On leaving Lawrence Enderwood, the previous summer, Rodney had promised to pay him a visit at the 187 first opportunity. Indeed, mutual liking had resulted from their journey from Philadelphia. Here was the opportunity, and young Allison accepted it.
He found Lawrence at home, managing the plantation in the absence of his father in England. It was a delightful old place, having been in the Enderwood family for four generations. The house reminded him of “The Hall” and, being a privileged guest, he enjoyed all the luxuries which the old Virginia plantation could afford. He rode after the hounds, Nat acquitting himself so well that Lawrence offered a round sum for him.
“I’d sell my shirt from my back before I would that horse,” Rodney replied.
There was good shooting, and Allison excelled his host. His training with the Indians stood him in good stead. He made a bow and arrows for Lawrence’s younger brother, such as Ahneota, himself, would have approved, and when it came time for him to depart he was sorry to leave.
“There’ll be ructions over Norfolk way and I’m going to ride over with you,” said Lawrence, the morning Rodney was making preparations for leaving.
“That’s good news and makes it less hard for me to go away.”
They set out about eight in the morning. The sunshine was brilliant and the air cool and invigorating. Here and there in the landscape were faint bits of green untouched by the frost. As they rode along they learned that the people were almost in a panic, fearing 188 Dunmore’s marauders, who had been pillaging and burning in the county below.
“That man is only arousing the people and accomplishing no good,” said Lawrence. “He declares he will rule the colony and at the same time induces the negroes to revolt. That very act drives every Virginian, not under British protection, into the ranks of the so-called rebels. They realize that, while the negroes won’t do any effective fighting, they may, in a fury of resentment, cause great damage and imperil the lives of hundreds of families.”
“I think the poor governors England has sent over here have had much to do with the colonies’ rebelling. Hark! I hear horses at the gallop.”
As he spoke, nearly a dozen mounted men, several of them in British uniforms, came around the corner about sixty rods behind them.