VOYAGES
OF
PETER
ESPRIT RADISSON.
_The
Relation of my Voyage, being in Bondage in the Lands of the Irokoits,
which
was the next yeare after my coming into Canada, in the yeare 1651,
the
24th day of May._
Being
persuaded in the morning by two of my comrades to go and recreat
ourselves
in fowling, I disposed myselfe to keepe them Company; wherfor I
cloathed
myselfe the lightest way I could possible, that I might be the
nimbler
and not stay behinde, as much for the prey that I hoped for, as for
to
escape the danger into which wee have ventered ourselves of an enemy the
cruelest
that ever was uppon the face of the Earth. It is to bee observed
that
the french had warre with a wild nation called Iroquoites, who for
that
time weare soe strong and so to be feared that scarce any body durst
stirre
out either Cottage or house without being taken or kill'd,
[Footnote:
In 1641-1645 Father Vimont writes: "I had as lief be beset by
goblins
as by the Iroquois. The one are about as invisible as the other.
Our
people on the Richelieu and at Montreal are kept in a closer
confinement
than ever were monks or nuns in our smallest convents in
France."]
saving that he had nimble limbs to escape their fury; being
departed,
all three well armed, and unanimiously rather die then abandon
one
another, notwithstanding these resolutions weare but young mens
deboasting;
being then in a very litle assurance and lesse security.
At
an offspring of a village of three Rivers we consult together that two
should
go the watter side, the other in a wood hardby to warne us, for to
advertise
us if he accidentaly should light [upon] or suspect any Barbars
in
ambush, we also retreat ourselves to him if we should discover any thing
uppon
the River. Having comed to the first river, which was a mile distant
from
our dwellings, wee mett a man who mett a man who kept cattell, and
asked
him if he had knowne any appearance of Ennemy, and likewise demanded
which
way he would advise us to gett better fortune, and what part he spied
more
danger; he guiding us the best way he could, prohibiting us by no
means
not to render ourselves att the skirts of the mountains; ffor, said
he,
I discovered oftentimes a multitude of people which rose up as it weare
of a
sudaine from of the Earth, and that doubtless there weare some enemys
that
way; which sayings made us looke to ourselves and charge two of our
fowling
peeces with great shot the one, and the other with small. Priming
our
pistols, we went where our fancy first lead us, being impossible for us
to
avoid the destinies of the heavens; no sooner tourned our backs, but my
nose
fell ableeding without any provocation in the least. Certainly it was
a
warning for me of a beginning of a yeare and a half of hazards and of
miseryes
that weare to befall mee. We did shoot sometime and killed some
Duks,
which made one of my fellow travellers go no further. I seeing him
taking
such a resolution, I proferred some words that did not like him,
giving
him the character of a timourous, childish humor; so this did
nothing
prevaile with him, to the Contrary that had with him quite another
isue
then what I hoped for; ffor offending him with my words he prevailed
so
much with the others that he persuaded them to doe the same. I lett them
goe,
laughing them to scorne, beseeching them to helpe me to my fowles, and
that
I would tell them the discovery of my designes, hoping to kill meat to
make
us meate att my retourne.
I
went my way along the wood some times by the side of the river, where I
finde
something to shute att, though no considerable quantitie, which made
me
goe a league off and more, so I could not go in all further then
St.
Peeter's, which is nine mile from the plantation by reason of the river
Ovamasis,
which hindered me the pasage. I begun'd to think att my retourne
how
I might transport my fowle. I hide one part in a hollow tree to keep
them
from the Eagles and other devouring fowles, so as I came backe the
same
way where before had no bad incounter. Arrived within one halfe a mile
where
my comrades had left me, I rested awhile by reason that I was
looden'd
with three geese, tenn ducks, and one crane, with some teales.
After
having layd downe my burden uppon the grasse, I thought to have heard
a
noise in the wood by me, which made me to overlook my armes; I found one
of
my girdle pistols wette. I shott it off and charged it againe, went up
to
the wood the soffliest I might, to discover and defend myselfe the
better
against any surprise. After I had gone from tree to tree some 30
paces
off I espied nothing; as I came back from out of the wood to an
adjacent
brooke, I perceived a great number of Ducks; my discovery
imbouldened
me, and for that there was a litle way to the fort, I
determined
to shute once more; coming nigh preparing meselfe for to shute,
I
found another worke, the two young men that I left some tenne houres
before
heere weare killed. Whether they came after mee, or weare brought
thither
by the Barbars, I know not. However [they] weare murthered. Looking
over
them, knew them albeit quite naked, and their hair standing up, the
one
being shott through with three boulletts and two blowes of an hatchett
on
the head, and the other runne thorough in severall places with a sword
and
smitten with an hatchett. Att the same instance my nose begun'd to
bleed,
which made me afraid of my life; but withdrawing myselfe to the
watter
side to see if any body followed mee, I espied twenty or thirty
heads
in a long grasse. Mightily surprized att the view, I must needs passe
through
the midst of them or tourne backe into the woode. I slipped a
boullet
uppon the shott and beate the paper into my gunne. I heard a noise,
which
made me looke on that side; hopeing to save meselfe, perswading
myselfe
I was not yet perceived by them that weare in the medow, and in the
meane
while some gunns weare lett off with an horrid cry.
Seeing
myselfe compassed round about by a multitude of dogges, or rather
devils,
that rose from the grasse, rushesse, and bushesse, I shott my
gunne,
whether un warrs or purposly I know not, but I shott with a pistolle
confidently,
but was seised on all sids by a great number that threw me
downe,
taking away my arme without giving mee one blowe; ffor afterwards I
felt
no paine att all, onely a great guidinesse in my heade, from whence it
comes
I doe not remember. In the same time they brought me into the wood,
where
they shewed me the two heads all bloody. After they consulted
together
for a while, retired into their boats, which weare four or five
miles
from thence, and wher I have bin a while before. They layed mee
hither,
houlding me by the hayre, to the imbarking place; there they began
to
errect their cottages, which consisted only of some sticks to boyle
their
meate, whereof they had plenty, but stuncke, which was strange to mee
to
finde such an alteration so sudaine. They made [me] sitt downe by. After
this
they searched me and tooke what I had, then stripped me naked, and
tyed
a rope about my middle, wherin I remained, fearing to persist, in the
same
posture the rest of the night. After this they removed me, laughing
and
howling like as many wolves, I knowing not the reason, if not for my
skin,
that was soe whit in respect of theirs. But their gaping did soone
cease
because of a false alarme, that their Scout who stayed behind gave
them,
saying that the ffrench and the wild Algongins, friends to the
ffrench,
came with all speed. They presently put out the fire, and tooke
hould
of the most advantageous passages, and sent 25 men to discover what
it
meant, who brought certaine tydings of assurance and liberty.
In
the meanewhile I was garded by 50 men, who gave me a good part of my
cloathes.
