Radisson was deadly tired of the farce. From first to last France had
treated him with the blackest injustice. If he had wished to be rich,
he could long ago have accumulated wealth by casting in his lot with
the dishonest rulers of Quebec. In England a strong clique, headed by
Bridgar, Gillam, and Bering opposed him; but King Charles and the Duke
of York, Prince Rupert, when he was alive, Sir William Young, Sir James
Hayes, and Sir John Kirke were in his favor. His heart yearned for his
wife and children. Just then letters came from England urging him to
return to the Hudson's Bay Company. Lord Preston plied the explorer
with fair promises. Under threat of punishment for molesting the
English of Hudson Bay, the French government tried to force him into a
contract to sail on a second voyage to the North on the same terms as
in 1682-1683--not to share the profits. England and France were both
playing double. Radisson smiled a grim smile and took his resolution.
Daily he conferred with the French Marine on details of the voyage. He
permitted the date of sailing to be set for April 24. Sailors were
enlisted, stores put on board, everything was in readiness. At the
last moment, Radisson asked leave of absence to say good-by to his
family. The request was granted. Without losing a moment, he sailed
for England, where he arrived on the 10th of May and was at once taken
in hand by Sir William Young and Sir James Hayes. He was honored as
his explorations entitled him to be.
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