The famished wretches looked with wolfish yearnings upon the white breast of the offered sacrifice; but there was still a human revolting in their hearts that kept them moveless and silent. They longed for the horrible banquet, but still turned from it with a lingering human loathing. But Lachane was resolute. "Ah!" said he, reproachfully; "you fear--you would not that I should die in this manner; but, _mes amis_, you know me not. You know not how it will glad my heart to know that its dying pulse shall add new life to yours. Here, Lafourche, Genet--you are both beside me. You are the feeblest. You are dying fast. You thirst; another day and you perish! You have a mother, Genet--a dear sister, Lafourche--why will you not live for them? Lo! you, now,--when I strike the blow,--do you both clap your mouths upon the wound. Drink freely--drink deep--that you may have strength--and let the rest drink after you. There!--my braves!--there." With each of these last words, the brave fellow--thence called "Lachane, the Deliverer"--struck two fatal blows, one upon his heart, and one upon his throat. He leaned back between the two famished persons whom he had especially addressed, and, while the consciousness was yet in the eyes of the dying man, they sprang like thirsting tigers, and fastened their mouths upon each streaming orifice. The victim, smarting and conscious to the last, sunk in a few seconds, into the sacred slumber of death. This heroism saved the rest. He had struck with a firm hand and a resolute spirit. In his death they lived. Slow to accept his proffered sacrifice, he was scarcely cold, ere the survivors fastened upon his body; and, ere the last morsel of the victim was consumed, they had assurances of safety.[16] [16] Lest we should be suspected of exaggeration we quote a single sentence from the condensed account in Charlevoix:--"Lachau, celui là même, que la Capitaine Albert avoit exilé, après l'avoir dégradé des armes, déclara qu'il vouloit bien avancer sa mort, qu'il croyoit inévitable, pour reculer de quelques jours celle de ses compagnons. Il fut pris au mot, et on l'égorgea sur le champ, sans qu'il fît la moindre résistance. _Il ne fut pas perdu une goute de son sang, tous en bûrent avec avidité, le corps fut mis en piéces, et chacun en eut sa part._"