Libr@rsi

1656 - 58] RELA TION OF 1636 -57 23
tone to explain the principal truths of the Gospel,
which he sealed with the three finest presents of all,
which he had reserved for this purpose. As a further
inducement, he said: " I give myself with these
presents as a warranty of the truths that I preach to
you; and if my life, which I devote to you, do not
seem sufficient for you, I offer you those of so many
French who have followed me to Gannentaa, to bear
witness to the Faith that I preach to you. Will you
not trust those living presents, and such bravery and
courage? And will you be simple enough to think
that so clever a band of men would have left their
native country, — the finest and most agreeable in
the world,— and endured such fatigue, [168] in order
to bring a falsehood so far?" The event showed
that those Barbarians were touched by the Father's
discourse. After having maturely deliberated, they
replied that they willingly believed and embraced
the Faith which we had been kind enough to bring
to them, and they earnestly begged the Father to
reside with them, in order the better to instruct
them in our mysteries. One was more deeply
touched than the others; he would not allow the
Father to depart before he had been instructed and
baptized, and had obtained the same happiness for
his wife. God rewards the labors of that Father with
the same success in the other Villages.
Annonkenritaoui, who is the Chief of these peoples,
was inclined to surpass all in fervor, and was
one of the first Christians. A canker that was eating
away his thigh compelled him to take to his bed.
The Father, although ill himself, went to see him,
and converted him to the Faith. He will, doubtless,
be a great prop to it in his own country, for God