there still remained so great a multitude within its walls that the famine which they suffered became most terrible. It constrained the besieged to go out armed during the night to look for herbs in the open country; here they only met with death, and Titus crucified the prisoners to the number of five hundred a day. The Roman soldiers, amusing themselves with the sufferings of these miserable wretches, through derision nailed them to the cross, in all sorts of postures. Within the walls of Jerusalem, want carried the inhabitants to the most revolting extremities. Some guards one day passing a certain house, perceived the smell of roasted meat; they rushed in and surprised a woman who was about to eat a portion of her infant,-a sad accomplishment of that prediction of Jesus Christ

that a day should come when they would account blessed the barren womb and the paps which had never given suck. This desperate mother offered the hideous remains of her repast to the guards, but they turned away in horror, notwithstanding their cruelty and the hunger which pressed them. The deserters informed Titus that they had thrown from the gates six hundred thousand corpses; the remainder could not be counted. The temple was taken and burned on the 8th of August, and the upper city carried on the 8th of September. This, together with the lower city, was demolished by Titus, and levelled with the plough. So immerse was the plunder that gold diminished one-half in value, in Syria. One million, one hundred thousand Jews perished in this siege, and ninety-seven thousand were sold as slaves.

W

assembled, to the number of sixteen hundred, in the beautiful Peter's Valley. You know already the reception they gave me, and I shall never forget it. The enthusiastic joy with which they welcomed my arrival-the

From the battle fields of Europe, he betook himself to the forests of the new world, where he has passed thirty years of his life in pursuit of castors and bears. During the missionary's journey, he was his devoted friend, and the faithful companion of his dangers. He has now taken the resolution to traverse the desert only as a guide to the apostles of the Gospel. He had almost forgotten his native language, except his prayers, and a hymn in honor of Mary, which his mother taught him when a child, and which he daily recited, when engaged in the adventurous chase.

I found the Flat Heads and the Panderas

tears of the aged, in returning thanks to the Great Spirit, for having granted them the favor to see and hear a Black Gown before their death-that scene, I repeat it, I can never forget. I shall not recount the religious exercises of my mission, as the consoling results of them have been already communicated to you. You will, perhaps,

*The following is an extract from the Letter to which the author here alludes.

"A few days after we arrived at the camp of the Flat Heads and of the Panderas, or Ear Rings. 1 shall not attempt to describe the reception which these kind Indians had prepared for their Father; my entry into their village was a real triumph, in which the men, women, and children took part. The great chief, a venerable old man, who reminded

take an interest in reading the notes I have collected regarding the character and habits of my neophytes, during a sojourn of three months amongst them; living like them, by the chase and on roots, having only a buffalo's hide for my bed, passing my nights under the canopy of heaven, when the weather was calm, or taking shelter under a small tent against the fury of the tempest.

With regard to the character of these Indians, it is entirely pacific. They never one of the ancient patriarchs, awaited my arrival surrounded by his numerous warriors, and would have at once abdicated in my favor his sovereign authority; but I observed that he had mistaken the object of my visit, and that the salvation of his people was the end of my ambition. We next deliberated upon the time most suitable to be set apart for religious exercises. One of the chiefs brought me a bell, which was to serve for calling the tribe together.

"At the fall of evening, about two thousand savages assembled before my tent in order to recite together the evening prayer. I cannot express the emotions I felt, upon hearing those children of the mountains singing, in praise of the Creator, a solemn canticle composed by themselves. Those two thousand voices, rising in chorus in the bosom of the desert, and with all the ardor of an incipient faith, asking of God the grace to know him better, in order to show to him more love, formed for me in the religious calm of that beauteous night a most sublime concert.

"Every morning at day break, the old chief went round the camp on horseback, and stopping before each cabin Come, children,' he would say, it is time to get up. Let your first thoughts be for the Great Spirit! Up, up; the Father is going to ring the bell for prayers. If he perceived any disorderly conduct, or if the chiefs had made any unfavorable report to him, he addressed a paternal remonstrance to the delinquent, and while proceeding to the place of prayer, a promise of amendment usually followed the admonition.

"The strength of the missionary often fails; but the attention of this good people never grows weary. I have assembled them four times a-day, in order to explain the doctrine of our Divine Master; and yet, during the interval, my lodge is always filled with a crowd eager for instruction. 'Father,' say they to me, only we fear to fatigue you, we would pass the whole night here; we forget to sleep when you speak of the Great Spirit.'

