fore Rene had
related all the details of his remarkable journey through the unknown
wilderness of the interior, and Laudonniere had in turn given all the
particulars of the mutiny, and made clear the present state of affairs
in Fort Caroline.

At the conclusion of Rene's story his uncle said, "Thou hast carried
thyself like a man, my lad, and like a true son of our noble house.
The successful issue of thy undertaking also insures thee a pardon for
the manner in which thou didst set about it. I must warn thee,
however, that unless thou choose to be considered a mutineer or a
rebel, never again take upon thyself the ordering of such a matter when
under command of a superior officer."

Rene hung his head at this mild rebuke, and promised his uncle that his
future actions should be entirely guided by him, so long as they
sustained each other the relations they now bore.

He was amazed and troubled to learn of the plans of the mutineers in
regard to abandoning the fort, and begged his uncle's permission to
remonstrate against such a proceeding with Simon, the armorer. It
being granted, he held a long and serious conversation with the old
soldier, but to no avail.

"It is of no use, Master Rene," the armorer said, in his gruffest
tones, but not unkindly, for he felt a strong affection for the lad, as
all did who knew him--"it is of no use arguing at this late day. We
have fully determined to leave this country of starvation and misery,
and at least to make an effort to lay our bones in fair France. Our
ship is ready for launching, and the provisions thou hast so bravely
fetched will serve to victual her. We no longer dare to show our faces
outside the walls of the fort, for the forest is full of red savages
who thirst for our blood; and if we remain here much longer we shall
die like rats in a trap. So put you the best possible face on the
matter, young master, and lend us thine aid in preparing for departure."

Although Rene could not do this and still remain loyal to has uncle, he
could and did prepare the chevalier for the abandonment of the fort
that was so fully determined upon, and he rendered the latter valuable
service in gathering together and packing his important papers for
immediate removal.

The newly built vessel, which was at best a poor affair in which to
undertake so tremendous a journey, was launched, and so speedily
equipped, that within two weeks from the time of Rene's return she was
pronoun