After kindling a fire againe, they gott theire supper ready,
which
was sudenly don, ffor they dresse their meat halfe boyled, mingling
some
yallowish meale in the broath of that infected stinking meate; so
whilst
this was adoing they combed my head, and with a filthy grease
greased
my head, and dashed all over my face with redd paintings. So then,
when
the meat was ready, they feeded me with their hod-pot, forcing me to
swallow
it in a maner. My heart did so faint at this, that in good deede I
should
have given freely up the ghost to be freed from their clawes,
thinking
every moment they would end my life. They perceived that my
stomach
could not beare such victuals. They tooke some of this stinking
meate
and boyled it in a cleare watter, then mingled a litle Indian meale
put
to it, which meale before was tossed amongst bourning sand, and then
made
in powder betwixt two rocks. I, to shew myselfe cheerfull att this,
swallowed
downe some of this that seemed to me very unsavoury and clammie
by
reason of the scume that was upon the meat. Having supped, they untyed
mee,
and made me lye betwixt them, having one end of one side and one of
another,
and covered me with a red Coverlet, thorough which I might have
counted
the starrs. I slept a sound sleep, for they awaked me uppon the
breaking
of the day. I dreamed that night that I was with the Jesuits at
Quebuc
drinking beere, which gave me hopes to be free sometimes, and also
because
I heard those people lived among Dutch people in a place called
Menada
[Footnote: _Menada_, Manhattan, or New Netherlands, called by the
French
of Canada "Manatte."], and fort of Orang, where without doubt I
could
drinke beere. I, after this, finding meselfe somewhat altered, and my
body
more like a devil then anything else, after being so smeared and burst
with
their filthy meate that I could not digest, but must suffer all
patiently.
Finally
they seemed to me kinder and kinder, giving me of the best bitts
where
lesse wormes weare. Then they layd [me] to the watter side, where
there
weare 7 and 30 boats, ffor each of them imbark'd himselfe. They tyed
me
to the barre in a boat, where they tooke at the same instance the heads
of
those that weare killed the day before, and for to preserve them they
cutt
off the flesh to the skull and left nothing but skin and haire,
putting
of it into a litle panne wherein they melt some grease, and gott it
dry
with hot stones. They spread themselves from off the side of the river
a
good way, and gathered together againe and made a fearfull noise and
shott
some gunns off, after which followed a kind of an incondit singing
after
nots, which was an oudiousom noise. As they weare departing from
thence
they injoyned silence, and one of the Company, wherein I was, made
three
shouts, which was answered by the like maner from the whole flocke;
which
done they tooke their way, singing and leaping, and so past the day
in
such like. They offered mee meate; but such victuals I reguarded it
litle,
but could drinke for thirst. My sperit was troubled with infinite
deale
of thoughts, but all to no purpose for the ease of my sicknesse;
sometimes
despairing, now againe in some hopes. I allwayes indeavoured to
comfort
myselfe, though half dead. My resolution was so mastered with
feare,
that at every stroake of the oares of these inhumans I thought it to
be
my end.
By
sunsett we arrived att the Isles of Richelieu, a place rather for
victors
then for captives most pleasant. There is to be seen 300 wild Cowes
together,
a number of Elks and Beavers, an infinit of fowls. There we must
make
cottages, and for this purpose they imploy all together their wits and
art,
ffor 15 of these Islands are drowned in Spring, when the floods begin
to
rise from the melting of the snow, and that by reason of the lowness of
the
land. Here they found a place fitt enough for 250 men that their army
consisted
[of]. They landed mee & shewed mee great kindnesse, saying
Chagon,
which is as much [as] to say, as I understood afterwards, be
cheerfull
or merry; but for my part I was both deafe and dumb. Their
behaviour
made me neverthelesse cheerfull, or att least of a smiling
countenance,
and constraine my aversion and feare to an assurance, which
proved
not ill to my thinking; ffor the young men tooke delight in combing
my
head, greasing and powdering out a kinde of redd powder, then tying my
haire
with a redd string of leather like to a coard, which caused my haire
to
grow longer in a short time.
The
day following they prepared themselves to passe the adjacent places and
shoote
to gett victualls, where we stayed 3 dayes, making great cheere and
fires.
I more and more getting familiarity with them, that I had the
liberty
to goe from cottage, having one or two by mee. They untyed mee, and
tooke
delight to make me speake words of their language, and weare earnest
that
I should pronounce as they. They tooke care to give me meate as often
as I
would; they gave me salt that served me all my voyage. They also tooke
the
paines to put it up safe for mee, not takeing any of it for themselves.
There
was nothing else but feasting and singing during our abode. I tooke
notice
that our men decreased, ffor every night one other boate tooke his
way,
which persuaded mee that they went to the warrs to gett more booty.
The
fourth day, early in the morning, my Brother, viz., he that tooke me,
so
he called me, embarked me without tying me. He gave me an oare, which I
tooke
with a good will, and rowed till I sweate againe. They, perceaving,
made
me give over; not content with that I made a signe of my willingnesse
to
continue that worke. They consent to my desire, but shewed me how I
should
row without putting myselfe into a sweat. Our company being
considerable
hitherto, was now reduced to three score. Mid-day wee came to
the
River of Richlieu, where we weare not farre gon, but mett a new gang of
their
people in cottages; they began to hoop and hollow as the first day of
my
taking. They made me stand upright in the boat, as they themselves,
saluting
one another with all kindnesse and joy. In this new company there
was
one that had a minde to doe me mischiefe, but prevented by him that
tooke
me. I taking notice of the fellow, I shewed him more friendshipe. I
gott
some meate roasted for him, and throwing a litle salt and flower over
it,
which he finding very good tast, gave it to the rest as a rarity, nor
did
afterwards molest mee.
They
tooke a fancy to teach mee to sing; and as I had allready a beginning
of
their hooping, it was an easy thing for me to learne, our Algonquins
making
the same noise. They tooke an exceeding delight to heare mee. Often
have
I sunged in French, to which they gave eares with a deepe silence. We
passed
that day and night following with litle rest by reason of their joy
and
mirth. They lead a dance, and tyed my comrades both their heads att the
end
of a stick and hopt it; this done, every one packt and embarked
himselfe,
some going one way, some another. Being separated, one of the
boats
that we mett before comes backe againe and approaches the boat
wherein
I was; I wondered, a woman of the said company taking hould on my
haire,
signifying great kindnesse. Shee combs my head with her fingers and
tyed
my wrist with a bracelett, and sunged. My wish was that shee would
proceed
in our way. After both companys made a shout wee separated, I was
sorry
for this woman's departure, ffor having shewed me such favour att her
first
aspect, doubtlesse but shee might, if neede required, saved my life.
Our
journey was indifferent good, without any delay, which caused us to
arrive
in a good and pleasant harbour. It was on the side of the sand where
our
people had any paine scarce to errect their cottages, being that it was
a
place they had sejourned [at] before. The place round about [was] full of
trees.
Heare they kindled a fire and provided what was necessary for their
food.
In this place they cutt off my hair in the front and upon the crowne
of
the head, and turning up the locks of the haire they dab'd mee with some
thicke
grease. So done, they brought me a looking-glasse. I viewing myselfe
all
in a pickle, smir'd with redde and black, covered with such a cappe,
and
locks tyed up with a peece of leather and stunked horridly, I could not
but
fall in love with myselfe, if not that I had better instructions to
shun
the sin of pride. So after repasting themselves, they made them ready
for
the journey with takeing repose that night. This was the time I thought
to
have escaped, ffor in vaine, ffor I being alone feared least I should be
apprehended
and dealt with more violently. And moreover I was desirous to
have
seene their country.
