Lying is as natural to Savages as talking, not among themselves, but to strangers. Hence it can be said that fear and hope, in one word, interest, is the measure of their fidelity. I would not be willing to trust them, except as they would fear to be punished if they failed in their duty, or hoped to be rewarded if they were faithful to it. They do not know what it is to keep a secret, to keep their word, and to love with constancy,--especially those who are not of their nation, for they are harmonious among themselves, and their slanders and raillery do not disturb their peace and friendly intercourse. Ie diray en passant que les Sauuages Montagnais ne sont point larrons, l'entrée leur est libre dans les demeures des François, parce qu'ils ont la main seure: [114] mais pour les Hurons, si on auoit autant d'yeux qu'ils ont de doigts aux mains, encore ne les empescheroit-on pas de dérober, car ils dérobent auec les pieds: ils font profession de ce mestier, & en suitte d'estre battus si on les descouure. Car cõme i'ay desia remarqué, ils porteront les coups que vous leur donnerez patiemment; non pas en reconnoissance de leur peché, mais en punition de leur stupidité, s'estans laissez surprendre en leur larcin. Ie laisseray à parler d'eux aux Peres qui les sont allez voir, dont i'enuierois la condition, n'estoit que celuy qui nous assigne nos departemẽs est toujours aimable, & toujours adorable, quelque part ou portiõ qu'il nous dõne. I will say in passing that the Montagnais Savages are not thieves. The doors of the French are open to them, because their hands can be trusted; [114] but, as to the Hurons, if a person had as many eyes as they have fingers on their hands, he could not prevent them from stealing, for they steal with their feet. They make a profession of this art, and expect to be beaten if they are discovered. For, as I have already remarked, they will endure the blows which you give them, patiently, not as an acknowledgment of their fault, but as a punishment for their stupidity in allowing themselves to be detected in their theft. I will leave the description of them to our Fathers who are going there, whose lot I would envy, were it not that he who assigns us our departments is always worthy of love and always adorable, whatever part or portion he may give us.