is neglected, the soul or spirit is forced to discharge the difficult task of making and maintaining a fire itself, and that with the greatest inconvenience.
Here I am, dear Father, at the close of the legend of the Chippewas. I give it as I received it. I am assured that it is very ancient. The worship of fire among our Indians springs from the worship of the primitive pagans, who, in order to purify themselves, leaped over fire, either a myste
rious one, or lighted in honor of some divinity. The laws of Moses prohibited this practice among the Jews.
Yet one word more, Reverend Father, and I finish this lengthy epistle. If you will read over one of my former letters, you will there find that in my visit to the Crows, camped at the base of the Rocky Mountains, I was the ob ject of an extreme veneration among these savages. Why? I was considered as the bearer or the guardian of the " mysterious fire." In effect, I carried a box of phosphoric matches in the pocket of my soutane. The savages perceived that I used them to light my pipe or their calumet. In a second visit I learned the cause, very futile in itself, which had attached such great importance to my poor person.
I receive from time to time news from these poor and unfortunate pagans. They do not forget the visits which they have received, and I certainly never forget these dear children of my heart. They continue to beg, earnestly, every year, that missionaries be sent them to baptize their children and instruct them in the holy faith, which can alone render them happy here and hereafter.
You asked me one day, Reverend Father, in an excursion which we made together during my last visit in Belgium, " What is the degree of civilization of the tribes that you have visited? " I replied to you: " I do not know all that Europeans wish us to comprehend by the word civilization. These savages are spoken of as exceptional beings, pos sessing another nature. They are men like ourselves. They