More than once both had Gering within range of their muskets, but they
held their hands, nor indeed did Gering himself, who once also had a
chance of bringing Iberville down, act on his opportunity. Gering's men
were badly exposed, and he sent them hard at the thickets, clearing the
outposts at some heavy loss. His men were now scattered, and he shifted
his position so as to bring him nearer the spot where Sainte-Helene and
Longueil were pushing forward fresh outposts. He saw the activity of the
two brothers, but did not recognise them, and sent a handful of men to
dislodge them. Both Sainte-Helene and Longueil exposed themselves for a
moment, as they made for an advantageous thicket. Gering saw his
opportunity, took a musket from a soldier, and fired. Sainte-Helene fell
mortally wounded. Longueil sprang forward with a cry of rage, but a
spent ball struck him.
Iberville, at a distance, saw the affair. With a smothered oath he
snatched a musket from Maurice Joval, took steady aim and fired. The
distance was too great, the wind too strong; he only carried away an
epaulet. But Perrot, who was not far from the fallen brothers, suddenly
made a dash within easy range of the rifles of the British, and cut
Gering and two of his companions off from the main body.
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