left for the wives, no chivalry for the daughters of our own brave
followers, whose hearts will be saved full many a pang by a stratagem,
which will ensure the safety of their protectors. Believe me, my dear
Hansford, if chivalry be nought but a mawkish sentiment, which would
throw away the real substance of good, to retain the mere shadow
reflected in its mirror, like the poor dog in the fable--the sooner its
reign is over the better for humanity."

"But, General Bacon," said Hansford, by no means convinced by the
sophistry of his plausible leader, "if the future chronicler of whom you
spoke, should indeed write the history of this enterprise, he will
record no fact which will reflect less honour upon your name, than that
you found a means for your defence in the persons of defenceless
women."

"So let it be, my gallant chevalier," replied Bacon, gaily, determined
not to be put out of humour by Hansford's grave remonstrance. "But you
have taught me not to look into future records for my name, or for the
vindication of my course--and your demure damsel Duty has whispered that
I am in the path of right. Look ye, Hansford, don't be angry with your
friend; for I assure you on the honour of a gentleman, that the dames
themselves will bear testimony to the chivalry of Nathaniel Bacon. And
besides, my dear fellow, we will not impress any but the sterner old
dames into our service. You know the older they are the better they will
serve for material for an _impregnable_ fortress."

So saying, Bacon ordered a halt, and communicating to his soldiers his
singular design, he detailed Captain Wilford and a party of a dozen men,
selected on account of their high character, to capture and bring into
his camp the wives of certain of the royalists, who, though residing in
the country, had rallied to the support of Sir William Berkeley, on his
return to Jamestown. In addition to these who were thus found in their
several homes, the detailed corps had intercepted the carriage of our
old friend, Colonel Temple; for the old loyalist had no sooner heard of
the return of Sir William Berkeley, than he hastened to join him at the
metropolis, leaving his wife and daughter to follow him on the
succeeding day. What was the consternation and mortification of Thomas
Hansford as he saw the fair Virginia Temple conducted, weeping, into the
rude camp of the insurgents, followed by her high-tempered old mother,
who to use the chaste and classic simi