1640.] THE ARCHANGEL MICHAEL. 145 



to strike the blow, and three times the old men 

 had dissuaded them. This explained the meaning 

 of Father Brebeuf s vision." ^ 



They had escaped for the time ; but the Indians 

 agreed among themselves, that thenceforth no one 

 should give them shelter. At night, pierced with 

 cold and faint with hunger, they found every door 

 closed against them. They stood and watched, 

 saw an Indian issue from a house, and, by a quick 

 movement, pushed through the half-open door into 

 this abode of smoke and filth. The inmates, aghast 

 at their boldness, stared in silence. Then a mes- 

 senger ran out to carry the tidings, and an angry 

 crowd collected. 



" Go out, and leave our country," said an old 

 chief, " or we will put you into the kettle, and 

 make a feast of you." 



" I have had enough of the dark-colored flesh 

 of our enemies," said a young brave ; " I wish to 

 know the taste of white meat, and I will eat 

 yours." 



A warrior rushed in like a madman, drew his 

 bow, and aimed the arrow at Chaumonot. " I 

 looked at him fixedly," writes the Jesuit, " and 

 commended myself in full confidence to St. Mi- 

 chael. Without doubt, this great archangel saved 

 us ; for almost immediately the fury of the warrior 

 was appeased, and the rest of our enemies soon 

 began to listen to the explanation we gave them 

 of our visit to their country."^ 



The mission was barren of any other fruit than 



1 Chaumonot, Vie, 55. 2 Jbid., 67. 



13 



