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 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. "Dunmore's marauders!" exclaimed Lawrence. "Let's get out of here." Their horses had both speed and "bottom" and besides were fresh, so that the chances were in favour of the young Virginians. The troopers behind spurred after them, however, and evidently were determined on their capture. As Lawrence and Rodney approached a plantation near the road, they saw flames leap up from the hay ricks, and the next instant two mounted men rode out on the main highway. "Those are Britishers, sent ahead," exclaimed Lawrence. "There's nothing for us but to go ahead," said Rodney, passing one of his two pistols over to Lawrence. "I'm with you to the finish," replied the latter, his face very grim and determined. "Halt!" cried one of the marauders, who waved a sword as if to enforce his authority. "Get out of the way. We are on our own business!" cried Rodney. The second marauder lifted his pistol, but Rodney anticipated him with a quick shot which brought the man's arm down, while the pistol clattered to the road. "That's a lucky shot," thought the boy. His companion was not so lucky; he had fired and missed his opponent, who rode forward with drawn sword evidently resolved on cutting him down.