Thereupon sieur de Champlain began to speak, and told them that he had always loved them, that he wished very much to have them as his brothers, and, having been sent in behalf of our great King to protect them, he would do it very willingly; that he had sent to meet them a bark and a shallop, and that the Hiroquois had treacherously killed three of our men; that he did not lose heart on that account, that the French feared nothing, and that they cherished their friends very dearly; that they must not believe those who would like to divert them from coming to see the French, and that, having given them their word, they would keep it, as they had been [276 i.e., 176] able to observe in the past; that he still recognized old men among their people, from having gone to war with them; that he thanked them for their presents, and would know very well how to requite them. He added that our Fathers were going to see them in their country, as a proof of the affection which we bore them, telling marvelous things in our favor. "These are our Fathers," said he, "we love them more than our children or ourselves; they are held in very high esteem in France; it is neither hunger nor want that brings them to this country; they do not come to see you for your property or your furs. Here is Louïs Amantacha, of your own tribe, who knows them, and who knows very well that I tell the truth. If you love the French people, as you say you do, then love these Fathers; honor them, and they will teach you the way to Heaven. This is what makes them [177] leave their country, their friends, and their comforts, to instruct you, and especially to teach your children a knowledge so great and so necessary. Deux Capitaines haranguerent apres cela, ce fut à qui honoreroit le plus le sieur de Champlain & les François, & à qui nous tesmoigneroit de l'affection: l'vn d'eux disoit que les François n'estans plus icy, la terre n'estoit plus terre, la riuiere n'estoit plꝰ riuiere, le ciel n'estoit plꝰ ciel: mais qu'au retour du sieur de Champlain tout estoit retourné à son estre, la terre estoit deuenuë terre, la riuiere estoit deuenue riuiere, & le ciel auoit paru ciel. L'autre confessoit que les Sauuages estoyent tous craintifs & paoureux, mais que le sieur de Champlain estoit effroiable en ses regards; qu'estant en guerre il iettoit d'vne œillade la terreur dans le cœur de ses [178] ennemis; & apostrophant la ieunesse de son païs il luy disoit: Prenez garde maintenant, escoutez ce qu'on nous dit: ne dites pas qu'on n'a point parlé de tout cecy en plein conseil: ie vous aduertis, afin que par apres voꝰ obeyssiez.