Not only had all the visiting Indians disappeared, but also every soul
of Micco's tribe; and, what was more significant, they had taken with
them their lodges and all portable property.

Laudonniere at once realized the full force of the situation. His
soldiers were worn out with the labor of building the fort, and many of
them were prostrated by a peculiar fever that racked their joints with
severe pains and unfitted them for duty. The store of provisions upon
which he had depended to feed his men through the approaching winter
had been destroyed. The Indians who might have provided him with game
had abandoned him and gone he knew not whither. His men knew nothing
of the art of winning for themselves a livelihood from the wilderness
that surrounded them. Although the soldiers had been allowed to think
differently, he knew that some months must still elapse before the
arrival of reinforcements and supplies from France. He himself, worn
out by anxiety and overwork, was beginning to feel symptoms of the
approach of the dreaded fever, and he feared that ere long he would be
unfitted to perform the duties of his important position.

In this emergency, he decided to hold a council with the officers of
the garrison, and ask their aid in deciding what was to be done. He
therefore sent word to Soisson, his lieutenant, old Hillaire, the
captain of artillery, Martinez, the quartermaster, Chastelleux, the
chief of engineers, Le Moyne, the artist, and to Réné, his nephew,
bidding them meet him in council. He added Réné to the number, for his
uncle wished him to fully comprehend the difficulties of their position.

The council met in the commandant's private room, and Laudonniere,
stating the situation clearly to them, asked what was to be done. Some
suggested one thing and some another, and the discussion was long and