We withdrew towards the water and the Iroquois repaired on shore, and arranged all their canoes, the- one beside the other, and began to hew down trees with villainous axes, which they sometimes got in war, and others of stone, and fortified themselves very securely.

Our party, likewise, kept their canoes arranged the one alongside the other, tied to poles so as not to run adrift, in order to fight alltogether should need be. We were on the water about an arrow-shot from their bai-ricades.

When they were armed and in order, they sent two canoes from the fleet to know if their enemies wished to fight, who an-

8 CHAJNIPLAIN'S EXPEDITIONS

swered they desired notliing else ; but tliat just then, there was not much light, and that we must wait for day to distinguish each other, and that they would give us battle at sun rise. This was agreed to by our party. Meanwhile the whole night was spent in dancing and singing, as well on one side as on tlie otlier, mingled with an infinitude of insults and other taunts, such as the little courage they had; how powerless their resistance against their arms, and that when day would break they should experience this to their ruin. Ours, hkewise, did not fail in repartee ; telling them they should witness the effects of arms tliey had never seen before ; and a multitude of other speeches, as is usual at a seige of a town. After the one and the other had sung, danced and parliamented enough, day broke. My companions and I were always concealed, for fear the enemy should see us preparing our arms the best we could, being however separated, each in one of the canoes belonging to the savage Montagnars\ After being equipped with liglit armour we took each an arquebus and went ashore.