182 ROMANCE OF THE BEAVER 
those in any way connected with death. Father 
Paul Le Jeune states that they were used “ for 
what winding-sheets and shrouds are in France.” 
And in giving accounts of funeral rites he says: 
«When the friends have gazed upon the bodies to 
their satisfaction they cover them up with handsome 
beaver robes, quite new.” And again: “These 
bones are enclosed in caskets of bark covered with 
new beaver skins.” When the Iroquois, Onagan, 
delivered two captives over to Father Ragueneau, 
he said, lifting up a beaver robe, “Behold the 
standard that you shall plant upon your fort, when 
you shall see our canoes appear upon this great 
river ; and, when we see this signal of your friend- 
ship we shall land with confidence at your ports.” 
As presents, nothing approached in value the beaver 
robe, not only on account of its actual worth, but 
it seemed to be a sort of emblem. The Jesuit 
priests, whose work in Canada during its early days 
was, so very remarkable, realised thoroughly the 
sentimental value, both of these robes and the 
single skins. These were apparently always accept- 
able presents which carried with them some subtle 
meaning. When disturbances occurred they gave 
them as a seal of friendship. On one occasion when 
there had been trouble with the Iroquois we find 
that “in order to wipe out the blood, and implant 
joy in every breast, leaving no trace of sadness any- 
where, the Father presented four beaver skins to 
the four Iroquois nations. One for each.” The 
