Preston Fight Part 31

"Impossible!" cried Forster.

"Yes, general, she is here," remarked the old woman, opening the door. "She has not been disturbed."

The room was darkened, but there was light enough to discern a very startling object.

It was the dead body of a very beautiful woman lying extended upon a couch.

Her habiliments were those in which she had died, and her profuse golden tresses were unbound, and scattered over her bosom where she had received the deadly hurt.

Giving utterance to a cry, Forster rushed forward, and seizing her hand pressed it to his lips.

"This completes my misery," he cried. "In losing her I have lost all that was dear to me, and I care not how soon I follow."

"She deserved her fate," said Charles Radclyffe. "She betrayed you and us to the enemy. She was accidentally shot last night, while returning from a secret visit to General Wills. I brought her here myself. I found letters upon her which prove her guilt. I intended to conceal this catastrophe from you-but it is better you should know it."

"You affirm the truth of what you have just stated?" demanded Forster.

"In every particular," rejoined Charles Radclyffe. "You were completely duped by her."

Forster dropped the hand he had hitherto held, and without a word quitted the room.

VII.

Colonel Cotton

IN the afternoon of the same day, General Forster, Lord Derwent.w.a.ter, Brigadier Mackintosh, and all the rebel lords and leaders were a.s.sembled at the Mitre, engaged in a very angry discussion, when a chamade beaten at the door, produced a sudden quietude, and a tall, fine-looking officer in the accoutrements of the king's dragoons came into the room, being announced by the sentinel as Colonel Cotton.

All bowed as he advanced towards the centre of the room, when looking round, he said courteously: "You will guess my errand, my lords and gentlemen. I am sent by General Wills to receive your positive answer to his proposition."

"We are unable to send a precise answer to General Wills," said the Earl of Derwent.w.a.ter, "because the Scots are unwilling to capitulate. Brigadier Mackintosh and the Scottish n.o.bles will tell you that this is the case."

"My men absolutely refuse to lay down their arms," said the brigadier, "and it is the same with the Clan Chattan, commanded by my kinsman, Colonel Mackintosh."

"Perhaps, by to-morrow morning, we may bring them to reason," said Lord Kenmure. "Just now, it is impossible."

"I will report what you tell me to General Wills," said Cotton.

As he was about to depart, word was brought that the drummer had been shot while beating a chamade before a house, whence firing had taken place subsequent to the cessation of arms.

This unlucky incident seemed likely to put an end to the negotiation, but it was counterbalanced by another great provocation to the rebels, which they were disposed to resent.

Half a dozen insurgents, led by Cornet Shuttleworth, had managed to reach the ford at Penwortham, when they were attacked, and in consequence of their resistance, put to death.

After these events had been referred to, Colonel Cotton addressed the English and Scottish lords and chiefs, and said, in order to prevent further bloodshed, he would agree-in General Wills's name-to grant the time required, provided they pledged their word that no new works should be thrown up, and no further attempt be made to escape.

Promises to this effect being given, Colonel Cotton departed.

VIII.

Hostages required

GENERAL WILLS, however, did not appear satisfied with what had been done.

About an hour later, Colonel Churchill and Colonel Na.s.sau entered the town, and on the part of Generals Carpenter and Wills, declared that an English and a Scottish n.o.bleman must be delivered up as hostages for the due fulfilment of the conditions.

"We require the Earl of Derwent.w.a.ter on the part of the English, and Lord Kenmure on that of the Scots," said Colonel Churchill.

"Why not take General Forster?" asked Captain Dalziel.

"We prefer Lord Derwent.w.a.ter or Lord Wid-drington," replied Churchill, with a singular smile.

"I must tell you frankly, colonel," said Dalziel, "that in the opinion of the Scots, General Forster has made an arrangement for himself through Colonel Oxburgh with General Wills. It has clearly been ascertained that a lady of great personal beauty, who had extraordinary influence over General Forster, gave secret information to General Wills. Last night she was accidentally shot while returning from a visit-it is supposed-to your camp. Now, when we find that a proposal for surrender is made by General Forster without consulting us-and that when a hostage is required, it is not Forster, but Lord Derwent.w.a.ter who is selected, can you wonder we believe we are betrayed? Here is a general who refuses to march or fight-who declares the enemy is at a distance when he proves to be close at hand-who has intimate relations with a lady, who acts as a spy-and who proposes to surrender, and makes terms for himself, while we desire to continue the contest-can we doubt that he is a traitor?"