Att
the sun rising I awaked my brother, telling him by signes it was time
to
goe. He called the rest, but non would stirre, which made him lye downe
againe.
I rose and went to the water side, where I walked awhile. If there
weare
another we might, I dare say, escape out of their sight. Heere I
recreated
myselfe running a naked swoord into the sand. One of them seeing
mee
after such an exercise calls mee and shews me his way, which made me
more
confidence in them. They brought mee a dish full of meate to the water
side.
I began to eat like a beare.
In
the mean time they imbark'd themselves, one of them tooke notice that I
had
not a knife, brings me his, which I kept the rest of the voyage,
without
that they had the least feare of me. Being ready to goe, saving my
boat
that was ammending, which was soone done. The other boats weare not as
yett
out of sight, and in the way my boat killed a stagg. They made me
shoot
att it, and not quite dead they runed it thorough with their swoords,
and
having cutt it in peeces, they devided it, and proceeded on their way.
At 3
of the clock in the afternoone we came into a rappid streame, where we
weare
forced to land and carry our Equipages and boats thorough a dangerous
place.
Wee had not any encounter that day. Att night where we found
cottages
ready made, there I cutt wood as the rest with all dilligence. The
morning
early following we marched without making great noise, or singing
as
accustomed. Sejourning awhile, we came to a lake 6 leagues wide, about
it a
very pleasant country imbellished with great forests. That day our
wild
people killed 2 Bears, one monstrous like for its biggnesse, the other
a
small one. Wee arrived to a fine sandy bancke, where not long before many
Cabbanes
weare errected and places made where Prisoners weare tyed.
In
this place our wild people sweated after the maner following: first
heated
stones till they weare redd as fire, then they made a lantherne with
small
sticks, then stoaring the place with deale trees, saving a place in
the
middle whereinto they put the stoanes, and covered the place with
severall
covers, then striped themselves naked, went into it. They made a
noise
as if the devil weare there; after they being there for an hour they
came
out of the watter, and then throwing one another into the watter, I
thought
veryly they weare insensed. It is their usual Custome. Being comed
out
of this place, they feasted themselves with the two bears, turning the
outside
of the tripes inward not washed. They gave every one his share; as
for
my part I found them [neither] good, nor savory to the pallet. In the
night
they heard some shooting, which made them embark themselves speedily.
In
the mean while they made me lay downe whilst they rowed very hard. I
slept
securely till the morning, where I found meselfe in great high
rushes.
There they stayed without noise.
From
thence wee proceeded, though not without some feare of an Algonquin
army.
We went on for some dayes that lake. Att last they endeavoured to
retire
to the woods, every one carrying his bundle. After a daye's march we
came
to a litle river where we lay'd that night. The day following we
proceeded
on our journey, where we mett 2 men, with whome our wild men
seemed
to be acquainted by some signes. These 2 men began to speake a longe
while.
After came a company of women, 20 in number, that brought us dry
fish
and Indian corne. These women loaded themselves, after that we had
eaten,
like mules with our baggage. We went through a small wood, the way
well
beaten, untill the evening we touched a place for fishing, of 15
Cabbans.
There they weare well received but myselfe, who was stroaken by a
yong
man. He, my keeper, made a signe I should to him againe. I tourning to
him
instantly, he to me, taking hould of my haire, all the wild men came
about
us, encouraging with their Cryes and hands, which encouraged me most
that
non helpt him more then mee. Wee clawed one another with hands,
tooth,
and nailes. My adversary being offended I have gotten the best, he
kick't
me; but my french shoes that they left mee weare harder then his,
which
made him [give up] that game againe. He tooke me about the wrest,
where
he found himselfe downe before he was awarre, houlding him upon the
ground
till some came and putt us asunder. My company seeing mee free,
began
to cry out, giving me watter to wash me, and then fresh fish to
relish
me. They encouraged me so much, the one combing my head, the other
greasing
my haire. There we stayed 2 dayes, where no body durst trouble me.
In
the same Cabban that I was, there has bin a wild man wounded with a
small
shott. I thought I have seen him the day of my taking, which made me
feare
least I was the one that wounded him. He knowing it to be so had
shewed
me as much charity as a Christian might have given. Another of his
fellowes
(I also wounded) came to me att my first coming there, whom I
thought
to have come for reveng, contrarywise shewed me a cheerfull
countenance;
he gave mee a box full of red paintings, calling me his
brother.
I had not as yett caryed any burden, but meeting with an ould man,
gave
me a sacke of tobacco of 12 pounds' weight, bearing it uppon my head,
as
it's their usuall custome. We made severall stayes the day by reason of
the
severall encounters of their people that came from villages, as warrs
others
from fishing and shooting. In that journey our company increased,
among
others a great many Hurrons that had bin lately taken, and who for
the
most part are as slaves. We lay'd in the wood because they would not
goe
into their village in the night time.
The
next day we marched into a village where as wee came in sight we heard
nothing
but outcryes, as from one side as from the other, being a quarter
of a
mile from the village. They satt downe and I in the midle, where I saw
women
and men and children with staves and in array, which put me in feare,
and
instantly stripped me naked. My keeper gave me a signe to be gone as
fast
as I could drive. In the meane while many of the village came about
us,
among which a good old woman, and a boy with a hatchet in his hand came
near
mee. The old woman covered me, and the young man tooke me by the hand
and
lead me out of the company. The old woman made me step aside from
those
that weare ready to stricke att mee. There I left the 2 heads of my
comrades,
and that with comforted me yet I escaped the blowes. Then they
brought
me into their Cottage; there the old woman shewed me kindnesse.
Shee
gave me to eate. The great terror I had a litle before tooke my
stomack
away from me. I stayed an hower, where a great company of people
came
to see mee. Heere came a company of old men, having pipes in their
mouthes,
satt about me.
After
smoaking, they lead me into another cabban, where there weare a
company
all Smoaking; they made [me] sitt downe by the fire, which made
[me]
apprehend they should cast me into the said fire. But it proved
otherwise;
for the old woman followed mee, Speaking aloud, whom they
answered
with a loud ho, then shee tooke her girdle and about mee shee tyed
it,
so brought me to her cottage, and made me sitt downe in the same place
I
was before. Then shee began to dance and sing a while, after [she] brings
downe
from her box a combe, gives it to a maide that was neare mee, who
presently
comes to greas and combe my haire, and tooke away the paint that
the
fellows stuck to my face. Now the old woman getts me some Indian Corne
toasted
in the fire. I tooke paines to gether it out of the fire; after
this
shee gave me a blew coverlett, stokins and shoos, and where with to
make
me drawers. She looked in my cloathes, and if shee found any lice shee
would
squeeze them betwixt her teeth, as if they had ben substantiall
meate.
I lay'd with her son, who tooke me from those of my first takers,
and
gott at last a great acquaintance with many. I did what I could to gett
familiarity
with them, yeat I suffered no wrong att their hands, taking all
freedom,
which the old woman inticed me to doe. But still they altered my
face
where ever I went, and a new dish to satisfy nature.
I
tooke all the pleasures imaginable, having a small peece at my command,
shooting
patriges and squerells, playing most part of the day with my
companions.
