The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents, Vol. 7: Quebec, Hurons, Cape Breton, 1634-1635
History
The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents, Vol. 7: Quebec, Hurons, Cape Breton, 1634-1635
Canada -- History -- To 1763 (New France); Indians of North America -- Canada; Jesuits -- Missions; Jesuits -- North America
They had left our Shallop at anchor in a strong tidal current. I
told them it was not safe, and that it ought to be placed under
shelter behind the Island; but, as we were only waiting for a
good breeze in order to depart, they did not heed me. During the
night the tempest increased, so that it seemed as if the winds
were uprooting our Island. Our host, foreseeing what might occur,
roused the Apostate, and urged him to come and help him save our
Shallop, which threatened to go to pieces. Now either this wretch
was lazy, or he was afraid of the billows; for he did not even try
to get up, giving as his only reason that he was tired. During this
delay, the wind broke the fastening, or cable of the anchor, and
in an instant carried away our Shallop. My host, seeing this fine
[222] management, came and said to me, "_Nicanis_, my well-beloved,
the Shallop is lost; the winds, which have loosened it, will break
it to pieces against the rocks which surround us on all sides."
Who would not have been vexed at that Renegade, whose negligence
caused us untold trials, considering that we had a number of
packages among our baggage, and several children to carry? Yet my
host, barbarian and savage that he is, was not at all troubled at
this accident; but, fearing it might discourage me, he said to me,
"_Nicanis_, my well-beloved, art thou not angry at this loss, which
will cause us so many difficulties?" "I am not very happy over it,"
I answered. "Do not be cast down," he replied, "for anger brings
on sadness, and sadness brings sickness. _Petrichtich_ does not
know anything; if he had tried to help me, this misfortune would
not have happened." And these were all the reproaches he made.
Truly, it humiliates me that considerations of health should check
the anger and vexation of a Barbarian; and that the law of God,
his good pleasure, the hope of his great rewards, the fear of his
[223] chastisements, our own peace and comfort, cannot check the
impatience and anger of a Christian.
Au malheur susdit en suruint vn autre, nous auions outre la Chaloupe
vn petit Canot d'écorce, la marée se grossissant plus qu'à l'ordinaire
par le souffle des vents nous le déroba, nous voila prisonniers
plus que iamais, ie ne vis ny larmes ny plaintes, non pas mesme
parmy les femmes, sur le dos desquelles ce desastre tomboit plus
particulierement, à raison qu'elles sont comme les bestes de voiture,
portant ordinairement le bagage des Sauuages, au contraire tout le
monde se mit à rire.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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