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.
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.
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,200& 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.
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,200& 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.
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 prisonniers202sur 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.
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 prisonniers202sur 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 toolittle 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.
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 toolittle 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 arriuanteco, 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 petite204maison, 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.
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 arriuanteco, 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 petite204maison, 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. Thereforewe went into a little cove, and slept upon the sand, near a good fire that we lighted.
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. Thereforewe 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 crieNicanis ouabichtigoueiaKhi ouabichtigoueiakhi, 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.
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 crieNicanis ouabichtigoueiaKhi ouabichtigoueiakhi, 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.
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.
206Ayans 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, criantCapatau, 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,nicaniskhegat 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. De208verité 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.
206Ayans 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, criantCapatau, 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,nicaniskhegat 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. De208verité 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 lightor 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 ourFrenchmen was drowned, under like circumstances, yet less dangerous, for there was no longer any ice.
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 lightor 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 ourFrenchmen 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.
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 country5also 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.
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 country5also 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 aura210reduites 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'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 aura210reduites 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.
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.
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.6They 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.7It 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.
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.6They 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.7It 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 le212Capitaine 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.
Le quatriéme iour de Iuin Feste de la Pentecoste le212Capitaine 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 thiscountry.8His 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.
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 thiscountry.8His 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.
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 Buteux9in 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
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 Buteux9in 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 aduertis214que 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.
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 aduertis214que 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.11They 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 surprisethem, they killed about two hundred of them, and took more than one hundred prisoners, Louys Amantacha12being 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.
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.11They 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 surprisethem, they killed about two hundred of them, and took more than one hundred prisoners, Louys Amantacha12being 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 le216desordre 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.
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 le216desordre 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 deathwere 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'Espinay5heard 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.
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 deathwere 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'Espinay5heard 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 de218toutes 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.
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 de218toutes 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. Afterthis 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."
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. Afterthis 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."
220Nous 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.
220Nous 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, asfar 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.
"We are going on by short stages, quite well, asfar 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.
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.
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 chemins222qui 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.
Ils ont trois cents lieuës à faire dans des chemins222qui 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.
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 &224auec tristessemessis, 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.
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 &224auec tristessemessis, 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.