Hansford: A Tale of Bacon's Rebellion Part 23

CHAPTER XXVII.

"I'll tell thee truth- Too oft a stranger to the royal ear, But far more wholesome than the honeyed lies That fawning flatterers offer."

_Any Port in a Storm._

Brief as was the time which had elapsed, the old hall presented a different appearance to Hansford, from that which it maintained when he last left it under such disheartening circ.u.mstances. The notable mistress of the mansion had spared no pains to prepare for the reception of her honoured guest; and, although she took occasion to complain to her good husband of his inconsiderate conduct, in foisting all these strangers upon her at once, yet she inwardly rejoiced at the opportunity it presented for a display of her admirable housewifery. Indeed, the ease-loving old Colonel almost repented of his hospitality, amid the bustle and hurry, the scolding of servants, and the general bad humour which were all necessary incidents to the good dame's preparation.

Having finally "brought things to something like rights," as she expressed it, her next care was to provide for the entertainment of her distinguished guest, which to the mind of the benevolent old lady, consisted not in sparkling conversation, or sage counsels, (then, alas!

much needed by the Governor,) but in spreading a table loaded with a superabundance of delicacies to tempt his palate, and cause him to forget his troubles. It was a favourite saying of hers, caught up most probably in her early life, during the civil war in England, that if the stomach was well garrisoned with food, the heart would never capitulate to sorrow.

But the truth of this apothegm was not sustained in the present instance. Her hospitable efforts, even when united with the genial good humour and kindness of her husband were utterly unavailing to dispel the gloom which hung over the inmates of Windsor Hall. Sir William Berkeley was himself dejected and sad, and communicated his own dejection to all around him. Indeed, since his arrival at the Hall, he had found good reason to repent his haste in denouncing the popular and gifted young insurgent. The pledge made by Colonel Temple of the loyalty of the people of Gloucester, had not been redeemed-at least so far as an active support of the Governor was concerned. Berkeley's reception by them was cold and unpromising. The enthusiasm which he had hoped to inspire no where prevailed, and the old man felt himself deserted by those whose zealous co-operation he had been led to antic.i.p.ate. It was true that they a.s.serted in the strongest terms their professions of loyal devotion, and their willingness to quell the first symptoms of rebellion, but they failed to see anything in the conduct of Bacon to justify the harsh measures of Berkeley towards him and his followers.

"Lip-service-lip-service," said the old Governor, sorrowfully, as their decision was communicated to him, "they draw near to me with their mouth, and honour me with their lips, but their heart is far from me."

But, notwithstanding his disappointment, nothing could shake the proud spirit of Berkeley in his inflexible resolution, to resist any encroachments on his prerogative; and, so providing his few followers with arms from the adjacent fort on York River, he prepared to maintain his power and his dignity by the sword.

Such was the state of things on the evening that Thomas Hansford and his companions arrived at Windsor Hall. The intelligence of their arrival created much excitement, and the inmates of the mansion differed greatly in their opinions as to the intention of the young rebel. Poor Mrs.

Temple, in whose mind fear always predominated over every other feeling, felt a.s.sured that Hansford had come, attended by another "ruffian,"

forcibly to abduct Virginia from her home-and a violent fit of hysterics was the result of her suspicions. Virginia herself, vacillating between hope and fear, trusted, in the simplicity of her young, girlish heart, that her lover had repented of his grievous error, and had come to claim her love, and to sue to the Governor for pardon.

Sir William Berkeley saw in the mission of Hansford, a faint hope that the rebels, alarmed by his late proclamation, had determined to return to their allegiance, and that Hansford was the bearer of a proposition to this effect, imploring at the same time the clemency and pardon of the government, against which they had so grievously offended.

"And they shall receive mercy, too, at my hands, "said the old knight, as a tear glistened in his eye. "They have learned to fear the power of the government, and to respect its justice, and they shall now learn to love its merciful clemency. G.o.d forbid, that I should chasten my repenting people, except as children, for their good."

"Not so fast, my honoured Governor," said Philip Ludwell, who, with the other attendants of Berkeley, had gathered around him in the porch; "you may be mistaken in your opinion. I believe-I know-that your wish is father to the thought in this matter. But look at the resolution and determined bearing of that young man. Is his the face or the bearing of a suppliant?"

Ludwell was right. The n.o.ble countenance of Hansford, always expressive, though sufficiently respectful to the presence which he was about to enter, indicated any thing rather than tame submission. His face was very pale, and his lip quivered for a moment as he approached the anxious crowd of loyalists, who remained standing in the porch, but it was at once firmly compressed by the strength of resolution. As he advanced, he raised his hat and profoundly saluted the Governor, and then drawing himself up to his full height, he stood silently awaiting some one to speak. Colonel Temple halted a moment between his natural kindness for his friend and his respect for the presence of Sir William Berkeley. The first feeling prompted him to rush up to Hansford, and greeting him as of old, to give him a cordial welcome to the hall-but the latter feeling prevailed. Without advancing, then, he said in a tone, in which a.s.sumed displeasure strove in vain to overcome his native benevolence-

"To what cause am I to attribute this unexpected visit of Mr. Hansford?"

