Kateri and Andre paddle northwards to the safety of the Christian mission at Kanawake. But when her uncle Aquahau discovers their escape, their very lives are in danger. Will they be stopped before they can reach the mission? What dangers await them as they make their way through the wilderness? The Saints. Adventures of faith and courage. Kateri Takakuita. Episode 4 Up the River. Listen to all the episodes and discover new shows at thesaintspodcast.com We've been very lucky the river is so calm, Kateri. Sometimes the waters can get real tricky, especially with the spring showers. Hush! Hm? What are you doing? Shhh! Oh! Oh! I caught them! Look! Look! Trout! You caught one, two, three! Oh, this one's a big boy! Oh, hold on! Whoa, you're gonna flip the canoe. Hold steady. I'm holding! I'm holding! Oh, wow! I didn't think it would work. What's that? Careful! Now you'll flip the canoe. It's just a fawn! Oh! I'm still worried someone might be following us. My uncle must have arrived in Kanawaga by now. He'll be furious. Maybe sound the alarm. It's been two days since we left. And pretty quiet. We'll make it to Lake Champlain tomorrow. That's where Mohawk land ends. We still have enough food, right? Yes. And we'll resupply at the lake. In the meantime, we'll ration what we have. Catch! Now, come. We're almost at the lake. What was Teresa like when you were little? You miss her, don't you? Of course. But I doubt more than you do. Was she a good sister? It was she who insisted we were sisters. When my aunt and uncle first took me in after my parents died, I was lost. I survived the smallpox that took my parents and brother, but it ravaged my face, as you can see. And it ruined my eyes. I'm very sensitive to bright light. It was she who thought of the idea of wearing the blanket over my eyes. It must have been hard when she left. I didn't understand why she left. When the priests arrived in Kanawaga, I was even more confused. Then our Lord called me, and it all fell into place. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. If you were to ask me why I converted, it would be that I heard His voice. Before my conversion, I prayed not even knowing what I was saying, Lord, that I may see. Which is a funny thing to ask for a blind girl. Seconds afterward, Abezak and Henri showed up. It's getting dark. I see a clearing we can land on just ahead. Let's make camp before it gets too cold. Here's a bit of kindling I gathered. I wish we had proper logs, but I couldn't find any that I could carry. This is very good. We'll get a fire going in no time. And we have that trout you caught earlier that will make a good dinner. Do you know how to clean a fish? Do you have a knife? Yes. Thank you. Oh, sharp knife. These scales are coming off like they're nothing. While you do that, I'll get us a fire going. Where's my pack? Ah, here it is. Let's see, uh... Abezak gave me the set of flint and steel. Lights up a fire, easy. Mmm, the trout smells delicious. Very keen of you to bring salt. Plates, too. There's no reason we shouldn't eat well on the journey. Yeah, that looks about ready. Pest me the knife. One for you, one for me, and another in case we won seconds. Thank you for catching dinner, Kateri. You're very welcome, Andre. Shall we pray? Dear Lord, bless us and bless this food. Amen. It's the third night now. We've been quite blessed. We haven't had any trouble, though my uncle has to know by now. But the grace of God, we might even be able to get some rest tomorrow in Lake Champlain. But maybe we shouldn't linger. Don't want to draw too much attention. Can't we just go on without stopping at Lake Champlain? I'm a fugitive, remember? Once we get there, the danger should drop somewhat, since it's Algonquin territory. There are travelers from dozens of tribes, not to mention French and Dutch trading posts. It should be easy to blend in. We could ration our food, though. I could try catching more trout. We might not need to resupply at all if we're careful. My uncle will guess we're headed north. We're not just stopping for us. Abbey Jacques gave me money to get supplies and resources at the trading posts for the mission. But you're right. We will be discreet. Thank you. I'm off to bed, then. What are you doing? Pine needles all over your sleeping pelt. That's going to pinch, itch, all night. Oh, don't worry about it. It's suffering I can offer up for my people, like the saints Abbey Jacques told me about. Will you be able to get some rest like that? I can offer it to the Lord for the conversion of the Mohawk. Makes it more than worthwhile. Isn't it a bit extreme? Not nearly as extreme as death on a cross. Abbey Jacques told