But before the trial Iberville had had solitary talk with
Frontenac, in which a request was repeated and a promise renewed.
Gering was condemned to die. It was perhaps the bravest moment of a
brave life.
"Gentlemen," he said, "I have heard your sentence, but, careless of
military honour as you are, you will not dare put me to death. Do not
think because we have failed this once that we shall not succeed again.
I tell you, that if, instead of raw Boston sailors, ploughmen and
merchant captains, and fishing craft and trading vessels, I had three
English war-ships and one thousand men, I would level your town from the
citadel to the altar of St. Joseph's. I do not fear to die, nor that I
shall die by your will. But, if so, 'twill be with English loathing of
injustice."
His speech was little like to mollify his judges, and at his reference to
St. Joseph's a red spot showed upon many cheeks, while to the charge
against their military honour, Frontenac's eyes lighted ominously. But
the governor merely said: "You have a raw temper, sir. We will chasten
you with bread and water; and it were well for you, even by your strange
religion, to qualify for passage from this world.
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