"My business is with Sir William Berkeley," replied Hansford, respectfully, "and I presume I am not mistaken in supposing that I am now in his presence."

"And what would you have from me young man," said Berkeley, coldly; "your late career has estranged you and some of your friends so entirely from their Governor, that I feel much honoured by this evidence of your returning affection."

"Both I and my friends, as far as I may speak for them," returned Hansford, in the same calm tone, "have ever been ready and anxious to show our devotion to our country and its rulers, and our present career to which your excellency has been pleased to allude, is in confirmation of the fact. That we have unwittingly fallen under your displeasure, sir, I am painfully aware. To ascertain the cause of that displeasure is my reason for this intrusion."

"The cause, young man," said Berkeley, "is to be found in your own conduct, for which, may I hope, you have come for pardon?"

"I regret to say that you are mistaken in your conjecture," replied Hansford. "As it is impossible that our conduct could have invoked your displeasure, so it is equally impossible that we should sue for pardon for an offence which we have never committed."

"And, prythee, what then is your wors.h.i.+pful pleasure, fair sir," said Berkeley, ironically; "perhaps, in the abundance of your mercy, you have come to grant pardon, if you do not desire it. Nay!" he exclaimed, seeing Hansford shake his head; "then, peradventure, you would ask me to abdicate my government in favour of young Cromwell. I beg pardon-young Bacon, I should say-the similarity of their views is so striking, that as my memory is but a poor one, I sometimes confound their names. Well!

any thing in reason. Nay, again!-well then, I am at a loss to conjecture, and you must yourself explain the object of your visit."

"I would fain convey my instructions to Sir William Berkeley's private ear," said Hansford, unmoved by the irony of the old knight.

"Oh pardon me, fair sir," said Berkeley; "yet, in this I _must_ crave your pardon, indeed. A sovereign would never wittingly trust himself alone with a rebel, and neither will I, though only an obscure colonial Governor. There are none but loyal ears here, and I trust Mr. Hansford has no tidings which can offend them."

"I am sure," said Hansford, in reply, "that Sir William Berkeley does not for a moment suspect that I desired to see him in private from any sinister or treasonable motive."

"I know, sir," said Berkeley, angrily, "that you have proved yourself a traitor, and, therefore, I have the best reason for suspecting you of treasonable designs. But I have no time-no disposition to dally with you thus. Tell me, what new treason, that my old ears are yet strangers to, I am yet doomed to hear?"

"My instructions are soon told," said Hansford, repressing his indignation. "General Nathaniel Bacon, by virtue of your own commission, Commander-in-chief of the forces of Virginia, desires to know, and has directed me to inquire, for what cause you have issued a proclamation declaring both him and his followers traitors to their country and king?"

Berkeley stood the shock much better than Hansford expected. His face flushed for a moment, but only for a moment, as he replied,-

"This is certainly an unusual demand of a rebel; but sir, as I have nothing to fear from an exposure of my reasons, I will reply, that Nathaniel Bacon is now in arms against the government of Virginia."

"Not unless the government of Virginia be allied with the Indians, against whom he is marching," said Hansford, calmly.

"Aye, but it is well known," returned Berkeley, "that he has covert views of his own to attain, under pretext of this expedition against the Indians."

"Why, then," replied Hansford, "if they are covert from his own followers, proclaim them traitors with himself; or, if covert from the government, how can you ascertain that they are treasonable? But, above all, if you suspected such traitorous designs, why, by your commission, elevate him to a position in which he may be able to execute them with success?"

"'Fore G.o.d, gentlemen, this is the most barefaced insolence that I have ever heard. For yourself, young man, out of your own mouth will I judge you, and convict you of treason; and for your preceptor-whose lessons, I doubt not, you repeat by rote-you may tell him that his commission is null and void, because obtained by force and arms."

"I had not expected to hear Sir William Berkeley make such an acknowledgment," returned Hansford, undauntedly. "You yourself declared that the commission was not given from fear of threats; and even if this were not so, the argument would scarce avail-for on what compulsion was it that your signature appears in a letter to his majesty, warmly approving the conduct of General Bacon, and commending him for his zeal, talents and patriotism?"[40]

"Now, by my knighthood," said Berkeley, stung by this last unanswerable argument, "I will not be bearded thus by an insolent, braggart boy.

