In it were Captain Gillam, Radisson's
personal enemy, John Bridgar,[10] the new governor of the Hudson's Bay
Company for Nelson River, and six sailors. All were heavily armed, yet
Radisson stood alone to receive them, with his three companions posted
on the outskirts of the woods as if in command of ambushed forces.
Fortune is said to favor the dauntless, and just as the boat came
within gunshot of the shore, it ran aground. A sailor jumped out to
drag the craft up the bank. They were all at Radisson's mercy--without
cover. He at once levelled his gun with a shout of "Halt!" At the
same moment his own men made as if to sally from the woods. The
English imagined themselves ambushed, and called out that they were the
officers of the Hudson's Bay Company. Radisson declared who he was and
that he had taken possession of the country for France. His musket was
still levelled. His men were ready to dash forward. The English put
their heads together and decided that discretion was the better part of
valor. Governor Bridgar meekly requested permission to land and salute
the commander of the French. Then followed a pompous melodrama of
bravado, each side affecting sham strength. Radisson told the English
all that he had told the New Englanders, going on board the Company's
ship to dine, while English hostages remained with his French
followers. For reasons which he did not reveal, he strongly advised
Governor Bridgar not to go farther up Nelson River.
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