Read Online Adventures of Radisson by Martin Fournier - Free Book Online Page B

Trois-Rivières, Radisson was speechless.
    â€œDo you understand me?” the man continued, repeating his question and this time motioning with his hands. “You,” he pointed to Radisson. “Go back to Trois-Rivières with me.” He touched his chest. “Trois-Rivières.” He held up three fingers. “You and me together.” He wrapped one finger around the other. “What do you say?”
    Radisson nodded to show he understood the question. But the Algonquin’s eyes lit up immediately. In his mind Radisson had just said yes.
    â€œHere’s my plan,” the Algonquin went on. “We’ll bump off your three companions in their sleep, then make a run for my canoe, which is hidden close by. What do you say?”
    Radisson shook his head violently, but the Algonquin wasn’t taking no for an answer.
    â€œThe Iroquois hate the French! Sooner or later they’ll kill you! I’m your only way out! Do what I say and everything will be fine! Let’s go. Your friends will be getting suspicious.”
    Radisson was rattled. He tried to convince himself that he had misunderstood. But he knew enough Algonquin to understand that this man wanted to kill his companions and run off with him to Trois-Rivières. TROIS-RIVIÈRES! His head seemed to explode at the very thought of it. His sisters, his friends, his language, and the stockade he should never have left. He was giddy at the very prospect. But he didn’t want to kill his companions, especially not Serontatié, his friend. What was he to do? His stomach was tying itself in knots. His belly was so sore he had to bend over. And yet he couldn’t give anything away in case his companions suspected they might be in danger. If they did, they would kill him.
    Radisson was in over his head. How he would have loved to talk it over with the Algonquin and find some other way. Wait until the next day at least. Come up with another plan. But they dared not mention anything in front of the three Iroquois. Radisson did not know what to do. If he wandered off with the man again on his own, his companions would definitely know something was up. He felt trapped; a downcast look came over his face. Afraid that his plan would be found out, the Algonquin started to worry and began talking non-stop to the three Iroquois to create a diversion. He asked them about their favourite weapons, when they started hunting, about their families, their village. The discussion was going fine until the Algonquin turned to Radisson and asked him in Algonquin when he learned to hunt. Téganissorens jumped angrily to his feet.
    â€œWhat did you ask him?” he shouted.
    â€œI asked him when he learned to hunt,” the Algonquin replied calmly, this time in Iroquois.
    â€œAnd why are you talking to him in your language?”
    â€œHe speaks Algonquin and I wanted to talk to him in my own language, that’s all,” the Algonquin said nonchalantly.
    â€œYou’re an Iroquois now! So speak Iroquois like the rest of us! Got it?”
    Now that he was sure the three youngsters could not understand him, he said one last thing to Radisson in his mother tongue, as blandly as possible.
    â€œQuit moping around like that! They’ll think we’re up to something. Make an effort. Smile.”
    â€œStop it!” Téganissorens snapped. “You’re both Iroquois and you will speak Iroquois! Otherwise you will be treated as enemies! I’m not going to say it a third time!”
    â€œFine, fine,” the Algonquin replied. “I was just telling him we’ll have to stop speaking Algonquin to each other. It’s over. Calm down.”
    The matter was settled. The five men let the fire die down and sleep began to get the better of Radisson’s companions, who didn’t suspect a thing. Before turning in, the Algonquin found a way to encourage his accomplice, who still looked distraught.
    â€œGet