Preston Fight Part 17

THE moon was shining brightly, but her beams could not penetrate the depths of the narrow forest road along which he had proceeded for nearly a mile when he heard the sound of horses' feet behind him.

Not for a moment imagining it could be an enemy, but thinking it highly probable a messenger might have been sent after him by the countess, he halted.

"Is your lordship there?" cried a voice.

"Ay," he replied. "What would you with me?"

"You must be pleased to come back with us," rejoined the speaker. "You are wanted at the castle."

"What has happened," cried the earl uneasily.

No immediate answer being returned, his suspicions were aroused-especially as he could hear the two hors.e.m.e.n, who had now come up, talking together in a low tone-and he was just about to gallop off, when one of the men dashed suddenly forward, seized his bridle, and presenting a pistol at his head, told him he was a prisoner.

"Ah! I now know who and what you are, villains," cried the earl.

"We are loyal subjects of King George, my lord," replied the man who held his bridle, "and as such are bound to capture all those who appear in arms against him. We have been very lucky tonight in arresting a rebel leader. Your lordship will not be surprised to learn that we intend to take you as a prisoner to Newcastle."

The earl suppressed the wrathful exclamation that rose to his lips, and said: "Have any of my household turned traitors?"

"No, my lord," replied the man. "You may set your mind at ease on that score. All your servants are true to you. We are Sir William Lorraine's officers, and have been employed by him to watch Dilston. We were therefore aware of your visit this evening, and followed you on your return to Hexham, being resolved on your arrest."

"If your lordship is content to go with us quietly," said the other man, "we will show you every attention. But if you attempt to escape, we will shoot you through the head, without hesitation. And now be pleased to deliver up your arms."

"I have no arms except my sword," replied the earl, "and I will part with life rather than with it."

While the man, whose hands were disengaged, was striving to take the weapon from him, the fierce barking of a dog was heard, accompanied by shouts, and the earl at once comprehending from the sounds that Nathan the woodcutter was at hand with Cheviot, called out loudly: "To the rescue, Nathan; to the rescue!"

"Here I am, my lord," responded the st.u.r.dy woodcutter, as he and his hound burst through the trees.

A bullet whistled past his head, as he appeared on the scene, but luckily did him no injury.

Next moment, however, the stout cudgel he grasped was falling heavily upon the earl's captors, while Cheviot's fierce barking terrified their horses so much, that the animals broke away in spite of their riders' efforts to restrain them, and being allowed no rest by the hound who continued to attack their heels, were soon driven off altogether.

"I shall not forget the great service you have just rendered me, Nathan," said Lord Derwent.w.a.ter. "But for you these villains would have carried me off as a prisoner."

"I am right glad I arrived in time," replied the woodcutter. "Cheviot warned me of your lordship's danger."

"Ah! did he so?" cried the earl.

And when the faithful animal came back from the chase, he warmly praised him and caressed him.

"Now, hie thee to the castle, Nathan," said the earl. "See her ladyship, and tell her from what a peril you have rescued me. She will know how to recompense you."

"I want no recompense, my lord," replied the honest woodcutter. "I only wish I could always be at hand to succour your lordship when in need."

"I wish you could," said the earl.

With this, he galloped off and arrived without further molestation at Hexham; while Nathan proceeded, as bidden, to the castle, and related the earl's adventure in the forest to the countess.

A good supper for each of them was the immediate reward of himself and his hound.

END OF BOOK THE FOURTH.

BOOK THE FIFTH.

THE MARCH FROM HEXHAM TO LONGTOWN.

I.

The Junction with the South Country Scots

Next morning, at a very early hour, the whole of the insurgent troops a.s.sembled in the marketplace of the ancient town of Hexham, preparatory to marching to Rothbury.

Here Lord Widdrington took leave of his friends for a time, having, at General Forster's earnest request, undertaken another journey into Lancashire to confer with the Jacobites and High Church Tories in that county, and endeavour to induce them to rise without delay.

The chief command of his troop was therefore temporarily given to Lord Derwent.w.a.ter.

Precisely as the abbey church clock struck six the insurgents rode out of Hexham. The weather was fine, and the men in good spirits. They met with no misadventure on the road, nor did they hear any tidings of the enemy, but after a long halt at Kirkharle, they reached Rothbury in the evening.

Lord Kenmure, the commander of the South Country Scots, accompanied by the Earl of Nithsdale, the Earl of Wintoun, the Earl of Carnwath, and Lord Nairn rode out to meet them, and the greatest satisfaction was evinced on both sides that a junction of their forces had, at length, been effected. Still, it was the opinion of Lord Kenmure and the other Scottish n.o.bles that they must not venture upon an encounter with the Government troops till they were further strengthened by a junction with Mackintosh and the Highlanders, and they therefore proposed to set out to Wooler next day. This proposition being agreed to by General Forster and his officers, the horses were stabled, and the men quartered as well as circ.u.mstances would admit, while their leaders sat down to an excellent supper provided for them by the Scottish n.o.bles at the Blue Star. Capital claret, it appeared, could be had at Rothbury, and a good deal of it was drunk that night. Before they separated, the English and Scottish commanders became boon companions.

