CHAPTER XXI.
BURNING OF JAMESTOWN.
"At every turn, Morena's dusky height Sustains aloft the battery's iron load, And, far as mortal eye can compass sight, The mountain-howitzer, the broken road, The bristling palisade, the foss o'erflowed, The stationed band, the never-vacant watch, The magazine in rocky durance stand, The holster'd steed beneath the shed of thatch, The ball-piled pyramid, the ever-blazing match." -- BYRON.
Sir William Berkeley, with the motley crowd of sailors, longshoremen, freed slaves, and such as he could collect, sailed for Jamestown and reached it safely September 7th, 1676.

The news of his approach reached Jamestown long before he did, and Colonel Hansford, one of Bacon's youngest and bravest officers, with eight hundred men prepared to resist.

A terrible conflict was anticipated, and Sir Albert, on the morning of the expected fight, landed and took Mrs.Price, her daughter and Ester Goffe on board his ship, and dropped down the river a mile or two, to be out of harm's way.

These were the first people who had been aboard the wonderful ship _Despair_.
Rebecca was charmed and entranced at the display of wealth and splendor on board the vessel.

The elegance was marvellous.
"You must be very rich," she said to Sir Albert.
"This represents but a small part of my possessions." "I would I were your heiress." "You may be, sweet maid.