We had moreover four Algonquin and four Iroquois canoes, which were to compose our little fleet of fifty-three

Frenchmen. But the difficulty was to embark unperceived by the Iroquois who constantly beset us. The batteaux, canoes and all the equipage could not be conveyed without great noise, and yet without secrecy there was nothing to be expected save a general massacre of all of us the moment it would be discovered that we entertained the least thought of withdrawing.

On that account we invited all the savages in our neighborhood to a solemn feast at which we employed all our industry, and spared neither the noise of drums nor instruments of music, to deceive them by harmless device. He who presided at this ceremony played his part with so much address

and success, that all were desirous to contribute to the publick joy Every one vied in uttering the most piercing cries, now of war, anon of rejoicing. The savages, through complaisance, sung and danced after the French fashion and the French in the Indian style. To encourage them the more in :

this fine play, presents were distributed

among

those who acted best their parts and who made the

greatest noise to drown that caused by about forty of our people outside who were engaged in removing

The embarcation being completed, the feast was concluded at a fixed time the and sleep having soon overwhelmed them, we withdrew from our house by a back door and embarked with very little noise, without bidding adieu to the Savages, who were acting cunning parts and were thinking to amuse us to the hour of our massacre with fair appearances and evidences of good will. Our little Lake on which we silently sailed in the darkness of the night, froze according as we all our equipage.