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At one time he had been named, with three others, as a fit person for secretary, on the removal of Mr. Pory, but as only three could be balloted for, his name was left out. He was, however, commended as entirely competent.
Master John Pory, the speaker, faced the Assembly; clerk and sergeant-at-arms were at hand; Master Buck, the Jamestown minister, made the solemn opening prayer. The political divisions of this Virginia were Cities, Plantations, and Hundreds, the English population numbering now at least a thousand souls.
"Then that's over and done with, for the nonce at least! Sufficient unto the day, etcetera. 'S life! I'm hot and dry! You've sacked cities, Ralph Percy; now sack me the minister's closet and bring out his sherris I'll be at charges for the next communion." We sat us down upon the doorstep with a tankard of sack between us, and Master Pory drank, and drank, and drank again.
As he walked slowly, we had leisure to note the richness of his doublet and cloak, the one slashed, the other lined with scarlet taffeta, the arrogance of his mien and gait, and the superb full-blooded beauty of his face. "The handsomest man that ever I saw!" ejaculated the Governor. Master Pory, standing beside him, drew in his breath, then puffed it out again.
"Captain Percy will give me credit for the profound reluctance with which I act in this affair against a gentleman and an officer so high in the esteem of the colony," said Master Pory, with his hand upon his heart.
The crowd stood not upon the order of its going, but streamed away to the river bank, whence it could best watch the oncoming ship. My lord, after a most triumphant bow, swept off with his train in the direction of the guest house. With him went Master Pory. The Governor drew nearer to me. "Captain Percy," he said, lowering his voice, "I am going now to mine own house.
There were awe and dread and stern sorrow in the knowledge that even now in the bright spring morning blood from a hundred homes might be flowing to meet the shining, careless river; but it was the springtime, and she was waiting for me. I strode on toward the stairway so fast that when I asked a question Master Pory, at my side, was too out of breath to answer it.
The Council met at Yeardley's house, and I was called before it to make my report of the expedition of the day before. It was late afternoon when the Governor dismissed us, and I found myself leaving the house in company with Master Pory. "I am bound for my lord's," said that worthy as we neared the guest house.
The Esperance would still be with us, besides the Hope-in-God and the Tiger; the Margaret and John would shortly come in, being already overdue. "My Lord Carnal goes upon the George, gentlemen," said Master Pory. "He sent but now to demand if she sailed to-morrow. He is ill, and would be at home."
The Governor hath the Company's letters, and he and the Council all save the reprobate Pory sit there staring at them and drumming with their fingers on the table." "Is Rolfe of the Council?" I asked. "Ay; he was speaking, for you, I suppose, though I heard not the words. They all listened, but they all shook their heads." "We shall know in the morning," I said.
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