Chronicles of Notre Dame du Lac
Edward Sorin, CSC -- Translated by John M. Toohey, CSC, 1895

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1880

pg 516       visited by any missionary, and who had expressed a certain desire 
             to become Christians.  Immediately two of the best men of the 
             Pottawatomies were dispatched to the new village, and in three 
             weeks they reported their new catechumens well instructed, ready 
             for baptism, and very anxious to see the missionary.  They could 
             not wait; they were impatient, for fear, they said, that they 
             might die before becoming the happy children of God.
                  Very early next morning the missionary was journeying in a 
             sleigh, with an interpreter and a driver, towards Nantawassippi, 
             fifty-five miles east of South Bend, to the residence of an 
             excellent Canadian friend, Mr. Marentet, at whose house our 
             neophytes were to meet him to receive holy Baptism.
                  It was 5 p.m. when Father Sorin, nearly half frozen, reached 
             the spot and found himself surrounded, before he could get out his 
             cutter, by nineteen Indians, everyone the very picture of joy 
             and happiness.