is himself
but little better than a traitor."

The flush which mounted to the brow of Ballard attested his indignation
at this grave charge; but before he had time to utter the retort which
rose to his lips, Berkeley added,

"Forgive me, Ballard, for my haste. But the bare idea of making terms
with these audacious rebels roused my very blood. No, no! I can die in
defence of my trust, but I cannot, will not yield it."

"But it is not yielding," said Ballard.

"Nay--no more of that," interrupted Berkeley; "let us devise some other
means. I have it," he added, after a pause. "Accomac is still true to
my interest, and divided from the mainland by the bay, is difficult of
access. There will I pitch my tent, and sound my defiance--and when aid
shall come from England, these proud and insolent traitors shall feel
the power of my vengeance the more for this insult to my weakness."

This scheme met with the approbation of all present, with the exception
of old Ballard, who shook his head, and muttered, that he hoped it might
all be for the best. And so it was determined that early the next
morning the loyal refugees should embark on board a vessel then lying
off Tindal's Point, and sail for Accomac.

"And we will celebrate our departure by hanging up that young rogue,
Hansford, in half an hour," said Berkeley.

"By what law, may it please your excellency?" asked Ballard, surprised
at this threat.

"By martial law."

"And for what offence?"

"Why zounds, Ballard, you have turned advocate-general for all the
rebels in the country," said Berkeley, petulantly.

"No, Sir William, I am advocating the cause of justice and of my king."

"Well, sir, what would you advise? To set the rogue at liberty, I
suppose, and by our leniency to encourage treason."

"By no means," said Ballard. "But either to commit him to custody until
he may be fairly tried by a jury of his peers, or to take him with you
to Accomac, where, by further developments of this insurrection, you may
better judge of the nature of his offence."

"And a hospitable reception would await me in Accomac, forsooth, if I
appeared there with a prisoner of war, whom I did not have the firmness
to punish as his crime deserves. No, by heaven! I will not be encumbered
with prisoners. His life is forfeit to the law, and as he would prove
an apostle of liberty, let him be a martyr to his cause."

"Let me add my earnest intercession to that of Colonel Ballard," said
T