Read The Incredible Escape. The Adventures of Radisson 3 for Free Online Page B

fashionable than practical in this country, Radisson feared the Iroquois regarded him more as a scarecrow than a real threat.
    â€œNow that our fort is finished,” the commander added, “the Iroquois will have more respect for us. I will personally put more pressure on them, and leave them in no doubt that our weapons are superior. But you are right: the time has come for us to settle in Onondaga.”
    Radisson agreed with him on this point. It was true that the fort must have been intimidating for the Onondaga. Otherwise, the French would have been allowed to build it from the start.
    â€œThe Hurons’ arrival has provided us with a fine pretext,” added Ragueneau. “They are Christians and require religious guidance. Guidance that we will be able to provide if we are on site. We must seize this opportunity. They wanted the Hurons, and now they have them. Now we must show them what good Christians the women are, with priests to help them every day. What do you think, Simon?”
    Father Le Moyne gave an unenthusiastic nod. Like Radisson, he preferred keeping a conciliatory attitude. But the chapel would have to be built one day, and now seemed like a good opportunity.
    â€œVery well, Paul. We should try our luck.”
    Radisson let them discuss among themselves how best to present their plan to the Iroquois. Something else was on his mind. Before leaving, Guillaume Couture had told him he was beginning to question the attitude of many of the Iroquois. A great number of them were no more than tolerating the French, he said. They weren’t really behind the alliance. Now that Couture had left with Father Chaumonot and the handful of sick men, Radisson was mulling over the consequences.
    â€œIt’s all well and good having an impenetrable fort,” he said, when everyone seemed to have had their say on the chapel. “But with no food reserves, the Iroquois will wear us down in the end. They can just let us die of hunger. We’ll need to stock up for the winter, otherwise they’ll have the upper hand.”
    Commander Dupuys, who had never before seriously considered the possibility of a long siege, was a little irked by Radisson’s intervention. He had so little experience of the Iroquois’ ambushes—their favourite tactic—that he had never reckoned on not being able to leave the fort to hunt and fish. But the provisions brought from Trois-Rivières, even along with the vegetables from the garden and the animals bred in the fort, wouldn’t see them through the winter, leaving them well and truly vulnerable.
    â€œOur food reserves are limited,” he admitted.
    â€œUntil now,” explained Father Le Moyne, “the Iroquois have been reluctant to share their best hunting grounds with us. Fishing is all we have. Not to mention the fact that all our energy has gone into building the fort...”
    â€œThen we must get started right away,” Radisson insisted. Otherwise the Iroquois will be calling the shots, not us.”
    â€œGood point,” said Ragueneau. “Take as many men as you need and make a start. Get everyone organized. We have plenty of time to make up for this. I’m counting on you, Radisson.”
    ***
    Father Le Moyne insisted on coming with Ragueneau and Radisson on their first visit to Onondaga. He was going to introduce them to Grand Chief Awenissera, his best friend and a staunch ally of the French. He would stay out of discussions, however. Ragueneau would lead and Father Le Moyne could intervene if his friend’s requests did not go down well.
    Out on the river that led to Onondaga, Ragueneau and Radisson discovered a magnificent land. Great old oak, elm, and walnut trees shaded the scattered undergrowth. Hazelnut trees were all around. Right by the village, vast, well-tended fields of corn, beans, and squash promised a bountiful harvest. The village itself was sizeable and surrounded by a double palisade. It