atsoever of that
nature, until such time as the King be fully informed of the state
of the case." What was to happen if the King, being informed, still
supported Berkeley and sent other Red Coats was not taken into
consideration.

This paper, being drawn, was the more quickly signed because there
arrived, in the midst of the debate, a fresh Indian alarm. Attack
threatened a fort upon the York--whence the Governor had seen fit to
remove arms and ammunition! The news came most opportunely for Bacon.
"There were no more discourses." The major portion of the large
assemblage signed.

The old Government in Virginia was thus denied. But it was held that
government there must be, and that the people of Virginia through
representatives must arrange for it. Writs of election, made as usual in
the King's name, and signed by Bacon and by those members of the Council
who were of the revolt, went forth to all counties. The Assembly thus
provided was to meet at Jamestown in September.

So much business done, off rode Bacon and his men to put down this
latest rising of the Indians. Not only these but red men in a new
quarter, tribes south of the James, kept them employed for weeks
to come. Nor were they unmindful of that proud old man, Sir William
Berkeley, over on the Eastern Shore, a well-peopled region where
traveling by boat and by sandy road was sufficiently easy. Bacon,
Lawrence, and Drummond finally decided to take Sir William captive and
to bring him back to Jamestown. For this purpose they dispatched a ship
across the Bay, with two hundred and fifty men, under the command of
Giles Bland, "a man of courage and haughty bearing," and "no great
admirer of Sir William's goodness." The ship proceeded to the Accomac
shore, anchored in some bight, and sent ashore men to treat with the
Governor. But the Governor turned the tables on them. He made himself
captor, instead of being made captive. Bland and his lieutenants were
taken, whereupon their following surrendered into Berkeley's hands.
Bland's second in command was hanged; Bland himself was held in irons.

Now Berkeley's star was climbing. In Accomac he gathered so many that,
with those who had fled with him and later recruits who crossed the
Bay, he had perhaps a thousand men. He stowed these upon the ship of the
ill-fated Bland and upon a number of sloops. With seventeen sail in all,
the old Governor set his face west and south towards the mouth of the
James.

In that riv