Pursuers and pursued were soon out of sight. The drums beat to arms.
After many hours of suspense, the San Pelayo reappeared, hovering about
the mouth of the river, then bearing away towards the south. More
anxious hours ensued, when three other sail came in sight, and they
recognized three of their own returning ships. Communication was opened,
a boat's crew landed, and they learned from Captain Cosette, that,
confiding in the speed of his ship, he had followed the Spaniards to St.
Augustine, reconnoitred their position, and seen them land their negroes
and intrench themselves.

In his chamber at Fort Caroline, Laudonnière lay sick in bed, when
Ribaut entered, and with him La Grange, Ste. Marie, Ottigny, Yonville,
and other officers. At the bedside of the displaced commandant they held
their council of war. There were three alternatives: first, to remain
where they were and fortify; next, to push overland for St. Augustine,
and attack the invaders in their intrenchments; and, finally, to embark,
and assail them by sea. The first plan would leave their ships a prey to
the Spaniards; and so too, in all likelihood, would the second, besides
the uncertainties of an overland march through an unknown wilderness. By
sea, the distance was short and the route explored. By a sudden blow
they could capture or destroy the Spanish ships, and master the troops
on shore before their reinforcements could arrive, and before they had
time to complete their defences.

Such were the views of Ribaut, with which, not unnaturally, Laudonnière
finds fault, and Le Moyne, judging by results, echoes the censures of
his chief. And yet the plan seems as well-conceived as it was bold,
lacking nothing but success. The Spaniards, stricken with terror, owed
their safety to the elements, or, as they affirm, to the special
interposition of the Holy Virgin. Let us be just to Menendez. He was a