Other work and other laurels somewhat worthier of a warrior's brow were, however, awaiting the redoubtable Canadian chief. In the month of May 1697, when the desolation in Newfoundland was complete, his brother Serigny arrived from France with five ships of war, the _Pelican_, the _Palmier_, the _Wasp_, the _Profond_, and the _Violent_. Port Nelson had again fallen into the hands of the English; and this expedition, which Iberville was to command, had been organized for the purpose of retaking it. For trading purposes it was much the most important port on the bay, being the outlet of a vast fur-bearing region stretching towards Lake Superior. It was July before the squadron sailed from Placentia, Iberville taking command of the _Pelican_, and his brother of the _Palmier_. One ship carrying stores was crushed and lost amid floating ice, though the crew were saved. The others were in great danger. When the _Pelican_ got free her companions were nowhere to be seen, and Iberville pursued his way towards Port Nelson alone, hoping that the other vessels would make their appearance after a time. He had nearly reached his destination when three sail did heave in sight, which he took to be the missing vessels. He was soon undeceived. They were armed English merchantmen--the _Hampshire_, of fifty-two guns; the _Daring_, of thirty-six; and the _Hudson's Bay_, of thirty-two. The chances looked bad for the _Pelican_, which had but forty-four; but Iberville was accustomed to taking chances, and he did not decline the unequal fight. The French commander had the advantage of the wind, and seems not to have engaged more than one vessel at a time. After some hours of cannonading he came to close quarters with the _Hampshire_, and, delivering some terrible broadsides, caused her to sink in that dreary sea with all on board. The _Hudson's Bay_, which he next attacked, soon struck her flag, while the _Daring_, doing little honour or justice to her name, seized a favouring wind and escaped. The _Pelican_ had by no means escaped Scot free. So badly shattered was she that, having stranded a few miles from the fort, and a gale having sprung up, she went to pieces. Some of the crew were lost, while, of those who reached land, a number died from cold and exhaustion. Snow was lying a foot deep on the ground; and had it not been for the timely arrival of the missing vessels, the whole party would doubtless have perished, unless they could have made their way to the fort and thrown themselves on the mercy of the enemy. As it was, the work of the expedition was now proceeded with. Cannon and mortar were landed. The fort was only protected by a palisade, and though it mounted a few light cannon, it was quite unable to withstand a bombardment. The commandant, therefore, though at first he refused to surrender, was soon compelled to lower his flag. He obtained honourable terms for his garrison, but was obliged to hand over a vast quantity of furs. Iberville after this signal triumph--a triumph, as Parkman describes it, "over the storms, the icebergs, and the English"--left his brother in charge of the captured fort, and, taking the two best vessels left, sailed for France, where he arrived early in November.