Bacon's Rebellion

1676]           BACON’S AND INGRAM’S REBELLION          81

that though he had bin stark blinde, yet the Governour would
take care for to afford him a guide, that should show him the
way to the Gallows. Since he had promised him a hanging,
long before, as being one of those that went out with Bacon,
in his first expedition against the Indians, without a Commis-
sion.

      This Capt. Wilford, though he was but a litle man, yet he
had a grate heart, and was knowne to be no Coward. He had
for som yeares bin an Interpreter betwene the English and the
Indians, in whose affaires he was well aquainted, which ren-
dred him the more acceptable to Bacon, who made use of him
all along in his Indian War. By birth he was the Second Son
of a Kt., who had lost life and estate in the late Kings quarill,
against the surnamed long Parliament, which forst him to
Verginia (the onely Citty of Refuge left in his Majesties do-
minians, in those times, for destresed Cavallers) to seeke his
fortunes, which through his industerey began to be consider-
able, if the kindness of his fate had bin more perminent, and
not destin’d his life to so reched a death. Major Cheisman,
before he came to his triall, dyed in prisson, of feare, Greife,
or bad useage, for all these are reported: and so by one death
prevented another more dredfull to flesh and blood.

       There is one remarkeable passage reported of this Major
Cheismans Lady, which because it sounds to the honour of
her Sex, and consequent[l]y of all loveing Wives, I will not
deny it a roome in this Narrative.

      When that the Major was brought in to the Governors
presence, and by him demanded, what made him to ingage
in Bacons designes? Before that the Major could frame an
Answer, to the Governours demand, his Wife steps in and
tould his honour that it was her provocations that made her
Husband joyne in the Cause that Bacon contended for; ading,
that if he had not bin influenc’d by her instigations, he had
never don that which he had don. Therefore (upon her bended
knees) she desired of his honour, that since what her Husband
had don was by her meanes, and so, by Consequence, she most
guilty, that shee might be hang’d, and he pardon’d. Though
the Governouer did know, that what she had saide, was neare
to the truth, yet he saide litle to her request, onely telling of
her that she was a W____. But his honour was angrey, and