His only desire was to hover unknown about those he loved, that they might not want or suffer while he lived, and he had already arranged his fortune so it would descend to Robert and Rebecca when he died.
"Yet I must live unknown, my friends.

Swear to keep my secret." They swore on their honor, and the miserable old man, whose fine apparel was only a disguise, rose and left them.

The three friends were sitting looking at each other in speechless amazement, when the door again burst open, and the impetuous Bacon, accompanied by Robert Stevens, entered.
"Why sit you here ?" cried the general.

"Have you not heard the news ?" "No; what is it ?" "Berkeley hath been reinforced, they say, by troops from England, and is coming upon the town." Drummond, Cheeseman and Lawrence were on their feet in a moment, their faces evincing alarm.

No one doubted the truth of the story, and they began to hurriedly discuss the situation.
"Are we able to defend Jamestown against them ?" asked the thoughtful Mr.
Lawrence.
"No," answered Bacon.
"Then we must abandon it." [Illustration: RUINS OF JAMESTOWN] "They shall not find the town when they come," cried Bacon.