The Incredible Escape. The Adventures of Radisson 3 by Martin Fournier Read Free Book Online Page A

It was an honour for the Frenchmen to be heard in such sacred surroundings.
    Fifty men and women were gathered opposite Awenissera, Father Le Moyne, Ragueneau, and Radisson. Vincent Prudhomme, the young Frenchman who had arrived the previous year and had come with them, joined the Iroquois. He had quickly adapted to the customs of the country and already spoke fluent Iroquois. The elderly women taking part in the council were the clan mothers. The men were experienced war and peace chiefs. Radisson recognized Andoura among them, who had come to Trois-Rivières the previous winter. He was sitting in the front row, but never looked in Radisson’s direction and Radisson had no way of indicating he wanted to talk to him. Radisson could see that he had lost a lot of weight.
    The night before, the French had agreed that Ragueneau would first speak about religion, without an interpreter. Radisson would then talk about food supplies.
    Awenissera began the discussions in his booming voice.
    â€œI am happy to welcome among us a new Blackrobe who has come to help my friend Simon teach us more about the Great Spirit of the French. Those who have come with him are also welcome. You say this Great Spirit is all powerful, and it is our sincere desire to please him in order that we might benefit from his power. Our hearts and ears are open to your teaching. And we are gathered here today to listen to your request on this matter.
    â€œBefore it is your turn to speak, I want you to know that we share your pain and wish to help you heal your wound. The Hurons travelling with you were dear to your heart, we know. We are sorry they had to be killed, but I remind you that this decision is none of your concern. The conflict between the Huron and Iroquois nations existed long before the French settled on our shores. It is not for you to judge our actions. We did what was right in order to calm our spirits, who were angry with the Hurons. You must accept that. Just as we accepted that your people build a fort we consider to serve no purpose. Each to his customs.
    â€œNow we must look to the future. The spirits of our ancestors are presently at peace and you have now settled among us to your satisfaction. The alliance between the Onondaga and the French will now be without clouds. It is up to us to make it more fruitful. I would like to reassure you that the Hurons we are welcoming among us are being treated like sisters we had lost and have now found. May your heart soon be at peace. Now speak, for we are listening.”
    Ragueneau stood to deliver his message. He had not understood everything, but had been touched by Awenissera’s words about the death of the Hurons. With a discreet nod, Father Le Moyne indicated that he should not deviate from what they had agreed would be said. Ragueneau noted, however, that he would be able to use Awenissera’s words to make his own even more convincing.
    â€œI am glad to have arrived in your country,” the Jesuit said in a firm, serious voice. “I have been waiting for this moment for a long time. As you said, I experienced great sadness on my way here, for I loved those Hurons as brothers. Your chiefs had already explained to me that their deaths will compensate the loss of those of you who were drowned when coming to fetch us. I will follow your advice and will not judge you for taking their lives. I respect your customs and am glad your spirits are now calm, despite the sorrow that I feel. Because even greater torment occupies my thoughts. Since I arrived in your country, I have felt the wrath of my God. I knew not why, until the answer came to me in a dream last night.
    â€œFather Le Moyne told me that, despite your desire to open your hearts to the words of our Great Spirit and to please him, you have still not let him enter this village, the centre of your nation. No chapel has as yet been built here in Onondaga, and no missionaries are permitted to live here permanently. I