Then, stealing a boat at one of the plantations, he rowed down the stream until he came to the _Despair_, on board of which was Mrs.Price, her daughter and Ester.
Sam's story caused instantaneous action, and next morning at daylight Governor Berkeley was amazed to see the strange ship anchored before his quarters, as near to shore as she could be brought.

There was something particularly menacing in the vessel, with her double rows of guns pointed at the shore and the marines all on deck under arms.

Berkeley was alarmed.

A boat was lowered, and Sir Albert St.Croix came ashore.
He hurried at once into the governor's presence.
"Sir Albert, I am pleased to see you; yet I do not understand that demonstration," said the governor, who, like all tyrants, was a coward.
"Surely, you do not mean any hostilities toward me." "That depends on circumstances.

Have you a young man named Stevens prisoner ?" "Yes." "Has he been tried ?" "He has and has been condemned." "To hang ?" "Yes." "Has the sentence been executed ?" asked Sir Albert, trembling with dread.
"Not yet." "Then your life is saved." "But he will be hanged at ten o'clock." "He shall not!" "Why, who are you, that dare defy me ?" "Governor Berkeley," said Sir Albert, in a voice trembling with earnestness, as he led him to the window.