, 1881-12-21

that answer, ordered his men to advance
up to 200 PAGES from the Fort, where they
were protected by a small hill, which hid
them from the enemy, showing only the
tops of their flags, which were numerous
enough to let the Spaniards suppose that
the French army was considerable.
A second challenge was sent, threatening
to spare no one should they not surrender
at once.
The Governor imagined that he had
to deal with starved Adventures, in need
of supplies, and accordingly returned the
same answer, accompanying it with the
present of a COW and four jugs of Madeira
wine.
Captain de vaugallun not understand
ing such politeness, sent a third challenge
to surrender within two hours, else the
assault would begin.
This ultimatum scared the Spaniards,
and as they saw the French in line OF
battle marching upon them, they capltulat-
cd and surrendered the Fort.
They embarked with their baggage for
Porto Rico, leaving hostages to insure the
return of the ship.
The Dutch prisoners were set free and
sent to ST. Eustatius. One OF their com
panions, who escaped into the woods when
defeated by the %Spaniards, seeing the
French ShipS at a distance, Ventured to
SN iii OH DOdIus w IiiO lO ~ bNIiS
against him, his struggle lasted three days
and three nights. He was seen from tie
Fort: they went to his rescue and found
him almost dead. However, with care he
revived and returned to st. EuStatiUS.
Commander de Poincy rejOiced at the
result of this expedition, but he proved
rather ungrateful to the man who had
insured its success. He sent 300 men from
st. kits to establish a colony at st.
Croix and in 1G4S appointed Sieur Au9ler
asDG0vernor.
Captain dc Vaugallan, who was a pru-
dent and talented officer and had certainly
shown great ability i'll this enterprise,
finding his services so strangely rewarded,
retired to his estate, where he died, con-
Sumed by grief, i'll 1861.
Commander de POincy sent commission.
ers to inspect the island of st. Crolx and
their report was most satisfactory: they
stated that it was the most tlourishlng
Of all the colonies. They reported i'll effect
that the land in that Island was good and
deep, trees of all sorts and OF unusual
height and size abounded; only the climate
was unhealthy, and springs were scarce.
There was a small river in which the sea
mixed: its water were consequently
brackiSh and therefore useless for drinking
purposes.
Wells were sunk and at first produced
tolerably good water, but soon became
polluted by crabs which fell into them.
Two or three springs were found about
the centre of the country, but could that
be sufficient for a colony, when water IS
more necessary than amy other liquor.
1t is true that ciSterns were built after
wards, but while waiting for cisterns how
many people died! 1t was more difficult
to purify the atmosphere than it was to
obtain good water; this island being quite
fat and covered with enormous trees,
winds could not penetrate sufficiently to
sweep off exhalatiOns from the Stagnant
waters which were found in it.
There was a sure remedy for this evil, 1t
was to initiate the Portuguese when
they conquered Madeira. Without losing
t ime in cutting down the trees, they set
fire to them, and while that large foreStWas
burning, they remained on board their YES
sells, and only after a few months, when the
soil had cooled down, they returned ashore
and cultivated that land, out OF which
the V have made one Of the finest countries
in the world.
L know that economy teaches to keep
valuable trees, but we must also argue
that health is the most valuable of riches,
and that we cannot do too much to secure
it.
In the beginning, Commander de
POincy, in order to facilitate agriculture,
allowed fore ign vessels to trade with the
island, but the w. /. Company having
heard of it reprimanded him severely,
which oouSad him tn S1upraSS if. he