CHAPTER XXVI. 



1648. 

 ANTOINE DANIEL. 



Huron Traders. — Battle at Three Rivers. — St. Joseph. — On- 

 set OF the Iroquois. — Death of Daniel. — The Town De- 

 stroyed. 



In the summer of 1647 the Hurons dared not 

 go down to the French settlements, but m the fol- 

 lowing year they took heart, and resolved at all 

 risks to make the attempt ; for the kettles, hatchets, 

 and knives of the traders had become necessaries 

 of life. Two hundred and fifty of their best war- 

 riors therefore embarked, under five valiant chiefs. 

 They made the voyage in safety, approached Three 

 Hivers on the seventeenth of July, and, running 

 their canoes ashore among the bulrushes, began to 

 grease their hair, paint their faces, and otherwise 

 adorn themselves, that they might appear after a 

 befitting fashion at the fort. While they were thus 

 engaged, the alarm was sounded. Some of their 

 warriors had discovered a large body of Iroquois, 

 who for several days had been lurking in the 

 forest, unknown to the French garrison, watching 

 their opportunity to strike a blow. The Hurons 



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