[BRYCE] A RARE FIND IN THE CANADIAN ARCHIVES 9 
Okima advises Sakia to strengthen herself with the Iroquois by 
this marriage, as her return among the Hurons might still compromise 
her husband with the French; but Sakia recoils from the idea of making 
such an alliance with her husband’s enemies, and assures Okima that 
she no longer fears the anger of the French priesthood, as through 
conversations with Beaufort she and Ulamar were inclined to adopt 
the Christian faith. 
The friendship between Beaufort and Ulamar is a strong element 
in the drama. More faithful than even Palamon and Arcite, they were 
ever ready to make sacrifices for each other, even in the matter of Irene, 
with whom they were both in love. Irene had never shown any prefer- 
ence for either of them, so that their fate seemed to depend on the decision 
of Zephario and his wise men. 
On his return from the battle, Beaufort pays a visit to Sakia. 
He discusses with her the position in which he and Ulamar stand to 
each other as aspirants to the hand of Irene. Sakia tries hard to per- 
suade Beaufort to urge his own claims, saying that one who could so 
generously praise a rival must have performed heroic deeds himself. 
She speaks of the debt of gratitude Ulamar owes Beaufort for many 
kind and generous acts and indeed for his life, for at the time they were 
taken captive Beaufort had snatched the child Ulamar from under the 
threatening dagger of a cruel foe. Ulamar then should be the one to 
give place, but Beaufort says Ulamar has amply repaid all these obliga- 
tions and that they had mutually sworn to take no advantage of each 
other in this sacred affair of love. 
A messenger then announces the return of Ulamar from the battle 
and that he waited Beaufort at the latter’s home to consult with him 
regarding terms of peace offered by the French. Beaufort assures 
Sakia that no treaty of peace will be accepted after the recent treachery 
of the French and Hurons. 
Sakia is grieved because Ulamar seems to avoid her and she begs 
Beaufort to send him to her that she may have an interview with him 
before terms of peace are discussed. She has now fixed her hopes on 
a cessation of war and an exchange of captives as her remaining chance 
of deliverance from slavery and a return to her own people. 
In the second act Ulamar arrives to visit his mother as requested. 
They meet with affectionate greetings; but these over, Sakia upbraids 
Ulamar with having deserted her and resisted her absolute commands. 
She also reproaches him with having fought against his own country 
and embrued his hands in her dear blood, and she asks him pathetically: 
“Can’st thou so utterly [forget 
That thou wast born on the Huronian Lake?’ 
