This made the Frenchmen laugh, saying in reply that their godCudraigny was but a fool and a noddy and knew not what he said. "Tellhim," said a Frenchman, "that Christ will defend them from all cold, ifthey will believe in him." The Indians then asked the captain if he hadspoken with Jesus. He answered No; but that his priests had, and they hadpromised fair weather. Hearing this, they thanked the captain and told theother Indians in the woods, who all came rushing out, seeming to be veryglad. Giving great shouts, they began to sing and dance as they had donebefore. They also began to bring to the ships great stores of fish and ofbread made of millet, casting it into the French boats so thickly that itseemed to fall from heaven. Then the Frenchmen went on shore, and thepeople came clustering about them, bringing children in their arms to betouched, as if to hallow them. Then the captain in return arranged thewomen in order and gave them beads made of tin, and other trifles, andgave knives to the men. All that night the Indians made great fires anddanced and sang along the shore. But when the Frenchmen had finallyreached the mouth of the Ottawa and had begun to ascend it, under Vignan'sguidance, they had reasons to remember the threats of the god Cudraigny.Ascending the Ottawa in canoes, past cataracts, boulders, and precipices,they at last, with great labor, reached the island of Allumette, at adistance of two hundred and twenty-five miles.
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