The Treasurer, nodding to the two men to
fall back to the window, glided to a seat upon my lord's other
hand, and I went and stood before the Governor of Virginia.
For some moments there was silence in the cabin, every man being
engaged in staring at me with all his eyes; then the Governor
spoke: "It should be upon your knees, sir."
"I am neither petitioner nor penitent," I said. "I know no reason
why I should kneel, your Honor."
"There 's reason, God wot, why you should be both!" he exclaimed.
"Did you not, now some months agone, defy the writ of the King
and Company, refusing to stand when called upon to do so in the
King's name?"
"Yes."
"Did you not, when he would have stayed your lawless flight, lay
violent hands upon a nobleman high in the King's favor, and,
overpowering him with numbers, carry him out of the King's
realm?"
"Yes."
"Did you not seduce from her duty to the King, and force to fly
with you, his Majesty's ward, the Lady Jocelyn Leigh?"
"No," I said. "There was with me only my wife, who chose to
follow the fortunes of her husband."
He frowned, and my lord swore beneath his breath. "Did you not,
falling in with a pirate ship, cast in your lot with the scoundrels
upon it, and yourself turn pirate?"
"In some sort."
"And become their chief?"
"Since there was no other situation open, - yes.
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