Black Robe

The Algonkin chant as their canoes slow and “some twenty unknown Savages” (54) appear on the riverbank. They are the Montagnais, Laforgue is told, and they are confused by the priests’ appearance. After greeting one another, Neehatin asks for Mestigoit. When the Algonkin vanish into the trees, Daniel asks Laforgue “what you will do if they abandon us?” (55). Laforgue says they will go on alone. Neehatin returns to the camp with Mestigoit, a small deformed man, who examines Laforgue closely. Laforgue forgets the local customs and insults the sorcerer. Mestigoit says that Laforgue is a demon, as is he. Mestigoit shakes his drum at Laforgue, who remembers reading that “sorcerers are [the Jesuits’] greatest enemies” (57). They take to the canoes again, and Mestigoit travels in the same boat as Laforgue, “as though he were his jailer” (57).

With Mestigoit, the Algonkin travel at a slower pace. They make camp earlier and hunt once more. Mestigoit and Laforgue are left alone; the sorcerer appears in front of Laforgue and dances around, shouting and shaking his drum, trying to drive out the demon. Annoyed, Laforgue walks away into the forest and becomes lost. He wanders the woods, becoming more and more lost, calling out for help.