The haughty governor was somewhat awed by the turmoil and confusion which prevailed throughout Jamestown, and feared to appear stern with so popular a man as Bacon. "Mr. Bacon, have you forgot to be a gentleman?" the governor asked. "No, may it please your honor," Bacon answered, quite coolly. "Then I will take your parole," said Berkeley. Bacon was consequently paroled, though not given privilege to leave Jamestown. There was much murmuring and discontent among the people, who vowed that they had only "appealed to the sword as a defence against the bloody heathen." CHAPTER XIX. THE MYSTERIOUS STRANGER. 'Do you know the old man of the sea, of the sea? Have you met with that dreadful old man? If you haven't been caught, you will be, you will be; For catch you he must and he can.' --HOLMES. Robert Stevens and twenty others captured with Bacon were kept in prison. His mother and sisters visited him, but he saw nothing of his stepfather. One evening he was informed that a gentleman wished to see him, and immediately Mr. Giles Peram was admitted to his cell. "How are you, Robert--ahem?" began Giles. "This is most extraordinary, I assure you, and you have my sympathy, and you may not believe it, no, you may not believe it, but I am sorry for you." "You can spare yourself any tears on my account," the prisoner answered, casting a look of scorn and indignation on the proud little fellow who strutted before him with ill-concealed exultation. Without noticing the irony in the words of the prisoner, Giles puffed up with the importance of his mission, went on: "Robert, I have come to you with a singular proposition. Now you are very anxious to know what it is, are you not?" "I have some curiosity; yet I have no doubt that I shall treat your proposition with contempt." "Oh, no, you won't. Your life depends on your acceptance." "I can best answer you when I know what your proposition is." "It is this. I am enamoured of your sister. She rejects my suit. Now, if she will consent to become my wife, you shall have your liberty." It was well for Peram that Robert Stevens was chained to the wall, or it would have fared hard for the little fellow. Giles kept beyond the length of the chain and the prisoner was powerless. His only weapon was his tongue; but with that he poured out the vials of his wrath so copiously on the wretch, that he retired in disgust.