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

now know that our Great Spirit is very angry because of your refusal to welcome him here and I fear he will seek revenge. He is very powerful, and I am fearful for you.
    â€œTo avoid a great misfortune befalling the Onondaga, I ask that you help me pacify our God. In my dream, I saw a wonderful chapel built in the midst of a bustling village, which I now recognize as your own. I lived permanently behind this chapel. I celebrated mass there every day before many Huron women and some Iroquois, too. Our God was pleased, and he smiled down on me. His anger was gone. Help me realize this dream and protect you from the wrath of our Great Spirit. I ask from the bottom of my heart that you grant me this favour, for the good of the Iroquois and the French, both of whom will profit from it. This is what I have to say to you.”
    Total silence fell on the assembly. No one had moved since Ragueneau had begun to speak. A mixture of surprise and fear was evident on the faces of the chiefs and the old women. Such a veiled threat had never been made by Father Le Moyne. Some Iroquois had been pleased with themselves for limiting the French influence in Onondaga, but this newcomer had sown serious doubt in their minds. They now knew that any reply to the Jesuit’s requests would have grave consequences.
    â€œAs an act of our goodwill…” Ragueneau added, motioning for Radisson to open the large canvas sack he had brought with him, “...to show you that I seek only to spare you the wrath of our Great Spirit, I offer this gift to our friend Awenissera, who can share it among you at his convenience.”
    Radisson took six gleaming long-barrelled muskets from the bag, stacking them in a pyramid.
    â€œThese are the finest muskets the French have ever made. They have just arrived from the other side of the great salty sea. We have brought others with us to exchange with you later in return for furs. It is now time for Radisson to speak. He knows you well for he spent a long time among the Mohawks.”
    After Ragueneau had lowered expectations, it was now Radisson’s turn to raise them. He gave those assembled a warm smile, making sure that he could be seen by all and delighted that it had fallen upon him to gratify the Iroquois and thank them for their welcome.
    â€œThe Onondaga have the finest country in all the world!” he began, looking several Iroquois in the eye. “Since I arrived a few days ago, your country has not ceased to amaze me! I have seen all kinds of game, and my French friends who have been living here for a year inform me that the fish are also plentiful. Your forests are full of nuts. Your woods allow you to make everything you need. What more could your people ask for? You already have everything we could ever dream of. My French friends and I are delighted to live with you in such a beautiful land, alongside such a generous people.”
    Radisson paused to see what impact his words were having. Faces were relaxing. Smiles were appearing.
    â€œI also noticed how well kept your fields are. Your women are skilful and well used to growing corn, squash, and beans in a way the French have not yet mastered. We want you to show us how to have such fine harvests. You know that the French are also excellent farmers. But they lack experience in this new land. They planted French wheat around their fort without having the time to prepare the land, and now they are sorry because nothing grows better here than your wheat, your corn. We ask you to teach us how, the things you learned from your ancestors, so that we might enjoy such bountiful harvests ourselves. In the meantime, we are in need of your generosity.
    â€œSo that our union and the peace between us remain strong, so that trade makes us both more prosperous, we wish to exchange French goods in return for much corn and beans. Judging from what I have seen, your harvest will be plentiful and I have no fear of depriving you by asking you to