Even then the Spaniards were at the gates, awaiting the signal to make an attack.  It was given, and Rene had hardly dropped into a troubled sleep when he was rudely awakened by a crash, a rending of wood, the wild scream of agony with which the unfaithful sentinel yielded up his life, and the triumphant yells of the enemy, who had forced an entrance through the little unguarded postern-gate.

Rene sprang to the door, and for an instant stood motionless, petrified by terror at the awful sights that greeted his gaze.  Already flames were bursting from many of the tents and barracks, and by the light thus given he saw men, women, and children, almost naked as they had sprung from their beds, flying in every direction before the pitiless Spaniards.  Wherever they turned the fugitives were met by long pikes, gleaming swords, and keen daggers, and above the howlings of the storm rose their shrill screams of terror and quickly stifled cries of mortal agony.

For an instant only did Rene gaze upon these awful scenes, and then, remembering his uncle, he rushed to the commandant’s dwelling which the Spaniards had not yet reached.  He found, Laudonniere, pale and trembling, but as calm and collected as becomes the brave soldier even in the presence of death, standing beside his bed, while the faithful Le Moyne endeavored to assist him into his armor.

Breathlessly Rene explained that there was no time to lose, and no hope of saving the fort.  “All is lost!” he cried, “and if ye would save your own lives, follow me without an instant’s delay.  I, and I alone, know of a way of escape.”

It was only then that Rene had bethought himself of the underground passage of which Has-se had taught him the secret.

Reassured by his confident words, the two men followed him out of the house, and to their great surprise were led beneath it among the stone piers of its foundations.  They were not a moment too soon, for as they disappeared, some Spanish soldiers, who had learned that this was the dwelling of the commandant, burst into it with savage cries, and proceeded to search its every corner in the hope of capturing the greatest prize of all in the person of the Huguenot leader.

Their hour of triumph was imbittered by not finding him, for even as they searched his chamber he, preceded by Rene de Veaux and followed by Le Moyne, the artist, was making his way through the narrow tunnel beneath them towards the river-bank beyond the walls of the fort.

So surprised was Laudonniere at this underground passage leading into the very heart of his fort, of the existence of which he had never until that moment even dreamed, that when they emerged on the river-bank he forgot all else in his curiosity concerning it.

“Whence comes this passage that has proved of such wonderful service to us, and how came thou by a knowledge of it?” he asked of his nephew.

Even then Rene would not betray the solemn promise of secrecy given to Has-se, but answered,