Every one hastened to greet me. It was the first visit of the kind they had received, and the following is the order they observed. Their chiefs and old then marched at the head; next came the young men and boys; then followed the women - mothers, young girls, and little children. I was conducted in triumph by this multitude to the lodge of the great chief. Here, as everywhere else in the Indian country, the everlasting calumet was first produced, which went round two or three times in the most profound silence.
The chief then addressed me, saying: " Black-robe, you are most welcome amongst us. We thank you for your
charity toward us. For a long time we have wished to see you, and hear the words which will give us understanding.
Our fathers invoked the sun and earth. I recollect very well when the knowledge of the true and one God came amongst them; since which time we have offered to him our prayers
and vows. We are, however, to be pitied. We do not know the word of the Great Spirit. All is darkness as yet to us, but to-day I hope we shall see the light shine. Speak, Black-robe, I have done -every one is anxious to hear you."
I spoke to them for two hours on salvation and the end of man's creation, and not one person stirred from his place the whole time of the instruction. As it was almost sunset, I recited the prayers that I had translated into their language a few clays before. After which I took some refreshments, consisting of fragments of dried meat and a piece of cooked
moss, tasting like soap and as black as pitch. All this, however, was as grateful to my palate as though it had been honey and sugar, not having eaten a mouthful since day
break. At their own request I then continued instructing the chiefs and their people until the night was far advanced. About every half hour I paused, and then the pipes would pass around to refresh the listeners and give time for reflection.
It was during these intervals that the chiefs conversed on what they had heard, and instructed and advised their