Next morning the combined forces proceeded to Wooler, and being greatly fatigued by their march remained there during the whole of the next day, though their quarters were far from satisfactory. At Wooler they were joined by the Reverend Robert Patten of Allendale, whom General Forster appointed his chaplain, and by Mr. Lancelot Errington, the gallant young gentleman who had succeeded in capturing a fort on Holy Island, as already related. Mr. Errington, however, not receiving any supplies, was attacked, and taken prisoner by the Governor of Berwick, but speedily effected his escape, and procuring a horse, joined his friends at Wooler. His brother, Captain Thomas Errington now commanded Lord Widdrington's troop, so that he was at once appointed one of the officers.

Intelligence was brought by this gentleman that Brigadier Mackintosh and the Highlanders had reached Dunse, and meant to attack Kelso, which was occupied by Sir William Bennet of Grubet, with a strong party of militia and some volunteers. Sir William, it was said, had barricaded the town, and made other preparations for its defence.

On hearing this, Lord Kenmure and General Forster decided upon marching to Kelso to aid Mackintosh in storming the town. Accordingly, they set out next morning, pa.s.sing by Humbledon Heugh, Akeld, and over the hill ridges near Kirk Newton. As they proceeded, Captain Douglas, who was well acquainted with the country, and accustomed to Border forays, as we have already stated, managed to seize several horses, and likewise captured Mr. Selby of Kilham, a volunteer, who was repairing to Kelso, to Sir William Bennet's a.s.sistance.

About mid-day the insurgents came in sight of the beautiful town of Kelso, with its ancient abbey so charmingly situated on the banks of the Tweed, and before proceeding further, halted on a moor to call over the rolls of the men. While the leaders of each troop were thus employed, word was brought by a scout, that Sir William Bennet, alarmed by the report of the advance of the Highlanders, had abandoned the town, whereupon they at once resumed their march, and fording the Tweed, entered the town without opposition-the barricades being already pulled down. But though the inhabitants offered no resistance, they received them with great coldness, and eyed them with sullen looks. No shouts were heard, as the insurgents rode along one of the main streets to the market-place where they drew up.

Brigadier Mackintosh had not yet arrived, but he was known to be close at hand, and Lord Kenmure feeling that the compliment was due to the valiant Highland commander, went to meet him, leaving General Forster and the English division in the town.

Lord Kenmure and the Lowlanders had not ridden further than Ednam Bridge when the shrill notes of the bagpipes announced the approach of the Highlanders, and in another minute Mackintosh and his detachment came in sight.

As soon as the Highlanders understood that the troops in front of them were friends, they set up a great shout, and quickened their pace.

The Lowlanders responded with equal vigour, and the greatest enthusiasm was displayed on both sides.

Nothing could be more cordial than the meeting between the two commanders. Lord Kenmure was loud in his praises of the brigadier's skill and bravery, and told him that he looked upon the crossing of the Firth, under the circ.u.mstances, as one of the most remarkable exploits ever performed. His lordship then turned to Lord Charles Murray, Lord Nairn, Major Forbes, Logie Drummond, and others who were standing by, and expressed his admiration of their gallantry.

By this time the Earl of Wintoun, the Earl of Carnwath, Captain Hume, and the other Lowland officers had come up, and salutations were exchanged on all hands.

When these greetings were over, the two detachments, which had now to a certain extent become mixed together, marched to Kelso-the pipers taking the lead, and playing l.u.s.tily.

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II.

Mackintosh's Achievements

BEFORE proceeding, it may be necessary briefly to explain what the brigadier had accomplished since he quitted Perth about ten days previously.

At that time, the detachment under his command consisted of six regiments, and with a number of gentlemen volunteers formed a total of two thousand five hundred men.

The brigadier's orders from the Earl of Mar were to get as many men as he could over the Firth, and though the channel was defended by ships of war, smacks, and boats filled with armed men, Mackintosh courageously made the attempt, and despite all the exertions of the cruisers to prevent him, succeeded in reaching the East Lothian coast with fifteen hundred men-the Earl of Strathmore's battalion being forced back and compelled to go on sh.o.r.e on the Isle of May. This was the exploit to which Lord Kenmure had referred in terms of such high admiration.

With the troops he had thus brought across the Firth, the brigadier at once marched to Haddington, where he was invited by the Scottish Jacobites to make an attempt on Edinburgh, and unhesitatingly complied with the request.

