weapons of
a kind-Radisson a knife, and Gering the bar of iron. They moved swiftly
along the shore, fearing an alarm meanwhile. If they could but get
weapons and a canoe they would make their way either to Fort Albany, so
warning it, or attempt the desperate journey to New York. Again fortune
was with them. As it chanced, the watch, suffering from the cold night
air, had gone into the bush to bring wood for firing. The two refugees
stole near, and in the very first canoe found three muskets, and there
were also bags filled with food. They hastily pushed out a canoe, got
in, and were miles away before their escape was discovered.

Radisson was for going south at once to New York, but Gering would not
hear of it, and at the mouth of a musket Radisson obeyed. They reached
Fort Albany and warned it. Having thus done his duty towards the
Hudson's Bay Company, and knowing that surrender must come, and that in
this case his last state would be worse than his first, Gering proceeded
with Radisson--hourly more hateful to him, yet to be endured for
what had happened--southward upon the trail the Frenchmen had taken
northward.

A couple of hours after Gering had thrown his hat and cloak into the
blood of the coureur du bois, and slid down the anchor-chain, Iberville
knew that his quarry was flown. The watch had thought that Iberville had
gone below, and he had again relaxed, but presently a little maggot of
wonder got into his brain. He then went aft. Dawn was just breaking;
the grey moist light shone with a naked coldness on land and water;
wild-fowl came fluttering, voiceless, past; night was still drenched in
sleep. Suddenly he saw the dead body, and his boots dabbled in wet!

In all that concerned the honour of the arms of France and the conquest
of the three forts, Hayes, Rupert, and Albany, Iberville might be
content, but he chafed at, the escape of his enemies.

"I will not say it is better so, Pierre," urged De Casson; "but you have
done enough for the king. Let your own cause come later."

"And it will come, abbe," he answered, with anger. "His account
grows; we must settle all one day. And Radisson shall swing or I am no
soldier--so!"

EPOCH THE THIRD

CHAPTER XIII

"AS WATER UNTO WINE"

Three months afterwards George Gering was joyfully preparing to take two
voyages. Perhaps, indeed, his keen taste for the one had much to do
with his eagerness for the other--though most men find getting gold as
che