"Father says Canada is a great place for hunters, there are so many wild animals in the forests. He was dreadfully cold while he was there. He is glad to be home again." "Yes, the weather is colder there than it is here, because it is farther north. Yet the cold did not keep the Frenchmen from going to live in Canada long ago. They were willing to suffer a little so long as they could get rich by hunting and trapping, and trading with the Indians. "They were the first white people to settle in Canada. They called the country 'New France.' "They built stations here and there along the shores of the St. Lawrence River. The Indians used to bring loads of furs to sell to them. The white men paid for the furs with hatchets, and beads, and pieces of cloth. That was the kind of money the Indians liked best. "The savages of Canada were always friendly to the Frenchmen. They found that the settlers did not wish to harm them and that they were treated fairly. So there was no trouble. "The Frenchmen loaded ships with the furs they bought and sent them home to France. They wrote to their friends in the old country about the gentle and friendly Indians. Some good French priests heard the news. They said: "'We will cross the ocean and go to live among the Indians. We will teach them about God and about Christ, the Savior.'" Uncle Sam was so busy talking, he did not notice Joe making signs to his sister. These signs said: "We had better take off our coats and spend the evening. I know Uncle Sam feels like telling a story." [Illustration: FUR-TRADING WITH THE FRENCH] Lucy understood her brother. In another minute she and Joe were sitting on either side of the old man as he began to tell of the good priest Father Marquette and what he found. It was a long time ago that Father Marquette left France and came to Canada. Unlike the fur traders, he had no wish to get rich. He was a priest with a kind, loving heart. He cared only to teach and help the Indians. As soon as he reached Canada, he asked many questions about the Red Men. The fur traders told him of some Indians who lived not far away. They said: "These Indians are kind and honest. They will treat you well." Marquette went to see them at once. They liked him because he was gentle and good. They took him into their homes. He lived with them for three years. While he was there, he heard of a wonderful river. The Indians called it "The Father of Waters" because it was so long and wide. They said it was far, very far, to the west of them. Other Indians had told them about it. They thought it would not be safe to sail down this river. Tribes of fierce savages lived on its shores. They would kill anyone who came among them. The good Marquette was not afraid. He only thought: "These savage Indians have all the more need of my teaching. I must go to them."