The Flamingo Feather

, troublous times had come to Fort Caroline, on the banks of the Great River

if possible, the mountains of gold that were supposed to exist there. For more than a month they had traversed broad sand barrens, crossed deep rivers, and been lost in the mazes of dark swamps.

roach. The famished soldiers rushed into the lodges, took whatever they could find to eat, and, building a fire, proceeded to cook for themselves a feast. Whil

om the place, the wretched soldiers started for Fort Caroline, followed by their unseen foes, from whom they did not escape until four more had paid with their lives for their carelessness. When, some days later, the five miserable survivors of th

also suffered great anxiety on account of the scarcity of provisions within the fort. Now, added to these troubles, came these

These others were those who were dissatisfied with the present aspect of affairs, and despairing of a change for the better while remaining at Fort Caroline, were secretly planning a mutiny

y being arrested, confined in the guard-house for one day, and finally discharged (because of the necessity for his services), with a sharp reprimand from Laudonniere for having, th

was acting as lieutenant in command of the fort, sat writing one morning, there came to him Simon, the armorer, f

and I, to make certain propositions that we desire s

surprise, "have to them without further

n not to them at all; at least not in the wise

tis true," said Le Moyne; "b

ying of t

extent this

reatened b

lls behind which t

, and our bodies will rot in th

forget those to whom he has promised succor," replied

o gold, and is unfitte

e best raised from its soil. As for gold, the mere fact that it h

ng to this, Si

dily as may be a vessel such as will suffice to carry us back whence we came. We also pray that he will i

awaiting patiently meantime the arrival of the promised reinforcements from France. They insisted, however, that they would not take their leave of h

nt answer to them that he could not for a moment consider their proposal. He and they had been sent to take and hold possession of that country by their King, and here he should remain until he received other instructions from the

rs with this answer, Simon, still ac

the preservation of our lives we shall certainly exert ourselves to repel any attack that may be made against the fort. At the same time we shall as

stiff military salute, the old soldier turned and

e sick man become on hearing it that his fever took a sudden turn for the worse, and he was soon

ross the ocean to their own country was laid that very day, and the labor of collecting suitable material for s

than a month the hull of the little vessel wa

upply of game and fish for present use, and for salting down to provision their ship during her proposed voyage. These last were the most unsuccessful of all who were out, owing to their limited knowledge of wood-craft. They were at the same tim

driven in the greatest confusion back to the fort, after sustaining severe losses in killed and wounded. The advance of the savages, who followed them closely, even up to the very gates, w

een held some weeks before. The sight of them so enraged Simon, the armorer, who was now generally recognized as commandant, that he determined

fighting qualities of the savages in great contempt, deemed this number amply sufficient for his purpose, and marched forth confidently at their head.

tly had their approach been made that the first notice Simon and those with him had of the ambush into which they had fallen, was a vast discharge of arrows and spears into their rank

men who knew their lives were at stake. In spite, however, of their bravery and the terrible execution of their swords,

me and unexpected diversion was made in their favor. A great cry arose beyond the line of savages, and they were s

ost timely aid, the soldiers hastened to regain th

epths of the forest, a clear voice crying, "France to the Res