Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1904-11-22

Beyerly's first wife's tomb. Yet, ]
pray, what can men do without tools.
and have not tools some glory Of theiI
own which we take small account OF
and yet which may be recompense tc
them?
Early that morning the news spread
that Colonel Kemp Of the Gloucester
militia and a troop Of horse and foot
had been sent secretly against some
plant cutters in Gloucester county who
had arisen before us and had taken
prisoners some twenty-five caught In
the act. The news of the sending
came first, l think. from Major Rob
ert Beverly, the clerk Of the assembly,
who had withheld the knowledge for
some time, inasmuch as he disliked the
SAVIOR Of treachery, but being in his
cups that night before at Barry Up
per Branch out 1t came. Twas Dick
Barry who told me. l fell in with
him and Captain Jaynes on the James
town road that morning. "Colonel
Kemp hath ridden against the rioters
I'm Gloucester with foot and horse, by
order Of the general court, and Bever-
ly hath been knowing to 1t all TINS
time" he said gloomily.
Then he added that a man who
served on two sides had no strength
for either. and one who had raised his
hand against Bacon had best been out
of the present cause. But Captain
Jaynes swore with one Of his broad
sides Of mighty oaths that twas best
as twas. since Beverly had some in
(lucnce over the militia, and that he
was safe enough not to turn traitor
with his great store Of tobacco at
stake, and that should the court pro-
coed to extremes with the Gloucester
plant cutters such flame would leap
to life I'm Virginia rs would choke Eng
land with the smoke Of its burning.
We knew 10 more than the fact OF
the sending, but that afternoon came
riding into jamestown Colonel Kemp
with q small body of horse. having left
the rest and the foot in Gloucester
there to suppress further disorder, ana
with him, bound to their saddles. som
twenty-five prisoners, glaring abou'
them with defiant faces and covere.
with dust and mire and some wit.
blood.
Something there was about that aw
full glow Of red on face. on hand oi
soaking through homespun sleeve o.
waistcOat that was like the waVln:
of a battlehag or the call Of a trnln
net. Such fury awoke in us VIII
looked on as never was, and the prs
oners had been then and there tori
from their horses and set free had Il
not been for the consideration that
undue precipitation might ruin the
main cause.
But the sight Of human blood shed In
a righteous cause is the spur OF the
brave and goads him to action beyond
all else. Quite silent we kept when
that troop rode past us on their wa!
TO prison, though we were gather
Ing crowd not only Of some of the best
of Virginia, but some of her worst ana
most uncontrolled Of indenture white
slaves and cOnvicts; but something
there must have been in our looks
which gave heart to those who rode
bound to their horses, for one and
then another turned and looked back
at us, and | trow got some hope.
However, before the night fairly fell,
twenty of the prisoners, upon giving
assurance of penitence, were discharg-
ed, and but two, the ringleaders, were
committed and were in the prison.
The twenty, being somewhat craven
hearted. and some Of them indisposed
by wounds, were on their ways home
ward when we were afield.
We waited for the moon to be up.
which was an hour later that night.
I was all equipped in good season. and
was stealing forth secretly, lest any
see me, for | wished not 10 alarm the
nor if possible TO have any
one aware of what | was about to do.
that they might be acqut OF blame
ignorance, when was met III
the threshold Of an unused door Dy
Mary Cavendish. And here will say,
while marveling at it greatly, that the
excitement of great cause, which
calls for all the enthusiasm and DraV-
cry of man, doth. while it not for one
moment alters the truth and cons;ahcy
of his love. yet allay for the time his
selfish thirst for 1t.
While | was ready as ever to die FOR
Mary Cavendish, ana while the thought
of her was as ever in my inmost soul,
yet that effervescence OF warllke spirit
within me had rendered me not forget
full. but somewhat unwatchful OF
word and a look of hers. And for the
time being that sad question OF our
estates. which forbade more than our