sullied the honour of my country, and the dignity of my king; but I
doubt how far we serve his real interests by a deliberate sacrifice of
all who are loyal to his cause."

"And what then would you advise?" said the Governor, in an irritated
manner. "To make a base surrender of our persons and our cause, and to
grant to these insolent rebels every concession which their insolence
may choose to demand? No! gentlemen, sooner would William Berkeley
remain alone at his post, until his ashes mingled with the ashes of this
palace, than yield one inch to rebels in arms."

"It is not necessary," returned Beverley. "You may escape without loss
of life or compromise of honour, and reserve until a future day your
vengeance on these disloyal barbarians."

Berkeley was silent.

"Look," continued Beverley, leading the old loyalist to the window which
overlooked the river; "by the light of dawn you can see the white sails
of the Adam and Eve, as she rests at anchor in yonder harbor. There is
still time to escape before the rebels can suspect our design. Once upon
the deck of that little vessel, with her sails unfurled to this rising
breeze, you may defy the threats of the besiegers. Then once more to
your faithful Accomac, and when the forces from England shall arrive,
trained bands of loyal and brave Britons, your vengeance shall then be
commensurate with the indignities you have suffered."

Still Berkeley hesitated, but his friends could see by the quiver of his
lip, that the struggle was still going on, and that he was thinking with
grim satisfaction of that promised vengeance.

"Let me urge you," continued Beverley, encouraged by the effect which he
was evidently producing; "let me urge you to a prompt decision. Will you
remain longer in Jamestown, this nest of traitors, and expose your
faithful adherents to certain death? Is loyalty so common in Virginia,
that you will suffer these brave supporters of your cause to be
sacrificed? Will you leave their wives and daughters, whom they can no
longer defend, to the insults and outrages of a band of lawless
adventurers, who have shown that they disregard the rights of men, and
the more sacred deference due to a woman? We have done all that became
us, as loyal citizens, to do. We have sustained the standard of the king
until it were madness, not courage, further to oppose the designs of the
rebels. Beset by a superior force, and with treason among our own
citizens, and defection am