The old woman wished that I would make meselfe more familiar
with
her 2 daughters, which weare tolerable among such people. They weare
accustomed
to grease and combe my haire in the morning. I went with them
into
the wilderness, there they would be gabling which I could not
understand.
They wanted no company but I was shure to be of the number. I
brought
all ways some guifts that I received, which I gave to my
purse-keeper
and refuge, the good old woman. I lived 5 weeks without
thinking
from whence I came. I learned more of their maners in 6 weeks then
if I
had bin in ffrance 6 months. Att the end I was troubled in minde,
which
made her inquire if I was Anjonack, a Huron word. Att this I made as
if I
weare subported for speaking in a strang language, which shee liked
well,
calling me by the name of her son who before was killed, Orinha,
[Footnote:
Called _Orimha_, over-leaf.] which signifies ledd or stone,
without
difference of the words. So that it was my Lordshippe. Shee
inquired
[of] mee whether I was Asserony, a french. I answering no, saying
I
was Panugaga, that is, of their nation, for which shee was pleased.
My
father feasted 300 men that day. My sisters made me clean for that
purpos,
and greased my haire. My mother decked me with a new cover and a
redd
and blew cappe, with 2 necklace of porcelaine. My sisters tyed me with
braceletts
and garters of the same porcelaine. My brother painted my face,
and
[put] feathers on my head, and tyed both my locks with porcelaine. My
father
was liberall to me, giving me a garland instead of my blew cap and a
necklace
of porcelaine that hung downe to my heels, and a hattchet in my
hand.
It was hard for me to defend myselfe against any encounter, being so
laden
with riches. Then my father made a speech shewing many demonstrations
of
vallor, broak a kettle full of Cagamite [Footnote: _Cagamite, Cagaimtie,
Sagamite_,
a mush made of pounded Indian corn boiled with bits of meat or
fish.]
with a hattchett So they sung, as is their usual coustom. They weare
waited
on by a sort of yong men, bringing downe dishes of meate of
Oriniacke,
[Footnote: _Oriniacke, Auriniacks, horiniac_, the moose, the
largest
species of deer. Called by the French writers-- Sagard-Theodat, La
Hontan,
and Charlevoix--_Eslan, Orinal_, or _Orignal_.] of Castors, and of
red
deer mingled with some flowers. The order of makeing was thus: the
corne
being dried between 2 stones into powder, being very thick, putt it
into
a kettle full of watter, then a quantity of Bear's grease. This
banquett
being over, they cryed to me Shagon, Orimha, that is, be hearty,
stone
or ledd. Every one withdrew into his quarters, and so did I.
But
to the purpose of my history. As I went to the fields once, where I
mett
with 3 of my acquaintance, who had a designe for to hunt a great way
off,
they desired me to goe along. I lett them know in Huron language (for
that
I knew better then that of the Iroquoits) I was content, desiring them
to
stay till I acquainted my mother. One of them came along with mee, and
gott
leave for me of my kindred. My mother gott me presently a sack of
meale,
3 paire of shoos, my gun, and tourned backe where the 2 stayed for
us.
My 2 sisters accompanied me even out of the wildernesse and carried my
bundle,
where they tooke leave.
We
marched on that day through the woods till we came by a lake where we
travelled
without any rest. I wished I had stayed att home, for we had sad
victualls.
The next day about noone we came to a River; there we made a
skiffe,
so litle that we could scarce go into it. I admired their skill in
doing
of it, ffor in lesse then 2 hours they cutt the tree and pulled up
the
Rind, of which they made the boat. We embarked ourselves and went to
the
lower end of the river, which emptied it selfe into a litle lake of
about
2 miles in length and a mile in breadth. We passed this lake into
another
river broader then the other; there we found a fresh track of a
stagge,
which made us stay heere a while. It was five of the clock att
least
when 2 of our men made themselves ready to looke after that beast;
the
other and I stayed behind. Not long after we saw the stagge crosse the
river,
which foarding brought him to his ending. So done, they went on
their
cours, and came backe againe att 10 of the clocke with 3 bears, a
castor,
and the stagge which was slaine att our sight. How did wee rejoice
to
see that killed which would make the kettle boyle. After we have eaten,
wee
slept.
The
next day we made trappes for to trapp castors, whilst we weare bussie,
one
about one thing, one about another. As 3 of us retourned homewards to
our
cottage we heard a wild man singing. He made us looke to our selves
least
he should prove an ennemy, but as we have seene him, called to him,
who
came immediately, telling us that he was in pursuite of a Beare since
morning,
and that he gave him over, having lost his 2 doggs by the same
beare.
He came with us to our Cottage, where we mett our companion after
having
killed one beare, 2 staggs, and 2 mountain catts, being 5 in number.
Whilst
the meat was a boyling that wild man spoake to me the Algonquin
language.
I wondred to heare this stranger; he tould me that he was taken 2
years
agoe; he asked me concerning the 3 rivers and of Quebuck, who wished
himselfe
there, and I said the same, though I did not intend it. He asked
me
if I loved the french. I inquired [of] him also if he loved the
Algonquins?
Mary, quoth he, and so doe I my owne nation. Then replyed he,
Brother,
cheare up, lett us escape, the 3 rivers are not a farre off. I
tould
him my 3 comrades would not permitt me, and that they promissed my
mother
to bring me back againe. Then he inquired whether I would live like
the
Hurrons, who weare in bondage, or have my owne liberty with the
ffrench,
where there was good bread to be eaten. Feare not, quoth he, shall
kill
them all 3 this night when they will bee a sleepe, which will be an
easy
matter with their owne hatchetts.
Att
last I consented, considering they weare mortall ennemys to my country,
that
had cutt the throats of so many of my relations, burned and murdered
them.
I promissed him to succour him in his designe. They not understanding
our
language asked the Algonquin what is that that he said, but tould them
some
other story, nor did they suspect us in the least. Their belly full,
their
mind without care, wearyed to the utmost of the formost day's
journey,
fell a sleepe securely, leaning their armes up and downe without
the
least danger. Then my wild man pushed me, thinking I was a sleepe. He
rises
and sitts him downe by the fire, behoulding them one after an other,
and
taking their armes a side, and having the hattchetts in his hand gives
me
one; to tell the truth I was loathsome to do them mischif that never did
me
any. Yett for the above said reasons I tooke the hattchet and began the
Execution,
which was soone done. My fellow comes to him that was nearest to
the
fire (I dare say he never saw the stroake), and I have done that like
to
an other, but I hitting him with the edge of the hattchett could not
disingage
[it] presently, being so deep in his head, rises upon his breast,
butt
fell back sudainly, making a great noise, which almost waked the
third;
but my comrade gave him a deadly blow of a hattchet, and presently
after
I shott him dead.
Then
we prepared our selves with all speed, throwing their dead corps,
after
that the wild man took off their heads, into the watter. We tooke 3
guns,
leaving the 4th, their 2 swoords, their hattchetts, their powder and
shott,
and all their porselaine; we tooke also some meale and meate. I was
sorry
for to have ben in such an incounter, but too late to repent. Wee
tooke
our journey that night alongst the river. The break of day we landed
on
the side of a rock which was smooth. We carryed our boat and equippage
into
the wood above a hundred paces from the watter side, where we stayed
most
sadly all that day tormented by the Maringoines; [Footnote:
_Musquetos_.]
we tourned our boat upside downe, we putt us under it from
the
raine. The night coming, which was the fitest time to leave that place,
we
goe without any noise for our safty. Wee travelled 14 nights in that
maner
in great feare, hearing boats passing by. When we have perceaved any
fire,
left off rowing, and went by with as litle noise as could [be]
possible.
