But in the mean time Menendez had by no means
forgotten the errand upon which he principally came ;
and by inquiries of the Indians he soon learned the
position of the French fort and the condition of its
defenders. . Impelled by necessity, Laudonni^re had



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20 THE HISTORY AND ANTIQUITIES

been forced to seize from the Indians food to sup-
port Ms famished garrison, and had thus incurred
their enmity, which was soon to produce its sad
results.
The Spaniards numbered about six hundred
combatants, and the French about the same ; but
arrangements had been made for further accessions
to the Spanish force, to be drawn from St. Domingo
and Havana, and these were daily expected.
It was the habit of those days, to devolve almost
every event upon the ordering of a special providence ;
and each nation had come to look upon itself almost
in the light of a peculiar people, led like the Israelites
of old by signs and wonders ; and as in their own
view all their actions were directed by the design of
advancing God's glory as well as their own purposes,
so the blessing of Heaven would surely accompany
them in all their undertakings.
