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Show 142 Tllli. LILY AND TilE TOTEM. their mO\'Cmcnt.~ with reference to the previous progress of tho former. They :~dvanccd in the direction of the fort, wbich lay some three miles distant, but at the distance of fifty or sixty yards from the place where they landed, came to a knoll thickly overgrown 'vith trees and shrubbery. A creek ran at ita foot, in tho bed of which stood numerous cypresses-amongst these Alphonse D'Erlach disappeared, wlJi!c Bon Pre ascended tho knoll, and seated himself in waiting upon a fallen cypress. He had not long to wait. In less than twenty minutes, a whistle wns heard- to which Don Pre responded, in the notes of an owl. The sound of voices followed, and, after a little interval, one by one, seven persons ascended the knoll, and entered tho area which was already partially occupied by Bon Pre. There 'vcre few prelimin:nies, nod Le Geore opened the business. Bon Pre, it is seen, was one of the conspirators and in tl1eir fullest confidence. He had left the fort before them, or had pretended to do so. They Lad C3Ch left at different periods. ·we have seen his route. Jt is only ncccssa.ry to add, that they had come together but a little while before their junction at the knoll. Of course, their several revelations had yet to be made. Lc GenrC commenced by relating his ill success in regard to the vessel. " We must have it, at all hnzards," said Stephen Le Gcoevois, 11 we can do nothing without it." "J do not see tlmt ;" was the reply of Jean La Roqucttc. This person, it may be well to say, was one possessing largo in· fiucnce among tho conspirators. He claimed to be a. magician, dealt much in predictions, consulted the slara, and other signs, as well of ca.rlh as of heaven ; and,among other things, pretended, by reason of his art, to know where, at no great di.Ht.D.ncc, was n mino THE CONSPIRACY OF LE OENRt 143 of silver, the richest in the world. Almost his solo reason for linking himself with the conspirators, was the contempt with which his pretension~ had been treated by his commander. in regard to the search afl!:!r this mine. "I do not sec," he replied," tl1at this vessel is so necessary to us. A few canoes will serve us better.'' " Canoes-for what?" waJS the demand of Le Gcne\'ois. "Why, for ascending lhe rivers, for avoiding the fatigue of land travel, for bl'ingingdown our bullion." "Psha.'v! You are nt your silver mine again; but thnt is slow work. I prefer that which the Spaniard has already gathered; which he has run into solid bars nnd made ready for the king's face. J prefer fighting for my silver, to digging for it." Ay! fighting-no digging;" said Le CcnrC and he was echoed by other voices. But La Roquctte was not to be silenced. His opinions were re·stated and insisted upon with no small vchc· men co, and the controversy grew warm as to the future course of tho party-whether they should explore the land for silver oro, or tho Spanish seas for bullion. •1 .llfeuieurs," said one named Fourncaux1 "permit me to say that you are counting your chickens before they arc out of tho shell. Why cumber our discussion with unnecessary difficulties? Tho first thing to consider is how kl get our freedom. We can determine hereafter what usc we shall make of it. There are men enough, or will be enough, when we have got rid of Lau· donniere1 to undertake both objects. Some may take the seas, and some the land; some to digging. Each man to his taste. All may be satisfied-there need be no restraint. The only mtlt· ter now to be adjusted, is to be able to choose a~ all. Let us n.ot turn aside from the subject. 11 |