"What's the matter with you pilots? Are you mad, or fools, or cowards, or have the English bought you body and soul? Don't talk to me of rock and shallow places and crooked channels! Haven't I sailed these waters for years, and don't I know every shallow place, every dangerous turn, every inch of the way? You cowards! There's a way through, I tell you." Then Hervé Riel turned to the commander and shouted, "Put me in charge of this ship, the biggest, this _Formidable_, and I'll steer her through. Make the others follow me closely. They'll all come safely in. Try me; I'll do it. I haven't much to offer for the chance, but if this ship so much as touches her keel on a hidden rock, you may cut off my head. Let me try, sir." The commander replied, "We have not a second to spare. You're admiral here! Take the helm and lead us through!" Hervé Riel was as prompt as the commander, and seizing the tiller, he soon had the great ship sailing along under perfect control. She went into the narrow channel, with the great rocks high on both sides. The waves beat up angrily and the breakers threw their spray high over the decks. With eyes fixed on the channel and both hands on the helm, he guided the staunch vessel on the winding course. Time and again it seemed as though she must be wrecked, but just at the moment of greatest danger Hervé Riel shifted the helm, and the stately ship moved safely on. With hearts beating high, the officers watched the wonderful deed, and the frightened sailors clung speechless to the rail. Finally, between two great rocks that seemed to block the channel completely, the ship sailed majestically into the harbor, and Hervé Riel had kept his promise. Not once had the great _Formidable_ touched her keel to a rock; not a scratch, except the battle scars, marred her fair sides. After her, one by one, came the other ships of the squadron, till all were anchored safely in the harbor. Just as the last ship came to anchor, the English fleet, coming up in helpless anger, began to throw shells across the passage. The French, however, were out of range and could laugh at the fruitless attempts of their enemy. With one voice the captains and sailors of the rescued fleet shouted, "Hervé Riel! Hervé Riel! Now, let the king of France reward the man who has saved his fleet!" And what of the brave sailor? He stood calm and quiet without a gleam of pride in his frank blue eyes. Just the same man as he was before his gallant deed, he answered the commander's call and stood before him. "My friend," began the commander, "I can scarcely speak, but you know praise comes from the heart and not from the lips. You have saved the fleet from certain destruction and have preserved the lives of many of your countrymen. No reward is too great for you. Ask what you will and it shall be granted."