her that proclaimed his rank. His
face was tanned by the burning suns of that country to a shade but
little lighter than that of his Indian companions, and after the custom
of the Alachuas he had added to it here and there a touch of war-paint.
From neck to feet he was clad in garments of fawn-skin, that fitted
like a glove to his person. These had been made soft as velvet by the
Indian process of curing, and were exquisitely embroidered and fringed.
Over his shoulders was flung a light mantle of feathers, woven of the
glistening plumage of many rare birds and fastened by a clasp of two
great pearls set in virgin gold. In his hand he bore a slender lance,
of which the shaft was of dark wood highly polished, and the tip was a
splinter of purest rock-crystal.

He crossed the quarter-deck, and descended to the admiral's cabin with
a proud and dignified bearing, as became his station, but which greatly
belied his feelings, for he was wellnigh overwhelmed by the joyful
emotions he experienced at being once more among his countrymen.

In the cabin he was most courteously received by De Gourges, and
invited to a seat; but before taking it he inquired with a trembling
voice,

"Oh, sir, know ye aught of a certain noble chevalier of France, by name
Rene de Laudonniere, and whether he be still alive or no?"

"Ay, that I do. He of whom thou speakest is not only alive, but is
well known to me. Not only that, but it is owing to his pitiful tale
of cruel wrong done to him and those with him in this country that I am
here at this present moment. But thou art overcome with emotion; what
had he to do with thee?"

Upon thus learning that his dearly beloved uncle had escaped, and was
yet alive, Rene had sunk into a seat, and buried his face in his hands.
In a moment he obtained mastery of himself, and looking up, answered,

"He was all and more to me than an own father; for I am his only
nephew, Rene de Veaux."

At the utterance of this name De Gourges sprang to his feet, and
regarding his visitor intently, exclaimed,

"What! Do I hear thee truly? Art thou indeed that Rene de Veaux so
bitterly mourned by the Chevalier Laudonniere, and not the savage thou
seemest? If so, there is the best part of my mission to this new world
accomplished by this meeting."

As Rene satisfied the other of his identity as the nephew of
Laudonniere, De Gourges embraced him warmly, and would have at once
proclaimed the joyful intelligence to