rmer to return to our settlement with
the rest of our company, giving them the assurance that in a short
time, by God's grace, I would return to them.'

Having convinced himself, Champlain was next forced to convince the
Indians, whose {89} first impulse was to abandon the campaign when they
found that they would be accompanied by only three of the Frenchmen.
Champlain's firmness, however, communicated itself to them, and on July
12 they set out from Chambly Basin to commence the portage. At the top
of the rapid a review of forces was held, and it proved that the
Indians numbered sixty men, equipped with twenty-four canoes.
Advancing through a beautifully wooded country, the little war-party
encamped at a point not far below the outlet of Lake Champlain, taking
the precaution to protect themselves by a rough fortification of tree
trunks.

At this point Champlain introduces a graphic statement regarding the
methods which the Indians employ to guard against surprise. On three
sides they protect the camp by fallen trees, leaving the river-bank
without a barricade in order that they may take quickly to their
canoes. Then, as soon as the camp has been fortified, they send out
nine picked men in three canoes to reconnoitre for a distance of two or
three leagues. But before nightfall these scouts return, and then all
lie down to sleep, without leaving any pickets or sentries on duty.
When {90} Champlain remonstrated with them for such gross carelessness,
they replied that they worked hard enough during the daytime. The
normal formation of an Indian war-party embraced three divisions--the
scouts, the main body, and the hunters, the last always remaining in
the rear and chasing their game in a direction from which they did not
anticipate the appearance of the enemy. Having arrived at a distance
of two or three days' march from their enemies, they united in a single
party (save for the scouts) and advanced stealthily by night. At this
juncture their food became baked Indian meal soaked in water. They hid
by day and made no fire, save that required to smoke their tobacco.

Thus does Champlain describe the savage as he is about to fall upon his
foe. He gives special prominence to the soothsayer, who on the eve of
battle enters into elaborate intercourse with the devil. Inside a
wooden hut the necromancer lies prostrate on the ground, motionless.
Then he springs to his feet and begins to torment himself,
counterfeiting