er to a reconciliation. I will only take my
subaltern, Berkenhead, yonder, and that poor old negro, in whose
liberation I sincerely rejoice. The first will be a companion, and in
case of danger some protection; and the last, if you choose," he added
smiling, "will be a make-peace between the political papist and the
rebel heretic."

"Well, God bless you, Hansford," said Bacon, with much warmth, "and
above all, forget my haste and unkindness just now. We must learn to
forgive like old Romans, if we would be valiant like them, and so

'When I am over-earnest with you, Hansford,
You'll think old Berkeley chides, and leave me so.'"

"With all my heart, my noble General," returned Hansford, laughing, "and
now for my mission--what shall I say on behalf of treason to his royal
highness?"

"Tell him," said Bacon, gravely, "that Nathaniel Bacon, by the grace of
God, and the special trust and confidence of Sir William Berkeley,
general-in-chief of the armies of Virginia, desires to know for what act
of his, since such trust was reposed in him, he and his followers have
been proclaimed as traitors to their king. Ask him for what reason it is
that while pursuing the common enemies of the country--while attacking
in their lairs the wolves and lions of the forest, I, myself, am
mercilessly assaulted like a savage wild beast, by those whom it is my
object to defend. Tell him that I require him to retract the
proclamation he has issued without loss of time, and in the event of his
refusal, I am ready to assert and defend the rights of freemen by the
last arbiter between man and man. Lastly, say to him, that I will await
his answer until two days from this time, and should it still prove
unfavourable to my demands, then woe betide him."

Charged with the purport of his mission, Hansford shook Bacon cordially
by the hand, and proceeded to prepare for his journey. As he was going
to inform his comrade, old Lawrence gently tapped him on the shoulder,
and whispered, "Look ye, Tom, I like not the appearance of that fellow
Berkenhead."

"He is faithful, I believe," said Hansford, in the same tone; "a little
rough and free spoken, perhaps, but I do not doubt his fidelity."

"I would I were of the same mind," returned his companion; "but if ever
the devil set his mark upon a man's face that he might know him on the
resurrection morning, he did so on that crop-eared Puritan. Tell me,
aint he the same fellow that got his freedom a