Cogitating how to frighten young Gillam out of the country or else to
seize him, Radisson glided down the swift current of Nelson River
toward salt water. He had not gone nine miles from the New Englanders
when he was astounded by the spectacle of a ship breasting with
full-blown sails up the tide of the Nelson directly in front of the
French canoe. The French dashed for the hiding of the brushwood on
shore. From their concealment they saw that the ship was a Hudson's
Bay Company vessel, armed with cannon and commission for lawful trade.
If once the Hudson's Bay Company ship and the New Englanders united,
the English would be strong enough to overpower the French.
The majority of leaders would have escaped the impending disaster by
taking ingloriously to their heels. Radisson, with that adroit
presence of mind which characterized his entire life, had provided for
his followers' safety by landing them on the south shore, where the
French could flee across the marsh to the ships if pursued. Then his
only thought was how to keep the rivals apart. Instantly he had an
enormous bonfire kindled. Then he posted his followers in ambush. The
ship mistook the fire for an Indian signal, reefed its sails, and
anchored. Usually natives paddled out to the traders' ships to barter.
These Indians kept in hiding. The ship waited for them to come; and
Radisson waited for the ship's hands to land. In the morning a gig
boat was lowered to row ashore.
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