The Heart

I put my finger to my lip and cast a glance about, for it was

enjoined upon the people under penalty that they speak not ill of

any minister of the gospel. While I cared not for myself, having

never yet held my tongue, except from my own choice, yet was I

always concerned for this young thing, with her utter recklessness

of candour, lest her beauty and her charm might not protect her

always against undesirable results; and not only were the slaves

within hearing of her voice, but none knew how many others, for

those were brave days for tale-bearers. But Mary spoke again, and

more sweetly and shrilly than ever. "A pretty parson, forsooth! And

to keep company with a pirate captain! Fie! When he looks at me, I

clutch my gold chain and turn the flash of my rings from sight, and

Dick and Nick Barry are the worst rakes in the colony! Naught was

ever heard good of them, except their following of General Bacon,

but a good cause makes not always worthy adherents." This last she

said with a toss of her head and a proud glance, for Nathaniel Bacon

was to this maid a hero of heroes, and naught but her sex and her

tender years, she being but twelve or so at the time, had kept her

from joining his ranks. But, indeed, in this I had full sympathy

with her, though chary of expressing it. Had it not been for my

state of disgrace and my outlook for the welfare of the Cavendishes,

I should most assuredly have fought with that brave man myself, for

'twas a good cause, and one which has been good since the beginning

of things, and will hold good till the end--the cause of the

poor and down-trod against the tyranny of the rich and great. No

greater man will there ever be in this new country of America than

Nathaniel Bacon, though he had but twenty weeks in which to prove

his greatness; had he been granted more he might well have changed

history. I can see now that look of high command which none could

withstand, for leaders of men are born, as well as poets and kings,

and are invincible. But it may be that the noble wave of rebellion

which he raised is even now going on, never to quite cease in all

time, for I know not the laws that govern such things. It may be

that, in consequence of that great and brief struggle of Nathaniel

Bacon, this New World will never sit quietly for long at the foot

of any throne, but that I know not, being no prophet. However, this

I do know, that his influence was not then ceased in Virginia,

though he was six years dead, and has not yet.