It thus happened that as the good Le Moyne, who, during the illness of Laudonniere and most of the other officers, was acting as lieutenant in command of the fort, sat writing one morning, there came to him Simon, the armorer, followed by most of the garrison. The old soldier gave a military salute, which Le Moyne returned, and then he said,
"We have come, Master Le Moyne, these good men here and I, to make certain propositions that we desire should be laid before his Excellency the commandant."
"Well," said Le Moyne, in a tone of mild surprise, "have to them without further delay, and return quickly to thy duties."
"It may be," replied Simon, "that we will return not to them at all; at least not in the wise meant by thy use of the word. We are starving."
"Ye have not overmuch to eat, tis true," said Le Moyne; "but we hope for better things."
"We are dying of the fever."
"To a certain extent this is also true."
"We are threatened by an enemy."
"And have stout walls behind which to defend ourselves."
"We are abandoned and forgotten, and our bodies will rot in this place ere succor is sent us."