impressed, too, by the richness of the vegetation. His
attack on the Iroquois was not soon forgotten by that
relentless foe, and prepared a store of trouble for the
colony he founded. But the future was closed to his view,
and for the moment his was the glorious experience of
being the first to gaze with European eyes upon a lake
fairer and grander than his own France could show.

Four years elapsed before Champlain was enabled to plunge
once more into the depths of the forest--this time only
to meet with the severest disappointment of his life.
Much has been said already regarding his ambition to
discover a short route to Cathay. This was the great
prize for which he would have sacrificed everything save
loyalty to the king and duty to the church. For a moment
he seemed on the point of gaining it. Then the truth was
brutally disclosed, and he found that he had been wilfully
deceived by an impostor.

It was a feature of Champlain's policy that from time to
time French youths should spend the winter with the
Indians--hunting with them, living in their settlements,
exploring their country, and learning their language. Of
Frenchmen thus trained to woodcraft during Champlain's
lifetime the most notable were Etienne Brule, Nicolas
Vignau, Nicolas Marsolet, and Jean Nicolet. Unfortunately
the three first did not leave an unclouded record. Brule,
after becoming a most accomplished guide, turned traitor
and aided the English in 1629. Champlain accuses Marsolet
of a like disloyalty. [Footnote: Marsolet's defence was