In a moment we cleared the pines, and the first thing that met our gaze was the _Fowey_, frigate, close to the beach and standing up the river with all her working canvas set and her guns run out ready for action. Behind her came several smaller craft, apparently crowded with men and guns. One glance at the ship told plainly who she was, and upon her high poop strode a man fore and aft whom we had no difficulty in recognizing as Lord Dunmore, His Majesty's Governor of Virginia. We were less than half a mile distant, but the shadow of the pines made it much more difficult for those on board to see us, half concealed as we were in the long grass and low bushes, than for us to see them. The poor dog, however, howled dismally, and the report of the gun was evidently mistaken for the discharge of a hostile rifle, for in a moment a great cloud of white smoke burst from the frigate's broadside, and the same instant the air seemed alive with grape-shot, while the jarring report of a twenty pounder echoed along the shore. The balls tore with a loud, ripping, rush through the pine tops and crashed through the undergrowth. One of them striking the butt of Will's gun smashed it to bits and knocked him endways into the woods. To say we were a little surprised at this reception would hardly describe our feelings. I made a spring for cover and hugged a large tree trunk as though a storm were breaking over me, and as I did so I heard Sam give a yell and disappear as if the earth had swallowed him up. It was over in less time than it takes to tell of it, and I stepped out to see Barron laughing heartily as he dragged Will to his feet. "They do make a most valuable noise," he laughed, "but there's little harm in them. The devil! You were lucky in not getting that into you--mere chance though." And he picked up Will's shattered gun. "If that's the reception Dunmore is going to give us, I think we might as well keep on to Williamsburg and join Mr. Henry's men," said Will, looking somewhat disturbed in mind. "I never had a high opinion of his lordship's manners, but this is going it a little too far. I wish I had my rifle, I would see if he would do a little jumping at the crack of it. Here, Sam! Give me the Captain's gun and I will load with ball and have a try at him." "Is it over, Marse Dick?" asked Sam's voice coolly from somewhere in the thick bushes. "Come out, you black rascal!" cried Barron, and presently Sam emerged from cover rapidly reloading Barron's weapon, at the same time keeping an eye on the vessels as if expecting an attack. "Don't do anything foolish, Will," I said, as I saw his temper rising, "It is a serious matter to fire on His Majesty's Governor. Besides, here comes a boat from the first schooner to inquire into our affairs." While I spoke, the vessel close in the frigate's wake luffed sharply, and as her headway slackened, a gig full of soldiers, pulled by four stout niggers, shot away from her side and came rapidly towards us.