To sail beyond the sunset, and the baths
Of all the western stars until I die.

Tho' much is taken, much abides; and tho'
We are not now that strength which in old days
Moved earth and heaven; that which we are, we are;
One equal temper of heroic hearts,
Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will
To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.

It was Champlain's reward that he saw Quebec once more
under the fleur-de-lis, and was welcomed by the Indians
with genuine emotion. The rhetorical gifts of the red
man were among his chief endowments, and all that eloquence
could lavish was poured forth in honour of Champlain at
the council of the Hurons, who had come to Quebec for
barter at the moment of his return. The description of
this council is one of the most graphic passages in Le
Jeune's Relations. A captain of the Hurons first arose
and explained the purpose of the gathering. 'When this
speech was finished all the Savages, as a sign of their
approval, drew from the depths of their stomachs this
aspiration, HO, HO, HO, raising the last syllable very
high.' Thereupon the captain began another speech of
friendship, alliance, and welcome to Champlain, followed
by gifts. Then the same captain made a third speech,
which was followed by Champlain's reply--a harangue well
adapted to the occasion. But the climax was reached in
the concluding orations of two more Huron chiefs. 'They
vied with each other in trying to honour Sieur de Champlain