e awful scenes, and then,
remembering his uncle, he rushed to the commandant's dwelling which the
Spaniards had not yet reached. He found, Laudonniere, pale and
trembling, but as calm and collected as becomes the brave soldier even
in the presence of death, standing beside his bed, while the faithful
Le Moyne endeavored to assist him into his armor.

Breathlessly Rene explained that there was no time to lose, and no hope
of saving the fort. "All is lost!" he cried, "and if ye would save
your own lives, follow me without an instant's delay. I, and I alone,
know of a way of escape."

It was only then that Rene had bethought himself of the underground
passage of which Has-se had taught him the secret.

Reassured by his confident words, the two men followed him out of the
house, and to their great surprise were led beneath it among the stone
piers of its foundations. They were not a moment too soon, for as they
disappeared, some Spanish soldiers, who had learned that this was the
dwelling of the commandant, burst into it with savage cries, and
proceeded to search its every corner in the hope of capturing the
greatest prize of all in the person of the Huguenot leader.

Their hour of triumph was imbittered by not finding him, for even as
they searched his chamber he, preceded by Rene de Veaux and followed by
Le Moyne, the artist, was making his way through the narrow tunnel
beneath them towards the river-bank beyond the walls of the fort.

So surprised was Laudonniere at this underground passage leading into
the very heart of his fort, of the existence of which he had never
until that moment even dreamed, that when they emerged on the
river-bank he forgot all else in his curiosity concerning it.

"Whence comes this passage that has proved of such wonderful service to
us, and how came thou by a knowledge of it?" he asked of his nephew.

Even then Rene would not betray the solemn promise of secrecy given to
Has-se, but answered,

"Let us not now stop to talk of these matters, I pray thee, oh mine
uncle. Thy precious life is still in great danger. Let us first
perfect thy escape, and another time I will answer thee concerning this
secret passage. For the present I beg of thee to make thy way,
accompanied by the good Master Le Moyne, as speedily and secretly as
may be, down the river to its mouth, where do still lie the two small
ships left behind by Admiral Ribault. Let me, who am young, strong,
and active, tarr