t
consent, he was looked upon as the leader of the defence. "The house
being closed, they may conclude that the family are absent, and so,
after their first burst of vengeance, retire. Their bark is always worse
than their bite."

Such indeed seemed likely to be the case, for the Indians, arrived at
the porch, looked around with some surprise at the barred doors and
windows, and began to confer together. Whatever might have been the
event of their conference, their actions, however, were materially
affected by an incident which, though intended for the best, was well
nigh resulting in destruction to the whole family.

FOOTNOTES:

[7] This fact, which I find mentioned by several historians, is
explained by Kercheval, in his history of the Valley of Virginia, by the
supposition that the Indians for a long time entertained the hope of
reconquering the country, and saved property from destruction which
might be of use to them in the future. See page 90 of Valley of Va.

CHAPTER IX.

"Like gun when aimed at duck or plover,
Kicks back and knocks the shooter over."

There was at Windsor Hall, an old family servant, known alike to the
negroes and the "white folks," by the familiar appellation of Uncle
Giles. He was one of those old-fashioned negroes, who having borne the
heat and burden of the day, are turned out to live in comparative
freedom, and supplied with everything that can make their declining
years comfortable and happy. Uncle Giles, according to his own account,
was sixty-four last Whitsuntide, and was consequently born in Africa. It
is a singular fact connected with this race, that whenever consulted
about their age, they invariably date the anniversary of their birth at
Christmas, Easter or Whitsuntide, the triennial holydays to which they
are entitled. Whether this arises from the fact that a life which is
devoted to the service of others should commence with a holyday, or
whether these three are the only epochs known to the negro, is a
question of some interest, but of little importance to our narrative. So
it was, that old uncle Giles, in his own expressive phrase was, "after
wiking all his born days, done turn out to graze hisself to def." The
only business of the old man was to keep himself comfortable in winter
by the kitchen fire, and in summer to smoke his old corn-cob pipe on the
three legged bench that stood at the kitchen door. Added to this, was
the self-assumed duty of "strapp