300 THE PEACE BROKEN. [1646. 



He offered in due form the gifts of the Governor, 

 with the wampum belts and their messages of 

 peace, while at every pause his words were echoed 

 by a unanimous grunt of applause from the atten- 

 tive concourse. Peace speeches were made in 

 return; and all was harmony. When, however, 

 the Algonquin deputies stood before the council, 

 they and their gifts were coldly received. The old 

 hate, maintained by traditions of mutual atrocity, 

 burned fiercely under a thin semblance of peace ; 

 and though no outbreak took place, the prospect 

 of the future was very ominous. 



The business of the embassy was scarcely fin- 

 ished, when the Mohawks counselled Jogues and 

 his companions to go home with all despatch, say- 

 ing, that, if they waited longer, they might meet 

 on the way warriors of the four upper nations, who 

 would inevitably kill the two Algonquin deputies, 

 if not the French also. Jogues, therefore, set out 

 on his return ; but not until, despite the advice 

 of the Indian convert, he had made the round of 

 the houses, confessed and instructed a few Chris- 

 tian prisoners still remaining here, and baptized 

 several dying Mohawks. Then he and his party 

 crossed through the forest to the southern extremity 

 of Lake George, made bark canoes, and descended 

 to Fort Eichelieu, where they arrived on the twenty- 

 seventh of June.^ 



His political errand was accomplished. Now, 

 should he return to the Mohawks, or should the 

 Mission of the Martyrs be for a time abandoned ? 



- 1 Lalemant, Relation, 1646, 17. 



