Three-Rivers then stood before the Black Robe called Jesuit, who had not yet been killed. He spoke to this man in French and then in his native tongue for all to hear [even translating the Black Robe’s words to the Longhouse tongue], “Black Robe, spiritual enemy of mine, you come to poison the souls of my people. How do you regard my appearance?”
The man’s face streaked as his tears rolled down across his dirty cheeks. “I know not if you are angel or devil. I had prayed as Brother Innes was killed to be spared by Jesus—and you appeared. Might you be the heathen incarnation of The Son of Man?
“Though I did so pray I dare not hope. For it is against Church doctrine and beyond intelligent discourse to think such a thing possible. It is believed that the Son of Man shall only come again in the End Times.”
He is much like Sebastian, intelligent yet stricken by the Whiteman’s savage notion of a ravaging and enslaving God. He has devoted much of himself to rectifying these conflicting issues in his mind. He does not offer his name and believes himself therefore beneath consequence.
“What is your name, Black Robe?”
“I am Brother Elzear.”
“Elzear, I control various demons. Shall I summon a demon to slay you, or should I summon my disciple to sing a song of mercy?”
The man swallowed hard and looked up with less than bravery. “Whatever it is that you think is deserved. And, should you think mercy is deserved, I shall do your bidding faithfully, so long as the doing is not to evil purpose and not against God.”
He is of the higher mind—fragilely so—but still of higher mind.
He turned to Feather Foot. “Elder, this man shall accompany you to my towns, where you shall place him under the tutelage of the medicine-man, George Silver. I would now like to introduce you all to my disciple…”
