OF THE CONVERSION AND OF THE DEATH OF SOME SAVAGES. TWENTY-TWO savages have been baptized this year. If we were acquainted with the languages, I believe the faith would be widely extended. We dare not yet trust baptism to any except those whom we see in danger of death, or to children who are assured to us; for, not yet being able to fully instruct these Barbarians, they would soon show a contempt for our holy Mysteries, if they had only a slight knowledge of them. It is quite true that, if these people were as desirous of learning as are all civilized nations, some [22] of us have a good enough knowledge of their language to teach them. But as they make living, and not knowledge, their profession, their greatest anxiety is about eating and drinking, and not about learning. When you speak to them of our truths, they listen to you patiently; but instead of asking you about the matter, they at once turn their thoughts to ways of finding something upon which to live, showing their stomachs always empty and always famished. Yet if we could make speeches as they do, and if we were present in their assemblies, I believe we could accomplish much there. The goodness of God will ensure success in all things in his own time; let us turn to our Neophytes. On the 16th of August of last year, 1634, shortly after the departure of our vessels, I baptized, when he was dying, a young boy about 12 or 14 years of age. The [23] Savages called him _Akhikouch_; we had chosen for him the name Dieudonné. Monsieur du Plessis Bochard, Commandant of the fleet, had brought him to us from the three Rivers, very sick; and had given him to us that we might, if possible, save the life of the body, at the same time giving him that of the soul. He lived with us only long enough to be hastily instructed.