The new mission-house was about seventy feet in length. No sooner had
the savage workmen secured the bark covering on its top and sides than
the priests took possession, and began their preparations for a notable
ceremony. At the farther end they made an altar, and hung such
decorations as they had on the rough walls of bark throughout half the
length of the structure. This formed their chapel. On the altar was a
crucifix, with vessels and ornaments of shining metal; while above hung
several pictures,--among them a painting of Christ, and another of the
Virgin, both of life-size. There was also a representation of the Last
Judgment, wherein dragons and serpents might be seen feasting on the
entrails of the wicked, while demons scourged them into the flames of
Hell. The entrance was adorned with a quantity of tinsel, together with
green boughs skilfully disposed.

[ "Nostre Chapelle estoit extraordinairement bien ornee, . . nous auions
dresse vn portique entortille de feuillage, mesle d'oripeau, en vn mot
nous auions estalle tout ce que vostre R. nous a enuoie de beau," etc.,
etc.--Le Mercier, Relation des Hurons, 1637, 175, 176.--In his Relation
of the next year he recurs to the subject, and describes the pictures
displayed on this memorable occasion.--Relation des Hurons, 1638, 33. ]

Never before were such splendors seen in the land of the Hurons. Crowds
gathered from afar, and gazed in awe and admiration at the marvels of the
sanctuary. A woman came from a distant town to behold it, and, tremulous
between curiosity and fear, thrust her head into the mysterious recess,
declaring that she would see it, though the look should cost her life.
[ Ibid., 1637, 176. ]

One is forced to wonder at, if not to admire, the energy with which these
priests and their scarcely less zealous attendants [ 1 ] toiled to carry