e Holy Spirit. He put on the clothes of a sailor, entered
a boat which had been brought to the spot, and rowed towards the
shipwrecked men, the better to learn their condition. A Frenchman swam
out to meet him. Menendez demanded what men they were.

"Followers of Ribaut," answered the swimmer, "Viceroy of the King of
France."

"Are you Catholics or Lutherans?"

"All Lutherans."

A brief dialogue ensued, during which the Adelantado declared his name
and character. The Frenchman swam back to his companions, but soon
returned, and asked safe conduct for his captain and four other
gentlemen who wished to hold conference with the Spanish general.
Menendez gave his word for their safety, and, returning to the shore,
sent his boat to bring them over. On their landing, he met them very
courteously. His followers were kept at a distance, so disposed behind
hills and clumps of bushes as to give an exaggerated idea of their
force,--a precaution the more needful as they were only about sixty in
number, while the French, says Solis, were above two hundred, though
Menendez declares that they did not exceed a hundred and forty. The
French officer told him the story of their shipwreck, and begged him to
lend them a boat to aid them in crossing the rivers which lay between
them and a fort of their King, whither they were making their way.

Then came again the ominous question,--

"Are you Catholics or Lutherans?"

"We are Lutherans."

"Gentlemen," pursued Menendez, "your fort is taken, and all in it put to
the sword." And in proof of his declaration he caused articles plundered
from Fort Caroline to be shown to the unhappy petitioners. He then left
them, to breakfast with his officers, first ordering food to be placed
before them. His repast over, he returned to them.

"Are you convinced now," he asked, "that what I have told you is true?"

The French captain assented, and implored him to lend them ships in
which to return home. Menendez answered, that he would do so willingly,
if they were Catholics, and if he had ships to spare, but he had none.
The supplicants then expressed the hope, that, at least, they and their
followers would be allowed to remain with the Spaniards till ships could
be sent to their relief, since there was peace between the two nations,
whose kings were friends and brothers.

"All Catholics," retorted the Spaniard, "I will befriend; but as you are
of the New Sect, I hold you as enemies, and wage dead