1683.] HURONS AT THE MISSION-HOUSE. 49 



his rhetoric in praises of Champlain and of the 

 French. Brebeuf rose next, and spoke in broken 

 Huron, — the assembly jerking in unison, from the 

 bottom of their throats, repeated ejaculations of 

 applause. Then they surrounded him, and vied 

 ^vith each other for the honor of carrying him in 

 tlieir canoes. In short, the mission was accepted; 

 and the chiefs of the different villages disputed 

 among themselves the privilege of receiving and 

 entertaining the three priests. 



On the last of July, the day of the feast of St. 

 Ignatius, Champlain and several masters of trading 

 vessels went to the house of the Jesuits in quest of 

 indulgences ; and here they were soon beset by a 

 crowd of curious Indians, who had finished their 

 traffic, and were making a tour of observation. 

 Being excluded from the house, they looked in at 

 the windows of the room which served as a chapel ; 

 and Champlain, amused at their exclamations of 

 wonder, gave one of them a piece of citron. The 

 Huron tasted it, and, em'aptured, demanded what 

 it was. Champlain replied, laughing, that it was 

 the rind of a French pumpkin. The fame of this 

 delectable production was instantly spread abroad ; 

 and, at every window, eager voices and outstretched 

 hands petitioned for a share of the marvellous vege- 

 table. They were at length allowed to enter the 

 chapel, which had lately been decorated with a few 

 hangings, images, and pieces of plate. These un- 

 wonted splendors filled them with admu'ation. They 

 asked if the dove over the altar was the bu'd that 

 makes the thunder ; and, pointing to the images of 



