Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1931-08-14
needles we're playIng about on the

needles were playing about on the
surface Of the boiling fat.
Robert wrote in his diary:
"This repast was a torment. AS
punishment 1t was as successful as
the journey. | found some relief in
them. l have thought so much of my
discomfort that had no time to think
of troubles. 1t shocked me a little
to see the savages, after they had
cooled the pot in water, paw around
in it with their unwashed hands and
long. clawlike, dirty finger nails. Why
should care for my own refined feel
ing in the matter? They ate like
swine. So did |. One thing they did
which l could not do. They wiped
their greasy hands in their hair and
on their naked skin. Amos tells me
that they keep their hair and bodies
creased for two reasons: it helps them
to slip through the bushes, also fleas
and mosquitoes and lice find their
skin a less agreeable feeding place.
II wonder how a pair of Puritans
will make out with the French. My
mother, who died when l was lad of
ten, was French lady of the distin.
guished Brebeuf family. One of them
"a priests said to be in Canada.
Fortunately have well-known friends
in France and am able to speak the
language, and neither Amos nor is
quarrelsome. We must do our best
to make good impression at Kebec
if they take us there"
They had not long to wait. They
came next day to the range of lofty
cliffs crowned with fortification,
ramparted with logs, above which
French flag was flying. Down by the
shore there were a number of one
story warehouses, built of logs chinked
with moss. Among the savages they
took the zigzag path leading upward.
An officer in plumed hat stopped
them. In good French Robert told
him Of their plight Taking them to
be Frenchmen, unarmed and harm
less, the officer said: N
81 will go with you to Father Lee
Jeune."
They found the kindly Father in the
chapel--a structure built of planks
and mud and matched with meadow
grass. 1t stood on low plateau in a
palisaded Enclosure. The savages
waited outside the palisade while the
white men entered with the officer.
The chapel's altar was decorated with
images of Loyola, Xavier and the dove.
1t was called Notre Dame DIES Anges.
Robert knelt in prayer before the
altar. Father LeJeune, superior of
the residence, entered. He wore a
close black cassock. A rosary hung
from his belt, wide black hat, looped
at the sides, was in his hand Robert
arose and bowed.
whence came your" the Father
asked.
From Boston far in the SOUTH"
Robert answered.
'What seek you here?"
1.-THE mercy of God"
Are you not English, and our enc
mies?"
I'VE are English but not your enc
mics. We know of your devotion to
the will of our common Master. It
has won our admiration. am not
worthy to kiss your feet, but love
you for the spirit of sacrifice that has
brought you to the wilderness and
which keeps you here. My mother
was a French lady and Catholic
Only the cruel folly of misguided
rulers turned my father from the an
cient church"
1.-The sword and the strong hand as
a means of conversion will ever be
a failure" the Father answered grave
ly as he shook his head. Meanwhile
l have letter which. think. relates
to you. A Dutch trader brought 1t
from the far south to the great river
and sent it to me by an Algonquin
chief. 1t came to my hand less than
a week ago"
tTo BE coNTINUED3