he hard
shore. The fort stood on an upland, looking in its solitariness like
some lonely prison-house where men went, more to have done with the
world than for punishment. Iberville was in that mood wherein men
do stubborn deeds--when justice is more with them than mercy, and
selfishness than either.

"If you meet the man, Pierre?" De Casson said before the party started.

Iberville laughed softly. "If we meet, may my mind be his, abbe! But he
is not here--there is no vessel, you see! Still, there are more forts
on the bay." The band knelt down before they started. It was strange
to hear in that lonely waste, a handful of men, bent on a deadly task,
singing a low chant of penitence--a Kyrie eleison. Afterwards came the
benediction upon this buccaneering expedition, behind which was one
man's personal enmity, a merchant company's cupidity, and a great
nation's lust of conquest! Iberville stole across the shore and up the
hill with his handful of men. There was no sound from the fort; all were
asleep. No musket-shot welcomed them, no cannon roared on the night;
there was no sentry. What should people on the outposts of the world
need of sentries, so long as there were walls to keep out wild animals!
In a few moments Iberville and his companions were over the wall.
Already the attack on the gate had begun, a passage was quickly made,
and by the time Iberville had forced open the doors of the blockhouse,
his followers making a wild hubbub as of a thousand men, De Troyes
and his party were at his heels. Before the weak garrison could make
resistance they were in the hands of their enemies, and soon were
gathered in the yard--men, women, and children.

Gering was not there. Iberville was told that he was at one of the other
forts along the shore: either Fort Rupert on the east, a hundred and
twenty miles away, or at Fort Albany, ninety miles to the north
and west. Iberville determined to go to Fort Rupert, and with a few
followers, embarking in canoes, assembled before it two nights after. A
vessel was in the harbour, and his delight was keen. He divided his men,
sending Perrot to take the fort, while himself with a small party moved
to the attack of the vessel. Gering had delayed a day too long. He had
intended leaving the day before, but the arrival of the governor of the
company had induced him to remain another day; entertaining his guest
at supper, and toasting him in some excellent wine got in Hispaniola.
So palatabl