Page:Lacrosse- The National Game of Canada (New Edition).djvu/81

64 were to be used as trading houses, for the mutual interest of the government and the natives. From these forts the Indians derived inestimable advantages. Jesuit missionaries worked themselves into the sympathies of the Indians; French officers and soldiers appeared to assimilate themselves to many of their wild habits, and, like Frontenac, occasionally arrayed themselves in the garb of Indian warriors, and joined in the war dance with that art of accommodation so illustrative of French character. "The French became savages," says Charlevois, "instead of the savages becoming French." French commerce ornamented every wigwam; the mirrors of Paris pleased the vanity while they reflected the features of stately warrior and dark-eyed squaw; yet French power was never relaxed, for while they courted the favor of the natives they showed their might, and while "caressing with one hand held a drawn sword in the other." Indian vanity and love for "presents" was sagaciously fed; the novelties of Europe were lavishly distributed; even guns, ammunition and clothing were given with a generosity which won the heart of the red-skin. A Frenchman might have slept as soundly and securely in