place, having been in
the Enderwood family for four generations. The house reminded him of
"The Hall" and, being a privileged guest, he enjoyed all the luxuries
which the old Virginia plantation could afford. He rode after the
hounds, Nat acquitting himself so well that Lawrence offered a round
sum for him.

"I'd sell my shirt from my back before I would that horse," Rodney
replied.

There was good shooting, and Allison excelled his host. His training
with the Indians stood him in good stead. He made a bow and arrows for
Lawrence's younger brother, such as Ahneota, himself, would have
approved, and when it came time for him to depart he was sorry to
leave.

"There'll be ructions over Norfolk way and I'm going to ride over with
you," said Lawrence, the morning Rodney was making preparations for
leaving.

"That's good news and makes it less hard for me to go away."

They set out about eight in the morning. The sunshine was brilliant
and the air cool and invigorating. Here and there in the landscape
were faint bits of green untouched by the frost. As they rode along
they learned that the people were almost in a panic, fearing
Dunmore's marauders, who had been pillaging and burning in the county
below.

"That man is only arousing the people and accomplishing no good," said
Lawrence. "He declares he will rule the colony and at the same time
induces the negroes to revolt. That very act drives every Virginian,
not under British protection, into the ranks of the so-called rebels.
They realize that, while the negroes won't do any effective fighting,
they may, in a fury of resentment, cause great damage and imperil the
lives of hundreds of families."

"I think the poor governors England has sent over here have had much
to do with the colonies' rebelling. Hark! I hear horses at the
gallop."

As he spoke, nearly a dozen mounted men, several of them in British
uniforms, came around the corner about sixty rods behind them.

"Dunmore's marauders!" exclaimed Lawrence. "Let's get out of here."

Their horses had both speed and "bottom" and besides were fresh, so
that the chances were in favour of the young Virginians. The troopers
behind spurred after them, however, and evidently were determined on
their capture.

As Lawrence and Rodney approached a plantation near the road, they saw
flames leap up from the hay ricks, and the next instant two mounted
men rode out on the main highway.

"Those are Britishers, sent ahead,