CHAPTER XX.
BACON A REBEL.
"Hark! 'tis the sound that charms The war-steed's wakening ears.
Oh! many a mother folds her arms Round her boy-soldier, when that call she hears, And though her fond heart sink with fears, Is proud to feel his young pulse bound With valor's fervor at the sound." -- MOORE.
The day after the mysterious disappearance of the ship _Despair_ and the flight of Bacon, a ship from New England arrived in port.

Bacon's flight and the disappearance of Sir Albert and his vessel were so nearly at the same time, that a rumor went around the town that the former had escaped in the vessel of the latter.

This rumor however was soon dispelled on learning that Bacon was at Curles rallying the planters about him.
The vessel which had just come into port aroused new speculations, until it was learned that it was only a trading ship from Boston doing a little business in defiance of the navigation laws.

The vessel brought only one passenger.

That passenger was a beautiful young maid.
She was landed soon after the vessel cast anchor, and her first inquiry was for Rebecca Stevens: "Is she a relative of yours, young maid ?" asked the man of whom she inquired.
"No; I know of her, and would see her." "Do you see the large brick house upon the hill--not the one on the left of the church, but to the right with the broad piazza and wires in front ?" "I see it." "She lives there.