before? No, your
Excellency, let us return to our own land while we may, and not linger
here longer in the hope of succor which seems likely never to be sent."

So Laudonniere, having numbers against him, was forced to accept the
situation as he had done before, and the work of transfer from one
vessel to the other proceeded rapidly.

When it was accomplished, and they were ready to start on their second
venture, the elements were again against them, and for a week they were
confronted by an impassable wall of foam-crested billows, breaking and
roaring upon the bar in the most tumultuous confusion.

Late one afternoon, when their patience had become well-nigh exhausted
by this tedious delay, all hearts were thrilled by the report of a
fleet of ships seen far out at sea, but approaching the land. An
anxious night followed, for again were the members of the little band
torn with conflicting fears and hopes. Were the ships French, English,
or Spanish? Daylight only could bring an answer to the question.

At length it came, and as the sun rose, its earliest beams fell upon
seven tall ships riding easily at anchor outside the bar. From each
was displayed in the golden light the fair lily banner of France.

At this glorious sight there was indeed joy on board the ship of
Laudonniere. At last the long-looked-for reinforcements had come.
There was no more talk of mutiny, nor of abandoning the country. Now
the cry was, "Ho for Fort Caroline, and destruction to the savages!"

Crowding all sail upon their newly acquired ship, and with its guns
firing salutes of welcome, and banners flung to the breeze from every
point, they sailed out over the still tumultuous bar to greet the
new-comers from their own land. It was indeed Admiral Jean Ribault and
his fleet of succor for the little colony. On board his flag-ship
_Trinity_, a joyful meeting took place between him and his trusted
lieutenant, the brave Laudonniere, who, supported by Rene de Veaux and
Le Moyne, found strength to carry himself thither.

The admiral was highly indignant when he heard of the mutiny, and would
have punished the mutineers severely had not Laudonniere pleaded for
them, giving their sufferings and their despair of the arrival of
reinforcements as their excuse.

The closest attention was paid to the tale of the brave deeds of Rene
de Veaux. At its conclusion the admiral sent for him, and caused him
to blush as ruddily as his sun-tanned cheeks