Black Robe

In the Ihonatiria Jesuit mission, Father Jerome walks through empty rooms that seem “like exhibits in some museums of former times” (141). The priests had been among the first to fall sick, and the locals mistrusted the isolation the priests sought in which to heal. Jerome had recovered in 14 days, his fellow priest in “half that time” (142). However, the fever then spread to the rest of the village; the people consider the fever a curse, “the Blackrobes’ revenge” (142) against those who resisted conversion. While the people planned what to do, Jerome suffered a “second and crippling stroke” (142). They killed the other priest. Jerome’s left side is paralyzed. Now, the villagers will not go near him. As he shivers in the cold, he hears a voice. Laforgue enters the village alone. He sees smoke from the habitations but no one greets him. He sees the Jesuit residence and enters, calling for his fellow priest. The Huron leaders call a council on hearing that a Blackrobe has arrived in their village. Ondesson, the war chief, says that “both Blackrobes must be killed” (146) but Taretande, the council chief, asks for a vote. The vote confirms the plan.