"More fish?" Small Bird held out the platter to Brebeuf.

"Thank you," Brebeuf breathed, "Thank you for your kindness and hospitality. May the Lord bless you for taking me in and showing kindness to the least of His servants."

He sounded pretentious perhaps, yet looking into his eyes, it was clear Brebeuf meant every word, his words soft like one of their storytellers.

The Iroquois children leaned forward trying to understand his words, the tone of ...