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Show XX. IRA CAN A, EDEN OF TilE FLORIDIAN. TnE disasters which bcfcl his detachment, brought Laudonnicrc to his knees. He had now been humbled severely by the dispensations of Providence-punished for that disregard of the things most important to the colonization of n. new country, which, in his insane pursuit of the precious metals, had marred his administration. His misfortunes reminded him of his religion. "Seeing, therefore, mine hope frustrate on tl1at side, I made my prayer unto God, and thanked l1im of his grace which he had showed unto my poore souldicrs which were escaped." Dut his prayers did not dctaio him long. The necessities of the colony contiuucd as pressing ns ever. "Afterward, 1 thougllt upon new mcancs to obtain<l victuals, M well for our rcturne into France, aa to drive out the time untill our cmb:~rking." These were meditations of considerable difficulty. The petty fields of the nati\·ca, never contemplated with reference to more thnn a temporary supply of food ;- never planted with reference to providing for a whole year, were really inadequate to the wants of such a body of men, unless by grievously distressing their proprio- 295 tors. The people of Obta. Utina lmd been moved to rage in all probability, quite as much bccawc of their grain crops, about to be torn from them, as with any feeling of indignation in consequence of the detention of their Paracoussi. In the 83Cks of corn which the Frenchmen bore away upon their shoulders, they beheld the sole pro\·isions upon which, for several months, their women and c!Jildren had relied to feed; nnd their quick imaginations were goaded W desperation, as they depicted the vivid horrors of a summer consumed in vain search after crude roots and indigestible berries, through the forest.s. No wonder the wild wretches fought to avert such a danger; ns little may we wonder that they fought successfully. The Frenchmen, compelled to cast down their sacks of grain, to usc their weapons, tho red-men soon repossessed themselves of all their treasure. When Laudonnicro reviewed his harrasscd soldiers on their return from this expedition, "all the mill that be found among his company came but to two men's burdens." To attempt to recover tho provisions th\18 wrested ftom them, or to revenge themselves for the indignity and injury they had undergone, were equally out of the question. The people of the l}aracoussi could number their thousands; and, buried in their deep fortresses of forest, they could defy pursuit. Laudonnicre was compelled to look elsewhere for the resources wl1ich should keep his company from want. Two leagues distant from La Caroline, on the opposite side of l\hy River, stood tho Indian village of Saro.vabi. Not far from this might be seen the smokes of another village, named Emoloa. The Frenchmen, wandering through tho woods in search of game, had nlightcd suddenly upon these primitive communities. llcro they had been received with gentleness and love. The natives were lively and benevolent. They had never felt the wrath of |
