The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents, Vol. 5: Quebec, 1632-1633
History
The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents, Vol. 5: Quebec, 1632-1633
Canada -- History -- To 1763 (New France); Indians of North America -- Canada; Jesuits -- Missions; Jesuits -- North America
Toward the end of January the son and the sons-in-law of our
Savage, being near Cape de Tourmente, told their father, who was
settled near us, that there was good hunting in that quarter. He
went there with [86] the rest of his family. Then, coming back to
see us, he said that if we loved him, we would go to visit him in
his cabin, and he would give us some Venison. "You have given me,"
said he, "of your store when I was hungry; my people will think you
are very angry with me, if you do not come to see us." He brought
us news that the Savage, Brehault, was dead; and that he had left
two children, a boy and a little girl. Now as we desired very much
to send some children to France to have them educated, that they
might afterward help their people, Father de Nouë made up his mind
to follow this good Savage, a journey not without difficulties.
Here are the particulars thereof: The inns found on the way are the
woods themselves, where at nightfall they stop to camp; each [87]
one unfastens his snowshoes, which are used as shovels in cleaning
the snow from the place where they are going to sleep. The place
cleaned is usually made in the form of a circle; a fire is made in
the very middle of it, and all the guests seat themselves around
it, having a wall of snow behind them, and the Sky for a roof. The
wine of this inn is snow, melted in a little kettle which they
carry with them, provided they do not wish to eat snow in lieu of
drink. Their best dish is smoked eel. As they must carry their
blankets with them for cover at night, they load themselves with as
few other things as possible.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account