and of the
mistress, who had died two years ago; that this man had a small vessel,
in which he went to James Town by water, and that he had returned with
him in his vessel; that the distance by water he considered about one
hundred and fifty miles, but by land it was not half that distance; that
he did not know the way, nor did he believe that there was any road as
yet made to James Town, as this plantation was quite by itself, and a
long way from any other. He understood that the nearest plantation was
twenty miles off, and he knew there was no road to it, as no one ever
went or came except by water.

"But," said I, "are not the settlers at war with the Indian tribes that
surround them?"

"Yes; and have been now for three or four years; and the Indians have
done great mischief to the plantations, and killed a great many people,
but the settlers have punished them severely."

"Then how is it that this plantation, which is so solitary, has not been
attacked?"

"Because the mistress's husband was a great friend of the Indians, and,
it is said, used to bring them cargoes of muskets and ammunition from
James Town, contrary to all law and regulation. But if he was friendly
with them, the mistress is not; for she has quarrelled with the
principal chief, and I should not be surprised if we were attacked some
day, and all scalped."

"And what does the mistress say to that?"

"Oh, she don't care; she'd fight a hundred Indians, or white men either.
I never saw such a creature--she's afraid of nothing."

"Who is the other man I saw here?"

"Oh, he's another like myself. There were three of us, but one was
drowned by falling overboard from the sloop."

"Well, but my good fellow, how shall I get to James Town?"

"I'm sure I can't tell; but my idea is that you will never get there
unless mistress chooses."

"Why, surely she won't detain me by force?"

"Won't she?--you don't know her. Why she'd stop an army," replied the
man. "I don't think that she will let you go--I don't know; but that's
my opinion. She wants another hand."

"What, do you mean to say that she'll make me work?"

"I mean to say that, according to the laws of the settlement, she has a
right to detain you. Any person found roving here, who cannot give a
satisfactory account of himself, may be detained till something is heard
about him; for he may be a runaway convict, or a runaway apprentice,
which is much the same, after all. Now, she may say