Page:The Homes of the New World- Vol. II.djvu/277

Rh life. Yet all the more increased his love for the Master whom he served; and his desire to suffer in His service. He thirsted after it as others thirst after the delights of life. He made a vow never to decline the opportunity of martyrdom, and never to receive the death-blow except with joy.

Such was a faith to remove mountains; and it did more, it implanted the vitalising love of Christ in the blood-thirsty heart of the savage. The great warrior Ahasistari said; “Before you came to this country, where I have incurred the greatest perils, and have alone escaped, have I said to myself, ‘Some powerful spirit has the guardianship of my days!’ ” And he professed his belief in Jesus as the Good Genius and Protector, whom lie had before unconsciously adored. After trials of his sincerity he was baptised; and enlisting a troop of converts, savages like himself, “Let us strive,” he exclaimed, “to make the whole world embrace the faith in Jesus.” Farther and farther still advanced the missionaries towards the West; they heard of powerful and warlike Indian races, such as the mighty Sioux who dwelt by the great river Mississippi, of the Erie, and Chippewas, and Pottowatomies, and others who dwelt by the great lakes. Dangers, fatigues, wildernesses, savages all stood in threatening array before them, but only the more to allure them.

Hostile tribes overcame the Indians who conducted them. The savage Mohawks took the Missionary Isaac Jogues, prisoner, and with him the noble chief Ahasistari. Ahasistari had succeeded in finding a hiding-place, but when he saw Jogues a captive, he stepped forth to him saying—

“My brother, I made a vow to thee that I would share thy fate, whether life or death. How am I to keep my vow.”