re
enjoyment than the solitary farmer can find in his lonely toils. Thus
this band would pass from field to field throughout the whole village.

M. Joutel says that, so far as he could learn, they did not seem to
have any definite idea of God. They had certain shadowy notions of some
being or beings above themselves, but apparently did not consider that
these beings took any special interest in scenes occurring here below.
Upon the subject of religion it could hardly be said that they had any
definite idea. They had no temples, no priests, no worship. Their minds
were in a state of vacuity. In this respect they were much in the
condition of mere animals. They had certain ceremonies, the meaning of
which they could not explain, except that such was their custom--that
their fathers did so. Be it remembered that this is the account which
is given of the Cenis Indians. Others were more enlightened, and others
less. There are well-authenticated accounts of some Indians, who were
in the habit of daily prayer.

They reached the village in the early evening. Couriers had preceded
them to announce their coming. The principal men came out and conducted
them to a cabin, which had been prepared for their reception. After
supper and a social pipe, the guests were left to the repose which they
greatly needed. The cabin assigned to them was one of the largest in
the place. It had belonged to a chief who had recently died. A gentle
fire was burning in the centre. There were several women in the cabin,
attending to sundry household duties. The guests slept soundly.

The next morning was the 1st of April, 1687. The fathers of the village
again called upon the strangers with much courtesy of demeanor, and
brought them an ample breakfast. Presents were exchanged, and a very
fine horse was purchased for a hatchet. The day was spent in purchasing
corn, which was placed in panniers, to be carried on the backs of the
horses.

Here were found three Frenchmen who, a year before had deserted from La
Salle. With painted faces, and in the dress of savages, no one could
distinguish them from others of the tribe. The fact that in one year
they had almost entirely forgotten their native language, seems at
first thought almost incredible. But it must be remembered that they
were vagabond sailors, with no mental culture, who could neither read
nor write, and with whom language was merely a succession of sounds,
which were very easily obliterated fro