The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents, Vol. 6: Quebec, 1633-1634
History
The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents, Vol. 6: Quebec, 1633-1634
Canada -- History -- To 1763 (New France); Indians of North America -- Canada; Jesuits -- Missions; Jesuits -- North America
Two Savages having consulted these Genii at the same time, but
in two different tents, one of them, a very wicked man who had
treacherously killed three men with his hatchet, was put to death
by the Genii, who, crossing over into the tent of the other Savage
to take his life, as well as that of his companion, were themselves
surprised; for this juggler defended himself so well that he killed
one of these _Khichikouai_ or Genii; and thus it was found out how
they were made, for this One remained in the place where he was
killed. Then I asked him what was his form. "He was as large as
the fist," he replied; "his body was of stone, and rather long."
I judged that he was cone-shaped, large at one end, and gradually
becoming smaller towards the other. They believe that in this
stone body there is flesh and blood, for the hatchet with which
this Spirit was killed was bloody. I inquired if they had feet and
wings, and was told they had not. "Then how," said I, "can they
enter or fly into these tents, [56] if they have neither feet nor
wings?" The sorcerer began to laugh, saying in explanation, "In
truth, this black robe has no sense." This is the way they pay me
back when I offer some objections to something which they cannot
answer.
Comme ils faisoient grand cas du feu que iettoit ce iongleur hors de
son tabernacle, ie leur dis, nos François en ietteroient mieux que luy,
car il ne faisoit voler que des estincelles de quelque bois pourry
qu'il porte auec soy, comme ie me persuade, & si i'eusse eu de la
resine, ie leur eusse faict sortir des flammes. Ils me contestoient
qu'il estoit entré sans feu dans cette maison, mais de bonne fortune,
ie luy auois veu donner vn gros charbon ardant qu'il demanda pour
petuner.
As they made a great deal of the fire which this juggler threw out
of his tent, I told them that our Frenchmen could throw it better
than he could; for he only made a few sparks fly from some rotten
wood which he carried with him, as I am inclined to think, and if
I had had some resin I could have made the flames rise for them.
They insisted that he entered this house without fire; but I had
happened to see some one give him a red-hot coal which he asked to
light his pipe.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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