What could have been the cause of this senseless fear, it is impossible
to imagine. The same men on other subjects would reason with great
logical acumen.

The good ecclesiastic was still very anxious for the conversion of the
Indians. He manifested more solicitude for their salvation, than for
his own restoration to liberty or the preservation of his own life. He
immediately entered upon the vigorous study of the language. Having
learned that the phrase, "Taket chia biheu," meant, "How do you call
that," he commenced compiling a dictionary. He had a natural facility
for the acquisition of languages, and made rapid progress. Fortunately
he had paper and ink, and eagle's quills were easily obtained.

Hour after hour he spent inquiring the meaning of words and the names
of things. The chiefs were quite pleased in teaching him and in seeing
how fast he was acquiring the power of talking with them on all
familiar subjects. His writing the words was an inexplicable mystery to
them. They would often question him respecting the names of things. He
would refer to his memorandum and then tell them correctly. This not
only surprised but seemed to overawe them.

Father Louis Hennepin was called, by his two French boatmen, Pere
Louis. The chief who had adopted him was one day exhibiting to some
chiefs who were visiting his wigwam, this wonderful power of the white
man in recalling a difficult name, by looking at the characters he had
written. Very solemnly he said:

"There must be an invisible spirit who tells Pere Louis everything we
say."

Neither of the other Frenchmen could write. The dress of the
ecclesiastic was much more imposing than that of the boatmen. He was a
tall, fine-looking man, ever moving with that dignity which seems
instinctive in one accustomed to command. The keen-sighted Indians were
not slow in recognizing his superiority of rank, and all considered him
invested with supernatural powers. Often, when it rained as they were
wishing to go hunting, they would entreat him to sweep away the clouds.
His invariable reply was, pointing to the skies, "The Great Spirit
there controls all things. I have no such ability." They stood in awe
of his spiritual power, and their good feelings were won by his
invariable serenity and kindness. They contributed beaver skins, to the
value of about one hundred dollars, which they presented to him to
induce him to remain and take some wives and have a richly furnished
wigwam