West of the Papal Line

Barbara A. Purdy

Excerpt



La Caille appeared before the adelantado. It was mid-day and Pedro Menndez was tired of playing games. He beheld the weary and feeble condition of the Frenchman and felt certain he had the upper hand.

Tell your general that he has no reason left for wishing to cross the river to his fort. I have captured it and slain all who were there. I have done the same to those who came from the shipwrecked fleet.

Menndez led La Caille to the place where the French lie dead. The Spaniards had not disposed of the corpses before they returned to St. Augustine two weeks earlier. Maggots fed on the rotting bodies, the vultures having already finished their work. A nauseating stench filled the air.

La Caille was certain that the colonists at Fort Caroline had suffered a similar fate and realized that Jeanne and his son were probably dead. With great composure, he said, Will you do me the kindness of sending someone to give this news to General Ribault.

Go yourself with Gods blessing, said the adelantado. I give my word that he can come and return safely so that he may decide what suits him best.

A very despondent Franois La Caille reported to Ribault the outcome of his meeting with Pedro Menndez. He will receive you, he said, but I do not believe he will show us mercy.

From earth we have come and to earth we must return, replied Ribault. He may do with me as he wishes. Twenty years one way or another is only a small moment in the general sum. But, still, I must make the effort to save those under my command.

Captain-General Pedro Menndez and Captain-General Jean Ribault came face to face at last.

My comrades who lie there dead, said Ribault, pointing to the bodies that were visible from where he stood, may have been tricked into believing that our fort was taken and surrendered to you under false pretenses. I do not want to be so deceived.

Two of your countrymen are here who participated in the battle and saw the fort fall. You may speak privately with them.

After talking to the men, Ribault was convinced. He returned to where Menndez waited alone.

Now I am certain that you have told me the truth, he said. This misfortune that has befallen me could easily have been your lot. We have been waging a fair war as is the custom among soldiers.

You are not a soldier. You are a corsair and a heretic.

Our two kings are brothers, Ribault continued his futile appeal. Because of their great friendship, you should treat me as a friend and furnish me with ships and provisions to return to France.

You are not my friend! You are my enemy, responded Menndez angrily. I wage war against you because you are Lutherans and have come to spread your evil sect in Spains dominions. I will do with you as God commands. Lay down your arms and surrender.

I will report to my men, said Ribault, and return in three hours to give you their answer.

Three hours later, Ribualt returned. Half of my troops are willing to place themselves at your mercy. There are many noblemen among them. They will pay you a huge ransom in silver and gold.

It would grieve me deeply to lose such a good ransom and booty, replied Menndez. I have dire need of that help to aid me in the conquest and colonizing of this country. His response was truthful but deliberately misleading.

Ribault thought, because of the adelantados greed for the money, that he would not kill those who entrusted themselves to his clemency. I will go to my people with your answer. Since the sun is already setting, I will come back in the morning with the decision we agree upon.

On the morning of October 12th, Captain Jean Ribault and Lieutenant dOttigni delivered to Menndez two royal standards--one of the king of France and the other of Admiral Coligny--two field banners, a gilt sword, dagger, gilt helmet, pistol, a shield, and a seal given to Ribault by the Admiral with which to stamp edicts and titles.

Two hundred men disappeared into the woods during the night, said Ribault. The other one hundred fifty persons are willing to come over to you. You may send a boat for them and for their arms.

The adelantado immediately directed Admiral Valds to bring them across in groups of ten as before. He then placed Solis de Mras and another soldier in charge of Ribault and dOttigni.

Kill them, he whispered to his brother-in-law as they were led off.

The Frenchmen were tied in groups of four and marched in the direction of the fort. Except for those who professed to be Catholics and a few musicians, they were executed when they reached the same line where the others had fallen. Franois La Caille was one of the first to fall. He no longer wished to live.

Ribault and dOttigni were taken a distance along the shore away from the others. I demand to speak with your governor, said Ribault when he heard the cries of his countrymen. He took an oath to spare us.

Mras just laughed. You must know that a verbal agreement is worth as much as a blank page. Then he said. When you give an order to your soldiers, do you expect them to obey you?

Yes.

Well, I propose to obey the order of my commander also. I am instructed to kill you.

With that, Mras thrust a dagger into the heart of Jean Ribault. The other soldier killed Lieutenant dOttigni in a similar manner. They cut off Ribaults grand red beard to send to King Philip. Following that, they cut off his head, and placed it on the end of a pike to be carried back to St. Augustine.