they wished nothing else; but they said that at present
there was not much light, and that it would be necessary
to wait for day so as to be able to recognize each
other; and that as soon as the sun rose they would
offer us battle. This was agreed to by our side.
Meanwhile the entire night was spent in dancing and
singing, on both sides, with endless insults and other
talk; as how little courage we had, how feeble a
resistance we should make against their arms, and that
when day came we should realize it to our ruin. Ours
also were not slow in retorting, telling them that
they would see such execution of arms as never before,
together with an abundance of such talk as is not
unusual in the siege of a town.

Care had been taken by the Algonquins that the presence
of Champlain and his two companions should come to the
Iroquois as a complete surprise. Each of the Frenchmen
was in a separate canoe, convoyed by the Montagnais. At
daylight each put on light armour and, armed with an
arquebus, went ashore. Champlain was near enough the
barricade to see nearly two hundred Iroquois, 'stout and
rugged in appearance. They came at a slow pace towards
us, with a dignity and assurance which greatly impressed
me, having three chiefs at their head.' Champlain, when
urged by his allies to make sure of killing the three
chiefs, replied that he would do his best, and that in
any case he would show them his courage and goodwill.

Then began the fight, which must be described in Champlain's