the canoe, and told the Adelantado that some of his people were ready to
surrender at discretion, but that many refused.

"They can do as they please," was the reply.

In behalf of those who surrendered Ribaut offered a ransom of a hundred
thousand ducats.

"It grieves me much," said Menendez, "that I cannot accept it; for I
have great need of it."

Ribaut was much encouraged. Menendez could scarcely forego such a prize,
and he thought, says the Spanish narrator, that the lives of his
followers would now be safe. He asked to be allowed the night for
deliberation, and at sunset recrossed the river. In the morning he
reappeared among the Spaniards and reported that two hundred of his men
had retreated from the spot, but that the remaining one hundred and
fifty would surrender. At the same time he gave into the hands of
Menendez the royal standard and other flags, with his sword, dagger,
helmet, buckler, and his official seal, given him by Coligny. Menendez
directed an officer to enter the boat and bring over the French by
tens. He next led Ribaut among the bushes behind the neighboring
sand-hill, and ordered his hands to be bound fast. Then the scales fell
from the prisoner's eyes. Face to face his hideous fate rose up before
him. He saw his followers and himself entrapped,--the dupe of words
artfully framed to lure them to their ruin. The day wore on; and, as
band after band of prisoners was brought over, they were led behind the
sand-hill, out of sight from the farther shore, and bound like their
general. At length the transit was complete. With bloodshot eyes and
weapons bared, the fierce Spaniards closed around their victims.

"Are you Catholics or Lutherans? and is there any one among you who will
go to confession?"

Ribaut answered,--

"I and all here are of the Reformed Faith."

And he recited the Psalm, "_Domine, memento mei_."

"We are of earth," he continued, "and to earth we must return; twenty
years more or less can matter little"; and, turning to the Adelantado,
he bade him do his will.

The stony-hearted bigot gave the signal; and those who will may paint to
themselves the horrors of the scene. A few, however, were spared.

"I saved," writes Menendez, "the lives of two young gentlemen of about
eighteen years of age, as well as of three others, the fifer, the
drummer, and the trumpeter; and I caused Jean Ribaut with all the rest
to be passed under the knife, judging this to be expedient for the