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Page 32
As briefly as possible, and reserving the details for another occasion,
R�n� told his uncle that he had visited the land of the Alachuas, and
had returned with twelve canoe-loads of corn, for which he had promised
in his name twelve packages of trinkets such as he described, and the
safe dismissal of their escort from the fort. He added that those who
had come with him wished to depart that very night, and even now
awaited him at the water gate.
"Alas!" exclaimed Laudonniere, when this had been told him, "I have no
longer the power to make good thy word. While I have lain here as
helpless as one struck with a palsy, another has assumed command; for
know thou, my dear lad, that Fort Caroline and all it contains has
passed into the hands of a body of mutineers, headed by none other than
thy old friend Simon, the armorer. Go thou to him, and I doubt not he
will treat with these friends of thine even as thou hast promised; for
provisions such as thou sayest await even now an entrance to the fort
are too rare a commodity within its walls to be scorned, even by
mutineers. But, lad, return to me as speedily as may be, for the sight
of thy brave face is as balm to the wounded, and thine absence has
distressed me beyond that I can express."
So R�n� departed in search of Simon, the armorer, and by his sudden
appearance so frightened the old soldier that for some moments he could
do nothing but stare, speechless, with a mixture of terror and
amazement.
At length R�n� succeeded in convincing the leader of the mutineers that
he was no ghost, but a real flesh and blood R�n� de Veaux. He gave an
evasive answer to Simon's question as to how he obtained entrance to
the fort, and hurried on to tell him, even more briefly than he had the
commandant, of the successful journey he had made, and of the
provisions that must be brought into the fort immediately.
"In good sooth, Master R�n�," said Simon, when he fully comprehended
that which the other told him, "I am heartily disgusted with this
mutineering, and if thy uncle would but hold our views as to leaving
this country, I would gladly resign all authority to him. Even as it
is I am most willing to be guided in all such matters as this of thine
by his judgment. As he says receive the provisions, of which indeed we
are sorely in need, and deliver the trinkets thou hast promised to the
savages who bring them, why so it shall be done. Thou canst vouch for
them, though, and art certain that when the gate is once open they will
not lush in with the intent of capturing the fort and murdering us in
cold blood?"
"Of a surety I am," answered R�n�, indignantly. "Would those who
wished thee harm have fought for thee so valiantly as did these same
friends of mine but a few hours since? It was their brave onset
delivered thee from the savages near yonder mound of shells, and
enabled thee to gain the fort in safety."
"What! How sayest thou! Was it indeed thy company who came so
gallantly to our aid when we were so sorely beset by the savage ambush?
Heaven bless thee, lad! These friends of thine shall be friends of
mine as well for this day's work. Let us hasten to them. It was no
fancy, then, but thine own brave cry of 'France to the Rescue!' that
rang so cheerily through the forest, though I did misdoubt mine own
ears at the time, and wondered greatly who our unknown friends could
be. Thou art a noble lad and an honor to thy name."
Thus saying, Simon led the way towards the water gate, turning out the
guard and bidding them accompany him as he went. At the gate they
found Has-se, Yah-chi-la-ne, and the others awaiting them, according to
agreement, and Simon and his soldiers rejoiced greatly when they saw
the twelve canoe-loads of corn; for it had arrived just in time to
avert a veritable famine within the walls of Fort Caroline.
While under Simon's direction the provisions were transferred to the
storehouse with all possible despatch, R�n� and Le Moyne made up the
twelve packages of trinkets which were to pay for them. On his own
account R�n� also made up a package for Has-se, and another of such
things as women prize for his sister, the beautiful Nethla. Nor was
the brave Yah-chi-la-ne forgotten, but received in the shape of knives
and hatchets what seemed to him presents of inestimable value.
R�n� also gratified the young Alachua warriors by taking them inside
the fort, and showing them, as well as he was able by the light of
lanterns, the great "thunder-bows" whose voices they had heard that
morning when still many miles away.
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