had no doubts, no hesitations; but
now, they crowd in upon me when I am alone, and at times I cannot
keep my heart from sinking. I am not afraid, but I am in a dark
place, and I know not where to turn for light."

"Go to Her who has known sorrow above all women, my daughter. Each
of us will think this over in such light as we may find, and will
decide as we may be guided. Meantime do not waste your strength
or courage in unavailing regrets or reproaches. Remember this poor
woman with you has her own trial and anxiety. Give her your sympathy
and your help. Much may come to us through our own effort, if it
be for another."

When we made our camp that night, Lucy and I, much to our delight,
were allowed to take a share in the preparation of the meal, and
afterwards we sate before the blazing fire, while the priest told
us of his life among the roving Indians, of their strange customs
and stranger beliefs, of their patient endurance in times of want,
of their despair when disease made its appearance in their lodges,
and of the ruin wrought among them by the white man's traffic in
strong waters. "For the Indian it is no question of French or
English; whichever conquers, he must go--nay, is passing even
now--with only such feeble hands as mine to point the way of his
going." And there were tears in his voice as he spake.

Before we parted for the night I asked by what name we might address
him.

"Le pere Jean," he answered.

"That is not difficult to remember," I said, smiling.

"Which is important, my daughter, for it has to serve me from Gaspe
to Michilimacinac. There is but little danger of confusion in the
names of missionaries," he added, sadly; "the labourers are few."

When we left him I was glad to find that even Lucy's strict views
were not proof against his simple goodness. I had feared the very
fact of his priestly office would have prejudiced her, for I knew
her sect made little of much the older religions held sacred; but
in speaking of him afterwards she simply said:

"The Lord is wiser than we. He knows what vessels to choose for
His service."

We were so tired, and there was such a sense of security in our
new keeping, that we were asleep before we knew; but during the
night I fell into a strange dream, which so distressed me that I
awoke, with tears streaming down my face. What it was, I could not
clearly gather, but with the awakening came my sorrow afresh, and
I lay staring up into the blacknes