Free The Adventures of Radisson. Back to the New World by Martin Fournier Page B

doubts and he worked out how long it would take him to get there and how much money he could make. He at least wanted to listen to Roussin’s offer. Radisson was also on the lookout, seeing that he could reach Paris easier than planned.
    â€œThomas and I,” began Roussin, leaning in toward the boatman as though telling him a secret in strictest confidence, “we’ll come on board with you to hand out the wheat to whoever we like once we get there. Thomas knows people we can trust, good people we want to help. We have more of the risk because we’ll have to get the grain to their farms, but that’s our problem. You’ve nothing to fear. You’d stop off in Charenton, sell your share of the wheat to the bakers, then wait for us for a day or two. Then you’d drop us off in Orléans, if that’s fine with you, or bring us back to Tours. It’s up to you.”
    â€œHow much wheat would be in it for me?”
    â€œI’m getting to that,” Roussin replied. “Catherine and I would sell you half the wheat we can load onto your boat, at the Tours price. Judging by what we hear, you’d be able to sell it for three or four times the price in Charenton. What do you say?”
    â€œI’m in!” interrupted Radisson. “You can count on me, Roussin. No harm will come to the four of us!”
    Catherine cast an admiring glance at Radisson. In her eyes, he embodied the derring-do required to live in New France. But Touchet could have done without Radisson getting involved. This greenhorn wasn’t going to decide if he was going to put his life and barge at risk on such an undertaking. Nonetheless, he was reassured to hear he could count on the daring young man who knew how to defend himself.
    Catherine looked at her friend Jean. He was leading the negotiations on her behalf with such skill. She knew he wanted to marry her and was touched by his patience and perseverance while she was in mourning. He was even showing courage by taking this risk to remain true to his word. Touchet said nothing but seemed more and more interested. Roussin went on, encouraged.
    â€œIf we take the new Briare canal, we’ll be there in less than ten days. I’ve a hard time believing you’d turn down an offer like this, Touchet.”
    The boatman pulled a face, hoping Roussin would up his offer.
    â€œTell me, what else can you transport at this time of the year to turn a profit like this? Catherine and I are even prepared to buy two barrels of salt to make more room for the wheat.”
    â€œBuy four,” Touchet raised him, “at two
écus
each and we can talk about a price for the wheat. We’ll see if it’s as worth my while as you say it is. I’m still not convinced.”
    Radisson thought back to the many times he had sat in on haggling like this as his father reached a price with his customers. He enjoyed the tension as each party defended his interests and profit. The best price always went to the man with the most skill and tenacity. Judging by how little money found its way back to their home, his father seldom came out on top.
    Roussin and Touchet were nearing an agreement. The boatman had wangled a concession or two more out of the carter, who was prepared to go no further.
    â€œOne
écu
per sack of wheat,” countered Roussin. “That’s already less than the Tours price. And the bakers will welcome you like the Messiah over there. You’re about to make yourself a lot of cash, Touchet. Don’t take advantage of a helpless lady who wants to do a good turn. That’s my last word.”
    Touchet knew he wasn’t going to get a better offer. But he was pleased. He had managed to sell four barrels of salt at a good price and would be able to transport twenty-five or thirty sacks of wheat for himself, making two
écus
on each. That more than made up for the risk of making the trip.”
    â€œIt’s a