RENE LAUDONNIERE ad. 



1565. 

 should presently with their weapons embarke them, and 

 that his two ensignes should march : which was put in 

 execution. He came into my chamber, and prayed me 

 to lend him my Lieutenant, mine ensigne, and my 

 sergeant, and to let all my good souldiers, which I had, 

 goe with him, which I denied him, because my selfe 

 being sicke, there was no man to stay in the fort. 

 Thereupon he answered me that I needed not to doubt 

 at all, and that he would returne the morrow after, that 

 in the meane space Monsieur de Lys should stay behind 

 to looke to all things. Then I shewed unto him that he 

 was chiefe in this Countrey, and that I for my part had 

 no further authoritie : that therefore hee would take good 

 advisement what hee did, for feare least some inconveni- 

 ence might ensue. Then he tolde me that he could 

 doe no lesse, then to continue this enterprise, and that 

 in the letter which he had received from my Lord 

 Admirall, there was a postscript, which hee shewed mee 

 written in these wordes : Captaine John Ribault, as I was ^« advertise- 

 enclosing up this letter, I received a certaine advice, that ^l^^^jf^y^ 

 Don Pedro Melendes departeth from Spaine to goe to ^^ Cattaine 

 the coast of Newe France : see you that you suffer him not Ribault. 

 to encroch upon you, no more then he would that you 

 should encroch upon him. You see (quoth he) the 

 charge that I have, and I leave it unto your selfe to 

 judge, if you could do any lesse in this case, considering 

 the certaine advertisement that we have, that they are 

 already on lande, and will invade us. This stopped my 

 mouth. Thus therefore confirmed or rather obstinate in 

 this enterprise, and having regard rather unto his 

 particular opinion then unto the advertisments which I 

 had given him, and the inconveniences of the time 

 whereof I had forewarned him, he embarked himselfe the Captaine Ri- 

 eight of September, and tooke mine ensigne and eight ^^^^^^ ^^" 

 and thirtie of my men away with him. I report mee to /L^g^ 

 those that know what warres meane, if when an ensigne 

 marcheth, any souldier that hath any courage in him 

 will stay behind, to forsake his ensigne : Thus no man 



91 



