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Updated: May 6, 2025
Much better shoot them down as they would us, an they had the chance!" "La Chesnaye!" uttered a sharp voice. Radisson had heard. "There are two things I don't excuse a fool for not minding his own business and not holding his tongue." And though La Chesnaye's money paid for the enterprise, he held his tongue mighty still.
"Governor Frontenac demands half of the furs for a license to trade, but M. de la Barre, who comes to take his place, is a friend of La Chesnaye's, and La Chesnaye owns our ships " "And you go without a license?" "And the galleys for life " "If you're caught," said I. "Pardieu!" he laughed, "yes if we're caught!"
It was this gave rise to the slander that M. de Radisson ran off with half La Chesnaye's furs which the records de la marine will disprove, if you search them. On this ship with her blackamoors sailed Mistress Hortense, bearing letters to Sir John Kirke, director of the Hudson's Bay Company and father of M. Radisson's wife.
Indeed, for the rubbing together of more doubloons in his money-bags I think that La Chesnaye's servile nature would have bargained to send souls in job lots blindfold over the gangplank. But, as La Chesnaye said when Pierre Radisson remonstrated against the knavery, the gin was nine parts rain-water. "The more cheat, you, to lay such unction to your conscience," says M. de Radisson.
M. Radisson did not hear or did not heed. An ice-pan pitched against La Chesnaye's place, and the merchant must needs thrust out to save himself. The only light was the white glare of ice.
Not one glimpse of our fair passenger had we on all that voyage south, for what with Ben's oaths and Governor Brigdar's drinking, the cabin was no place for Hortense. At Isle Percée, entering the St. Lawrence, lay a messenger from La Chesnaye's father with a missive that bore ill news.
"And those who go to the galleys get no more furs to divide with the Governor of New France, and the governor who gets no furs goes home a poor man." M. de la Barre's sallow face wrinkled again in a dry laugh. "La Chesnaye has told you?" "La Chesnaye's son " "Have the ships a good cargo? They must remain here till our officer examines them."
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