DISASTROUS ATTEMPTS IN FLORIDA 105 



my shot, whereuuto he answered with his. Afterwards, 

 being come on shore, and received honourably with joy, 

 I brought him to my lodging, rejoicing not a little, because 

 that, in his company 1 knew a good number of my friends, 

 which I entreated, in the best sort that I was able, with 

 such victuals as I could get in the countiy, and that small 

 store which I had left me, with that which I had of the 

 English general. . . . 



But, lo ! how oftentimes misfortune doth search and 

 pursue us, even when we think to be at rest ! Lo ! see 

 what happened after that Captain Ribault had brought 

 up three of his small ships into the river, which was the 

 4th of September. Six great Spanish ships arrived in the Spanish ships 

 road, where four of our greatest ships remained, which 

 cast anchor, assuring our men of good amity. They 

 asked how the chief captains of the enterprise did, and 

 called them all by their names. I report me to you if it 

 could be otherwise ; but these men, before they went out 

 of Spain, must needs be informed of the enterprise, and 

 of those that were to execute the same. About the break 

 of day, they began to make towards our men, but our 

 men, which trusted them never a deal, had hoisted their 

 sails by night, being ready to cut the strings that tied 

 them ; wherefore, perceiving that this making towards 

 our men of the Spaniards was not to do them any pleas- 

 ure, and knowing well that their furniture was too small 

 to make head against them, because that the most part of 

 their men were on shore, they cut their cables, left their 

 anchors, and set sail. . . . 



After he (Ribault) understood these news, he returned a Bad pian 

 to the fortress, and came to my chamber, where I was 

 sick ; and there, in the presence of several gentlemen, he 

 propounded that it was necessary, for the King's service, 

 to embark himself, with all his forces, and, with the three 

 sliips that were in the road, to seek the Spanish fleet; 

 whereupon he asked our advice. . . . Then he told 

 me that he could do no less than to continue this enter- 



