A look of great joy
lighted up the old soldier's face as Rene entered the room, and he
blessed Him who had once more restored to him this son of his old age.
Then they talked, and several hours had slipped away before Rene had
related all the details of his remarkable journey through the unknown
wilderness of the interior, and Laudonniere had in turn given all the
particulars of the mutiny, and made clear the present state of affairs
in Fort Caroline.
At the conclusion of Rene's story his uncle said, "Thou hast carried
thyself like a man, my lad, and like a true son of our noble house.
The successful issue of thy undertaking also insures thee a pardon for
the manner in which thou didst set about it. I must warn thee,
however, that unless thou choose to be considered a mutineer or a
rebel, never again take upon thyself the ordering of such a matter when
under command of a superior officer."
Rene hung his head at this mild rebuke, and promised his uncle that his
future actions should be entirely guided by him, so long as they
sustained each other the relations they now bore.
He was amazed and troubled to learn of the plans of the mutineers in
regard to abandoning the fort, and begged his uncle's permission to
remonstrate against such a proceeding with Simon, the armorer. It
being granted, he held a long and serious conversation with the old
soldier, but to no avail.
"It is of no use, Master Rene," the armorer said, in his gruffest
tones, but not unkindly, for he felt a strong affection for the lad, as
all did who knew him--"it is of no use arguing at this late day.
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