they'll let us go."
"Into the galleys," muttered West.
The craven tried another feint. "Think of the women and children!"
"We do," I said sternly. "Silence, fool!"
The Governor, a brave and honest man, rose from the keg of
powder. "All this is foreign to the matter, Master Sharpless. I think
our duty is clear, be the odds what they may. This is our post, and
we will hold it or die beside it. We are few in number, but we are
England in America, and I think we will remain here. This is the
King's fifth kingdom, and we will keep it for him. We will trust in
the Lord and fight it out."
"Amen," I said, and "Amen," said the ring of Councilors and
Burgesses and the armed men beyond.
The hum of voices now rose into excited cries, and the watchman
stationed atop the big culverin called out, "Sail ho!" With one
accord we turned our faces downstream. There was the ship,
undoubtedly. Moreover, a strong breeze had sprung up, blowing
from the sea, filling her white sails, and rapidly lessening the
distance between us. As yet we could only tell that she was indeed
a large ship with all sail set.
Through the gates of the palisade now came, pellmell, the crowd
without. In ten minutes' time the women were in line ready to load
the muskets, the children sheltered as best they might be, the men
in ranks, the gunners at their guns, and the flag up.
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