Att last with many tournings by lande and by watter, wee came to
the
lake of St. Peeter's.
We
landed about 4 of the clock, leaving our skiff in among rushes farr out
of
the way from those that passed that way and doe us injury. We retired
into
the wood, where we made a fire some 200 paces from the river. There we
roasted
some meat and boyled meale; after, we rested ourselves a while from
the
many labours of the former night. So, having slept, my companion awaks
first,
and stirrs me, saying it was high time that we might by day come to
our
dweling, of which councel I did not approve. [I] tould him the Ennemys
commonly
weare lurking about the river side, and we should doe very well
[to]
stay in that place till sunnsett. Then, said he, lett us begon, we
[are]
passed all feare. Let us shake off the yoake of a company of whelps
that
killed so many french and black-coats, and so many of my nation. Nay,
saith
he, Brother, if you come not, I will leave you, and will go through
the
woods till I shall be over against the french quarters. There I will
make
a fire for a signe that they may fetch me. I will tell to the Governor
that
you stayed behind. Take courage, man, says he. With this he tooke his
peece
and things. Att this I considered how if [I] weare taken att the
doore
by meere rashnesse; the next, the impossibility I saw to go by
myselfe
if my comrad would leave me, and perhaps the wind might rise, that
I
could [only] come to the end of my journey in a long time, and that I
should
be accounted a coward for not daring to hazard myselfe with him that
so
much ventured for mee. I resolved to go along through the woods; but the
litle
constancy that is to be expected in wild men made me feare he should
[take]
to his heels, which approved his unfortunate advice; ffor he hath
lost
his life by it, and I in great danger have escaped by the helpe of the
Almighty.
I consent to goe by watter with him.
In a
short time wee came to the lake. The watter very calme and cleare. No
liklyhood
of any storme. We hazarded to the other side of the lake,
thinking
ffor more security. After we passed the third part of the lake, I
being
the foremost, have perceaved as if it weare a black shaddow, which
proved
a real thing. He at this rises and tells mee that it was a company
of
buzards, a kinde of geese in that country. We went on, where wee soone
perceaved
our owne fatall blindnesse, ffor they weare ennemys. We went back
againe
towards the lande with all speed to escape the evident danger, but
it
was too late; ffor before we could come to the russhes that weare within
halfe
a league of the waterside we weare tired. Seeing them approaching
nigher
and nigher, we threw the 3 heads in the watter. They meet with these
3
heads, which makes them to row harder after us, thinking that we had runn
away
from their country. We weare so neere the lande that we saw the bottom
of
the watter, but yett too deepe to step in. When those cruel inhumans
came
within a musquett shott of us, and fearing least the booty should gett
a
way from them, shott severall times att us, and deadly wounding my
comrade,
[who] fell dead. I expected such another shott. The litle skiff
was
pierced in severall places with their shooting, [so] that watter ran in
a
pace. I defended me selfe with the 2 arms. Att last they environed me
with
their boats, that tooke me just as I was a sinking. They held up the
wild
man and threw him into one of their boats and me they brought with all
diligence to land. I thought to die without mercy.
They
made a great fire and tooke my comrade's heart out, and choped off his
head,
which they put on an end of a stick and carryed it to one of their
boats.
They cutt off some of the flesh of that miserable, broyled it and
eat
it. If he had not ben so desperately wounded they had don their best to
keepe
him alive to make him suffer the more by bourning him with small
fires;
but being wounded in the chin, and [a] bullet gon through the troat,
and
another in the shoulder that broake his arme, making him incurable,
they
burned some parte of his body, and the rest they left there. That was
the
miserable end of that wretch.
Lett
us come now to the beginning of my miseries and calamities that I was
to
undergo. Whilst they weare bussie about my companion's head, the others
tyed
me safe and fast in a strang maner; having striped me naked, they tyed
me
above the elbows behind my back, and then they putt a collar about me,
not
of porcelaine as before, but a rope wrought about my midle. So [they]
brought
me in that pickle to the boat. As I was imbarqued they asked mee
severall
questions. I being not able to answer, gave me great blowes with
their
fists. [They] then pulled out one of my nailes, and partly untied me.
What
displeasure had I, to have seen meselfe taken againe, being almost
come
to my journey's end, that I must now goe back againe to suffer such
torments,
as death was to be expected. Having lost all hopes, I resolved
alltogether
to die, being a folly to think otherwise. I was not the [only]
one
in the clawes of those wolves. Their company was composed of 150 men.
These
tooke about Quebucq and other places 2 frenchmen, one french woman,
17
Hurrons, men as [well as] women. They had Eleven heads which they sayd
weare
of the Algonquins, and I was the 33rd victime with those cruels.
The
wild men that weare Prisners sang their fatal song, which was a
mornfull
song or noise. The 12 couleurs (which weare heads) stood out for a
shew.
We prisoners weare separated, one in one boat, one in an other. As
for
me, I was put into a boat with a Huron whose fingers weare cutt and
bourned,
and very [few] amongst them but had the markes of those inhuman
devils.
They did not permitt me to tarry long with my fellow prisoner,
least
I should tell him any news, as I imagine, but sent me to another
boat,
where I remained the rest of the voyage by watter, which proved
somewhat
to my disadvantage.
In
this boat there was an old man, who having examined me, I answered him
as I
could best; tould him how I was adopted by such an one by name, and as
I
was a hunting with my companions that wildman that was killed came to us,
and
after he had eaten went his way. In the evening [he] came back againe
and
found us all a sleepe, tooke a hattchett and killed my 3 companions,
and
awaked me, and so embarked me and brought me to this place. That old
man
believed me in some measure, which I perceived in him by his kindnesse
towards
me. But he was not able to protect me from those that [had] a will
to
doe me mischief. Many slandred me, but I tooke no notice.
Some
4 leagues thence they erected cottages by a small river, very
difficult
to gett to it, for that there is litle watter on a great sand
[bank]
a league wide. To this very houre I tooke notice how they tyed their
captives,
though att my owne cost. They planted severall poastes of the
bignesse
of an arme, then layd us of a length, tyed us to the said poasts
far
a sunder from one another. Then tyed our knees, our wrists, and elbows,
and
our hairs directly upon the crowne of our heads, and then cutt 4 barrs
of
the bignesse of a legge & used thus. They tooke 2 for the necke, puting
one
of each side, tying the 2 ends together, so that our heads weare fast
in a
hole like a trappe; likewayes they did to our leggs. And what
tormented
us most was the Maringoines and great flyes being in abundance;
did
all night but puff and blow, that by that means we saved our faces from
the
sting of those ugly creatures; having no use of our hands, we are
cruelly
tormented. Our voyage was laborious and most miserable, suffering
every
night the like misery.
