CHAPTER V.

FROM SAINTS TO PIRATES.

UNDER certain circumstances it is an easy matter to change men from saints to devils. A single mischief-breeding person may ruin a community of people who otherwise would have lived in peace and respectability. John Gyrot soon became the evil genius of the colony. As he grew older, he became more cunning and more mischievous. He soon learned that discontent existed among the volunteers of the expedition, who were gentlemen and totally unfit for this service. They complained that they were not as well treated as laborers; nor did they deserve to be, for they were worth little or nothing to the community. They were consumers without producing and were useless. Laudonnière was not slow to understand that the life and vitality of the colony depended on the laborers and men who were willing to till the soil, and consequently he was not slow to show his favor to them. Secretly circulating among the idlers, Gyrot sought to augment rather than allay

the difficulties. He was cunning enough to keep himself well in the background, so as not to bring censure upon himself. Matters had reached a high state of discontent when Laudonnière ordered D'Erlac, in whom he had the greatest confidence, home. One cause of dissatisfaction in the colony was lack of a clergyman to perform divine service; but their greatest grievance was a dearth of provisions and a near prospect of famine.

"Why longer stay in this wilderness and starve," urged John Gyrot to a band of secret conspirators. "Let us put Laudonnière out of the way and return to France, or put ourselves in charge of the colony."

It was Gyrot's plan either to destroy the colony or to get his friends in control before the arrival of Hortense De Barre.

The seeds of dissension once sown took root and brought forth fruit in a well-laid conspiracy to take the life of Laudonnière. One of the conspirators was discovered and hanged, and Laudonnière ordered a ship-load of malcontents to be sent to France. As they were going aboard the vessel, the commandant approached Gyrot.

"You can return, also," he said.

"I return, monsieur?" cried Gyrot in wellfeigned surprise. "I am the most faithful of the colonists, why should I return?”

"Do you not wish to go to France?" "I do not, monsieur."

"Then complain no more of the country and your usage."

"I beg the monsieur's pardon there is some mistake, for I have made no complaint. I am the commandant's warmest friend. I love the colony."

The hypocritical pretenses of John Gyrot so deceived Laudonnière that when he dispatched some of the malcontents, who still remained, under Roche Ferriere to complete the discovery of Outina's canton, the wily Gyrot was left behind with Ottigny and D'Erlac as a personal body-guard of the commandant.

One day John Gyrot came upon three of the discontented gentlemen in a building where they had met to brood over their hard fate. They were Stephen, a Genevois, Des Fourneaux, and La Croix, Frenchmen.

"Why do you linger here in this poor country," said Gyrot, "where starvation must ultimately sweep us all off the earth. There is a golden conquest open for us."

"Where?" asked the malcontents.

"Every ship leaving the West Indies is laden with gold and precious stones. The Spaniards

are Catholics and make war on Protestants. France is almost on the point of war with Spain. We

have ships, guns, and brave men, why not sail to the West Indies and there reap our fortune? There are heaps and mountains of gold already dug and refined, without our risking our lives and health here in the wilderness."

In those three Gyrot found eager listeners to his plan, and he continued in the same strain to point out the cruelty of the Spaniards toward the natives, whom they had slain by millions, while millions more were suffering in bondage. Would they not be wholly justified in thus seeking revenge.

The words of Gyrot sank deep into the minds of his hearers. Vengeance is always sweet, but when seasoned with a golden reward it becomes irresistible. After a few moments, Des Fourneaux said: "I will go if we can get men to join us."

"You can," continued Gyrot. "But mention the matter to the men and you will have all the followers you desire. Besides, we can prevail on Laudonnèire to sign a commission for our cruising upon the Spaniards in the Gulf of Mexico."

The plan was agreed upon, and while Gyrot seemed loyal to Laudonnière, he was kept posted on all the movements of the mutineers. Stephens, Des Fourneaux, and La Croix were desperate men, and the idea of piracy being more acceptable to them than a life of hardship and trial, they gathered about them sixty soldiers and sailors, the worst