But I am for peace and happy temper when I can. I may not help
it if your people, tired of the governance of Louis of France, come into
the good ruling of King Charles. As for this man Radisson: what is it
you would have?"
Iberville was now well settled back upon his native courage.
He swallowed the rebuke with grace, and replied with frankness: "Radisson
is an outlaw. Once he attempted Count Frontenac's life. He sold a band
of our traders to the Iroquois. He led your Hollanders stealthily to cut
off the Indians of the west, who were coming with their year's furs to
our merchants. There is peace between your colony and ours--is it fair
to harbour such a wretch in your court-yard? It was said up in Quebec,
your excellency, that such men have eaten at your table."
During this speech the governor seemed choleric, but a change passed
over him, and he fell to admiring the lad's boldness. "Upon my soul,
monsieur," he said, "you are council, judge, and jury all in one; but I
think I need not weigh the thing with you, for his excellency, from whom
you come, has set forth this same charge,"--he tapped the paper,--"and we
will not spoil good-fellowship by threshing it now." He laughed a little
ironically. "And I promise you," he added, "that your Radisson shall
neither drink wine nor eat bread with you at my table.
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