followed him to his cabin to hear him tell of God, of
heaven the reward of the good, and of hell the eternal
abode of the unrighteous. But he made few converts. The
Indian idea of the future had nothing in common with the
Christian idea. The Hurons, it is true, believed in a
future state, but it was to be only a reflex of the
present life, with the difference that it would give them
complete freedom from work and suffering, abundant game,
and an unfailing supply of tobacco.

Brebeuf's one desire now was to live and die among this
people. But the colony at Quebec was in a deplorable
condition, as he knew, and he was not surprised when,
early in the summer of 1629, he received a message
requesting his presence there. Gathering his flock about
him he told them that he must leave them. They had as a
sign of affection given him the Huron name Echon. Now
Christian and pagan alike cried out: 'You must not leave
us, Echon!' He told them that he had to obey the order
of his superior, but that 'he would, with God's grace,
return and bring with him whatever was necessary to lead
them to know God and serve Him.' Then he bade them
farewell; and, joining a flotilla of twelve canoes about
to depart for Quebec, he and his engages set out. They
arrived at Notre-Dame-des-Anges on the 17th of July, to
find the Jesuits there in consternation at the rumoured
report of the approach of a strong English fleet.