30 LE JEUNE AND THE HUNTERS. [1638-34. 



fered his aid to Le Jeune in his study of the Al- 

 gonquin ; and, like the Indian practical jokers of 

 Acadia in the case of Father Biard/ palmed off 

 upon him the foulest words in the language as the 

 equivalent of things spiritual. Thus it happened, 

 that, while the missionary sought to explain to the 

 assembled wigwam some point of Christian doc- 

 trine, he was interrupted by peals of laughter from 

 men, children, and squaws. And now, as Le Jeune 

 took his place in the circle, the sorcerer bent upon 

 him his malignant eyes, and began that course of 

 rude bantering which filled to overflowing the cup 

 of the Jesuit's woes. All took their cue from him, 

 and made theu' afihcted guest the butt of their 

 inane witticisms. " Look at him ! His face is 

 like a dog's ! " — " His head is like a pumpkin ! " 

 — " He has a beard like a rabbit's ! " The mis- 

 sionary bore in silence these and countless similar 

 attacks ; indeed, so sorely was he harassed, that, 

 lest he should exasperate his tormentor, he some- 

 times passed whole days without uttering a word.^ 



Le Jeune, a man of excellent observation, al- 

 ready knew his red associates well enough to 

 understand that theu' rudeness did not of neces- 



1 See "Pioneers of France," 268. 



2 Relation, 1634, 207 (Cramoisy). "Us me chargeoient incessament 

 de mille brocards & de mille injures ; je me suis veu en tel estat, que 

 pour ne les aigrir, je passois les jours entiers sans ouvrir la bouche." 

 Here follows the abuse, in the original Indian, with French translations. 

 Le Jeune's account of his experiences is singularly graphic. The follow- 

 ing is his summary of his annoyances : — 



" Or ce miserable homme " (the sorcerer), " & la fumee m'ont est^ les 

 deux plus grands tourmens que i'aye endure parmy ces Barbares : ny le 

 froid, ny le chaud, ny I'incommodite des chiens, ny coucher k Tair, ny 

 dormir sur un lict de terre, ny la posture qu'il faut tousiours tenir dans 



