ing Oliver for the protection of
Virginia. It cost him much to decide thus, but he intended to try and
persuade Vaughan and Cicely to accompany him back to the town rather
than to attempt defending the house, which was ill-calculated to resist
a prolonged attack by the Indians. It took him but a brief space of
time to arrive at this decision. Hastily buckling on his sword, placing
his pistols in his belt, and taking down his gun from the wall, he stood
ready to set out.

At that instant Oliver, now grown into a fine young man, arrived.
Gilbert briefly told him of the warning brought by Oncagua, and
explained the measures he intended to take.

"Oh! let me accompany you to Vaughan's," exclaimed Virginia, when she
heard of his intention to go there. "I shall be of assistance to Cicely
and her little ones, and I cannot bear the thoughts of being separated
from you at a time of such fearful peril."

"If she wishes it, I will place a pillion on my horse, and she can ride
behind me," said Oliver. "I would far rather fight for my kind friends
than remain behind; and I doubt whether the peril to her will be greater
should she accompany us than should she remain behind."

To this Gilbert consented; and while Oliver went to prepare the steeds,
he sallied forth to find the principal persons, to whom it was necessary
to impart the information he had received. Scarcely had he got ten
paces from the house when a voice, which he recognised as that of his
old friend Fenton, hailed him.

"You have, indeed, arrived most opportunely," he said, as he grasped
Fenton's hand; and then taking him by the arm, hurried him along with
him while he detailed what he had heard, and the proceedings he intended
to adopt. "We want a man of courage and judgment to take command of the
town, and I can answer for it that you will do so. People will obey
you," he added.

"In truth, I was on my way to tell you and Vaughan of a warning I myself
received this morning, on my arrival in the river, from our old friend
Canochet," answered Fenton. "Scarcely had I dropped my anchor than he
came on board from the southern side and desired to see me privately in
the cabin. He then told me that his tribe were friendly, but he had
just cause to doubt the Indians of Powhattan's country, and that
although he could not give me any definite information, he was very sure
a speedy outbreak was in contemplation. He advised that I should induce
my friends to com