At Quebec Champlain found his people in good
health and undiminished numbers, the winter having been passed through
without the endurance of any particular hardship. His Indian allies,
also, the Hurons, Algonquins, and Montagnais, were eagerly waiting for
him to rejoin them in another attack upon the Iroquois.
In the middle of June Champlain, with a few Frenchmen, left Quebec and
proceeded up the St. Lawrence to the mouth of the river Richelieu. Near
to this, on ascending that river, and employing the services of scouts,
it was found that a body of Iroquois had established themselves in a post
fortified by means of great trees which had been felled, so that their
branches, interlaced with each other, presented a strong wall of defence.
The Algonquins and Montagnais immediately commenced an attack; when,
although assisted by the French, with their arquebuses, it was for a long
time found impossible to force an entrance into the position. In the end,
however, the Iroquois fled, leaving fifteen of their number prisoners.
The conquerors had three killed and about fifty wounded, among whom was
Champlain himself. Again was he compelled to witness the perpetration of
the most revolting cruelties upon the unfortunate Iroquois captured by
his allies, whom he could not restrain, although now regarded by them
with feelings amounting to veneration.
Pages:
611
612
613
614
615
616
617
618
619
620
621
622
623
624
625
626
627
628
629
630
631
632
633
634
635