mirror. The villages of the
Indians, clustered so thickly along the shores, were composed of
substantial dwellings, whose roofs of curved canes, thatched with thick
mats, were rounded into graceful domes. The barbarian splendor assumed
by the monarch, the group of French adventurers, with their Indian
companions, gathered near by, the thousands of the Taensa tribe, men,
women, and children, standing at a respectful distance, silently gazing
upon the scene, the little fleet of canoes upon the beach, and the
encampment hastily thrown up--these combined to open to the eye a
picture of peace and loveliness, which the pencil of the most skilful
artist might in vain attempt to rival.

It did indeed seem then and there, as though God had intended this for
a happy world--for a world where his children might live together in
paternal love, and with the interchange of the kindliest sympathies.
Though in the early spring, the foliage beneath those sunny skies was
in full leaf, and the flowers in full bloom.

"The whole country," writes Father Membre, "is covered with palm trees,
laurels of two kinds, plums, peaches, mulberry, apple, and pear trees
of every variety. There are also five or six kinds of nut trees, some
of which bear nuts of extraordinary size. They also gave us several
kinds of dried fruit to taste. We found them large and good. They have
also many varieties of fruit trees which I never saw in Europe. The
season was however too early to allow us to see the fruit. We observed
vines already out of blossom."

The interview between the monarch and La Salle passed off very
pleasantly. It was conducted mainly by signs. Smiles and presents were
interchanged. For four days the voyagers remained the guests of these
friendly people. They rambled through their villages, entered their
dwellings, and were abundantly feasted. The natives seemed very
amiable, quite intelligent, and were far in advance, in civilization,
of the nations or tribes farther north. Father Membre was much pleased
with their candor, and with the clearness with which he thought they
comprehended his instructions. They readily accepted his teaching of
God; and apparently comprehended, without any difficulty, the plan of
salvation through an atoning Saviour.

In truth, this doctrine is apparently the most simple and the most
powerful which can be presented to the savage. All over the world, the
necessity of an atonement for sin seems to be implanted in th