ly war against you;
and this I will do with all cruelty [_crueldad_] in this country, where
I command as Viceroy and Captain-General for my King. I am here to plant
the holy gospel, that the Indians may be enlightened and come to the
knowledge of the holy Catholic faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, as the
Roman Church teaches it. If you will give up your arms and banners, and
place yourselves at my mercy, you may do so, and I will act towards you
as God shall give me grace. Do as you will, for other than this you can
have neither truce nor friendship with me."

Such were the Adelantado's words, as reported by a by-stander, his
admiring brother-in-law; and that they contain an implied assurance of
mercy has been held, not only by Protestants, but by Catholics and
Spaniards. The report of Menendez himself is more brief and sufficiently
equivocal:--

"I answered, that they could give up their arms and place themselves
under my mercy,--that I should do with them what our Lord should order;
and from that I did not depart, nor would I, unless God our Lord should
otherwise inspire."

One of the Frenchmen recrossed to consult with his companions. In two
hours he returned, and offered fifty thousand ducats to secure their
lives; but Menendez, says his brother-in-law, would give no pledges. On
the other hand, expressions in his own despatches point to the inference
that a virtual pledge was given, at least to certain individuals.

The starving French saw no resource but to yield themselves to his
mercy. The boat was again sent across the river. It returned, laden with
banners, arquebuses, swords, targets, and helmets. The Adelantado
ordered twenty soldiers to bring over the prisoners by tens at a time.
He then took the French officers aside behind a ridge of sand, two
gunshots from the bank. Here, with courtesy on his lips and murder
reeking at his heart, he said,--

"Gentlemen, I have but few men, and you are so many, that, if you were
free, it would be easy for you to take your satisfaction on us for the
people we killed when we took your fort. Therefore it is necessary that
you should go to my camp, four leagues from this place, with your hands
tied."

Accordingly, as each party landed, they were led out of sight behind the
sand-hill, and their hands tied at their backs with the match-cords of
the arquebuses,--though not before each had been supplied with food. The
whole day passed before all were brought together, bound a