eports of trouble from near Norfolk, south of
Williamsburg.

Sir Percival Grandison, who yet lingered in his Virginia home, no
longer tried to keep his young son from fighting with the "rebels."
There was in very truth something he kept very quiet about, in
connection with the Boston affair.

And he was not surprised when, with young Spottswood, Norris, Byrd, and
others, Lionel again mounted Hotspur and went clattering off toward
Norfolk to see what trouble the British were making in that quarter.

One morning, when December was in its second week, Sally was in the wide
kitchen plucking a goose, that she might learn how, when Parson Kendall
came to the door, his wig somewhat awry, his face flushed with
excitement, his manner hurried.

"Good Matilda," he said to his wife, "I would that a hamper of food
might be quickly prepared, a roll of linen be made ready, and several
flasks of your most strengthening tonics be got out. I go with our horse
Rupert, and saddle-bags, a long day's journey and nearly a night's, to
give such comfort as I can to certain of our men that lie wounded at
Great Bridge, near Norfolk.

[Illustration: THE BATTLE AT GREAT BRIDGE.]

"News hath been brought that on the seventh, a battle was fought, and
great victory was given to the colonists. But young Lionel Grandison and
Hugh Spottswood of our township are among the wounded, and help in
caring for the injured is called for.

"Doctor Hancocke goes in his wagon with drugs and potions, and so loud a
lament made Mammy Leezer, the old colored nurse at Ingleside, begging to
go and care for her 'chile,'--for so she calleth young Lionel,--that
Doctor Hancocke will take her along with his medicines and bandages.

"Sir Percival also hopes she will soon be able to return with the young
man in charge. He scarcely dareth to go himself to the scene of
conflict, for feeling is bitter against the Tories. Lady Gabrielle hath
taken to her room with cries of anger and sorrow at the news, and as for
Rosamond Earlscourt, she hath servants, smelling-bottles, hot drinks,
and all she can muster about the place attending on her, so loud is her
grief.

"Beshrew me! but I would like to see were it only an ounce of common
sense poured into her from some bottle or other!

"Now I go to get my camlet ready,"--a great cape like a cloak,--"and to
roll up a blanket."

"Oh, _please_!"

Parson Kendall and his wife Matilda turned about to see Maid Sally
standing with ou