ho, with his well attended team, was driving to
the woods for fuel. And in the barn-yard were the sleek milch cows,
smelling fresh with the dewy clover from the meadow, and their hides
smoking with the early dew of morning; and the fowls, that strutted and
clucked, and cackled, in the yard, all breakfasting on the scanty grains
that had fallen from the horse-troughs--all save one inquisitive old
rooster, who, flapping his wings and mounting the fence to crow, eyed
askant the two young men, as though, a knight himself, he guessed their
bloody intent. And the birds, too, those joyous, happy beings, who pass
their life in singing, shook the fresh dew from their pretty wings,
cleared their throats in the bracing air, and like the pious Persian,
pouring forth their hymn of praise to the morning sun, fluttered away to
search for their daily food. All was instinct with happiness and beauty.
All were seeking to preserve the life which God had given but two, and
they stood there, in the bright, dewy morning, to stain the fair robe of
nature with blood. It is a sad thought, that of all the beings who
rejoice in life, he alone, who bears the image of his Maker, should have
wandered from His law.

The men saluted one another coldly as Hansford approached, and Bernard
said, with a firm voice, "You see, sir, I have kept my appointment. I
believe nothing remains but to proceed."

"You must excuse me for again suggesting," said Hansford, "that we wait
a few moments, until these labourers are out of sight. We might be
interrupted."

Bernard silently acquiesced, and the combatants stood at a short
distance apart, each rapt in his own reflections. What those reflections
were may be easily imagined. Both were young men of talent and promise.
The one, the favourite of Sir William Berkeley, saw fame and distinction
awaiting him in the colony. The other, the beloved of the people, second
only to Bacon in their affections, and by that great leader esteemed as
a friend and entrusted as a confidant, had scarce less hope in the
future. The one a stranger, almost unknown in the colony, with little to
care for in the world but self; the other the support of an aged mother,
and the pride of a fair and trusting girl--the strong rock, on whose
protection the grey lichen of age had rested, and around which the green
tendrils of love entwined. Both men of erring hearts, who in a few
moments might be summoned to appear at that dread bar, where all the