against any sudden assault had still some hopes that might be to government and might be gradually brought into life and voyages of bis plans or that the garrison would be disposed to desert tempted by the life which he permitted among his followers in the neighbourhood was die town inhabited by here were thirty soldiers under the command of captain de repaired thither with his armed force hoping to and his party but the captain shut himself up with his men in a fortified house refusing to permit them to hold any with the latter threatened to set fire to the house but after a little consideration contented himself with seizing their store of provisions and then marched towards fort which was not quite half a league distant l� c cap chapter v the to the in relief of fort conception � his interview with the had received intelligence of the proceedings of yet for a time he hesitated to set out in pursuit of him he had lost all confidence iii the loyalty of the people around him he knew not how far the conspiracy extended nor on whom he could rely de of the fortress of la together with de and de all principal men were in league with he feared that the commander of fort conception might likewise be in the plot and the whole island in arms against him he was reassured however by tidings from that loyal wrote to him letters for representing the weakness of his garrison and the increasing forces of the don now hastened to his assistance with his accustomed and threw himself with a into the fortress being ignorant of the force of the and doubtful of the loyalty of his own followers he determined to adopt mild measures understanding that was at a village but half a league distant he sent a messenger to him on the � life and voyages of of his the injury it was calculated to in and the certain ruin it must bring upon himself he summoned him to appear at the fortress his word for his personal safety repaired accordingly to fort conception where the held a with him from a window demanding the reason of his appearing in arms in opposition to royal authority replied that he was in the service of his sovereigns defending their subjects from the men who sought their destruction the ordered him to surrender his staff of office as mayor and to submit to superior authority refused to resign his office or to put himself in the power of don whom he charged with seeking his life he refused also to submit to any trial unless commanded by the king pretending however to make no resistance to the exercise of authority he offered to go with his followers and reside at any place the might the latter immediately the village of the the same native of the islands who had been in spain and had since married a daughter of objected pretending that there were not sufficient provisions to be had there for the of his men and departed that he would seek a more eligible residence elsewhere he now proposed to bis followers to establish themselves and take possession of the remote province of the who had returned from thence had given accounts of the life they had led there of the of the soil the sweetness of the climate the hospitality d l c cap i and gentleness of the people their i dances and various amusements and above all the beauty of the women for they had been by the naked charms of the dancing of in this delightful region from the iron rule of tlie and relieved from the necessity of irksome labour they might lead a life of perfect freedom and indulgence and have a world of beauty at their command in short drew a picture of loose enjoyment such as he knew to be irresistible with men of idle and habits his followers with joy to his proposition some preparations however were necessary to carry it into effect taking advantage of the absence of the he suddenly marched off with bis band td and entering it in a manner by surprise endeavoured to the with which they might sail to don hearing the tumult issued forth with several persons of distinction but such was the force of the and their menacing conduct that he was obliged to withdraw with a number of his most faithful into the fortress held several with him and offered to submit to his command provided he would set himself up in opposition to his brother the his proposition was treated with scorn the fortress was too strong to be assailed with success he found it impossible to the and feared the might return and he be enclosed between two forces he proceeded therefore in all haste to make provisions for the proposed expedition to still pretending to act in his official capacity and to do every thing from loyal motives for the protection and support of the oppressed subjects of the crown he broke open the royal shouts of long live the king supplied his followers with arms am vol ii k life and voyages of and whatever they desired from the public stores proceeded to the where the cattle and other european animals were kept to breed took whatever he thought necessary for his intended establishment and permitted his followers to kill such of the remaining cattle as they might want for present supply having committed this he marched in u out of reflecting however on the prompt and vigorous character of the he felt that his situation would be but little secure with such an active enemy behind him who on himself from present would not fail to pursue him to his proposed paradise of he determined therefore to march again to the and endeavour either to get possession of the person of the 