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Show 338 TUE LILY .AND TilE TOTEM. feared the worst. They were not ill-advised upon the subject of their own strength and resources, and whatever they might hope in respect to the probable iH-fortuncs of Ribault and his fleet, they knew him to be an experienced soldier, and thnt Lis armament W:l.!l superior, while his numbers were quite equal to their own. They now knew that they were the objects of his search and hate, as he had been of theirs, and they still looked with dread to his reappearance, suddenly, and the coming of a conflict which should add new terrors W the storm. They could not conceive the extent of the securities which they enjoyed, and fancied that with a far better acquaintance with the country than they possessed, he would reappear among them at the moment when least expected, and that they should peri.sh beneath tho fury of his fierce assault. While thus they brooded over their situation, officers and men cowering in the frail habitations of the Indians, through which the rushing torrents descended without impediment, extinguishing their fires, and leaving them with no light but that fitful one, the fierce flashes from the clouds, lvhich threatened them with destruction while illuminating the pale faces of each weary watcher;-Pedro Melendez, strengthened by higher if not a holier support, disdained tho miserable shelter of the hovels where they crouched together. He trod the shore and forest pathways without sign of fear or shows of disquiet or annoyance. Ho smiled at the sufferings which he yet stro\'O to alleviato. Ho opened his stores for the relief of hi, people, yot partook or none himself. He gave them food and wine of his own, even while be smiled scornfully to see them cat and drink. His solicitude equally provided against their dangers and their fears. He placed the neee8&4l'y guards against the one, and soothed or 339 mocked the otl1er. lie alone appeared unmoved amidst the storm, and might be seen with unhelmcd head, passing from cot to cot, and from watch to watch, urging vigilance, pro\'iding relief, and encouraging the desponding with a voice of cheer J lis eye took in without shrinking, all the aspects of the storm. He gazed with uplifted spirit as the wild red flashes cleft the great black clouds which enveloped the forests in a shroud. "Ay !" !10 excluimcd, "verily, 0 Lord! thou hast taken t!Jis work into thine own hands !" And thus be went to and fro, without complaint, or suffering, or fatigue, till his lieutenant, with shame beheld the example of the veteran whom they l1:\d not soul or strength to emulate. His deportment was no less a marvel than a reproach to his people. They could not account. for that seemingly unseasonable delight which was apparent in his face, in the exulting tones of his voice, and the eager impulso of his notion. That o. glow-liko inspiration should lighten up his features, and give richness and power to his voice, while they cowered from the storm and darkness in fear and trembling, seemed to them indications rather of madness than of wisdom. Dut in truth, it was inspiration. Melendez had been visited by one of those sudden flashes of thought which open the pathway to a great performance. A brave design filled his soul ; a sudden bright conception, to the proper utterance of which he hurried with a due delight. He summoned hi.s chief leaders to consultation in the great council house of the tribe of Selooe, a. round fabrio of mixed earth and logs, with a frail palm leaf thatch, fragments of which, the fierce efforts of the tempest momently tore away. The rain rushed through the rents of ruin, the wind shrieked through the numerous breaches in the walls, but Melendez stood in the midst, heedless of these annoyances, |
