol. xix., pp. 837, 838. - -19 (p. 263).--Information regarding the establishment of these missions -(excepting that at Miscou), has been given in notes to preceding -volumes.--See vol. iv., _notes_ 20 (N. D. de Récouvrance), 24 (Three -Rivers), 30 (Ihonatiria), 46 (Ste. Anne); and vol. vi., _note_ 7 (N. D. -des Anges). At the end of the present _Relation_ (1635), Le Jeune gives -Perrault's description of the island and people of Cape Breton. The -mission of St. Charles was established for the benefit of the Frenchmen -who occupied the important post of Miscou, an island at the entrance of -the Bay of Chaleurs, much frequented by fishermen. Turgis and Du Marché -were sent thither in 1634; the latter returned to Quebec at the end of -a year, but Turgis remained until his death, May 4, 1637. - -20 (p. 265).--For account of Marquis de Gamache, see vol vi., _note_ -9. The other missions were supported by the Company of New France, in -accordance with the terms granted it by the royal edict; see _Merc. -François_, vol. xiv. (1628), p. 237. - -21 (p. 297).--_Bissiriniens_: the Nipissings, also called by the French -"Nation des Sorciers" (see vol. v., _note_ 19). - -22 (p. 303).--François Derré (or De Ré), sieur de Gand; one of the -Hundred Associates, and commissary general of the company as early as -1635. In 1637, having obtained certain lands adjoining those granted to -the Jesuits at Sillery, he donated them to the mission; in 1640, he had -charge of the notarial record-office. His death occurred in May, 1641. - - -Transcriber's Note. - -Variable spelling and hyphenation have been retained. Minor punctuation -inconsistencies have been silently repaired. - - -Corrections. - -The first line indicates the original, the second the correction. - -p. 312: - - (see vol. v., _note_ 18) - (see vol. v., _note_ 19) - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Jesuit Relations and Allied -Documents, Vol. VII, by Various - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK JESUIT RELATIONS *** - -***** This file should be named 53138-0.txt or 53138-0.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/3/1/3/53138/ - -Produced by Karl Hagen, Eleni Christofaki and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by the Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions -(www.canadiana.org)) - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part -of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm -concept and trademark. Project Gutenberg is a registered trademark, -and may not be used if you charge for the eBooks, unless you receive -specific permission. If you do not charge anything for copies of this -eBook, complying with the rules is very easy. You may use this eBook -for nearly any purpose such as creation of derivative works, reports, -performances and research. They may be modified and printed and given -away--you may do practically ANYTHING in the United States with eBooks -not protected by U.S. copyright law. Redistribution is subject to the -trademark license, especially commercial redistribution. - -START: FULL LICENSE - -THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE -PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK - -To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free -distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work -(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full -Project Gutenberg-tm License available with this file or online at -www.gutenberg.org/license. - -Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works - -1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to -and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property -(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all -the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or -destroy all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your -possession. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a -Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound -by the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the -person or entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph -1.E.8. - -1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be -used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who -agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few -things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See -paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this -agreement and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works. See paragraph 1.E below. - -1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the -Foundation" or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection -of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual -works in the collection are in the public domain in the United -States. If an individual work is unprotected by copyright law in the -United States and you are located in the United States, we do not -claim a right to prevent you from copying, distributing, performing, -displaying or creating derivative works based on the work as long as -all references to Project Gutenberg are removed. Of course, we hope -that you will support the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting -free access to electronic works by freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm -works in compliance with the terms of this agreement for keeping the -Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with the work. You can easily -comply with the terms of this agreement by keeping this work in the -same format with its attached full Project Gutenberg-tm License when -you share it without charge with others. - -1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern -what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are -in a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, -check the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this -agreement before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, -distributing or creating derivative works based on this work or any -other Project Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no -representations concerning the copyright status of any work in any -country outside the United States. - -1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: - -1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other -immediate access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear -prominently whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work -on which the phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the -phrase "Project Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, -performed, viewed, copied or distributed: - - This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and - most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no - restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it - under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this - eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the - United States, you'll have to check the laws of the country where you - are located before using this ebook. - -1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is -derived from texts not protected by U.S. copyright law (does not -contain a notice indicating that it is posted with permission of the -copyright holder), the work can be copied and distributed to anyone in -the United States without paying any fees or charges. If you are -redistributing or providing access to a work with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the work, you must comply -either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 or -obtain permission for the use of the work and the Project Gutenberg-tm -trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted -with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution -must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any -additional terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms -will be linked to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works -posted with the permission of the copyright holder found at the -beginning of this work. - -1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm -License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this -work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. - -1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this -electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without -prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with -active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project -Gutenberg-tm License. - -1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, -compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including -any word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access -to or distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format -other than "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official -version posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site -(www.gutenberg.org), you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense -to the user, provide a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means -of obtaining a copy upon request, of the work in its original "Plain -Vanilla ASCII" or other form. Any alternate format must include the -full Project Gutenberg-tm License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. - -1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, -performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works -unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing -access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -provided that - -* You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from - the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method - you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is owed - to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he has - agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments must be paid - within 60 days following each date on which you prepare (or are - legally required to prepare) your periodic tax returns. Royalty - payments should be clearly marked as such and sent to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the address specified in - Section 4, "Information about donations to the Project Gutenberg - Literary Archive Foundation." - -* You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies - you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he - does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm - License. You must require such a user to return or destroy all - copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and discontinue - all use of and all access to other copies of Project Gutenberg-tm - works. - -* You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of - any money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the - electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days of - receipt of the work. - -* You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free - distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. - -1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work or group of works on different terms than -are set forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing -from both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and The -Project Gutenberg Trademark LLC, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm -trademark. Contact the Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. - -1.F. - -1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable -effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread -works not protected by U.S. copyright law in creating the Project -Gutenberg-tm collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may -contain "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate -or corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other -intellectual property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or -other medium, a computer virus, or computer codes that damage or -cannot be read by your equipment. - -1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right -of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project -Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all -liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal -fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT -LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE -PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE -TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE -LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR -INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH -DAMAGE. - -1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a -defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can -receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a -written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you -received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium -with your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you -with the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in -lieu of a refund. If you received the work electronically, the person -or entity providing it to you may choose to give you a second -opportunity to receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If -the second copy is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing -without further opportunities to fix the problem. - -1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth -in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS', WITH NO -OTHER WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT -LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. - -1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied -warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of -damages. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement -violates the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the -agreement shall be interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or -limitation permitted by the applicable state law. The invalidity or -unenforceability of any provision of this agreement shall not void the -remaining provisions. - -1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the -trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone -providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in -accordance with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the -production, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, -including legal fees, that arise directly or indirectly from any of -the following which you do or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this -or any Project Gutenberg-tm work, (b) alteration, modification, or -additions or deletions to any Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any -Defect you cause. - -Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm - -Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of -electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of -computers including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It -exists because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations -from people in all walks of life. - -Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the -assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's -goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will -remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure -and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future -generations. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation and how your efforts and donations can help, see -Sections 3 and 4 and the Foundation information page at -www.gutenberg.org Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation - -The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit -501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the -state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal -Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification -number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent permitted by -U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. - -The Foundation's principal office is in Fairbanks, Alaska, with the -mailing address: PO Box 750175, Fairbanks, AK 99775, but its -volunteers and employees are scattered throughout numerous -locations. Its business office is located at 809 North 1500 West, Salt -Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887. Email contact links and up to -date contact information can be found at the Foundation's web site and -official page at www.gutenberg.org/contact - -For additional contact information: - - Dr. Gregory B. Newby - Chief Executive and Director - gbnewby@pglaf.org - -Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation - -Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide -spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of -increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be -freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest -array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations -($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt -status with the IRS. - -The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating -charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United -States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a -considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up -with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations -where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To SEND -DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any particular -state visit www.gutenberg.org/donate - -While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we -have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition -against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who -approach us with offers to donate. - -International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make -any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from -outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. - -Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation -methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other -ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. To -donate, please visit: www.gutenberg.org/donate - -Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works. - -Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project -Gutenberg-tm concept of a library of electronic works that could be -freely shared with anyone. For forty years, he produced and -distributed Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of -volunteer support. - -Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed -editions, all of which are confirmed as not protected by copyright in -the U.S. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not -necessarily keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper -edition. - -Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search -facility: www.gutenberg.org - -This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. - |