The Incredible Escape. The Adventures of Radisson 3 (11 page)

Lavionkié started to stir. She rolled over and wrapped her arms around her lover's neck. She kissed him. Then she greeted him with an impassioned look.

“Good morning, my lovely Lavionkié,” Radisson replied as he caressed her beaming face, her dark silky hair, her mink-like back, her exciting curves.

Life seemed simple when their gazes met, reflecting back the same shared happiness like two mirrors. But the reality they lived in was anything but simple.

“I have to go back to the fort today,” Radisson added.

He still had to invite a few people to the Easter feast before he left. Lavionkié made a face as she snuggled into Radisson's arms. Radisson held her tightly.

“When will you be back?”

“In a day or two… There's going to be a big feast at the fort. You could come this time.”

Lavionkié did not answer. She knew that her mother, who had little time for the French, would be against it. And yet Radisson was so kind, so warm, so strong. She could have spent the whole day in his arms. But she had to let go of him so that he could leave.

***

Radisson found Robert Racine and two other Frenchmen waiting impatiently for him outside the chapel. With the invitations made, they were now eager to get back to the safety of the fort. The journey took no time at all. The sentries opened the gate for them. All that remained was to proceed with the final preparations.

Commander Dupuys regularly sent out men to watch the river and the great lake of the Iroquois to keep an eye on the ice that covered them. Never had the French waited for spring to come with so much hope. They rejoiced as the blazing sun melted the snow. But they fretted every time the cool nights left a thin layer of ice on the water's surface. As soon as conditions seemed good enough to allow navigation, the signal was given.

Radisson could see that the two flat-bottomed boats were ready and covered in canvas beneath the birch-bark canoes, which had all been repaired. The bags had been sorted and packed up. Everything was ready for them to leave. Most of the French didn't mind having to leave valuables and pelts behind them, provided they escaped with their lives. Bringing everything with them was impossible. But Radisson looked bitterly at the fifty bundles of pelts that had been set to one side. So much effort for no reward. Another missed target.

Radisson met Father Ragueneau in the Jesuits' apartment.

“At last, there you are!” cried the Jesuit.

“Are you well, Father?”

“Very well, thank you. But it was high time for me to spring back into action.”

The Jesuit had begun preparing the Easter celebrations.

“It hurt so much to be paralyzed for a whole month.”

“Did Takanissorens visit you, as he promised?”

“Just once. He brought me tobacco and advised me to offer it up to the spirits. He says they were probably angry when I injured myself. That's how he sees my accident. I told him that our God liked tobacco, too, and that I'd be sure to make the offering. He seemed happy.”

“Did you really hurt yourself, Father?”

“Not at all! I followed your plan to the letter. And may God help us see it through right to the end!”

“You seemed to be in so much pain that I feared you had really hurt yourself.”

“I hurt my hip as I bumped up against a few rocks. That helped me cry out all the louder. But two days later, I didn't feel anything at all. Only this darned plaster, which has left me limping around. What an ordeal! It drove me mad to be here half paralyzed, even if there was nothing wrong with me. I took the opportunity to pray for us, morning, noon, and night.”

“The surgeon played his role well. He didn't breathe a word to anyone?”

“As silent as the grave. And you're right: he played his role to perfection! I even wondered if I had really hurt myself when I saw him so upset. Any word of the hunters?”

“They will be back soon. We must leave.”

“The men who keep an eye on the ice say we can travel along the river safely now. I suggest we celebrate Easter a week early, on Palm Sunday. The Iroquois won't suspect a thing, of course, and God won't hold it against us. If you don't have any objection, I ask that you set out immediately to warn all our missionaries and invite as many people as possible to the feast. Your idea of thanking the Iroquois spirits for my recovery at the same time should help attract a crowd. First and foremost, make sure no Frenchman will be held captive in the villages. Everything is ready here.”

“I'll convince them, Father. I'll see to everything. Don't worry. The Iroquois won't want to miss an even bigger feast than Candlemas. They won't suspect a thing. Every single Frenchmen will be able to get away as planned.”

