of furs, that had been accumulating at Mackinac and other posts for
nearly three years, on account of the Iroquois. Frontenac's triumph
was complete, and he was called far and wide "the father of the people,
the preserver of the country."

Returning for the moment to the Atlantic shores of Acadia, we find that
the French arms triumphed in 1696 at Pemaquid, always an important
point in those days of border warfare.

The fort, which was of some pretensions, was captured by the French
under Iberville and the Abenakis under Saint-Castin, and after its
destruction Iberville went on to Newfoundland, where the French ruined
the English settlements at St. John and other places. Then the fleet
proceeded to Hudson's Bay, where the French recaptured the trading
posts which had been retaken a short time previously by the English.

In the meantime Frontenac had decided on an expedition against the
Onondagas. Early in July, 1696, despite his age, he led the expedition
to Fort {204} Frontenac, which he had restored, and after a delay of a
few days he went on to the Onondaga town, which he destroyed with all
its stores of provisions, and its standing fields of maize. The Oneida
village was also destroyed, and a number of men taken prisoners as
hostages for their good behaviour. The Onondagas had fled, and the
only one captured was an aged chief, who was wantonly tortured to
death. It was now clear to the Iroquois that the English of New York
could not defend them from the constant raids of the French, and they
now made offers of peace, provided it did not include the western
allies of France. Frontenac, however, was resolved to make no peace,
except on terms which would ensure the security of the French for many
years. He died in the November of 1698 amid the regrets of the people
of all classes who admired his great qualities as a leader of men.

Callieres, of Montreal, an able and brave soldier, who succeeded him,
soon brought the Iroquois difficulty to an issue. The calumet was
smoked and peace duly signed, in a great council held in the August of
1701, at Montreal, where assembled representatives of the Indian
nations of the West, of the Abenakis, and of the Iroquois. From that
time forward, Canada had no reason to fear the Iroquois, who saw that
the French were their masters. The trade with the West was now free
from the interruptions which had so long crippled it.

[Illustration: Capture of Fort Nelson, in Hudson'