Page 222 (1/1)
The torches were lighted, and the folk were indoors, for the night was cold One or two figures that Iwho I was, but I brushed by theuest house I looked up, and saw that mine host's chief rooms were yet in use
The Governor's door was open, and in the hall serving to and fro When I cahost, and one fellow let a silver dish that he carried fall clattering to the floor They shook and stood back, as I passed thereat room The door was ajar, and I pushed it open and stood for a minute upon the threshold, unobserved by the occupants of the roohts dazzled h when I counted them there were not so many, after all Supper had been put upon the table, but they were not eating Before the fire, his head thoughtfully bent, and his fingers tapping upon the arainst him, and as serious of aspect, was the Treasurer West stood by theClayborne was in the room, Piersey the Cape Merchant, and one or two besides And Rolfe was there, walking up and doith hasty steps, and a flushed and haggard face His suit of buff was torn and stained, and his great-boots were spattered with ers rest upon the arm of his chair, and raised his head
"He is dead, Master Rolfe," he said "There can be no other conclusion,--a brave man lost to you and to the colony We mourn with you, sir"
"We too have searched, Jack," put in West "We have not been idle, though well-nigh all ainst hiht, then threw their bodies into the river, and theainst hope that when your party returned he would be in your midst"
"As for this latest loss," continued the Governor, "within an hour of its discovery thissearch parties were out; yea, if I had allowed it, the whole toould have betaken itself to the woods The searchers have not returned, and we are gravely anxious Yet we are not utterly cast down This trail can hardly be missed, and the Indians are friendly There were a nuht, and they ith the searchers, volunteering to act as their guides We cannot but think that of this load, our hearts will soon be eased"