at he was
poisoned, but that has never been proved. The illness that had attacked
him during his siege of Jamestown and that held on after his victory
seems to have sufficed for his taking off. In Gloucester County he
"surrendered up that fort he was no longer able to keep, into the hands
of that grim and all-conquering Captaine Death." His body was buried,
says the old account, "but where deposited till the Generall day not
knowne, only to those who are resolutely silent in that particular."

With Bacon's death there fell to pieces all this hopeful or unhopeful
movement. Lawrence might have a subtle head and Drummond the courage
to persevere; Hansford, Cheeseman, Bland, and others might have varied
abilities. But the passionate and determined Bacon had been the organ
of action; Bacon's the eloquence that could bring to the cause men with
property to give as well as men with life to lose. It is a question how
soon, had Bacon not died, must have failed his attempt at revolution,
desperate because so premature.

Back came Berkeley from Accomac, his turbulent enemy thus removed.
All who from the first had held with the King's Governor now rode
emboldened. Many who had shouted more or less loudly for the rising
star, now that it was so untimely set, made easy obeisance to the old
sun. A great number who had wavered in the wind now declared that they
had done no such thing, but had always stood steadfast for the ancient
powers.

The old Governor, who might once have been magnanimous, was changed for
the worse. He had been withstood; he would punish. He now gave full rein
to his passionate temper, his bigotry for the throne, and his feeling of
personal wrong. He began in Virginia to outlaw and arrest rebels, and to
doom them to hasty trials and executions. There was no longer a united
army to meet, but only groups and individuals striving for safety
in flight or hiding. Hansford was early taken and hanged with two
lieutenants of Bacon, Wilford and Farlow. Cheeseman died in prison.
Drummond was taken in the swamps of the Chickahominy and carried before
the Governor. Berkeley brought his hands together. "Mr. Drummond, you
are very welcome! I am more glad to see you than any man in Virginia!
Mr. Drummond you shall be hanged in half an hour!" Not in half an hour,
but on the same day he was hanged, imperturbable Scot to the last.
Lawrence, held by many to have been more than Bacon the true author of
the attempt, either put an e