Chapter 8

Nearly a month after they left for Florida the small group met two Spanish men. Margarita translated for Roger and conversed with them on her own as well. She told Roger they were from St. Augustine. The men knew some of Margarita's family and told her they were well. They gave her all the news they knew then after a few minutes moved on. They were on a reconnaissance mission for the governor and were not interested in tarrying. Before they left they assured Roger it was no more than a two week trek from where they were to St. Augustine. Three weeks would complete the trip if they took it easy.

Margarita was ecstatic that evening just from knowing her family was safe. She wanted nothing else but to hurry onward to see her family. To her credit, she curtailed her desires and allowed Roger to set the pace and make the plans for contact with the Spanish garrison. Two weeks to the day after meeting the Spanish men the small group arrived at Margarita's old home. It was only three days farther to St. Augustine. Roger did bow to Margarita's feelings however and they made their first stop near her families holdings so she could visit before they pushed onward. The next two days were spent allowing Margarita to visit with her family and try to convince them to return to Birmingham with them.

In the late morning of the third day of their stay they were confronted by a detail of Spanish soldiers. Their leader was the son of the Governor and was an extremely arrogant man. He tried to arrest the men for trespassing on Crown Lands. Thankfully, Roger made his camp about a mile from Margarita's home so some of his men and the Indian women were there out of sight.

Roger refused to allow the popinjay to arrest him. When he refused to submit to arrest the officer ordered his men to attack. Roger expected that move and rapidly drew his pistol. He shot the Governor's son then in rapid succession the next two best dressed men in the detachment. By then his men had their weapons leveled as did Margarita. The remaining Spanish soldiers rapidly dropped their weapons and began shouting loudly. Margarita listened carefully then replied. Another burst of talk came from the prisoners before Margarita turned to Roger.

Margarita looked worried as she began talking to Roger. "These men beg you to accept their surrender. They beg you to let them go on their parole Roger. I am afraid our mission here will only meet with limited success now, though. You have killed the Governor's son and even if he would have been inclined to trade with you before he will not now. In fact, if he can find you I expect him to mount an armed attack on our settlement in revenge for your actions. Because they stood by and let you do this my family is in danger as well.

"At least now I am sure they will come with us. The alternative is death or having to pay large reparations to the Governor for allowing you to kill his son and get away. A good thing is they have several horses and other livestock we can take with us to increase our herds and flocks. One of my uncles is a skilled blacksmith and may be helpful to you in your manufacturing. The rest of the men are farmers and traders."

Roger thought about his response for several minutes then called Margarita to him. He walked to the spokesman and said, with Margarita translating, "I will release you on your Parole. After we leave you are welcome to return to St. Augustine. If you try to leave before we do I will confine you once again if you live through our recapture. When you arrive back at St. Augustine please give the Governor my condolences on the loss of his son. Make sure he knows, however, that his son's death was a direct result of his attack on me and my men while we were doing nothing to endanger him, his detachment, or the settlers of Florida. Also tell him we have returned home and want nothing further to come of this. However, we will defend ourselves if the need arises. I am afraid I will have to hold you here for a short time until we are ready to return to our home. You will be treated well and not injured if you will give me your word you will not attempt to escape."

It took two days for Margarita's family to pack their belongings and get ready to move. They stripped their homes and barns of everything that could possibly be of use to them in their new home. They left with Margarita in the direction of the camp that contained the balance of Roger's men and the Indian women and children. Roger and four of his men planned to remain at the farm where the prisoners were held for two more days before they departed. After the majority of Margarita's family departed the prisoners began to talk among themselves. They seemed animated. Voices were raised in anger.

On the morning Roger intended to depart one of the prisoners came to him. In halting, broken English the soldier said, "Please, Senor, may my friends and I come with you? We have failed in our duty and expect great punishment when we return to St. Augustine. In truth, all of us except the Sergeant had no desire to even come here to the new world. He wants to return to St. Augustine but the rest of us would rather come with you. Two of us have women in St. Augustine we would like to bring with us if you would be kind enough to allow us to get them."