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'y146fit 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.
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'y146fit 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.
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 nomméIesvs: 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 donc148l'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 tousnimiroueritenan, nimiroueritenan, nous en sommes cõtens, nous en sõmes contens. Ie me mets le premier150à 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.
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 nomméIesvs: 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 donc148l'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 tousnimiroueritenan, nimiroueritenan, nous en sommes cõtens, nous en sõmes contens. Ie me mets le premier150à 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, calledJESUS, 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 nota 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, andwithout 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.
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, calledJESUS, 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 nota 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, andwithout 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. OIesvs, 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.
Mon Seigneur qui auez tout fait, qui voyez tout, & qui cognoissez tout, faites nous misericorde. OIesvs, 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. OJesus, 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."
"My Lord, you who have made all, who see all and who know all, have pity upon us. OJesus, 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, profera152la suiuante, que ie prononçois deuant-eux fort posément.
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, profera152la 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 ofthem 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.
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 ofthem 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.
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."
"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.
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.
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.
NouKhimame missi caKhichitaien missi,Mon Capitaine tout qui as fait tout,Khesteritamen missi, ouia batamen chaoueriminan.qui sçais tout, qui vois, aye pitié de nous.Iesus oucouchichai missi ca nitaouitátIesus Fils out qui a faict[278]Niran ca outchi, arichiirinicasouien, nirande nous qui à cause es fait hõme de nous154ca outchi, iriniouien iscouechich, niran caqui à cause es né d'vne fille de nous, quioutchi nipien, niran ca outchi ouascoukhi,à cause es mort de no⁹, qui à cause au cielitoutaien; egouKhisitaie, nitichenicassouiniki,es allé ainsi tu disois en mon nomKhegoueia netou tamagaouian niga chaoueriKan,quelque chose si ie suis requis i'ẽ auray pitié,khitaia mihitin naspich ou mitchimi,ie te prie entierement la nourriturea richiriniou miri, ca ouitapouetasc,à ce peuple dõne qui veux croire en toy,ca ouipamitasc, arichirinioukhiticouqui te veux obeyr, ce peuple te ditnaspich, ouitchihienkhigatapouetatinentièrement, si tu m'ayde ie te croyraynaspich, khiga pamtatim naspich, Noukhimameparfaitemẽt ie t'obeïray entieremẽt mon Capitainechaoueritamitaouitou, ouiaye pitié de ce que ie dis, si tumichoutchi nipousin, iterimienveux en contrechãge ma mort penserouirouau mag iriniouisonan, egou inousin.quant à eux qu'ils viuent, ainsi soit-il.
NouKhimame missi caKhichitaien missi,Mon Capitaine tout qui as fait tout,Khesteritamen missi, ouia batamen chaoueriminan.qui sçais tout, qui vois, aye pitié de nous.Iesus oucouchichai missi ca nitaouitátIesus Fils out qui a faict[278]Niran ca outchi, arichiirinicasouien, nirande nous qui à cause es fait hõme de nous154ca outchi, iriniouien iscouechich, niran caqui à cause es né d'vne fille de nous, quioutchi nipien, niran ca outchi ouascoukhi,à cause es mort de no⁹, qui à cause au cielitoutaien; egouKhisitaie, nitichenicassouiniki,es allé ainsi tu disois en mon nomKhegoueia netou tamagaouian niga chaoueriKan,quelque chose si ie suis requis i'ẽ auray pitié,khitaia mihitin naspich ou mitchimi,ie te prie entierement la nourriturea richiriniou miri, ca ouitapouetasc,à ce peuple dõne qui veux croire en toy,ca ouipamitasc, arichirinioukhiticouqui te veux obeyr, ce peuple te ditnaspich, ouitchihienkhigatapouetatinentièrement, si tu m'ayde ie te croyraynaspich, khiga pamtatim naspich, Noukhimameparfaitemẽt ie t'obeïray entieremẽt mon Capitainechaoueritamitaouitou, ouiaye pitié de ce que ie dis, si tumichoutchi nipousin, iterimienveux en contrechãge ma mort penserouirouau mag iriniouisonan, egou inousin.quant à eux qu'ils viuent, ainsi soit-il.
