"My son," said the priest, "here is the very man you want. This is one Francis Jean, a Frenchman,--once a heretic, but now, conscious of his errors, and repentant in the hands of Holy Church. He hath recanted of his sins, and hath come back willingly to the folds of Christ. He hath fled from La Caroline, from the cruelties of Laudonniere, the heretic, and will report what he knows, touching the condition of the Lutheran fortress and the people thereof." "Said I not, my comrades, that God would provide!" cried Melendez in exultation. "This is the very man whom we want. What art thou?"--to the Frenchman. "I was a heretic, my lord,--I am now a Christian. I was beaten by Laudonniere, and I fled from him, taking off one of his barques. He hath sworn my life; I would take his. I know the route to La Caroline. I will show the way to your soldiers." "Ah! Laudonniere will hang you, if he gets you into his power." "For that reason, my lord, I would have you get him in yours." "You shall have your wish. The Lord hath indeed spoken! Your name?" "Francis Jean!" "Be faithful--guide my people to this fortress of the heretics, and you shall be rewarded. But, if treacherous, Francis Jean, you shall hang to the first tree of the forest!" "Doubt me not, my lord. I will do you good service!" "Be it so! My comrades--the Lord hath provided. Señor Martin de Ochoa, take this man into thy keeping. Do him no hurt,--let him be well entreated, but let him not escape from thy sight." The Reverend Father Salvandi bestowed his benediction upon the kneeling circle, and they separated for the night. And still the storm roared without, and still the rains descended, but the heart of Melendez rejoiced in the tempest, as it were an angel sent by Heaven to his succor. CHAPTER V. THE DINNER-PARTY OF MELENDEZ.