exactly see how it can
be effected, but, if the Governor were met by remonstrance of his
injustice, and informed of our determination to resist it as such, it
seems to me that he would be forced to recant this last proclamation,
and all would be well again."

"And who think you would carry the remonstrance," said Bacon. "It would
be about as wise to thrust your head in a lion's mouth, as to trust
yourself in the hands of the old fanatic. I know not whom we could get
to bear such a mission," he added, smiling, "unless our friend Ingram
there, who having been accustomed to ropes in his youth, if report
speaks true, need have no fear of them in age."[38]

"In faith, General," replied the quondam rope-dancer, "I am only expert
in managing the cable when it supports my feet. But I have never been
able to perform the feat of dancing on nothing and holding on by my
neck."

"General Bacon," said Hansford, stepping forward, "I am willing to
execute your mission to the Governor."

"My dear boy," said Bacon, grasping him warmly by the hand, "forgive me
for speaking so roughly to you just now, I am almost ready to cut my
tongue out of my head for having said anything to wound your feelings.
But damn that old treacherous fox, he inflamed me so, that I must have
let out some of my bad humour or choked in retaining it."

Hansford returned his grasp warmly, perhaps the more ready to forgive
and forget, as he saw a prospect of attaining his object in protecting
the family of his friend from harm.

"But you shall not go," continued Bacon. "It were madness to venture
within the clutch of the infuriated old madman."

"Whatever were the danger," said Hansford, "this was my proposition, and
on me devolves the peril, if peril there be in its execution. But there
is really none. Colonel Temple, although a bigot in his loyalty, is the
last person to violate the rites of hospitality or to despise a flag of
truce. And Sir William Berkeley dare not disregard either whilst under
his roof."

"Well, so let it be then," said Bacon, "but I fear that you place too
much reliance on the good faith of your old friend Temple. Believe me,
that these Tories hold a doctrine in their political creed, very much
akin to the Papal doctrine of intolerance. 'Faith towards heretics, is
infidelity to religion.' But you must at least take some force with
you."

"I believe not," returned our hero, "the presence of an armed force
would be an insuperable barri