When
we came neere our dwellings we mett severall gangs of men to our
greatest
disadvantage, for we weare forced to sing, and those that came to
see
us gave porcelaine to those that most did us injury. One cutt of a
finger,
and another pluck'd out a naile, and putt the end of our fingers
into
their bourning pipes, & burned severall parts in our bodyes. Some
tooke
our fingers and of a stick made a thing like a fork, with which
[they]
gave severall blowes on the back of the hands, which caused our
hands
to swell, and became att last insensible as dead. Having souffred all
these
crueltyes, which weare nothing to that they make usually souffer
their
Prisoners, we arrived att last to the place of execution, which is
att
the coming in to their village, which wheere not [long] before I
escaped
very neere to be soundly beaten with staves and fists. Now I must
think
to be no lesse traited by reason of the murder of the 3 men, but the
feare
of death takes away the feare of blowes.
Nineteen
of us prisoners weare brought thither, and 2 left behind with the
heads.
In this place we had 8 coulours. Who would not shake att the sight
of
so many men, women, and children armed with all sorte of Instruments:
staves,
hand Irons, heelskins wherein they putt halfe a score [of] bullets?
Others
had brands, rods of thorne, and all suchlike that the Crueltie could
invent
to putt their Prisoners to greater torments. Heere, no help, no
remedy.
We must passe this dangerous passage in our extremity without
helpe.
He that is the fearfullest, or that is observed to stay the last,
getts
nothing by it butt more blowes, and putt him to more paine. For the
meanest
sort of people commonly is more cruell to the fearfullest then to
the
others that they see more fearfull, being att last to suffer chearfuly
and
with constancy.
They
begun to cry to both sides, we marching one after another, environed
with
a number of people from all parts to be witnesse to that hidious
sight,
which seriously may be called the Image of hell in this world. The
men
sing their fatall song, the women make horrible cryes, the victores
cryes
of joy, and their wives make acclamations of mirth. In a word, all
prepare
for the ruine of these poore victimes who are so tyed, having
nothing
saving only our leggs free, for to advance by litle and litle
according
[to] the will of him that leades; ffor as he held us by a long
rope,
he stayed us to his will, & often he makes us falle, for to shew them
cruelty,
abusing you so for to give them pleasure and to you more torment.
As
our band was great, there was a greater crew of people to see the
prisoners,
and the report of my taking being now made, and of the death of
the
3 men, which afflicted the most part of that nation, great many of
which
came through a designe of revenge and to molest me more then any
other.
But it was altogether otherwise, for among the tumult I perceaved my
father
& mother with their 2 daughters. The mother pushes in among the Crew
directly
to mee, and when shee was neere enough, shee clutches hould of my
haire
as one desperat, calling me often by my name; drawing me out of my
ranck,
shee putts me into the hands of her husband, who then bid me have
courage,
conducting me an other way home to his Cabban, when he made me
sitt
downe. [He] said to me: You senselesse, thou was my son, and thou
rendered
thyselfe enemy, and thou rendered thyself enemy, thou lovest not
thy
mother, nor thy father that gave thee thy life, and thou
notwithstanding
will kill me. Bee merry; Conharrassan, give him to eate.
That
was the name of one of the sisters. My heart shook with trembling and
feare,
which tooke away my stomach. Neverthelesse to signifie a bould
countenance,
knowing well a bould generous minde is allwayes accounted
among
all sort of nations, especially among wariors, as that nation is very
presumptious
and haughty. Because of their magnanimity and victories
opposing
themselves into all dangers and incounters what ever, running over
the
whole land for to make themselves appeere slaining and killing all they
meete
in exercising their cruelties, or else shewing mercy to whom they
please
to give liberty. God gave mee the grace to forgett nothing of my
duty,
as I tould my father the successe of my voyage in the best tearme I
could,
and how all things passed, mixturing a litle of their languag with
that
of the Hurrons, which I learned more fluently then theirs, being
longer
and more frequently with the Hurrons.
Every
one attentively gave ears to me, hoping by this means to save my
life.
Uppon this heere comes a great number of armed men, enters the
Cabban,
where finding mee yett tyed with my cords, fitting by my parents,
made
their addresses to my father, and spak to him very loud. After a while
my
father made me rise and delivers me into their hands. My mother seeing
this,
cryes and laments with both my sisters, and I believing in a terrible
motion
to goe directly on to the place of execution. I must march, I must
yeeld
wheere force is predominant att the publique place.
I
was conducted where I found a good company of those miserable wretches,
alltogether
beaten with blowes, covered with blood, and bourned. One
miserable
frenchman, yett breathing, having now ben consumed with blowes of
sticks,
past so through the hands of this inraged crew, and seeing he could
[bear]
no more, cutt off his head and threw it into the fire. This was the
end
of this Execrable wofull body of this miserable.
They
made me goe up the scaffold where weare 5 men, 3 women, and 2 children
captives,
and I made the Eleventh. There weare severall scaffolds nigh one
an
other, where weare these wretches, who with dolefull singings
replenished
the heavens with their Cryes. For I can say that an houre
before
the weather approved very faire, and in an instant the weather
changed
and rayned Extremely. The most part retired for to avoid this
hayle,
and now we must expect the full rigour of the weather by the
retiration
of those perfidious [persons], except one part of the Band of
hell
who stayed about us for to learn the trade of barbary; ffor those
litle
devils seeing themselves all alone, continued [a] thousand inventions
of
wickednesse. This is nothing strang, seeing that they are brought up,
and
suck the crueltie from their mother's brest.
I
prolong a litle from my purpose of my adventure for to say the torments
that
I have seen souffred att Coutu, after that they have passed the
sallett,
att their entering in to the village, and the rencounters that
they
meet ordinarily in the wayes, as above said. They tie the prisoners to
a
poast by their hands, their backs tourned towards the hangman, who hath a
bourning
fire of dry wood and rind of trees, which doth not quench easily.
They
putt into this fire hattchets, swords, and such like instruments of
Iron.
They take these and quench them on human flesh. They pluck out their
nailes
for the most part in this sort. They putt a redd coale of fire uppon
it,
and when it is swolen bite it out with their teeth. After they stop the
blood
with a brand which by litle and litle drawes the veines the one after
another
from off the fingers, and when they draw all as much as they can,
they
cutt it with peeces of redd hott Iron; they squeeze the fingers
between
2 stones, and so draw the marrow out of the boanes, and when the
flesh
is all taken away, they putt it in a dishfull of bourning sand. After
they
tye your wrist with a corde, putting two for this effect, one drawing
him
one way, another of another way. If the sinews be not cutt with a
stick,
putting it through & tourning it, they make them come as fast as
they
can, and cutt them in the same way as the others. Some others cutt
peeces
of flesh from all parts of the body & broyle them, gett you to eat
it,
thrusting them into yor mouth, puting into it a stick of fire. They
breake
your teeth with a stoane or clubbs, and use the handle of a kettle,
and
upon this do hang 5 or 6 hattchetts, red hott, which they hang about
their
neck and roast your leggs with brands of fire, and thrusting into it
some
sticks pointed, wherein they put ledd melted and gunnepowder, and then
give
it fire like unto artificiall fire, and make the patient gather it by
the
stumps of his remalning fingers. If he cannot sing they make him quack
like
a henne.
