ives. The chiefs interposed to save those who were under the
sacred protection of the calumet.

One young Indian, with vigorous arm and a gleaming knife, aimed a blow
at the heart of Lieutenant Tonti. As by a miracle, he escaped from
death. The blow struck him to the ground, and the blood gushed forth
from a fearful gash. But the point of the knife glanced from a rib, and
did not penetrate the heart. All this was the work of an instant. The
chiefs, veteran warriors, who had a reputation for honor to sustain,
promptly drew their knives, surrounded the envoys with their
protection, and drove off the assassins. Tenderly they bound up the
wound of Tonti, expressed to him their grief and indignation, assured
him that hostilities should cease and that they would immediately
withdraw, with their warriors, back to their own village.

The wounded lieutenant, aided by his clerical friend, returned to the
Illinois camp, with the glad tidings that the Iroquois had consented to
peace. Several hours passed, and the Iroquois bands, instead of
retiring, were continually drawing nearer, in a very suspicious manner,
apparently with the intention of surrounding the Illinois, and cutting
off their retreat. The Illinois chief held another council, and
requested Father Membre to go back to the Iroquois and inquire into the
reason of their conduct. Father Membre writes:

"This was not a very agreeable mission to a savage tribe.
Nevertheless, I made up my mind, and God preserved me from all
harm."

The chiefs received him kindly. They were ashamed of the course which
the warriors, notwithstanding their remonstrances, were pursuing. They
said to him frankly:

"Our real trouble is that we are starving. We expected to find abundant
food in the Illinois village, and have consumed all we brought with us.
Our march has frightened away the game, so that we can expect to find
but little on our return. We are in danger of perishing for want of
food."

Membre brought back this message. At his suggestion an abundance of
food was immediately sent, on many heavily-laden shoulders, to the
Illinois camp. The good father accompanied this peaceful embassage, and
slept in the camp of the Illinois. Still the young savages were
determined, if possible, to bring on a fight. They longed for the
excitement of battle. The hideous war-whoop, with the shrieks of women
and children, falling beneath their tomahawks, was music to their ears.
The burnin