revail in the conference. The fatal word "fire"
was several times heard, and Manteo was already starting towards the
kitchen to procure the means of carrying into effect their deadly
purpose.

"I see nothing left, but to defend ourselves as we may," said Hansford
in a low voice, at the same time raising his musket, and advancing a
step towards the window, with a view of throwing it open and commencing
the attack.

"Oh, don't shoot," said Mamalis, imploringly, "I will go and save all."

"Do you think, my poor girl, that they will hearken to mercy at your
intercession," said Colonel Temple, shaking his head, sorrowfully.

"No!" replied Mamalis, "the heart of a brave knows not mercy. If he gave
his ear to the cry of mercy, he would be a squaw and not a brave. But
fear not, I can yet save you," she added confidently, "only do not be
seen."

The men looked from one to the other to decide.

"Trust her, father," said Virginia, "if you are discovered blood must be
shed. She says she can save us all. Trust her, Hansford. Trust her, Mr.
Bernard."

"We could lose little by being betrayed at this stage of the game," said
Temple, "so go, my good girl, and Heaven will bless you!"

Quick as thought the young Indian left the room, and descended the
stairs. Drawing the bolt of the back door so softly, that she scarcely
heard it move, herself, she went to the kitchen, where old Giles, a prey
to a thousand fears, was seated trembling over the fire, his face of
that peculiar ashy hue, which the negro complexion sometimes assumes as
an humble apology for pallor. As she touched the old man on the
shoulder, he groaned in despair and looked up, showing scarcely anything
but the whites of his eyes, while his woolly head, thinned and white
with age, resembled ashes sprinkled over a bed of extinguished charcoal.
Seeing the face of an Indian, and too terrified to recognize Mamalis, he
fell on his knees at her feet, and cried,

"Oh, for de Lord sake, massa, pity de poor old nigger! My lod a messy,
massa, I neber shoot anudder gun in all my born days."

"Hush," said Mamalis, "and listen to me. I tell lie, you say it is
truth; I say whites in Jamestown; you say so too--went yesterday."

"But bress your soul, missis," said Giles, "sposen dey ax me ef I shot
dat cussed gun, me say dat truf too?"

"No, say it was thunder."

At this moment the tall dark form of Manteo entered the room. He started
with surprise, as he saw his sister there,