“I hope so, Radisson. Did you let the people of Onondaga know?”

“I did. I told them their spirits must be favourable to us since you healed so quickly and that it would be the greatest feast of their lives. Many told me they would be there. Andoura will encourage them to come. It's going to work, Father. I'm sure of it.”

“Go now. And take only men we can trust with you.”

“Everything will be done as you intend, Father. I'll see you soon.”

As Radisson left the room, Ragueneau called him back.

“Radisson!”

“Yes, Father?”

The Jesuit hesitated, but he considered it his duty to swallow his pride.

“Thank you for everything. You know that I do not approve of all your relationships with the Iroquois, but I must admit they have been indispensable. I knew that I would need you, but not to this extent. You managed to find a solution that, against all odds, is going to save us. Without a drop of blood being spilled. And you have put the plan into action like an expert. I congratulate you and I thank you on behalf of us all. I'm proud of you.”

Surprised, Radisson accepted the praise humbly.

“I did it in part for you, Father. Even though you perhaps committed an error by coming here, you don't deserve that a single person should die because of your decision. It was a sound, bold project that could have brought us much. I have always supported you.”

***

The fifty-two Frenchmen in Iroquois country were together at last. Father Le Mercier, who had travelled a great distance to get there, arrived last with a delegation of five Cayuga from his village. To play things safe, they didn't allow a single man or woman from the hundred or so Iroquois who had come to enter the fort, claiming that it was inappropriate to celebrate the feast of Easter inside fortified surroundings. The shelter outside the fort that had been used for Candlemas had been made bigger and more comfortable.

The celebrations began with a solemn mass sung by six Jesuit missionaries. During the sermon, Father Ragueneau thanked the Iroquois for having come celebrate with them the resurrection of the son of God, who reigned in heaven for all eternity, and sang the praises of the Iroquois spirits who had helped him get back on his feet. While convalescing, he said, he had a dream in which these spirits and the God of the French had become reconciled, granting extraordinary powers to all. He noted that the feast sought to make this dream a reality and to grant great powers to all. He encouraged them to honour their customs by eating everything the French put in front of them. If they did not, they would lose the opportunity to improve their people's lot.

Radisson was encouraged to see the Iroquois turn out in such numbers. On his way past, he had recognized many chiefs who were not favourable to the French, a sign that they had come to enjoy the feast and did not suspect a thing. Ragueneau's sermon was designed to encourage them to eat as much as they pleased, and then some more, in case the dream were to become reality and leave them with new powers. It was a case of mixing business with pleasure. Radisson also took it to be a good omen that they were celebrating the day when Christ miraculously escaped death.

When the sermon was over, Radisson returned to the fort to ensure the feast got underway right after the mass. The Iroquois could not be given a minute to think. Their greed had to get the better of them as quickly as possible. The orders he had given to everyone for the feast were clear: they had to be urged to eat and eat until they were left exhausted. The fate of the French depended on the Iroquois being gluttons.

As soon as he heard the final Latin blessing, Radisson led out a small procession carrying six pots of sagamité. They set them down in the shelter, to the Iroquois' great delight. Radisson rushed over to serve the chiefs he knew personally: Andoura, Awenissera, and Takanissorens, as well as his informer Ouatsouan, who naturally wasn't going to pass up an opportunity to get something for nothing from the French. Suddenly he saw Ononta. His stomach tied itself in knots as he realized his mistake. How had he missed him earlier? The shaman was staring suspiciously at the walls of the shelter, as though sensing something was being kept from him. Radisson swooped on him like an eagle.

“Hello, Ononta! How nice it is to see you again!”

The Iroquois hadn't seen him coming. Radisson didn't give him a chance to speak.

“Stay where you are! I'll bring you a bowl of sagamité right away! Don't let it be said I ever let my master serve himself on a day like today. Be thankful to the French, Ononta. You'll remember this feast until your dying day. I'm on my way! Just give me a minute!”

Radisson plunged a bowl down into the sagamité, grabbed a spoon on his way past, and rushed to hand it, still oozing, to Ononta.

