HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 195 



the town before the people awoke. There was some resistance, 

 10 of the Iroquois being slain, but out of 400 inhabitants only 

 three escaped. 



This was at daybreak. At sunrise the Iroquois attacked the 

 mission of St Louis, a fortified town a league away. Most of 

 the people had fled, but 80 warriors bravely defended the place, 

 killing 30 of their foes. Axes were plied against the stockade, 

 a breach was made, the Iroquois rushed in and the defenders 

 were slain. Having burned the town, the Iroquois returned to 

 St Ignace and refreshed themselves. Then they reconnoitered 

 the fortified French mission house, intending an attack with 200 

 men, but were deterred by its strength. A party of 300 Hurons 

 intercepted them on the morning of the 17th, but the vanguard 

 quickly fled. The main body stood firm and captured 30 Iro- 

 quois, but were beaten in turn. The furious combat lasted into 

 the night. On the 19th the enemy had disappeared, but terror 

 and desolation remained. 



Brebeuf and Gabriel Lalemant were taken in St Louis, stripped 

 naked and carried to St Ignace, where they suffered terribly. 

 Brebeuf had red hot axes hung about him, some telling him that 

 they did this out of kindness, for the greater his sufferings here 

 the greater would be his glory hereafter, and indeed his fortitude 

 made a lasting impression on foes and friends. Hot water was 

 poured on both in derision of baptism. This torture Brebeuf 

 endured for three hours and Lalemant for double that time. 

 Some Hurons were bound and burned in the houses, the whole 

 town being destroyed. 



Hope was lost and famine followed. The Hurons abandoned 

 five strong towns. One town, that of Scanonaenrat, surrendered 

 and removed to the Senecas, where it long had a separate exist- 

 ence. Many families went to the neighboring nations, as the 

 Petuns, Neutrals and Eries, only to have the same experience 

 again. Some sought the islands and woods, multitudes perishing 

 in the wilderness. Part determined to take refuge with the 

 French at Quebec. The missionaries burned their house, fol- 

 lowed those who went to the islands and the Petuns, and the land 



