to live? If a friend, listen what I say!
You know that we risked our lives for you! If we have no courage, why
did you not tell us? If you have more wit than we, why did you not use
it to defend yourselves against the Iroquois? How can you defend your
wives and children unless you get arms from the French!"

"Fools," cried Radisson, striking a beaver skin across an Indian's
shoulder, "will you fight the Iroquois with beaver pelts? Do you not
know the French way? We fight with guns, not robes. The Iroquois will
coop you up here till you have used all your powder, and then despatch
you with ease! Shall your children be slaves because you are cowards?
Do what you will! For my part I choose to die like a man rather than
live like a beggar. Take back your beaver robes. We can live without
you--" and the white men strode out from the council.

Consternation reigned among the Indians. There was an uproar of
argument. For six days the fate of the white men hung fire. Finally
the chiefs sent word that the five hundred young warriors would go to
Quebec with the white men. Radisson did not give their ardor time to
cool. They embarked at once. The fleet of canoes crossed the head of
the lakes and came to the Upper Ottawa without adventure. Scouts went
ahead to all the _portages_, and great care was taken to avoid an
ambush when passing overland. Below the Chaudiere Falls the scouts
reported that four Iroquois boats had crossed the river. Again
Radisson did not give time for fear. He sent the lightest boats in
pursuit; and while keeping the enemy thus engaged with half his own
company on guard at the ends of the long _portage_, he hurriedly got
cargoes and canoes across the landing. The Iroquois had fled. By that
Radisson knew they were weak. Somewhere along the Long Sault Rapids,
the scouts saw sixteen Iroquois canoes. The Indians would have thrown
down their goods and fled, but Radisson instantly got his forces in
hand and held them with a grip of steel. Distributing loaded muskets
to the bravest warriors, he pursued the Iroquois with a picked company
of Hurons, Algonquins, Sautaux, and Sioux. Beating their paddles,
Radisson's company shouted the war-cry till the hills rang; but all the
warriors were careful not to waste an ounce of powder till within
hitting range. The Iroquois were not used to this sort of defence.
They fled. The Long Sault was always the most dangerous part of the
Ottawa. Radisson