Seize him!" he cried, turning to Bernard and Ludwell, who stood nearest him. "He is my prisoner, and as an example to his vile confederates, he shall hang in half an hour, until his traitorous tongue has stopped its vile wagging."

Hansford made no attempt to escape, but, as the two men approached to disarm and bind him, he fixed his fine blue eyes full upon Colonel Temple, and said, mildly,

"Shall this be so? Though Sir William Berkeley should fail to respect my position, as the bearer of a peaceable message from General Bacon, I trust that the rites of hospitality may not be violated, even in my humble person."

Colonel Temple was much embarra.s.sed. Notwithstanding the recent conduct of Hansford had alienated him to a great degree, he still entertained a strong affection for his boy-nor could he willingly see him suffer a wrong when he had thus so confidingly trusted to his generosity. But, apart from his special interest in Hansford, the old Virginian had a religious regard for the sacred character of a guest, which he could never forget. And yet, his blind reverence for authority-the bigoted loyalty which has always made the English people so cautious in resistance to oppression, and which r.e.t.a.r.ded indeed our own colonial revolution-made him unwilling to oppose his character of host to the authority of the Governor. He looked first at Sir William Berkeley, and his resolution was made; he turned to Hansford, and as he saw his n.o.ble boy standing resolutely there, without a friend to aid him, it wavered.

The poor old gentleman was sadly perplexed, but, after a brief struggle, his true, generous heart conquered, and he said, turning to Sir William:

"My honoured sir, I trust you will not let this matter proceed any further here. My house, my life, my all, is at the service of the king and of his representative; but I question how far we are warranted in proceeding to extremities with this youth, seeing that although he is rather froward and pert in his manners, he may yet mean well after all."

"Experience should have taught me," replied Berkeley, coldly, for his evil genius was now thoroughly aroused, "not to place too much confidence in the loyalty of the people of Gloucester. If Colonel Temple's resolution to aid the crumbling power of the government has wavered at the sight of a malapert and rebellious boy, I had better relieve him of my presence, which must needs have become irksome to him."

"Nay, Sir William," returned Temple, reddening at the imputation, "you shall not take my language thus. Let the youth speak for himself; if he breathes a word of treason, his blood be on his own head-my hand nor voice shall be raised to save him. But I am unable to construe any thing which he has yet said as treasonable." Then turning to Hansford, he added, "speak, Mr. Hansford, plainly and frankly. What was your object in thus coming? Were you sent by General Bacon, or did you come voluntarily?"

"Both," replied Hansford, with a full appreciation of the old man's unfortunate position. "It was my proposition that some officer of the army should wait upon the Governor, and ascertain the truth of his rumoured proclamation. I volunteered to discharge the duty in person."

"And in the event of your finding it to be true," said Berkeley, haughtily, "what course did you then intend to pursue?"

This was a dangerous question; for Hansford knew that to express the design of the insurgents in such an event, would be little less than a confession of treason. But he had a bold heart, and without hesitation, but still maintaining his respectful manner, he replied,-

"I might evade an answer to your question, by saying, that it would then be time enough to consider and determine our course. But I scorn to do so, even when my safety is endangered. I answer candidly then, that in such an event the worst consequences to the country and to yourself would ensue. It was to prevent these consequences, and as far as I could to intercede in restoring peace and quiet to our distracted colony, that I came to implore you to withdraw this proclamation. Otherwise, sir, the sword of the avenger is behind you, and within two days from this time you will be compelled once more to yield to a current that you cannot resist. Comply with my request, and peace and harmony will once more prevail; refuse, and let who will triumph, the unhappy colony will be involved in all the horrors of civil war."

There was nothing boastful in the manner of Hansford, as he uttered these words. On the contrary, his whole bearing, while it showed inflexible determination, attested his sincerity in the wish that the Governor, for the good of the country, would yield to the suggestion.

Nor did Sir William Berkeley, in spite of his indignation, fail to see the force and wisdom of the views presented; but he had too much pride to acknowledge it to an inferior.

"Now, by my troth," he cried, "if this be not treason, I am at a loss to define the term. I should think this would satisfy even your scepticism, Colonel Temple; for it seems we must consult you in regard to our course while under your roof. You would scarcely consent, I trust, to a self-convicted traitor going at large."

"Of course you act in the premises, according to your own judgment,"

replied Temple, coldly, for he was justly offended at the overbearing manner of the incensed old Governor, "but since you have appealed to me for my opinion, I will e'en make bold to say, that as this young man came in the character of an intercessor, you might well be satisfied with his parole. I will myself be surety for his truth."

"Parole, forsooth, and do you not think I have had enough of paroles from these rebel scoundrels-zounds, their faith is like an egg-sh.e.l.l, it is made to be broken."