"Because all who live in the Williamsburg district do not boast of their relationship to the James family, great though it may be."
Now was I certain he had it in his mind to do us a mischief, and was capable of carrying it out, else the cowardly lad who called himself a Loyalist would never have spoken so boldly.
There was a similar thought in Percy's mind, as I understood from the meaning look he gave me, and then I was resolved to know all Sam Lee could tell.
By way of provoking him to further speech I said boastingly:
"If you know of another family hereabout who have greater reason to be proud of its members, than ours, I would like much to hear the name."
"Those who are wrapped up in their own conceit fail oftentimes of seeing the good which is in others, and I have heard it said that not one of the James tribe would admit that even the king was higher in position than he."
"You might have heard it said with equal truth that not a James, or a true Carolinian would admit that such a king as now claims the right to rule over us, was even our equal." Percy replied hotly, and this seditious remark had the effect which I was hoping to bring about.
It stirred Sam Lee to anger, and he cried menacingly, but taking good care meanwhile to move off at a safe distance.
"Before many days you will learn that the James family cannot even take care of themselves!"
"But who shall teach us that lesson?" Percy asked with a sneer.