The watch of the Valiant, waking suddenly, sprang up and ran forward, making no outcry, dazed but bent on fighting. He came, however, on the point of Perrot's sabre and was cut down. Meanwhile Iberville, hot for mischief, stamped upon the deck. Immediately a number of armed men came bundling up the hatch way. Among these appeared Gering and the governor, who thrust themselves forward with drawn swords and pistols. The first two men who appeared above the hatchway were promptly despatched, and Iberville's sword was falling upon Gering, whom he did not recognise, when De Casson's hand diverted the blow. It caught the shoulder of a man at Gering's side. "'Tis Monsieur Gering!" said the priest. "Stop! stop!" cried a voice behind these. "I am the governor. We surrender." There was nothing else to do: in spite of Gering's show of defiance, though death was above him if he resisted. He was but half-way up. "It is no use, Mr. Gering," urged the governor; "they have us like sheep in a pen." "Very well," said Gering suddenly, handing up his, sword and stepping up himself. "To whom do I surrender?" "To an old acquaintance, monsieur," said Iberville, coming near, "who will cherish you for the king of France." "Damnation!" cried Gering, and his eyes hungered for his sword again. "You would not visit me, so I came to look for you; though why, monsieur, you should hide up here in the porch of the world passeth knowledge." "Monsieur is witty," answered Gering stoutly; "but if he will grant me my sword again and an hour alone with him, I shall ask no greater joy in life." By this time the governor was on deck, and he interposed. "I beg, sir," he said to Iberville, "you will see there is no useless slaughter at yon fort; for I guess that your men have their way with it." "Shall my messenger, in your name, tell your people to give in?" "By Heaven, no: I hope that they will fight while remains a chance. And be sure, sir, I should not have yielded here, but that I foresaw hopeless slaughter. Nor would I ask your favour there, but that I know you are like to have bloody barbarians with you--and we have women and children!" "We have no Indians, we are all French," answered Iberville quietly, and sent the messenger away. At that moment Perrot touched his arm, and pointed to a man whose shoulder was being bandaged. It was Radisson, who had caught Iberville's sword when the abbe diverted it. "By the mass," said Iberville; "the gift of the saints!" He pricked Radisson with the point of his sword. "Well, Monsieur Renegade, who holds the spring of the trap now? You have some prayers, I hope. And if there is no priest among your English, we'll find you one before you swing next sundown." Radisson threw up a malignant look, but said nothing; and went on caring for his wound. "At sunset, remember. You will see to it, Perrot," he added. "Pardon me, monsieur," said the governor. "This is an officer of our company, duly surrendered."