356 THE HURON CHURCH. [1648. 



he struck. He thought, this wretched murderer, 

 that he aimed at the head of a young Frenchman ; 

 but the blow fell upon his country, and gave it a 

 death-wound. The earth opens to receive the 

 blood of the innocent victim, and we shall be swal- 

 lowed up in the chasm; for we are all guilty. 

 The Iroquois rejoice at his death, and celebrate 

 it as a triumph ; for they see that our weapons 

 are turned against each other, and know well that 

 our nation is near its end. 



" Brother, take pity on this nation. You alone 

 can restore it to life. It is for you to gather up all 

 these scattered bones, and close this chasm that 

 opens to ingulf us. Take pity on your country. 

 I call it yours, for you are the master of it; and we 

 came here like criminals to receive your sentence, 

 if you will not show us mercy. Pity those who 

 condemn themselves and come to ask forgiveness. 

 It is you who have given strength to the nation by 

 dwelling with it ; and if you leave us, we shall be 

 like a wisp of straw torn from the ground to be the 

 sport of the wind. This coimtry is an island drift- 

 hig on the waves, for the first storm to overwhelm 

 and sink. Make it fast again to its foundation, 

 and posterity will never forget to praise you. 

 When we first heard of this murder, we could 

 do nothing but weep ; and we are ready to re- 

 ceive your orders and comply with your demands. 

 Speak, then, and ask what satisfaction you will, foi 

 our lives and our possessions are yours ; and even if 

 we rob our children to satisfy you, we will teU them 

 that it is not of you that they have to complain, 



