of Lake Huron.[2] Radisson was now doubly bound to the Jesuits by
gratitude and family ties. Never did pagan heart hear an evangel more
gladly than the Mohawks heard the Jesuits. The priests were welcomed
with acclaim, led to the Council Lodge, and presented with belts of
wampum. Not a suspicion of foul play seems to have entered the
Jesuits' mind. When the Iroquois proposed to incorporate into the
Confederacy the remnants of the Hurons, the Jesuits discerned nothing
in the plan but the most excellent means to convert pagan Iroquois by
Christian Hurons. Having gained an inch, the Iroquois demanded the
proverbial ell. They asked that a French settlement be made in the
Iroquois country. The Indians wanted a supply of firearms to war
against all enemies; and with a French settlement miles away from help,
the Iroquois could wage what war they pleased against the Algonquins
without fear of reprisals from Quebec--the settlement of white men
among hostiles would be hostage of generous treatment from New France.
Of these designs, neither priests nor governor had the slightest
suspicion. The Jesuits were thinking only of the Iroquois' soul; the
French, of peace with the Iroquois at any cost.

In 1656 Major Dupuis and fifty Frenchmen had established a French
colony among the Iroquois.[3] The hardships of these pioneers form no
part of Radisson's life, and are, therefore, not set down here. Peace
not bought by a victory is an unstable foundation for Indian treaty.
The Mohawks were jealous that their confederates, the Onondagas, had
obtained the French settlement. In 1657, eighty Iroquois came to
Quebec to escort one hundred Huron refugees back to Onondaga for
adoption into the Confederacy. These Hurons were Christians, and the
two Jesuits, Paul Ragueneau and François du Péron, were appointed to
accompany them to their new abode. Twenty young Frenchmen joined the
party to seek their fortunes at the new settlement; but a man was