Part 18 (1/2)

”I fell asleep, or fainted, and was again awakened with an oath. I was on board a s.h.i.+p bound from London to Norfolk, Virginia, and soon learned that I not only was to work but would be sold on arrival there for a sum equivalent to the cost of pa.s.sage. How I toiled until I secured my freedom!

”You know the rest, except my motive for not giving my full name. That I scarcely know myself, but suppose shame at the condition in which I found myself led me into the deception, and I adopted the first name that suggested itself. Afterward, an explanation would have been embarra.s.sing and apparently of no value, yet I much regret the mistake.

”What became of d.i.c.k Ralston I have never learned. He may have been killed, and the crime laid at my door. The place he was in was one convenient for such a crime. Had he lived I am sure he would have prevented my being put aboard the s.h.i.+p, for he was as brave and loyal to a friend as he was reckless. As for the name Allison, it is as honourable as the other, and I intend now to retain it and hope you will appreciate the wisdom of so doing.

”My life at times seems a failure, but that is when I am thinking of the little of this world's gear I have acc.u.mulated for my family. In you, beloved, and in our dear children, I am blessed beyond my deserts. That you may forgive my unintentional deception, and never have cause to suffer by reason of it, is my daily prayer. Believe me, your affectionate husband,

”DAVID ALLISON.”

CHAPTER XVIII

RODNEY RIDES WITH DISPATCHES

Rodney had been at home but a short time when he realized that important events had occurred in his absence.

”Mother,” he said one day, ”it looks as though the king will have to send over a new governor in place of Lord Dunmore, or there'll be trouble. You know, Colonel Lewis and his men were mad enough to fight both him and the Indians because, instead of punis.h.i.+ng the Indians, he made peace with 'em. I hear he had trouble before he left Virginia on the expedition over the mountains, and is having it now.”

”Yes, he dissolved the a.s.sembly because, out of sympathy with Boston, it appointed a fast day. England, you know, closed the port of Boston.

The year before Governor Dunmore dissolved the a.s.sembly because it expressed sympathy with Ma.s.sachusetts. I fear he is too arbitrary.”

”Well, they do as they have a mind to after all. Last year, I understand, Mr. Jefferson and Colonel Was.h.i.+ngton and others met at the old Raleigh Tavern and arranged to have correspondence with all the colonies so they could all act together if necessary.”

”Yes, they also met there five years ago and resolved not to import goods from England, and, before they went home last June, they met at the same place and planned for the Colonial Congress they held in Philadelphia last September. I believe these meetings were in what is called the Apollo room. I remember dancing there when I was a girl. It is a large room with a big fireplace at one end. I expect the king's ears would tingle if he could hear all the angry words that have been spoken against tyranny in that room. Oh, I don't know what it all will come to. There must be faults on both sides. I think Patrick Henry is too impetuous for a safe leader. I've been told that he believes the colonies should declare themselves independent of England. That would mean a terrible war. I do hope we may escape such a calamity.”

The king had heard of the words spoken in the Apollo room of the old tavern. Governor Dunmore, an irritable, haughty Scotch n.o.bleman, with little respect for the people, also had heard enough to fill his heart with rage. He sent the legislators, many of whom had ridden many miles to the capital at Williamsburg, back home with his disapproval. He would teach them submission!

On their part, the people had no thought of submission. Wherever they met there was a sound as of angry bees.

”I think our people must have much of right on their side, or such men as Colonel Was.h.i.+ngton, who is an aristocrat with much to lose and very conservative, 'tis said, would not favour what is being done in opposition to the British ministry,” said Mrs. Allison. Rodney, while seeing the matter largely through his mother's eyes, nevertheless recalled the words he had heard fall from the lips of the rough frontiersmen. He knew that they were ready to fight, indeed many of them eager for a conflict, confident that they, who could clear the land, build homes in the wilderness and defend them against the Indians, could likewise defy the tyranny of King George. The boy became restless. He wanted to partic.i.p.ate in the agitation which was noticeable on all sides, indeed the air seemed charged with it.

There was little work to be done on the farm during the winter.

Hearing that Mr. Jefferson was then at his home, Rodney decided to visit Monticello. There he met with a warm greeting, though a shade of disappointment was in his face when he learned that the great man had been so busy he had not followed the fortunes of the Allison family, and did not even know that Mr. Allison had fallen at the battle of Point Pleasant. For the first time Rodney now doubted whether after all the man who had paid off the mortgage, and thwarted Denham, was really an agent of Mr. Jefferson. Finally, an opportunity came for a.s.suring himself. His host was admiring Nat when Rodney said: ”The colt is in fine condition, handsomer than ever. I nearly lost him.

Denham wanted him and, when he started to foreclose, he took possession of Nat.”

”Denham foreclosed? Have you then lost the home? I wish I had known of it, I might have prevented that.”

”Some kind friend learned of it and paid the mortgage; neither mother nor I know who it was. I thought he might have been your agent.”

”I am glad you think I would have a.s.sisted had I known, but this is the first I have heard of the matter. You see I have been very busy and away from home much, and not in a way to hear. I'm very glad you were rescued from the clutches of Denham.”

”He seemed determined to have both the place and the horse. Both Th.e.l.lo and Mam offered to sell themselves, even suggested that to Denham, but he told them he didn't want any old, worn out n.i.g.g.e.rs on his hands. I'm glad I wasn't there,” and the lad's eyes blazed with indignation as he thought of the old miser's greed.

”Denham is said to be as ardent a Tory as he dares to be,” remarked Mr. Jefferson, as though to himself. Then, turning to the boy, he looked into his face, and Rodney felt as though his inmost thoughts were being read.

That he stood the test well appeared in the next words of Jefferson.

”I believe your experience with the Indians has greatly matured you.