me that toward the end of her life, all seeing Catrine of Sienna 8 for nourishment was holy communion. For years! The water seems to be rushing faster here than when we departed this morning. It's widening, too. We're coming up in the mouth of the lake. Do you see that plume of smoke in the distance? Hmm, no. It's a bit too bright. Right. Sorry. We're coming up on Lake Champlain. So we'll stop for provisions there soon? Yes. Maybe another hour? There are some trading posts on the southern edge of the lake, but it's still Mohawk Country. We want to go on the northern bank just to be safe. Won't there be other boats and canoes on the lake? What if we're seen? That's a good thought. Put your pelt over your head. This one coming up is the dock that leads to several trading posts. The closest thing to a proper town here on Lake Champlain. Do you see any Mohawk? Well, there's bound to be some, but we're not on their lands anymore. There are travelers from all tribes and nations on Lake Champlain. Hmm. Let's take care of our business and be on our way. Will you help me with that rope? Uh, no. Here. Did you catch it? Yes. Let me pull you in. Watch your arms. Here comes the dock. Here. Hold my... What's wrong? Andre, what are you looking at? Nothing. There were some men down the dock staring at us. Let's keep moving. Come. Hold onto my arm. Come. This way. Hurry. Oh. It was never like this at home, even on the busiest summer days. Lake Champlain is the confluence of many rivers. The French are to the north, the Dutch and English to the east, and dozens and dozens of tribes and nations around. We should be able to get where we want to go. My pelt should trade for quite a bit, I think. We can bring plenty back to Ghanawaghe. Oh, no. You won't have to sell your pelt. Abhijat gave me more than enough for us and for the mission. Come on. Into the shop. Look at those two. Weren't the trappers asking about a young mohawk girl with scars on her face? No. What'll it be for you two? A bolt each of cotton, flannel, and straw, please. And three, maybe four spools of rope. Kateri, you think we can fit that in the canoe? I think we can manage. There are only two of us. I'll have that brought around outside the building. Anything else? Can we purchase food and pantry items here? Yes. What'll it be? Some deer tallow. And maybe three jugs of oil. And that cured venison leg. It's too much, Andrei. Let's just take some preserves. It's only a day or two before Ghanawaghe, right? It's for the mission. A special request from the fathers to celebrate Easter Tide. Shopkeeper, come over here. Come on. Hmm-hmm. Weren't the mohawk fur traders asking about a blind girl? No. Weren't the mohawk fur traders asking about a blind girl earlier? They mentioned a hefty bounty, did they not? Hmm-hmm. You should ask them where they're from. Might be money in it. Hmm. We'll bring those around back. Here you go. Where are you travelers coming from? Will you need help getting your purchase back to the river? No, thank you. I think we can manage. Please, I insist. We don't want a young woman carrying a heavy load when we have a perfectly good cart she can sit in. Go fetch the mohawk trappers. See if we don't make a good spring bounty. Be right back. Hold them here. Please, have a seat on the bench. It'll be a little while before we have your cart ready. Make yourselves comfortable. Did she mention something about mohawk trappers? Hmm. When she was speaking to that man, she said something about mohawks. It could be anything. Something's not right. Maybe we should wait outside. What's that? It's a bit stuffy in here. My sister needs a bit of fresh air. Oh, I insist that you stay. It's too windy outside. And I- Run! Stop! Stop them! Hold on to me, Kateri. Don't let them escape! Yes, lose! You nitwits! My uncle must have put a bounty on my head. He's sick to be trapper in the area, honestly. Where are you going? We have your order right here. Don't let go of my arm. Don't let them escape. Stupid sheep. Through this alley. We'll cut through the animal pens. The dock is not far. Get away, you fools! My offense, the fence! Are you alright? Hold on to me. With all these animals loose, we don't want to get trampled. I have your arm. Let's go. Here, Kateri. Into the canoe. Unbind the rope. I'll launch us out. I'm trying. I can't- I can't see! I can't figure out this knot. It's stuck! Look! There they are! On that canoe! Give me my musket. I'll get them. Hi, this is Peter Atkinson, founder of The Mary Beggars. Tune in to episode 5, Gana Wage, to hear the final installment of Kateri Takakuita. Listen to all the episodes and discover new shows at thesaintspodcast.com.
