however, deceive myself. I had finally entered a land, the atre of so many sanguinary scenes. I was now on the very confines of these barbarous people, from which, possibly, I should never return I It not un f requently hapl.vns that in their unbridled fury when they hear some relative has been killed, the Blackfeet dispatch the first stranger they lp him - and then abandon to the wolves and dogs the palpitating limbs of the unfortunate victim of their
vengeance, hatred and superstition. I declare to you, I was beset by a thousand disquietudes concerning the fate that awaited me. Poor nature! this timid and fragile ineus honto is sometimes terrified. He would wish to look back and listen to dreams. My longing desires repeated incessantly -.4tivance! I placed my whole confidence in Godthe prayers of so many fervent souls encouraged and reanimated me; I resolved not to be deterred by an uncertain danger. The Lord can, when he pleases, mollify these pitiless and ferocious hearts. The salvation of souls is at stake, and the preservation of the Mission of St. Mary's depends on my proceeding; for there the incursions of the Blackfeet are very frequent. What consideration could deter me from a project which my heart had cherished, since my first visit among the mountains?
The 19th and 2oth, we followed the tracks of our unknown predecessors, and they appeared more and more recent. I dispatched my two guides to reconnoitre, and ascertain whom we were so closely pursuing. One of them returned the same evening, with the news that he had found a small camp of Assiniboins of the Forest; that they had been well received; that a disease reigned in the camp, of which two had lately died, and that they expressed great desire to see the Black-robe. The following morning joined them, and journeyed several days in company.
The Assiniboins of the Forest do not amount to more than fifty lodges or families, divided into several bands. They are seldom seen in the plains; the forest is their element, and