NouKhimame missi caKhichitaien missi,
Mon Capitaine tout qui as fait tout,
Khesteritamen 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
154ca outchi, iriniouien iscouechich, niran ca
qui à cause es né d'vne fille de nous, qui
outchi nipien, niran ca outchi ouascoukhi,
à cause es mort de no⁹, qui à cause au ciel
itoutaien; egouKhisitaie, nitichenicassouiniki,
es allé ainsi tu disois en mon nom
Khegoueia netou tamagaouian niga chaoueriKan,
quelque chose si ie suis requis i'ẽ auray pitié,
khitaia 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, arichirinioukhiticou
qui te veux obeyr, ce peuple te dit
naspich, ouitchihienkhigatapouetatin
entièrement, si tu m'ayde ie te croyray
naspich, khiga pamtatim naspich, Noukhimame
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, allKhesteritamen missi, ouia batamen chaoueriminan.who knowest, all who seest, have pity on us.Jesus oucouchichai missi ca nitaouitâtJesus, the Son all who has made[278]Niran ca outchi, arichiirinicasouien, niranof us who because art made man, of usca outchi, iriniouien iscouechich, niran cawho because art born of a maiden, of us whooutchi nipien, niran ca outchi ouascoukhi,because hast died, of us who because to heavenitoutaien; egou Khisitaie, nitichenicassouiniki,art gone; thus thou saidst, in my nameKhegoueia 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 fooda richiriniou miri, ca ouitapouetasc,to these people give, who wish to believe in thee,ca ouipamitasc, arichiriniou khiticiouwho wish to obey thee; these people say to theenaspich, ouitchihien khigatapouetatinwholly, if thou aidest me I will believe theenaspich, khiga pamtatim naspich, Noukhimameperfectly I will obey thee entirely my Captainchaoueritamitaouitou ouihave pity upon what I say, if thoumichoutchi nipousin, iterimienwish in exchange my death take careouironau mag iriniouisonan, egou inousin.as to them that they may live, so be it.
Noukhimame missi ca Khichitaien missi,My Captain all who hast made, allKhesteritamen missi, ouia batamen chaoueriminan.who knowest, all who seest, have pity on us.Jesus oucouchichai missi ca nitaouitâtJesus, the Son all who has made[278]Niran ca outchi, arichiirinicasouien, niranof us who because art made man, of usca outchi, iriniouien iscouechich, niran cawho because art born of a maiden, of us whooutchi nipien, niran ca outchi ouascoukhi,because hast died, of us who because to heavenitoutaien; egou Khisitaie, nitichenicassouiniki,art gone; thus thou saidst, in my nameKhegoueia 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 fooda richiriniou miri, ca ouitapouetasc,to these people give, who wish to believe in thee,ca ouipamitasc, arichiriniou khiticiouwho wish to obey thee; these people say to theenaspich, ouitchihien khigatapouetatinwholly, if thou aidest me I will believe theenaspich, khiga pamtatim naspich, Noukhimameperfectly I will obey thee entirely my Captainchaoueritamitaouitou ouihave pity upon what I say, if thoumichoutchi nipousin, iterimienwish in exchange my death take careouironau mag iriniouisonan, egou inousin.as to them that they may live, so be it.