I
saw two men tyed to a rope, one att each end, and hang them so all night,
throwing
red coales att them, or bourning sand, and in such like bourne
their
feet, leggs, thighs, and breech. The litle ones doe exercise
themselves
about such cruelties; they deck the bodyes all over with hard
straw,
putting in the end of this straw, thornes, so leaves them; now &
then
gives them a litle rest, and sometimes gives them fresh watter and
make
them repose on fresh leaves. They also give them to eat of the best
they
have that they come to themselves againe, to give them more torments.
Then
when they see that the patient can no more take up his haire, they
cover
his head with a platter made of rind full of bourning sand, and often
getts
the platter a fire. In the next place they cloath you with a suit
made
of rind of a tree, and this they make bourne out on your body. They
cutt
off your stones and the women play with them as with balles. When they
See
the miserable die, they open him and pluck out his heart; they drink
some
of his blood, and wash the children's heads with the rest to make them
valient.
If you have indured all the above said torments patiently and
without
moanes, and have defied death in singing, then they thrust burning
blades
all along your boanes, and so ending the tragedie cutt off the head
and
putt it on the end of a stick and draw his body in quarters which they
hawle
about their village. Lastly [they] throw him into the watter or leave
[him]
in the fields to be eaten by the Crowes or doggs.
Now
lett me come to our miserable poore captives that stayed all along
[through]
the raine upon the scaffold to the mercy of 2 or 300 rogues that
shott
us with litle arrowes, and so drew out our beards and the haire from
those
that had any. The showre of rayne being over, all come together
againe,
and having kindled fires began to burne some of those poore
wretches.
That day they pluckt 4 nailes out of my fingers, and made me
sing,
though I had no mind att that time. I became speechlesse oftentimes;
then
they gave me watter wherin they boyled a certain herbe that the
gunsmiths
use to pollish their armes. That liquour brought me to my speech
againe.
The night being come they made me come downe all naked as I was, &
brought
to a strang Cottage. I wished heartily it had ben that of my
parents.
Being come, they tyed me to a poast, where I stayed a full houre
without
the least molestation.
A
woman came there with her boy, inticed him to cutt off one of my fingers
with
a flint stoan. The boy was not 4 yeares old. This [boy] takes my
finger
and begins to worke, but in vaine, because he had not the strength
to breake
my fingers. So my poore finger escaped, having no other hurt don
to
it but the flesh cutt round about it. His mother made him suck the very
blood
that runn from my finger. I had no other torment all that day. Att
night
I could not sleepe for because of the great paine. I did eat a litle,
and
drunk much watter by reason of a feaver I caught by the cruel torment I
suffred.
The
next morning I was brought back againe to the scaffold, where there
were
company enough. They made me sing a new, but my mother came there and
made
[me] hould my peace, bidding me be cheerfull and that I should not
die.
Shee brought mee some meate. Her coming comforted me much, but that
did
not last long; ffor heare comes severall old people, one of which being
on
the scaffold, satt him downe by me, houlding in his mouth a pewter pipe
burning,
tooke my thumb and putt it on the burning tobacco, and so smoaked
3
pipes one after another, which made my thumb swell, and the nayle and
flesh
became as coales. My mother was allwayes by me to comfort me, but
said
not what I thought. That man having finished his hard worke, but I am
sure
I felt it harder to suffer it. He trembled, whether for feare or for
so
much action I cannot tell. My mother tyed my fingers with cloath, and
when
he was gon shee greased my haire and combed my haire with a wooden
comb,
fitter to combe a horse's tayle then anything else. Shee goes back
againe.
That
day they ended many of those poore wretches, flinging some all alive
into
the midle of a great fire. They burned a frenchwoman; they pulled out
her
breasts and tooke a child out of her belly, which they broyled and made
the
mother eat of it; so, in short, [she] died. I was not abused all that
day
till the night. They bourned the soales of my feet and leggs. A
souldier
run through my foot a swoord red out of the fire, and plucked
severall
of my nailes. I stayed in that maner all night. I neither wanted
in
the meane while meate nor drinke. I was supplied by my mother and
sisters.
My father alsoe came to see me & tould me I should have courage.
That
very time there came a litle boy to gnaw with his teeth the end of my
fingers.
There appears a man to cutt off my thumb, and being about it
leaves
me instantly & did no harme, for which I was glad. I believe that my
father
dissuaded him from it.
A
while after my father was gon 3 came to the scaffold who swore they would
me a
mischiefe, as I thinke, for yet he tied his leggs to mine, called for
a
brand of fire, and layd it between his leggs and mine, and sings: but by
good
lucke it was out on my side, and did no other effect then bourne my
skin,
but bourned him to some purpos. In this posture I was to follow him,
&
being not able to hould mee, draweth mee downe. One of the Company Cutt
the
rope that held us with his knife, and makes mee goe up againe the
scaffold
and then went their way.
There
I stayed till midday alone. There comes a multitude of people who
make
me come downe and led mee into a cottage where there weare a number of
sixty
old men smoaking tobacco. Here they make mee sitt downe among them
and
stayed about halfe an houre without that they asked who and why I was
brought
thither, nor did I much care. For the great torments that I
souffred,
I knew not whether I was dead or alive. And albeit I was in a
hott
feavor & great pain, I rejoyced att the sight of my brother, that I
have
not seene since my arrivement. He comes in very sumptuously covered
with
severall necklaces of porcelaine,[Footnote: _Porcelaine_, the French
for
wam-pum, or shell beads.] & a hattchett in his hand, satt downe by the
company
and cast an eye on me now and then. Presently and comes in my
father
with a new and long cover, and a new porcelaine about him, with a
hatchett
in his hands, likewise satt downe with the company. He had a
calumet
of red stoane in his hands, a cake [Footnote: _Cake_, meaning a
medicine-bag.]
uppon his shoulders, that hanged downe his back, and so had
the
rest of the old men. In that same cake are incloased all the things in
the
world, as they tould me often, advertising mee that I should [not]
disoblige
them in the least nor make them angry, by reason they had in
their
power the sun, and moone, and the heavans, and consequently all the
earth.
You must know in this cake there is nothing but tobacco and roots to
heale
some wounds or sores; some others keepe in it the bones of their
deceased
friends; most of them wolves' heads, squirrels', or any other
beast's
head. When there they have any debatement among them they sacrifice
to
this tobacco, that they throw into the fire, and make smoake, of that
they
puff out of their pipes; whether for peace or adversity or prosperity
or
warre, such ceremonies they make very often.
My
father, taking his place, lights his pipe & smoaks as the rest. They
held
great silence. During this they bring 7 prisoners; to wit, 7 women and
2
men, more [then] 10 children from the age of 3 to 12 years, having placed
them
all by mee, who as yett had my armes tyed. The others all att liberty,
being
not tyed, which putt me into some despaire least I should pay for
all.
Awhile after one of the company rises and makes a long speech, now
shewing
the heavens with his hands, and then the earth, and fire. This good
man
putt himselfe into a sweate through the earnest discours. Having
finished
his panigerique, another begins, and also many, one after another.
