of Mount Carmel, a man came from the foot of the river
to warn Fort Douglas and the neighborhood that two canoes bringing the
missionaries were coming up the river, and that all the people ought to
be at the Fort to receive them on their arrival.

"Scarcely was the news made known when men, women and children hurried
to the Fort. Those who had never seen the priests were anxious to
contemplate these men of God of whom they had heard so much. Madame
Lajimoniere was not the last to hasten to the place where the
missionaries would land. She took all her little ones with her, the
eldest of whom was Reine, then eleven years old.

"Towards the hour of noon on a beautiful clear day more than one hundred
and fifty persons were gathered on the river bank in front of Fort
Douglas. Every eye was on the turn of the river at the point. It was who
should first see the voyageurs. Suddenly two canoes bearing the
Company's flag came in sight. There was a general shout of joy. The
trader of the Fort, Mr. A. McDonald, was a Catholic, and he had
everything prepared to give them a solemn reception. Many shed tears of
joy. The memory of their native land was recalled to the old Canadians
who had left their homes many years before. These old voyageurs who had
been constantly called upon to face death had been deprived of all
religious succour during the long years, but they had not been held by a
spirit of impiety. The missionaries were to them the messengers of God.

"The canoes landed in front of Fort Douglas, M. Provencher and his
companion both invested in their cassocks stepped on shore and were
welcomed with outstretched hands by this family, which was henceforth to
be theirs.

"They were admired for their manly figures as much as for the novelty of
their costumes. M. Provencher and his companion, M. Severe Dumoulin,
were both men of great stature and both had a majestic carriage. They
stood at the top of the bank and after making the women and children sit
down around them M. Provencher addressed some words to this multitude
gathered about him. He spoke very simply and in a fatherly manner.
Madame Lajimoniere who had not listened to the voice of a priest for
twelve years could hardly contain herself for joy. She cried with
happiness and forgetting all her hardships, fancied herself for a moment
in the dear parish of Maskinonge where she had spent such happy peaceful
years.

"The missionaries arrived on Thursday, July 16th. M. Prov