1637.1 THE FAREWELL EEAST. 123 



The imperilled Jesuits now took a singular, but 

 certainly a very wise step. They gave one of those 

 farewell feasts — festins d adieu — which Huron 

 custom enjoined on those about to die, whether in 

 the course of Nature or by public execution. Be- 

 ing interpreted, it was a declaration that the priests 

 knew their danger, and did not shrink from it. 

 It might have the effect of changing overawed 

 friends into open advocates, and even of awakening 

 a certain sympathy in the breasts of an assembly 

 on whom a bold bearing could rarely fail of influ- 

 ence. The house was packed with feasters, and 

 Brebeuf addressed them as usual on his unfailing 

 themes of God, Paradise, and Hell. The throng 

 listened in gloomy silence ; and each, when he 

 had emptied his bowl, rose and departed, leaving 

 his entertainers in utter doubt as to his feelings 

 and intentions. From this time forth, however, 

 the clouds that overhung the Fathers became less 



qui est de la Sacristie, sur tout qu'on ait vn soin particulier de mettre en 

 lieu d'asseurance le Dictionnaire et tout ce que nous auons de la langue. 

 Pour moy, si Dieu me fait la grace d'aller au Ciel, ie prieray Dieu pour 

 eux, pour les pauures Hurons, et n'oublieray pas Vostre Reuerence. 



"Apres tout, nous supplions V. R, et tons nos Peres de ne nous 

 oublier en leurs saincts Sacrifices et prieres, afin qu'en la vie et apres la 

 mort, il nous fasse misericorde ; nous sommes tous en la vie et a TEter- 

 nite, 



" De vostre Reuerence tres-humbles et tres-afiectionnez seruiteurs en 

 Nostre Seigneur, 



"Iean de Brebevf. 

 Erancois Joseph Le Mercieb. 

 Pierre Chastellain. 

 Charles Garnier. 

 Pavl Ragveneav. 

 •* En la Residence de la Conception, k Ossossane, 

 ce 28 Octobre. 



*' I'aj laisse en la Residence de sainct loseph les Peres Pierre Piiart, 

 et Isaac logves, dans les mesmes sentimens." 