"The Lord has blessed their religious earnestness. After the second meeting, I translated, with the aid of an interpreter, Our Father, the Apostles' creed, and the ten commandments. Having recited them for some days in the morning and evening, I promised a silver medal to whoever would know them first. Forthwith, one of the chiefs rose up, smiling, and said, 'Father, it is mine; and without any faultering, or mistaking a single word, he gained his medal. I embraced him, and on the spot appointed him my catechist. He set about his work with so much zeal that before a fortnight all the Flat Heads knew their prayers.

"The seed of the divine word sown under such favorable circumstances could not fail to produce an abundant harvest: six hundred Indians were admitted to baptism with the great chief of the Flat Heads and the chief of the Panderas at their head." VOL. II.-No. 5.

fight, except in circumstances of lawful defence; but they are, unfortunately, often reduced to this sad necessity, in consequence of the warlike temper of the Black Feet tribe, who are their neighbors and implacable enemies. That marauding people appear to live only for murder and pillage. They are the terror of the savages of the west, who endeavor, as much as possible, to avoid their fatal encounter. But should the Flat Heads, nothwithstanding such precaution, be forced to fight, their courage is as conspicuous as their love of peace; for they rush impetuously on their adversaries, whom they prevent from escaping, and generally make them pay dear for their cruel attacks.

It is a truth which has become proverbial in the mountains, that one Flat Head, or one of the Ear Rings, is worth four Black Feet. If the band of the latter meets a detachment of Flat Heads, of equal or superior numbers, they forthwith appear disposed for peace, unfurl a standard, and present a pipe, in token of friendship. The Flat Heads always accept these tokens of amity; but they take care to make their enemies sensible that the motives which influence their conduct on such occasions are fully understood. "Black Foot," they "I take your pipe, but be assured that I am aware that your heart is disposed for war, and that your hands are sustained with murder. Let us smoke together, as you desire it, though I am convinced that blood will soon be made to flow."

say,

The greatest reproach that could be made to the Flat Heads was their excessive love for games of chance, in which they often risked all they possessed. The Indians of Columbia carried this passion to an almost inconceivable degree; for after losing their goods, they would stake their own persons, at first playing for one hand, then for the other; and if the game continued unfavorable to them, they played successively for every one of their limbs, and, lastly for their head, which, if they lost, they, together with their wives and children, became slaves for life.

The government of the nation is confided to chiefs, who have merited this title

by their experience and exploits, and who possess more or less influence, according to the degree of wisdom and courage they have displayed in council or battle. The chief does not command, but seeks to persuade; no tribute is paid to him, but, on the contrary, it is one of the appendages of his dignity to contribute more than any other to the public expenses. He is generally one of the poorest in the village, in consequence of giving away his goods for the relief of his indigent brethren or for the general interests of his tribe. Although his power has nothing imperious in it, his authority is not the less absolute; and it may, without exaggeration, be asserted that his wishes are complied with as soon as known. Should any mutinous individual be deaf to his personal command, the public voice would soon call him to account for his obstinacy. I know not of any government where so much personal liberty is united with greater subordination and devotion.

All the mountain tribes differ somewhat from each other in their dress. The men wear a long robe, made of the skins of the gazelle or sheep, with shoes and gaiters of doe or dog's skin, and a buffalo-hide cloak, covered with woollen cloth, painted in various colors. The Indian loves to add ornament to ornament: his long hair is decked with various kinds of feathers, and a great number of ribands, rings, and shells. In order to give suppleness to his limbs, he rubs his body with bear's grease, over which he spreads a thick layer of vermilion. Children under seven years of age are scarcely ever clothed except in winter; they are afterwards dressed in a sort of tunic, made of skins, which is open under the arms. They spend whole days amusing themselves in the water, and sometimes even in the very mire. The women wear a large pelerine, adorned with elks' teeth and several rows of pearls. Amongst the Arikaras, their grand dress consists of a fine chemise, with doe-skin shoes and gaiters, embroidered in brilliant colors. A quiver filled with arrows is suspended from the left shoulder; and a cap of eagles' feathers adorns the brow of warriors and huntsmen. He that has killed an enemy on his own land is

distinguished by having the tails of wolves tied on his legs; the bear-killer wears, for a trophy, the claws of that animal as a necklace; the privilege of a savage who has taken in battle one or more scalps, is to have a red hand painted on his mouth, to show that he has drunk the blood of his enemies. The Indian is not less proud of his horse, the companion of all his excursions and of all his dangers, and the friend to which he becomes extremely attached. The head, breast, and the flanks of the noble animal are covered with a scarlet cloth, adorned with pearls and fringes, to which are attached a multitude of little round bells. Cleanliness is a quality not possessed by the savage; nor are the women more particular in this respect then the men; for they never wash their pots or saucepans; and at their meals they often make use of their straw hats, which have no leaf, instead of bowls.

