Notwithstanding these original causes of disgust, no disputes had occurred between the Governor and Colonists for twenty-five years: the people during the previous administration, had suffered under oppressions restrained by no feeling of conscience or bond of law; and although the exactions and burthens which they were now obliged to suffer in support of their sensual master and his present representative, were of a nature calculated to arouse the indignant spirit of the Colonists, yet they submitted to all of them without making any opposition, save that of murmuring. But the time had arrived when patience itself had become a fault; the Colonists saw themselves at once deprived of their dearest privileges, their commerce restricted within a limit totally insufficient for their support, their right of suffrage totally wrested from them, forts built upon their territory and garrisoned by large bodies of troops whom they were forced to maintain; and a mass of other oppressions was afforded them, very strongly resembling that which kindled the flame of rebellion one hundred years after throughout the Thirteen Co. lonies of America. In the present revolution, the colonists rose en masse upon the representative of royalty and his minions, who were forced to abandon the colonial capital and retire to the frontier for safety. Having thus exposed the situation of affairs in the period at which our narrative commences, we will proceed to its relation.

The sun had set upon a bloody field, and every object which met the eye gave evidence of a desperate conflict having immediately preceded. The

earth was covered with the dead bodies of Whites and Indians indiscriminately mingled together, whilst the agonizing cries of the wounded, the triumphant shouts of the victors, the shrill blast of a bugle and the echoing volleys of musketry of those in pursuit, all burst upon the ear with the most terrific discord. By degrees, the sounds of strife grew fainter, and nought could be heard to disturb the stillness of the scene, save the loud tones of the different commanders of the victorious party as they marshaled their exhausted troops in order for night defence. Groups of Indian warriors, together with women and children who had been taken prisoners, were seen slowly marching through the defiles of the forest to the encampment. The fort which had in the commencement of the fight sheltered the unfortunate savages, was now in a lurid blaze, and formed a burning cemetery to the gallant host who had perished within its walls. Its deep red flame flashed upon the dark verdure of the forest, and brought every object immediately around into the strongest relief, and formed a picture which could alone have been reflected by the pencil of Salvator Rosa. Such was the scene which presented itself upon a mild evening in August, 1676, after the fight between the Pamunkey, Chickahominy and Mattaponi tribes, and the Virginia troops under the command of the celebrated Nathaniel Bacon. The first gleesome emotion excited by victory had soon passed, and a silence rendered more appalling by the confusion of battle immediately preceding, presided over the scene ; the victory had been dearly bought, and the conque

rors, in sadness and sorrow, kept sleepless vigils over the corpses of their brethren who had fallen victims to the desperate valor of the Savages. The vanquished Indians, with their accustomed stoicism, lay as if perfectly unconscious of the fate which the least excitement would provoke from the hands of their captors. At intervals the roaring of the falls in the mighty James could be heard, breaking upon the solitude of the scene with a deep monotonous burst; it sounded as though the elements were joining in the lament over the fallen warriors, which at times escaped the surcharged bosoms of the Provincials. The little stream which had been the dividing line between the combatants previous to the fight, was still pouring forth its tide of blood, which was rendered now more sanguine by the broad red reflection of the camp fires and the blazing fort upon its banks. Beneath a small snow-white tent, upon an eminence immediately upon its edge, the youthful Insurgent General, surrounded by his faithful and devoted band of officers, sat in deep consultation. From the slight and somewhat effeminate figure of the Insurgent commander, it would have been hardly supposed that the deeds of daring, the chivalrous and successful resistance to the acts of a tyrannical government, which had gilded his name with the reputation of an accomplished and resolute soldier, could have hardly been by him effected. But, although his form was such as I have mentioned, yet there was an air of determination in his gestures, a fire in his eye and an energetic eloquence upon his tongue, which showed at once genius to plan and

readiness to execute. He was attired in the rich military dress which the rapidly increasing wealth of the higher ranks of the Colonists allowed them to copy from the voluptuous Court of Charles. In the Cavalier style of fashion, his coal black hair was suffered to hang in luxuriant ringlets down upon his shoulders; it was this style, which in the time of Cromwell, had in a great degree embittered the feelings of the Royal and Republican parties towards each other. It was adhered to, as a matter of conscience, by the Cavaliers, in opposition to the close shaven Crowns of the Puritans, and gave rise to fulminations and anathemas from the pulpit and press, and amongst many others, to one termed "The unloveliness of Love Locks," as mentioned by the author of Waverley.

A Spanish hat and feather of the richest figure and newest fashion, such as were worn by the students of the higher legal Colleges in London, among whom the General had been a graduate, were thrown carelessly upon the sod upon which he lay. A cloak of crimson cloth hung loosely upon the one shoulder, whilst the other being uncovered, exposed to view a purple silk doublet, with the usual appendage of a richly embroidered belt, in which were confined a dagger of exquisite workmanship and a brace of pistols. Hose of sky blue Flemish cloth with buff boots and a plain standing ruff, completed a view of the dress of this extraordinary young man. In the one-hand was held a massive cutting rapier, which from its blood-stained appearance, gave evidence of its having found many a san

guinary sheath during the day's fight: stretched at full length upon the floor, with his head resting upon the other arm, he seemed awaiting the result of a consultation among the officers who were gathered around him. The latter formed a gallant host, who had rallied around their youthful commander upon the first commencement of hostilities between the Colonists and their Governor. Among them were many veterans both cavalier and puritan, who had served in the opposite extremes of party during the troubled times of the first Charles; but, who seemed now to have merged all former animosities in the one grand feeling of resistance towards their oppressors. With the familiar, yet deeply respectful manner in which they addressed the commander, there seemed mingled a fondness and devotion towards his person almost bordering upon idolatrous enthusiasm. The consultation upon which the party were pondering, seemed of a nature important and ominous; a perfect silence totally uninterrupted, save by a low whisper among the officers which would again immediately relapse into silence, and by the challenge of the sentinels, reigned throughout the assembly. The commander gazed upon their operations with an intenseness almost bordering upon severity; his brow was contracted into a deep frown, and his large black eye glowed with the fire of anxiety and impatience. By degrees, however, he relapsed into his accustomed serenity of appearance, and rising slowly from his couch, in a deep musical voice thus addressed the assembly: "Gallant comrades and soldiers, you have doubtless deter