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]KhicheouKhimancakhichitaienouascou,Grand Capitaine qui as faict le Cielmag asti, missikhikhisteriten,missi& la Terre tout tu sçais toute chose,Khipicoutan, khititinnaspich, tantétu fais bien ie te dis entierement commentbona oukhiran?khititin naspich, ouipourrois-je mẽtir? ie te dis sãs feintise simiriatchi nimitchiminan, ochitau156tu no⁹ veux dõner nostre nourriture touttapouékhigapamitatin, ochitau,expres asseurement ie t'obeïray touttapouéKhigatapouetatin,Khititinexpres, en verité ie te croiray, ie te le disnaspich, niga tin missi,Khéeitigaouané;entieremẽt, ie feray tout ce qu'õ me dirakhirkhe,outchiKhian,ouitchihinan,de toy à cause ie le feray ayde nouskhigakhiouitchi hinan, naspich nigatu nous peux ayder absolument ie feraytin missi, khéeitigaouanékhirKhe,outchitout ce qu'on me dira de toy à causekhian,Khititin naspich; namaie le feray ie te le dis sans feintise, ie nenikhirassin,namakhinitakhirassicatin,mens pas, ie ne te sçaurois mentir,ouitchihinankhigaitapouetatinan naspich;ayde nous affin que nous te croyons parfaictemẽt,[280]ouichihinan mag missi iriniouakhiayde nous puis de tous les hõmesouetchi nipouané. Egou inousin.à cause tu es mort, ainsi soit-il.
Voicy celle qu'ils prononcerent.
[279]KhicheouKhimancakhichitaienouascou,Grand Capitaine qui as faict le Cielmag asti, missikhikhisteriten,missi& la Terre tout tu sçais toute chose,Khipicoutan, khititinnaspich, tantétu fais bien ie te dis entierement commentbona oukhiran?khititin naspich, ouipourrois-je mẽtir? ie te dis sãs feintise simiriatchi nimitchiminan, ochitau156tu no⁹ veux dõner nostre nourriture touttapouékhigapamitatin, ochitau,expres asseurement ie t'obeïray touttapouéKhigatapouetatin,Khititinexpres, en verité ie te croiray, ie te le disnaspich, niga tin missi,Khéeitigaouané;entieremẽt, ie feray tout ce qu'õ me dirakhirkhe,outchiKhian,ouitchihinan,de toy à cause ie le feray ayde nouskhigakhiouitchi hinan, naspich nigatu nous peux ayder absolument ie feraytin missi, khéeitigaouanékhirKhe,outchitout ce qu'on me dira de toy à causekhian,Khititin naspich; namaie le feray ie te le dis sans feintise, ie nenikhirassin,namakhinitakhirassicatin,mens pas, ie ne te sçaurois mentir,ouitchihinankhigaitapouetatinan naspich;ayde nous affin que nous te croyons parfaictemẽt,[280]ouichihinan mag missi iriniouakhiayde nous puis de tous les hõmesouetchi nipouané. Egou inousin.à cause tu es mort, ainsi soit-il.
[279]KhicheouKhimancakhichitaienouascou,
Grand Capitaine qui as faict le Ciel
mag asti, missikhikhisteriten,missi
& la Terre tout tu sçais toute chose,
Khipicoutan, khititinnaspich, tanté
tu fais bien ie te dis entierement comment
bona oukhiran?khititin naspich, oui
pourrois-je mẽtir? ie te dis sãs feintise si
miriatchi nimitchiminan, ochitau
156tu no⁹ veux dõner nostre nourriture tout
tapouékhigapamitatin, ochitau,
expres asseurement ie t'obeïray tout
tapouéKhigatapouetatin,Khititin
expres, en verité ie te croiray, ie te le dis
naspich, niga tin missi,Khéeitigaouané;
entieremẽt, ie feray tout ce qu'õ me dira
khirkhe,outchiKhian,ouitchihinan,
de toy à cause ie le feray ayde nous
khigakhiouitchi hinan, naspich niga
tu nous peux ayder absolument ie feray
tin missi, khéeitigaouanékhirKhe,outchi
tout ce qu'on me dira de toy à cause
khian,Khititin naspich; nama
ie le feray ie te le dis sans feintise, ie ne
nikhirassin,namakhinitakhirassicatin,
mens pas, ie ne te sçaurois mentir,
ouitchihinankhigaitapouetatinan naspich;
ayde nous affin que nous te croyons parfaictemẽt,
[280]ouichihinan mag missi iriniouakhi
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 Skymag asti, missi khikhisteriten, missiand the Earth, all thou knowest, everythingKhipicoutan, khititin naspich, tantéthou doest well I say to thee wholly howbona oukhiran? khititin naspich, ouicould I lie? I tell thee without pretence ifmiriatchi nimitchiminan, ochitauthou wilt give us our food quitetapoué khiga pamitatin, ochitau,positively surely I will obey thee quitetapoué Khiga tapouetatin, Khititincertainly truly I will believe in thee, I tell it theenaspich, niga tin missi Khé eitigaouané;wholly, I will do all that they shall tell mekhir khe, outchi Khian, ouitchihinan,of thee because I will do it, help uskhiga khi ouitchi hinan, naspich nigathou canst help us absolutely I will dotin missi, khe eitigaouané khir Khe, outchiall that which they shall tell me of thee becausekhian, Khititin naspich; namaI will do it I tell it thee without pretence, I do notnikhirassin, nama khinita khirassicatin,lie, I could not to thee lie,ouitchihinan khigai tapouetatinan naspich;help us that we may believe thee perfectly,[280]ouichihinan mag missi iriniouakhihelp us then of all the menouetchi nipouané. Egou inousin.because thou art dead, Amen.
