We had made bare a dozen miles when
paddles clapped athwart as if petrified.
Up the wide river, like a great white bird, came a stately ship. It
was the Prince Rupert of the Hudson's Bay Company, which claimed sole
right to trade in all that north land.
Young Gillam, with guns mounted, to the rear! A hostile ship, with
fighting men and ordnance, to the fore! An unknown enemy inland! And
for our leader a man on whose head England and New England set a price!
Do you wonder that our hearts stopped almost as suddenly as the
paddles? But it was not fear that gave pause to M. Radisson.
"If those ships get together, the game is lost," says he hurriedly.
"May the devil fly away with us, if we haven't wit to stop that ship!"
Act jumping with thought, he shot the canoe under cover of the wooded
shore. In a twinkling we had such a fire roaring as the natives use
for signals. Between the fire and the river he stationed our Indian,
as hunters place a decoy.
The ruse succeeded.
Lowering sail, the Prince Rupert cast anchor opposite our fire; but
darkness had gathered, and the English sent no boat ashore till morning.
Posting us against the woods, M. Radisson went forward alone to meet
the company of soldiers rowing ashore.
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