He advanced as far as Jock's Lodge, but not meeting with the promised support, he turned to Leith, and took possession of a partly-demolished fort, built by Oliver Cromwell, and proceeded to barricade it.

Next day the Duke of Argyle, who had hastened from Stirling to the protection of Edinburgh, summoned him to surrender. On his refusal, the duke threatened to bombard the fort on the morrow, but in the night Mackintosh withdrew, and conducted his men cautiously along the sands at low water to Seaton House-a castle belonging to Lord Wintoun.

Here he posted himself securely with his force, and laughed at the threats of Lord Torpichen and the Earl of Rothes, who came from Edinburgh to dislodge him with two hundred dragoons and three hundred volunteers.

At Seaton House he remained for a couple of days, and in that short interval stored it with provisions to stand a siege, when he learnt that the South Country Scots and Northumbrians had risen, and received an express from Forster praying him to meet him at Coldstream or Kelso.

Another express came from the Earl of Mar bidding him march south, and join the English insurgents.

The latter order could not be disobeyed, and he therefore quitted the stronghold he had gained, and marched to Longformacus, hara.s.sed in the rear by the Government troops.

But this pursuit did not prevent him from plundering the house of Doctor Sinclair, who had incurred the animosity of the Jacobites by shooting young Hepburn of Keith.

Continuing his march to Dunse, the brigadier rested there for a day, proclaimed James the Third, collected the excise dues, and received the very satisfactory intelligence that Sir William Bennet had abandoned Kelso. No longer troubled by the Government troops, and renovated by the much-needed repose, he marched on next day to Kelso, and was met at Ednam Bridge, as we have related, by the Lowlanders.

Such were the main incidents that had occurred during Mackintosh's memorable march towards the south. He had proved himself a thoroughly good soldier, equal to every emergency, and not to be checked by danger or difficulty, and fully deserved the encomiums pa.s.sed upon him by Lord Kenmure.

As the Highlanders entered Kelso, with bagpipes playing, colours flying, and drums beating, the inhabitants flocked forth to gaze at them, and were greatly struck by the stalwart appearance and martial bearing of the men.

Brigadier Mackintosh, of whose doings so much had been heard, excited great curiosity, and the tall figure, strongly marked features, and athletic limbs of the veteran warrior would have pointed him out to all beholders, even if he had not marched at the head of his detachment.

Throughout their progress neither the brigadier nor any of his officers had mounted a horse, but marched on foot with the men and crossed all rivers in their Highland garb.

Amongst those who attracted most attention was Lord Charles Murray, who was remarkable for his graceful person and good looks.

Lord Nairn and some of the subaltern officers were also thought very fine men.

Indeed, the Highlanders generally produced a favourable impression on the good folks of Kelso, who gave them a far warmer welcome than they had accorded to their allies.

The junction between the confederate forces formed a curious and interesting scene. When the brigadier first beheld the Northumbrian detachment drawn up in the market-place, he was struck by the handsome show made by both horses and men, but when he began to scrutinise them, he quickly changed his opinion.

"Saul o' my body! this will never do!" he exclaimed to Lord Charles Murray. "Those abalyiements are na fit for war. Saw ye ever before a dragoon with a hunting-saddle on his horse's back, a toasting-fork by his side, or a riding-whip in his hand? I trow not. They should get basket-hilted broad swords like our ain, saddles wi' high pommels and holsters, and as to those riding-whips, I should like to lay them across the shoulders of the bearers."

"The men certainly look better equipped for flight than for attack," replied Lord Charles. "But we must not judge them too harshly. They may fight well in spite of their dress swords, and charge even with race-horses."

"Vera true," replied the brigadier, laughing. "And here comes General Forster."

"By my faith! he looks more like an English fox-hunter than a soldier," remarked Lord Charles, in an undertone. "I wonder how they came to choose him."

"They couldna help it," replied the brigadier. "Lord Derwent.w.a.ter was the right man, yet being a Papist, he wouldn't do."

Attended by Lord Charles Murray, Lord Nairn, Major Forbes, and Logie Drummond, the brigadier stepped forward to meet General Forster, who was closely followed by Lord Derwent.w.a.ter and the other Northumbrian officers.

At the same time Lord Kenmure came forward, and presented the two commanders to each other.

The meeting was very friendly, and the brigadier praised Forster's troops, but told him plainly he ought to get different saddles and better swords.

"So we will, as soon as we can procure them," replied Forster. "But they are not to be had."

The English officers were next presented to the brigadier, who seemed best pleased with Lord Derwent.w.a.ter. From the first moment, the rough old soldier conceived a friendship for the young n.o.ble, which he never afterwards lost.

The various troops marched past the three commanders, who remained for some time longer in the market-place, and then proceeded to their quarters.

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