a hundred and fifty men, he reached the inlet
at midnight, and again, like a savage, ambushed himself on the bank. Day
broke, and he could plainly see the French on the farther side. They had
made a raft, which lay in the water, ready for crossing. Menendez and
his men showed themselves, when, forthwith, the French displayed their
banners, sounded drums and trumpets, and set their sick and starving
ranks in array of battle. But the Adelantado, regardless of this warlike
show, ordered his men to seat themselves at breakfast, while he with
three officers walked unconcernedly along the shore. His coolness had
its effect. The French blew a trumpet of parley, and showed a white
flag. The Spaniards replied. A Frenchman came out upon the raft, and,
shouting across the water, asked that a Spanish envoy should be sent
over.

"You have a raft," was the reply; "come yourselves."

An Indian canoe lay under the bank on the Spanish side. A French sailor
swam to it, paddled back unmolested, and presently returned, bringing
with him La Caille, Ribaut's sergeant-major. He told Menendez that the
French were three hundred and fifty in all, on their way to Fort
Caroline; and, like the officers of the former party, begged for boats
to aid them in crossing the river.

"My brother," said Menendez, "go and tell your general, that, if he
wishes to speak with me, he may come with four or six companions, and
that I pledge my word he shall go back safe."

La Caille returned; and Ribaut, with eight gentlemen, soon came over in
the canoe. Menendez met them courteously, caused wine and preserved
fruits to be placed before them,--he had come with well-stocked larder
on his errand of blood,--and next led Ribaut to the reeking Golgotha,
where, in heaps upon the sands, lay the corpses of his slaughtered
followers. Ribaut was prepared for the spectacle; La Caille had already
seen it; but he would not believe that Fort Caroline was taken till a
part of the plunder was shown him. Then, mastering his despair, he
turned to the conqueror.

"What has befallen us," he said, "may one day befall you." And, urging
that the kings of France and Spain were brothers and close friends, he
begged, in the name of that friendship, that the Spaniard would aid him
in conveying his followers home. Menendez gave him the same equivocal
answer that he had given the former party, and Ribaut returned to
consult with his officers. After three hours of absence, he came back in