The Lily and the Totem; or, The Huguenots in FloridaSimms, William Gilmore
History
The Lily and the Totem; or, The Huguenots in Florida
Simms, William Gilmore
Florida -- History -- Huguenot colony, 1562-1565 -- Fiction
They lent willing ears, and Lachane continued. His counsel was that
Captain Albert should be advised of an unusual multitude of deer on
one of the "hunting islands" in the neighborhood. These islands are
remarkable--some of them--for the luxuriance and beauty of their
forests. Here, the deer were accustomed to assemble in great numbers,
particularly when pressed by clouds of Indian hunters along the main;
nor were they loth to visit them at other seasons, when the tides were
low and the seas smooth. Swimming across the dividing rivers, and arms
of the sea, at such periods, in little groups of five or ten, they found
here an almost certain refuge and favorite browsing patches. To one of
these islands, Barré, or some other less objectionable person, was to
beguile Captain Albert. His fondness for the chase was known, and was
gratified on all convenient occasions. He was to be advised of numerous
herds upon the island, which passed to it the night before. They had
been seen crossing in the moonlight from the main. Lachane, meanwhile,
possessing himself of the canoe which his friends had just employed,
armed with weapons which they were to provide, was to place himself in
a convenient shelter upon the island, and take such a position as would
enable him to seize upon the first safe opportunity for striking the
blow. Numerous details, not necessary for our purpose, but essential to
that of the conspirators, were suggested, discussed, and finally agreed
upon, or rejected. Lachane simply concluded with repeating his demand
for the privilege of the first blow--a claim farther insisted upon,
as, in the event of failure, he who had already incurred the doom
of outlawry, and had offended against hope, might thus save others
harmless, who occupied a position of greater security. We need not
follow the arrangement of the parties. Enough, that, when they were
discussed fully, the three separated--Barré and his companion to regain
the fort, and Lachane to embark in the canoe, ere day should dawn, for
the destined islet where he was equally to find security and vengeance.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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