Revolutionary fortunes shone fair in prospect. Yet it was but
the moment of brief, deceptive bloom before decay and fall.
At this critical moment Bacon fell sick and died. Some said that he was
poisoned, but that has never been proved. The illness that had attacked him
during his siege of Jamestown and that held on after his victory seems to
have sufficed for his taking off. In Gloucester County he "surrendered up
that fort he was no longer able to keep, into the hands of that grim and
all-conquering Captaine Death." His body was buried, says the old account,
"but where deposited till the Generall day not knowne, only to those who
are resolutely silent in that particular."
With Bacon's death there fell to pieces all this hopeful or unhopeful
movement. Lawrence might have a subtle head and Drummond the courage to
persevere; Hansford, Cheeseman, Bland, and others might have varied
abilities. But the passionate and determined Bacon had been the organ of
action; Bacon's the eloquence that could bring to the cause men with
property to give as well as men with life to lose. It is a question how
soon, had Bacon not died, must have failed his attempt at revolution,
desperate because so premature.
Back came Berkeley from Accomac, his turbulent enemy thus removed. All who
from the first had held with the King's Governor now rode emboldened. Many
who had shouted more or less loudly for the rising star, now that it was so
untimely set, made easy obeisance to the old sun.
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