Champlain was forced reluctantly to accompany the Hurons.
With his usual patience he accepted the inevitable, which
in this case was only unpleasant because he was ill
prepared for spending a winter among the Indians. After
a few days he perceived that their plan was to keep him
and his companions, partly as security for themselves
and partly that he might assist at their councils in
planning better safeguards against their enemies.

This enforced residence of Champlain among the Hurons
during the winter of 1615-16 has given us an excellent
description of Indian customs. It was also the means of
composing a dangerous quarrel between the Hurons and the
Algonquins. Once committed to spending the winter among
the Indians, Champlain planned to make Huronia a point
of departure for still further explorations to the
westward. Early in 1616 there seemed to be a favourable
opportunity to push forward in the direction of Lake
Superior. Then came this wretched brawl of Hurons and
Algonquins, which threatened to beget bitter hatred and
war among tribes which hitherto had both been friendly
to the French. Accepting his duty, Champlain gave up his
journey to the far west and threw himself into the task
of restoring peace. But the measure of his disappointment
is found in these words:

If ever there was one greatly disheartened, it was
myself, since I had been waiting to see this year what
during many preceding ones I had been seeking for with
great toil and effort, through so many fatigues and