alive. Le Mercier met him with looks as determined as his own, till,
abashed at his undaunted front and bold denunciations, the Indian stood
confounded.

[ The above incidents are from Le Mercier, Lalemant, Bressani, the
autobiography of Chaumonot, the unpublished writings of Garnier, and the
ancient manuscript volume of memoirs of the early Canadian missionaries,
at St. Mary's College, Montreal. ]

The belief that their persecutions were owing to the fury of the Devil,
driven to desperation by the home-thrusts he had received at their hands,
was an unfailing consolation to the priests. "Truly," writes Le Mercier,
"it is an unspeakable happiness for us, in the midst of this barbarism,
to hear the roaring of the demons, and to see Earth and Hell raging
against a handful of men who will not even defend themselves." [ 1 ]
In all the copious records of this dark period, not a line gives occasion
to suspect that one of this loyal band flinched or hesitated. The iron
Brebeuf, the gentle Garnier, the all-enduring Jogues, the enthusiastic
Chaumonot, Lalemant, Le Mercier, Chatelain, Daniel, Pijart, Ragueneau,
Du Peron, Poncet, Le Moyne,--one and all bore themselves with a tranquil
boldness, which amazed the Indians and enforced their respect.

[ 1 "C'est veritablement un bonheur indicible pour nous, au milieu de
cette barbarie, d'entendre les rugissemens des demons, & de voir tout
l'Enfer & quasi tous les hommes animez & remplis de fureur contre une
petite poignee de gens qui ne voudroient pas se defendre."--Relation des
Hurons, 1640, 31 (Cramoisy). ]

Father Jerome Lalemant, in his journal of 1639, is disposed to draw an
evil augury for the mission from the fact that as yet no priest had been