OCR Text |
Show 334 TilE LII,Y AND 1'11£ TOTEM. CIIAPTER liT. MELENIH:Z AT SELOOE. BvT the enthusiasm excited by the dispersion of Ribault's vessels, and tho escape of their own, was of short-lived duration among the Spaniards at Sclooc. Human nature may obey a gmtcful impulse, and, while it lasts, will be insensible to common dangers and common necessities; but the cmthusiasm whicl1 excites and strcngtlJCns for a season, is one also w!Jich finally exhausts ; and when the enervation which succeeds to a high-strung exultation, is followed by great physical trials, and the continued pressure of untoward events, the creature nature is quite too apt to triumph over that nobler spirit whose very intensity is fatal to its length of lifo. The sign of providential favor which they had beheld wrought visibly in their behalf, the inspiriting language of their stern and solemn lender, the offices of religion, meant to evoke the presence of the Deity, and to secure, by appropriate rites, his farther protection, of which they hnd recently witnessed so wonderful a manifestation ; these wore a1vay in their effects upon our Spaniard!'!, and in the toils and sufferings which they were subsequently to endure. Perhnps nothing more greatly depresses the ordinary nature than an abode in strange and savage regions during a prevalence of cheerless, unfriendly weather. The soul recoils as it. were upon itself, under the ungenial pressure from without, and looking entirely within, finds nothing but wants which it is impossible to satisfy. Memory then studiously recals, as if for the purposes of torture nnd annoyance, the aspects of the beloved ones who are far from us in foreign lands. Tho joys which we have had with old and Io,·ing associates. the sweets of dear homes, and 335 the sounds of friendly voices, these arc the treasures wllich slH} conjures up at such periods, in mournful contrast with present privation., and all manner of denial. Dut if, iu aJJition to these, we arc conscious of accumulating dangers; if the storm and savage howl without; if hunger craves without being nnS\Yercd, and thirst raves for the drop of moisture to cool its tongue, in vain, we must not wonder if the ordinary nature sinks under its sorrows and apprehension, and loses all the clastic courage which would prompt endeavor and conduct to triumph. The master mind alone, may find it.<1clf strong under these circumstances-the man of incxornble will, great faith, and a far-sighted apprccit~.tion of the future and its compensations. llut it is tlw master mind only which bears up thus greatly. The common herd is made of very different materials, and in quit.:l another mould. Don Pedro de Melendez was one of the few minds thus extraw ordinarily endowed. llis prudence, keeping due pace with hi8 religious fanaticism, approved him a peculi:tr character ; a man of rare energies, extraordinary foresight and indomitable will. Resolute for the destruction of the heretics of La Caroline, he was yet one of that class of persons-how few-who can forego the premature attempt to gratify a raging appetite, in recognition of those embarrassing circumstances, which if len unregardcd, would only operate for its defeat. Ho could wait the season, with all patience, when desire might be crowned with fruition. Yet was his thirst a raging ono-a master paMion-absorbing every other in his soul. All that had taken place on land and sea, had been certainly foreseen by him. Thus had be dispatched hi!; ships seasonably to Hispaniola, as well for their security, as to afford him succor. If he doubted for the safety of those which remained to him, on the approach of Ribault, he was reliend of |