Next summer the chiefs of
all these tribes will come to Quebec, and ratify in a solemn General
Council the wampums they now send by me and the other missionaries,
my brothers in the Lord!"
The Abbe, with the slow, formal manner of one long accustomed to the
speech and usages of the Indians, unrolled the belts of wampum, many
fathoms in length, fastened end to end to indicate the length of the
alliance of the various tribes with France. The Abbe interpreted
their meaning, and with his finger pointed out the totems or signs
manual--usually a bird, beast, or fish--of the chiefs who had signed
the roll.
The Council looked at the wampums with intense interest, well
knowing the important part these Indians were capable of assuming in
the war with England.
"These are great and welcome pledges you bring us, Abbe," said the
Governor; "they are proofs at once of your ability and of your
zealous labors for the King. A great public duty has been ably
discharged by you and your fellow-missionaries, whose loyalty and
devotion to France it shall be my pleasure to lay before His
Majesty.
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