1649.] BATTLE AT ST. LOUIS. 381 



Here were the two Jesuits, Brebeiif and Lale- 

 mant. Brebeuf 's converts entreated him to escape 

 with them ; but the Norman zealot, bold scion of 

 a warlike stock, had no thought of flight. His 

 post was in the teeth of danger, to cheer on those 

 who fought, and open Heaven to those who fell. 

 His colleague, slight of frame and frail of constitu- 

 tion, trembled despite himself; but deep enthusiasm 

 mastered the weakness of Nature, and he, too, re- 

 fused to flv. 



Scarcely had the sun risen, and scarcely were the 

 fugitives gone, when, like a troop of tigers, the Iro- 

 quois rushed to the assault. Yell echoed yell, and 

 shot answered shot. The Hurons, brought to bay, 

 fought with the utmost desperation, and with ar- 

 rows, stones, and the few guns they had, killed 

 thirty of their assailants, and wounded many more. 

 Twice the Iroquois recoiled, and twice renewed the 

 attack with unabated ferocity. They swarmed at 

 the foot of the palisades, and hacked at them with 

 their hatchets, till they had cut them through at 

 several different points. For a time there was a 

 deadly fight at these breaches. Here were the two 

 priests, promising Heaven to those who died for 

 their faith, — one giving baptism, and the other 

 absolution. At length the Iroquois broke in, and 

 captured all the surviving defenders, the Jesuits 

 among the rest. They set the town on fire ; and the 

 helpless wretches who had remained, unable to 

 fly, were consumed in thek burning dwellings. 

 Next they fell upon Brebeuf and Lalemant, stripped 

 them, bound them fast, and led them with the other 



