The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1898-04-02
Interesting Biography of the
Great Indian Mis-
siOnary.
AMONG THE CHIPPEWAS.
The Inauguration OF the SANITY
Priests ApOstOlate Among the
Chippewas Of Lake Superior.
Continued from Last Week.

Continued from Last Week
With renewed vigor, and well sup
piled with means-for the response
to his appeal for aid had been liberal
Father Baraga returned to La
Point and resumed his apostolic
work. He made regular visits to
Isle St Michel, Fond du lac, Grand
Portage and otheY- places where
there were Christian families to
care for, neophytes Ste Instruct or
pagans to eXhort. He went to
these localities during the summer
season in his own boat, which was
about fifteen feet long, without keel
or centre-board, and unified for
lake service during stormy weather.
He generally had but one attendant
with him, who sat in the stern,
managing the small sail, and guild
ing the little craft. Father Baraga,
who never wasted time, usually lay
on his side in the bottom of the
boat, and either read his Office or
occupied his mind to advantage.
On one occasion, when bound for
the north shore, his attendant was Il
faithful Chippewa half-breed, whose
Indian name was Winzon. After
leaving LaPoint the wind increased
and the waves tossed the mission
ary's boat on their crests as If it
were mere cookie she'll. The lee
of Land Island, one of the Apostle
group, was made temporary
shelter, when the wind subsidized, the
little sail was again hoisted. The
breeze was stiff, and the
boat was steered for Grand
Portage, distance of forty
miles, with rough coast in the
vicinity. When about in mid lake Il
storm arose, which rapidly increased
10 regular Lake Superior tempest.
The boat was driven lceward toward
the coast thirty miles east of Father
Baraga's destination, and it was
tossed over the crest of the angry
waves with every prospect of its
being swamped, in which event
there would not have been the
slightest chance for the safety of the
missionary or his attendants; the
frigidity of the water would have
ended their lives in few minutes.
In the meantime Father Baraga
had been lying in the bottom of the
boat. rcciting his daily office, with
occasional intervals of meditation,
as unconcernedly as if he was seat
ed in his missionary cabin. When
the tempest was in its most angry
mood poor Winzol, who had given
up all hope, exclaimed, in the Chip
pewa dialect: perhaps we are go
ing to die, fatherl' ''Don' be
afraid, Winzon,' and he continued
his devotions. AS the frail boat APP
preached the surf-bound shore,
Winzon again exclaimed: (Which
way shall | steer, father.
Straight ahead, replied the mis-
sionary, who continued his prayers.
On went the little craft over the
breakers and into the calm waters
of small river which had its outlet
straight ahead, where the
frightened half breed had been di-
rectcd to steer.
When Father Baraga landed. he
selected sapling and had Winaon
cut off the branches. leaving the
trunk about ten feet high. "A few
feet from the top mortise was cut,
into which a piece of the sapling
three feet long was fitted and
thoroughly fastened Indian fash
ion, making an indestructiblc
cross, anchored in the soil by the
roots Of the yonng tree.
Father Baraga held the cross in
the highest veneration. When he
sought shelter from the storm in
midwnter, in the forest, in some
tenantless cabin, he marked the
sign of the cross in the snow before
he entered the dreary enclosure; and
when, after the night he passed, he
emerged from such temporary
shelter. he again marked the
venerated outline in the snow as "a
token of his gratitude for the mercy
which had been vouchsafed him. He
appreciated the miracle by which
his own and his attendants life had
been spared during the violent
tempest, where, under ordinary cir
cumstances, such an escape from
death could not have been expected;
and as token OF his gratitude for
such q miraculous delivery nc plant
ed this cross in the locality which
had been the scene of his miraculous
delivery. This cross has been cut