Page images
PDF
EPUB

CHAPTER X.

WASHINGTON.

Can tyrants but by tyrants conquered be,
And freedom find no champion and no child,
Such as Columbia saw arise when she
Sprung forth a Pallas, armed and undefiled?
Or must such minds be nourished in the wild,
Deep in the unpruned forest, 'midst the roar
Of cataracts, where Nature smiled

On infant Washington? Hath earth no more
Such deeds within her breast, or Europe no such shore?
-BYRON

AFTER the destruction of Jamestown, Virginia, during Bacon's rebellion, Williamsburg became the seat of government for the colony, and was the largest town in the dominion. It remained the seat of government until the War of the Revolution, when it became the capital, until 1779.

At the time of our story, Williamsburg was a thriving little town, and the centre of fashion and commerce. Noah Stevens, who had led a sort of roving life, returned to Williamsburg in the winter of 1747 and 1748, with the intention of taking a course in the William and Mary's college. The

youth had scarcely commenced his studies, when one evening, as he was taking a stroll about the suburbs of the town, he encountered a pair of soft brown eyes peering at him from beneath a hood.

He turned quickly to see a shy and modest maiden in a sleigh driven by a negro slave, hastening away. Only one glance, but a second,-yet that was sufficient for cupid to fasten his dart into his heart.

"Who is she?" he asked himself again and again. The maiden was, beyond question, a stranger in Williamsburg. Noah questioned his mother, but neither she nor his sister knew aught of her.

"I will make inquiry," said Rebecca, "and ascertain who she is."

Rebecca Stevens was one of the best sisters brother ever had. She seemed to anticipate the wishes of her older brother and to comply with them. As we remarked a few moments ago, Noah had led a roving life. He had enrolled in the company of Captain Lawrence Washington, the half brother of George Washington and about fifteen years his senior. Under Admiral Vernon he had served in the Spanish war and assisted in the capture of Porto Bello and Darien, in 1740.1

"Yes, brother Noah, I will learn who she is and tell you."

"Do, sister."

"Which way did the sleigh go?"

"Over the great hill toward the old manor house, east of the town."

"She must be the daughter of the rich man, who built the great stone house last year."

The mother was quite sure Rebecca was correct. "What is his name?" Noah asked.

Rebecca reflected a moment and said:

"It is something like Saturday, or Saturley." Just then a younger sister declared:

66

Becca, there is a field in the name somewhere."

"Saturfield," cried Rebecca.

"Saturfield-I don't know that I ever heard the name before; yet it is quite a common one, I dare Where did they come from?"

say.

[merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors]

Then Mrs. Stevens, who was plying her knitting, asked:

"Didn't they come from the south?"

"I don't think so, mother, for Captain Washington said something about Mr. Saturfield being in England."

"Does Captain Washington know him?” "Yes."

"Then I will find out all about them when he

comes to Williamsburg.'

[ocr errors]

"Yes; but he is so devotedly attached to his new home, Mount Vernon on the Potomac, that he seldom leaves it," put in Rebecca.

Little

"Not more attached to it than to his brother George," answered Noah Stevens. "I remember well the day we mustered to go to Darien. George Washington came down to where the soldiers were parading, and I never saw such spark-` ling eyes and cheeks glowing with enthusiasm, when he grasped his brother's hand he said:

"Don't turn your back to the foe, brother.' "When Captain Washington and I were alone, the captain said:

"Brother George will one day make his mark as a general. Young as he is, he knows every evolu. tion of the musket and every movement of the company. Zounds! he could manoeuvre the troops as well as I, for he never missed a training day.""

.

A few days later, Captain Washington was in Williamsburg and called at the home of his friend Stevens. As is usual with young men who have campaigned together, their conversation drifted at once to their war reminiscences.

Mr. Elmer Stevens, who knew something of warfare on the ocean, joined them in the conversation. He was a hale old man, whose snow-white hair was

the principal indication of age, for his eyes were bright and his frame vigorous. He was of a cheerful disposition and only became sad, when he referred to the strange, unknown fate of his brother George.

When the Captain and Noah were alone, young Stevens asked:

"Captain, do you know Mr. Saturfield, the man living in the old stone mansion?"

"I have met him."

"Is he an Englishman?"

"Yes he was born in England, so he told me; but he is as loyal to the interests of the colonies as any American."

Noah Stevens was ill at ease. His question was not yet asked, and he could not come to it at once, but rather shyly approached the subject.

“Do you know anything of the family?" he asked.

"But little. He with his wife and a daughter named Anne constitute the household; at least, such is my understanding."

"Have you ever met her?"

Captain Washington now opened his eyes and gave his young companion a stare while a smile played over his face.

"Zounds! Noah, I think I understand you now. Well, Anne is a sweet maid, whose brown eyes

« PreviousContinue »