stocked with pearls,
diamonds, and other precious stones.

And now the work was complete, and on board the Bridgwater Merchant was
treasure to the sum of three hundred thousand pounds, and more. Joyfully
did Phips raise anchor. But first he sent to the handful of people in
the port a liberal gift of money and wine and provisions from the ship's
stores. With a favourable breeze he got away agreeably, and was clear of
the harbour and cleaving northwards before sunset--the Swallow leading
the treasure-ship like a pilot. All was joy and hilarity; but
there remained one small danger yet: they had raised their treasure
unmolested, but could they bring it to Boston and on to England? Phips
would have asked that question very seriously indeed had he known that
the Maid of Provence was bowling out of the nor'-east towards the port
which he had just left.

The Maid of Provence had had a perilous travel. Escaping the English
war-ships, she fell in with a pirate craft. She closed with it, plugged
it with cannon-shot, and drew off, then took the wind on her beam and
came drifting down on her, boarded her and, after a swift and desperate
fight, killed every pirate-rogue save one--the captain--whom for reasons
they made a prisoner. Then they sank the rover, and got away to Port de
la Planta as fast as they were able. But by reason of the storm and the
fighting, and drifting out of their course, they had lost ten days; and
thus it was they reached the harbour a few hours after the Bridgwater
Merchant and the Swallow had left.

They waited till morning and sailed cautiously in to face
disappointment. They quickly learned the truth from the natives. There
was but one thing to do and Iberville lost no time. A few hours to get
fresh water and fruit and to make some repairs, for the pirate had not
been idle in the fight--and then Berigord gave the nose of the good
little craft to the sea, and drove her on with an honest wind, like a
hound upon the scent. Iberville was vexed, but not unduly; he had the
temper of a warrior who is both artist and gamester. As he said to
Perrot: "Well, Nick, they've saved us the trouble of lifting the
treasure; we'll see now who shall beach it."

He guessed that the English ships would sail to Boston for better arming
ere they ventured to the English Channel. He knew the chances were
against him, but it was his cue to keep heart in his followers. For days
they sailed without seeing a single ship; then thre