And here is the one they repeated.
[279]Khicheoukhiman ca khichitaien ouascou,Great Captain who hast made the Skymag asti, missi khikhisteriten, missiand the Earth, all thou knowest, everythingKhipicoutan, khititin naspich, tantéthou doest well I say to thee wholly howbona oukhiran? khititin naspich, ouicould I lie? I tell thee without pretence ifmiriatchi nimitchiminan, ochitauthou wilt give us our food quitetapoué khiga pamitatin, ochitau,positively surely I will obey thee quitetapoué Khiga tapouetatin, Khititincertainly truly I will believe in thee, I tell it theenaspich, niga tin missi Khé eitigaouané;wholly, I will do all that they shall tell mekhir khe, outchi Khian, ouitchihinan,of thee because I will do it, help uskhiga khi ouitchi hinan, naspich nigathou canst help us absolutely I will dotin missi, khe eitigaouané khir Khe, outchiall that which they shall tell me of thee becausekhian, Khititin naspich; namaI will do it I tell it thee without pretence, I do notnikhirassin, nama khinita khirassicatin,lie, I could not to thee lie,ouitchihinan khigai tapouetatinan naspich;help us that we may believe thee perfectly,[280]ouichihinan mag missi iriniouakhihelp us then of all the menouetchi nipouané. Egou inousin.because thou art dead, Amen.
[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
could I lie? I tell thee without pretence if
miriatchi nimitchiminan, ochitau
thou wilt give us 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;
help us that we may believe thee perfectly,
[280]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, &158découurit 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 ditsNicanis, 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'vne160façon 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.
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, &158découurit 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 ditsNicanis, 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'vne160façon 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 onthis 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 disposedto 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.
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 onthis 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 disposedto 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 autres162contre 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.
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 autres162contre 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.
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.
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.
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,164ie 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.
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,164ie 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."
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 comme166les 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.
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 comme166les 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.
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,Khikhirassin, me fit-il, tu as menty, si tost que vous leur dites quelque chose168qu'ils ne veulent point accorder ils vous payent de ceste monnoye.
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,Khikhirassin, me fit-il, tu as menty, si tost que vous leur dites quelque chose168qu'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 theSorcerer 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.
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 theSorcerer 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, opposantaltare 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.
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, opposantaltare 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, opposingaltare 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 asthey 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."
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, opposingaltare 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 asthey 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; La170premiere, 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.
Le iour que les trois Rois adorerent nostre Seigneur, nous receusmes trois mauuaises nouuelles; La170premiere, 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;4his 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.
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;4his 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 la172teste 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.
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 la172teste 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.