J 86 A-zahia, a tale. Feb. r, 



Castlns felt himself, notwithstanding all his interior 

 struggles, more attracted towards her. An accident, which 

 every where else might have contributed to unite them, had 

 like to have separated them for ever. 



They were informed by some runaways, who had made 

 more speed than others, that Ouabi had fallen into an am- 

 buscade of the Iroquois , that he had lost some of his 

 party j and that he himself was left on the field of battle. 

 This news filled St Castins with true, sorrow. His ge- 

 nerosity made him set aside all views of interest. He for- 

 got that in losing a friend, he found himself rid of a rival. 

 Besides the death of this rival might also occasion that o£ 

 Azakia. Her life, from that moment, depended on the ca* 

 price of a dream. Such was the force of a superstitious 

 custom, sacred from time immemorial amopg these people. 

 If, in tlie space of forty days, a widow, who has lost her 

 hufband, sees and speaks to him twice succefsively in a 

 dream, fhe infers from thence that he wants her in the re- 

 gion of souls, and nothing can dispense with her putting, 

 herself to death. 



Azakia had resolved to obey this custom, if the double 

 dream took place. She sincerely regretted Ouabi 5 and 

 though St Castins gave her cause for other sorrows, if Ihe 

 was to die, the prevalency of the custom had the ascendant 

 over inclination. It is not easy to exprefs the Inquietudes, 

 the terrors, that tormented the lover qf this beautiful and 

 credulous Huron. Every night he fancied her a prey to 

 those minister visions ; and every morning he accosted 

 her with fear and trembling. At length he found her pre- 

 paring a mortal draught : It was the juice of a root of the 

 citron tree j a poison whicli, in that country, never fails 

 of succefs. "Thou seest, dear Celarl®!" said Azakia to 

 him, " thou seest the preparation for the long journey 

 which Ouabi has ordered me to make." " Oh heavens !■"' 

 fviid St Castins, interrupting her^ " how can you beiieye 



