It must be taken in the beginning, or it spreads.
The explorers retired, decided on a course of action, and requested the
Indians to meet them in council a second time. Eight hundred warriors
assembled, seating themselves in a circle. Radisson and Groseillers
took their station in the centre.[20]
"Who am I?" demanded Groseillers, hotly. "Am I a foe or a friend? If
a foe, why did you suffer me 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.
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