“I'm sorry I didn't say hello earlier. Did you know Lavionkié and I are going to marry according to your customs? She makes me so happy! Eat to our happiness and enjoy the generosity of the French. I'll bring you anything you want.”

“I heard about the Candlemas feast and didn't want to miss this one.”

Radisson was already back in the fort giving more orders.

“Always serve the chiefs first and give them the finest cuts! I'll point them out to you. They're all there. Don't forget Ononta, the shaman! And don't scrimp on the portions! As long as their mouths are full, they won't be asking any questions.”

At day's end, Radisson invited the Iroquois to take a break from eating by taking on the French in games of skill. (The French were under orders to let the Iroquois win so that they could bask in their superiority.) The French and the Iroquois then danced together Iroquois style. Next, the hosts sang their traditional, rousing songs. Their guests loved it. During the activities, men covered the floor of the shelter with fresh balsam boughs and then draped beaver pelts over them. When night fell, the Iroquois made themselves comfortable. Torches and fires were lit for light and warmth.

Radisson repeated his most important order.

“Not one Iroquois is to be allowed to rest his weary eyes, not even for a minute, do you hear me? Give them more to eat. Talk to them. Make plenty of noise. Walk past them. Slap their backs. Give them encouragement.”

The night was much colder than the French had foreseen. Even with the fires raging, a few Iroquois began to shiver and complain. They asked for more pelts. Radisson gave orders not to hand them out: the cold would keep them awake.

“We are adding wood to the fire,” the French replied. “We have no covers left and your pelts are all wrapped up. We'll bring you more to eat instead. That will warm you up!”

The guests helped themselves to generous portions of delicious, steaming stews that contained all the duck and Canada goose they had. The Iroquois were not new to such feasts and nibbled to save room for later.

Toward the end of the night, as the French gave the Iroquois a little time to digest, the fort's finest storytellers shouted their tales while others clowned around. Some of them took the Iroquois to task, pointing at them and asking them questions in French. The Iroquois tried but failed to understand.

“Thank you for coming!” they explained in Iroquois.

Just a little more effort. The celebrations were not over yet. There was still a lot of food left. Keep going! The spirits will be grateful.

The French took turns. While half of them rested inside the fort, the other half kept the Iroquois awake. The sun rose at last, its light re-energizing everyone.

There were shouts of joy when the French brought out three spit-roasted deer. The Iroquois had made proving their stamina a point of honour and kept on eating even though they no longer had any appetite. They had been through this before! And they were not going to break their own tradition on account of the French.

Back inside, the French had begun to gather the bags beside the gate that opened up onto the river. The Jesuits and Commander Dupuys were responsible for ensuring that everything went like clockwork and was ready on time. The canoes were brought one by one, then loaded. It would soon be time to leave.

The Jesuits joined the celebrations. They interrupted the feast for a moment to pray and sing with the guests. They had the Iroquois stand, one by one, to bless them. The time had come to preach the word of God to them one last time in their booming voices, with the fervour of one last chance. They walked among them to shake their hands, thanking them for helping to bring about an agreement between the Iroquois spirits and the God of the French. Father Le Moyne lingered with Awenissera. The old chief was uncomfortable because he could not warn his friend of the plot that would soon be the downfall of the French. Takanissorens was keeping a close eye on him to ensure he did not say too much. Awenissera was crying. Father Le Moyne understood why, but could not reveal anything either. He did his best to comfort him.

“Do not be sad, Awenissera. I am happy that you are celebrating the resurrection of our God with us. It is a moment I will never forget. We have done great things together, and we will have many more opportunities to celebrate together, I am sure. Our Great Spirit is hope. He will reward you for your good deeds.”

The old chief nodded sadly. The Jesuit was also sad to be leaving behind a dear friend. Le Moyne then went over to say goodbye to Andoura, who had always remained loyal to the French. The other missionaries had good words for others, too, even their enemies. They wanted to leave a good impression, hoping one day to have a second chance to convert the Iroquois.