He stealthily picked
it up, and then put Iberville's cap on his head. Of nearly the same
height, with these disguises he might be able to pass for his captor.
He threw the cloak over his shoulders, stole silently to the hatchway,
and cautiously climbed up. Thrusting out his head he looked about him,
and he saw two or three figures bundled together at the mainmast--
woodsmen who had celebrated victory too sincerely. He looked for the
watch, but could not see him. Then he drew himself carefully up, and on
his hands and knees passed to the starboard side and moved aft. Doing so
he saw the watch start up from the capstan where he had been resting, and
walk towards him. He did not quicken his pace. He trusted to his ruse--
he would impersonate Iberville, possessed as he was of the hat and cloak.
He moved to the bulwarks and leaned against them, looking into the water.
The sentry was deceived; he knew the hat and cloak, and he was only too
glad to have, as he thought, escaped the challenge of having slept at his
post; so he began resolutely to pace the deck. Gering watched him
closely, and moved deliberately to the stern. In doing so he suddenly
came upon a body. He stopped and turned round, leaning against the
bulwarks as before.
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