The Heart

Nick Barry was chuckling in a maudlin fashion when the door closed

behind her, and Parson Downs' great face was curving upward with

smiles like a wet new moon, but the rest were sober enough in spite

of some over-indulgence, for in truth it was a grave matter which

they had met to decide, and might mean the loss of life and liberty

to one and all.

Major Robert Beverly turned sharply upon me as soon as the women

were gone, and accosted me civilly enough, though the memory of my

convict estate was in his tone. "Master Wingfield," said he, "may I

inquire--" "Sir," I replied, for I had so made up my mind, "I am

with you in the cause, and will so swear, if my oath be considered

of sufficient moment."

I know not how proudly and bitterly I said that last, but Major

Beverly looked at me, and a kindly look came into his eyes. "Master

Wingfield," he said, "the word of any English gentleman is

sufficient," and I could have blessed him for it, and have ever

since had remorse for my taking advantage of his dark closet of an

old love for the hiding of the secret of the ammunition.

Then as we sat there, in a blue cloud of tobacco-smoke, through

which the green bayberry candles gleamed faintly, and which they

could not overcome with their aromatic breath of burning, the plot

for the rooting up of the young crop was discussed in all its

bearings.

I wondered somewhat to see Major Beverly, and still others of the

burgesses who presently arrived, placing their lives in jeopardy

with men of such standing as some present. But a common cause makes

common confidence, and it might well have been, hang one, hang all.

Major Robert Beverly spoke at some length, and his speech was,

according to my mind, both wise and discreet, though probably

somewhat inflamed by his own circumstances. The greatest store of

tobacco of any one in the colony had Major Robert Beverly, and a

fair young wife who loved that which the proceeds could buy. And as

he spoke there was a great uproar outside, and the tramp of horses

and jingle of swords and spurs, and a whole troop of horse came

riding into the grounds of Barry Upper Branch. And some of those in

the hall turned pale and looked about for an exit, and some grasped

their swords, and some laughed knowingly, and Major Beverly strode

to the door, and behind him Parson Downs, and Capt. Noel Jaynes, and

the Barry brothers, and some others, and I, pressing close, and

there was a half-whispered conference between Major Beverly and the

leader of the horse. Then Major Beverly turned to us. "Gentlemen,"

he said, "I am assured that in case of a rising we have naught to

fear from the militia, who are in like case with the other sufferers

from the proceedings of the government, being about to be disbanded

in arrears of their pay. Gentlemen, I am assured by Capt. Thomas

Marvyn that his men are with us in heart and purpose, and though

they may not help, unless the worse come to the worse, they will

not hinder."