As I before mentioned, the only prevailing vice that I found amongst the Flat Heads was a passion for games of chance : it has since been unanimously abolished. On the other hand, they are scrupulously honest in buying and selling. They have never been accused of stealing. Whenever any lost article is found, it is immediately given to the chief, who informs the tribe of the finding, and restores it to the lawful owner. Detraction is a vice unknown even amongst the women; and falsehood is particularly odious to them. A Forked-tongue (a liar), they say, is the scourge of a people. Quarrels and violent anger are severely punished. Whenever any one happens to fall into trouble, his neighbors hasten to his aid. The gaiety of their disposition adds a charm to their union. Even the stranger is received as a friend, every tent is open to him, and that which he prefers is considered the most happy; and in the Rocky Mountains they know not the use of locks or bolts.

In looking at this picture, which is in nowise overdrawn, you will perhaps ask, are those the people whom civilized men call barbarians? We have been too long erroneously accustomed to judge of all the savages by the Indians on the frontiers, who have learned the vices of the whites. And even with respect to the latter, instead of

treating them with disdain, it would perhaps. be more just not to reproach them with a degradation, of which an example has been given them, and which has been promoted by a selfish and deplorable cupidity.

The country inhabited by the Flat Heads is as picturesque as their lives are innocent. We often met in the neighborhood of the several encampments of the tribe, majestic torrents, forests with trees that have been growing for ages, and pastures covered with the traveller's tea, which, although trampled by numberless horses, embalms the air with its delightful fragrance. We continually beheld a grand succession of lofty mountains; some delighted the sight by their blooming verdure and the imposing appearance of the woods that crowned their summits, while others, as red as brick, bore the impression of some great convulsion of nature. At the base of the latter may be seen piled up layers of lava, and at their tops the ancient craters are easily distinguished. One day, as the tribe was proceeding towards the banks of the lake Henry, I felt a desire to ascend to the top of a mountain, situate between the waters of the Colombia and Missouri, in the hope of discovering the exact place where those two great rivers rise, and the distance between them. I succeeded in finding one of their sources: they form two torrents, which, being divided where they rise, by the distance of scarce a hundred paces, continually diverge as they descend towards the plain. Their course over the rocks presents an enchanting sight; they don't flow along, but roll from cascade to cascade and nothing is comparable to the beauty of their bounding waters, except the distant noise of their fall, repeated by the echoes of the solitary mountains.

Finding it impossible for me to get to the highest top of the mountain that overlooks these sources, I stopped when I had reached an elevation of 5,000 feet, where my strength began to fail, and my guides had to hold me, lest I should be lost under the heavy flakes of snow, which a frightful storm was heaping around me. I then cast my eyes upon the immense region that lay extended at my feet; I represented to myself all the tribes. upon the banks of the Missouri, from

Council Bluffs to the Gulf of Mexico; I thought on my dear colleagues, who are sent by Providence, like angels of salvation, amongst those savage hordes; and I considered, with mixed feelings of joy and of grief, their labors, consolations, and hopes, and how disproportionate is their number to the people requiring the aid of their ministry. Kind people, what futurity awaits thee? Holy missioners, what recompense is reserved for your self-devotion? I remembered that they and I have in heaven a powerful intercessor, in the illustrious founder of our society; and in order to interest him in our dear missions, from the summit of that mountain from which I could nearly view them all, I placed them under his protection. I would fain persuade myself that he will not prove forgetful of his followers, who are endeavoring to plant the Gospel in those countries where it has hitherto been unknown. Additional apostolic teachers will come hither to assist us by their zeal, before the vices of civilization and the proselytism of error have multiplied the obstacles to the propagation of that faith which all the savages so anxiously desire to know, and which, like the Flat Heads and the Panderas, they would practise with gratitude and fidelity.

