1648.J MURDER AND ATONEMENT. . 357 



but of him whose crime has made us all guilty. 

 Our anger is against him ; but for } ou we feel 

 nothing but love. He destroyed our lives ; and you 

 will restore them, if you will but speak and tell us 

 what you will have us do." 



Ragueneau, who remarks that this harangue is 

 a proof that eloquence is the gift of Nature rather 

 than of Art, made a reply, which he has not re- 

 corded, and then gave the speaker a bundle of small 

 sticks, indicating the number of presents which 

 he required in satisfaction for the murder. These 

 sticks were distributed among the various tribes in 

 the council, in order that each might contribute 

 its share towards the indemnity. The council dis 

 solved, and the chiefs went home, each with his 

 allotment of sticks, to collect in his village a cor- 

 responding number of presents. There was no 

 constraint ; those gave who chose to do so ; but, 

 as all were ambitious to show their public spirit, 

 the contributions were ample. No one thought of 

 molesting the murderers. Their punishment was 

 their shame at the sacrifices which the public were 

 making in their behalf. 



The presents being ready, a day was set for the 

 ceremony of their delivery ; and crowds gathered 

 from all parts to witness it. The assembly was 

 convened in the open au% in a field beside the mis- 

 sion-house of Sainte Marie ; and, in the midst, the 

 chiefs held solemn council. Towards evening, they 

 deputed four of theu' number, two Christians and 

 two heathen, to carry their address to the Father 

 Superior. They came, loaded with presents ; but 



