CHAPTER IV. 



1633, 1634. 

 LE JEUNE AND THE HUNTERS. 



Le Jeune joins the Indians. — The Eiest Encampment. — The 

 Apostate. — Forest Life in Winter. — The Indian Hut. — 

 The Sorcerer. — His Persecution of the Priest. — Evil Com- 

 pany. — Magic. — Incantations. — Christmas. — Starvation. — 

 Hopes of Conversion. — Backsliding. — Peril and Escape op 

 Le Jeune. — His Return. 



On a morning in the latter part of October, Le 

 Jeune embarked with the Indians, twenty in all, 

 men, women, and children. No other Frenchman 

 was of the party. Champlain bade him an anxious 

 farewell, and commended him to the care of his 

 red associates, who had taken charge of his store 

 of biscuit, flour, corn, prunes, and turnips, to which, 

 in an evil hour, his friends had persuaded him to 

 add a small keg of wine. The canoes glided along 

 the wooded shore of the Island of Orleans, and the 

 party landed, towards evening, on the small island 

 immediately below. Le Jeune was delighted with 

 the spot, and the wild beauties of the autumnal 

 sunset. 



His reflections, however, were soon interrupted. 

 While the squaws were setting up their bark lodges, 



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