The 27th of August was the day I fixed upon for my departure. Seventeen warriors, chosen from amongst the bravest of the two nations, and under the command of three chiefs, arrived early in the morning before the entrance of my cabin.* The council of the ancients appointed them to serve as my escort while I should be in the country of the Black Feet and of the Crows. Of these two tribes, so hostile to the whites, the former never gives them quarter, and the

Previous to the departure of the missionary, the Indians assembled to bid him farewell. "Grief was painted on their countenances, tears flowed from their eyes, and the old chief, pressing my hand, said, 'Father, may the Great Spirit accompany you on your long and perilous voyage. Every day, both morning and evening, we will pray that you may arrive safely in the midst of your bretbren. We are now like trees stripped of their foliage by the breath of winter. When the snow shall have disappeared from the mountain tops, and we shall see the grass growing in the valley, joy will again spring up in our hearts; but when the flowers reappear our joy will be complete; for then will be the time of your return. Adieu, Father, adieu.'"'

latter will sometimes spare their lives only to leave them, after having robbed them of every thing, to die of hunger in the desert. As we were liable, every instant, to fall into some ambush, we had scouts sent in all directions to reconnoitre the place and examine the defiles, and the smallest trace of a man having passed was minutely examined. And here we cannot sufficiently admire the wonderful sagacity with which Providence has endowed the savage: he will tell you, from the mere foot-marks, the exact day on which the Indian had erected his tent, on the spot, and how many men and horses had been there; whether it was a detachment of warriors, or a company of hunters, and the nation to which they belong. We selected, every evening, a favorable site for our camp, and raised around it a little fort with the trunks of dry trees, in order to protect ourselves against any surprise during the night.

This region is the retreat of grey bears, the most terrible animals of the desert, whose strength equals their daring and voracity. I have been assured, that by a single stroke of his paw, one of those animals tore away four ribs of a buffalo, which fell dead at his feet. He seldom attacks man, unless when he has been surprised and wounded. An Indian, however, belonging to my escort, in passing by a thick wood of sallow trees, was assailed by one of these ferocious beasts, that sprung furiously upon his horse, fixed his formidable claws in his back, and brought him to the ground. The horseman fortunately was not mounted at the time, and having his gun in his hand, the bear instantly disappeared in the depths of the forest.

On the 5th of September we crossed a defile, which had been passed shortly before by a numerous troop of horsemen. Whether they were allies, or enemies, we had no means to discover. I shall here observe, that in these immense solitudes, although the howling of wolves, the hissing of venomous serpents, the roaring of the tiger and the bear, be calculated to affright; yet this terror is nothing in comparison with the dread excited in the traveller's soul, upon seeing the fresh tracks of men and horses, or columns of smoke rising in the neighbor

hood. At such a sight, the escort at once assembles and deliberates; each one examines his fire-arms, sharpens his knife and the point of his arrow, and makes, in a word, every preparation for a resistance even to death; for to surrender, in such circumstances, would be to expose one's-self to perish in the most frightful torments. The path that we were following led us to a heap of stones, piled upon a small eminence; they were stained with blood, lately spilt; my escort examined them with a mournful attention. The principal chief, a man possessed of much sense, said to me in a solemn tone: “Father, I think I ought to give you an explanation of what we are looking at. The Crows are not far off: in two hours we shall see them. If I be not mistaken, we are upon one of their fields of battle and here their nation must have met with some great loss. This monument has been erected to the memory of the warriors, who fell beneath the blows of their enemies. Here the mothers, wives, and daughters of them that died, have been weeping over their tombs. It is customary for the women to tear their faces, to make deep cuts in their legs and arms, and to water those tumulary piles with streams of blood. Had we arrived sooner, we should have heard their cries and funeral lamentations." He was not mistaken, as we immediately perceived a considerable troop of savages at a league's distance. They were the Crows, who were returning to their camp, after having paid the tribute of blood to forty of their warriors, who were massacred two years before by the tribe of the Black Feet. Being at present the allies of the Flat Heads, they received us with transports of joy. There were groups of women with them, and so disfigured as to excite both pity and horror. This scene of grief is renewed every year, when they pass near the tombs of their relations.

The chiefs of the Crows wished to cement, by a great feast, their alliance with the tribe of our neophytes. As the language of the two nations is very different, the conversation was made by signs. I shall endeavor to describe this dumb language, by mentioning to you how a bargain, at which I was present, was concluded. A young