They
gave then liberty to some, butt killed 2 children with hattchetts, and
a
woman of 50 years old, and threw them out of the cottage (saving onely
myselfe)
att full liberty. I was left alone for a stake, they contested
together
[upon] which my father rose and made a speech which lasted above
an
houre, being naked, having nothing on but his drawers and the cover of
his
head, and putt himselfe all in a heate. His eyes weare hollow in his
head;
he appeared to me like [as if] mad, and naming often the Algonquins
in
their language [that is, Eruata], which made me believe he spoake in my
behalfe.
In that very time comes my mother, with two necklaces of
porcelaine,
one in her armes, and another about her like a belt. As soone
as
shee came in shee began to sing and dance, and flings off one of her
necklaces
in the midle of the place, having made many tourns from one end
to
the other. Shee takes the other necklace and gives it mee, then goes her
way.
Then my brother rises and holding his hattchett in his hand sings a
military
song. Having finished [he] departs. I feared much that he was
first
to knock me in the head; and happy are those that can escape so well,
rather
then be bourned. My father rises for a second time and sings; so
done,
retired himselfe. I thought all their guifts, songs, and speeches
should
prevaile nothing with mee.
Those
that stayed held a councell and spoake one to an other very long,
throwing
tobacco into the fire, making exclamations. Then the Cottage was
open
of all sides by those that came to view, some of the company retires,
and
place was made for them as if they weare Kings. Forty staye about me,
and
nigh 2000 about my cottage, of men, women, and children. Those that
went
their way retourned presently. Being sett downe, smoaked againe
whilest
my father, mother, brother, and sisters weare present. My father
sings
a while; so done, makes a speech, and taking the porcelaine necklace
from
off me throws it att the feet of an old man, and cutts the cord that
held
me, then makes me rise. The joy that I receaved att that time was
incomparable,
for suddenly all my paines and griefs ceased, not feeling the
least
paine. He bids me be merry, makes me sing, to which I consented with
all
my heart. Whilst I did sing they hooped and hollowed on all sids. The
old
man bid me "ever be cheerfull, my son!" Having don, my mother,
sisters,
and
the rest of their friends [sung] and danced.
Then
my father takes me by the arme and leads me to his cabban. As we went
along
nothing was heard but hooping and hollowing on all parts, biding me
to
take great courage. My mother was not long after me, with the rest of
her
friends. Now I see myselfe free from death. Their care att this was to
give
me meate. I have not eaten a bitt all that day, and for the great joy
I
had conceaved, caused me to have a good stomach, so that I did eat
lustily.
Then my mother begins to cure my sores and wounds. Then begins my
paines
to [break out] a new; ffor shee cleans my wounds and scrapes them
with
a knife, and often thrusts a stick in them, and then takes watter in
her
mouth, and spouts it to make them cleane. The meanwhile my father goes
to
seeke rootes, and my sister chaws them, and my mother applyes them to my
sores
as a plaster. The next day the swelling was gone, but worse then
before;
but in lesse then a fortnight my sores weare healed, saving my
feete,
that kept [me] more then a whole month in my Cabban. During this
time
my nailes grewed a pace. I remained onely lame of my midle finger,
that
they have Squeezed between two stoanes. Every one was kind to mee as
beforesaid,
and [I] wanted no company to be merry with.
I
should [be] kept too long to tell you the particulars that befell me
during
my winter. I was beloved of my Parents as before. My exercise was
allwayes
a hunting without that any gave me the least injury. My mother
kept
me most brave, and my sisters tooke great care of mee. Every moneth I
had
a white shirt, which my father sent for from the Flemeings, who weare
not
a farr off our village. I could never gett leave to goe along with my
brother,
who went there very often. Finally, seeing myselfe in the former
condition
as before, I constituted as long as my father and fortune would
permitt
mee to live there. Dayly there weare military feasts for the South
nations,
and others for the Algonquins and for the French. The
exclamations,
hoopings and cryes, songs and dances, signifies nothing but
the
murdering and killing, and the intended victory that they will have the
next
yeare, which is in the beginning of Spring. In those feasts my father
heaves
up his hattchett against the Algonquins. For this effect [he] makes
great
preparations for his next incamping. Every night [he] never failes to
instruct
and encourage the young age to take armes and to reveng the death
of
so many of their ennemy that lived among the french nation. The desire
that
I had to make me beloved, for the assurance of my life made me resolve
to
offer myselfe for to serve, and to take party with them. But I feared
much
least he should mistrust me touching his advis to my resolution.
Neverthelesse
I finding him once of a good humour and on the point of
honnour
encourages his son to break the kettle and take the hattchett and
to
be gon to the forraigne nations, and that was of courage and of great
renowne
to see the father of one parte and the son of another part, & that
he
should not mispraise if he should seperat from him, but that it was the
quickest
way to make the world tremble, & by that means have liberty
everywhere
by vanquishing the mortall enemy of his nation; uppon this I
venture
to aske him what I was. [He] presently answers that I was a
Iroquoite
as himselfe. Lett me revenge, said I, my kindred. I love my
brother.
Lett me die with him. I would die with you, but you will not
because
you goe against the ffrench. Lett me a gaine goe with my brother,
the
prisoners & the heads that I shall bring, to the joy of my mother and
sisters,
will make me undertake att my retourne to take up the hattchett
against
those of Quebecq, of the 3 rivers, and Monteroyall in declaring
them
my name, and that it's I that kills them, and by that you shall know I
am
your son, worthy to beare that title that you gave me when you adopted
me.
He sett [up] a great crye, saying, have great courage, son Oninga, thy
brother
died in the warrs not in the Cabban; he was of a courage not of a
woman.
I goe to aveng his death. If I die, aveng you mine. That one word
was
my leave, which made me hope that one day I might escape, having soe
great
an opportunity; or att least I should have the happinesse to see
their
country, which I heard so much recommended by the Iroquoites, who
brought
wondrous stories and the facilitie of killing so many men.
Thus
the winter was past in thoughts and preparing for to depart before the
melting
of the snow, which is very soone in that Country. I began to sett
my
witts together how I should resolve this my voyage; for my mother
opposed
against it mightily, saying I should bee lost in the woods, and
that
I should gett it [put] off till the next yeare. But at last I
flattered
with her and dissembled; besides, my father had the power in his
hands.
Shee daring not to deny him any thing because shee was not borne in
my
father's country, but was taken [when] little in the Huronit's Country.
Notwithstanding
[she was] well beloved of her husband, having lived
together
more then fourty years, and in that space brought him 9 children,
4
males and 5 females. Two girls died after a while, and 3 sons killed in
the
warrs, and one that went 3 years before with a band of 13 men to warre
against
a fiery nation which is farre beyonde the great lake. The 5th had
allready
performed 2 voyages with a greate deale of successe. My father was
a
great Captayne in warrs, having ben Commander in all his times, and
distructed
many villages of their Ennemy, having killed 19 men with his
owne
hands, whereof he was marked [on] his right thigh for as many [as] he
killed.
He should have as many more, but that you must know that the
Commander
has not amused himselfe to kille, but in the front of his army to
encourage
his men. If by chance he tooke any prisoners, he calles one of
his
men and gives him the captives, saying that it's honour enough to
command
the conquerors, and by his example shews to the yong men that he
has
the power as much as the honour. He receaved 2 gunn shots and 7 arrows
shotts,
and was runne through the shoulders with a lance. He was aged 3
score
years old, he was talle, and of an excellent witt for a wild man.