"You do not expect us to sympathise with you because you have an incompetent leader?" said Colonel Churchill.

"Incapacity is one thing-treachery another, colonel," said Captain Dalziel. "We Scots all believe Forster has played us false. I do not think his life is secure. Take him with you. He will be safer with you than with us."

"My orders are explicit," said Churchill. "I must bring either of the English lords I have mentioned, and Lord Kenmure."

"Lord Kenmure will not come out," said Dalziel. "Nor will my brother, Lord Carnwath-or any other Scottish n.o.ble."

"Then Brigadier Mackintosh must come with me," said Churchill.

"The brigadier is gone to bed, greatly fatigued," replied Dalziel.

"I regard that as a mere excuse," said Churchill, gravely. "I begin to think the treaty will fall to the ground. For the sake of the garrison, I hope not. If the attack is recommenced, none will be spared."

Just then the Earl of Derwent.w.a.ter and Colonel Mackintosh alighted at the door of the inn, and were announced by the sentinel. Both saluted Colonel Churchill.

"Colonel Mackintosh and myself are come to offer ourselves as hostages if required," said the earl. "We do not desire that any needless difficulties should be raised, and are therefore ready to accompany you."

"I surrender myself with his lordship," said Colonel Mackintosh.

"I should be sorry if the treaty were sacrificed," said Churchill; "and am therefore obliged to your lordship and Colonel Mackintosh for the humane step you have taken. You have saved the garrison."

"Had not General Forster been our leader, the garrison would never have been in this strait," said Colonel Mackintosh. "We might have been overcome, but we would not have died without inflicting some loss on our a.s.sailants."

"'Tis better as it is," said Churchill. "I have to receive the paroles of honour of certain gentlemen that they will perform their promises, and then I will conduct you to General Wills."

"We will ride on to the Fishergate outlet and await you there," said Lord Derwent.w.a.ter. "We care not to parade ourselves as prisoners."

Colonel Churchill signified his a.s.sent, and the party separated.

IX.

In what Manner the Hostages were received by General Wills

GENERAL CARPENTER was not present when the Earl of Derwent.w.a.ter and Colonel Mackintosh were brought as hostages to Wills, but Brigadier Munden, Colonels Pitt, Wynn, and Stanhope were with him at the time.

The severe commander received the hostages very haughtily, and knitted his dark brows as he regarded them.

Lord Derwent.w.a.ter comported himself with great dignity, but Colonel Mackintosh could scarcely restrain his anger, especially when Wills asked: "Why have we not a Scotch n.o.bleman? I required Lord Nithsdale or Lord Kenmure."

"They declined to come, general," replied Churchill.

"Methinks, the chief of the Clan Chattan might suffice," said Mackintosh. "Had I refused to surrender not a Highlander would have laid down his arms."

"And not one would have escaped," rejoined Wills. "If you think you can stand against the king's troops go back to the town, and I will immediately attack you."

"If I take you at your word, I presume you will give General Forster a safe-conduct?" rejoined Mackintosh.

Wills looked fiercely at him, but made no response.

"If Colonel Mackintosh returns, I shall return, general," said Lord Derwent.w.a.ter, "and then the truce will be at an end. Attack us when you please, we shall be prepared for you."

"Is this your decision, my lord," cried Mackintosh, joyfully. "I am glad of it."

"Hold!" exclaimed Wills, who did not desire that matters should take this turn. "Since the arrangement is partly concluded, I will not disturb it. By to-morrow these feelings of irritation will have calmed down, and then you will see that I have granted all I could."

"Nothing has been granted," said Colonel Mackintosh. "We shall be worse off to-morrow than we are to-day. Come with me my lord. Let us die together at Preston."

"You cannot depart," said Wills, authoritatively. "To-morrow you may have an opportunity of proving your bravery. To-night you must remain here. Let them be taken to their quarters, colonel," he added to Churchill. "I am sorry I cannot offer you better accommodation."

"Make no apologies, general," said Lord Derwent.w.a.ter, haughtily. "We know with whom we have to deal."

They were then taken to a farm-house, where Parson Woods and his men were quartered, and where very inconvenient lodgings were found for them.

X.

Brigadier Mackintosh dissuades the Earl of Wintoun from sallying forth

NO sooner did it become known that a capitulation had been agreed on than Lord Wintoun went to Brigadier Mackintosh, who so far from having retired to rest, was greatly on the alert, and entreated him to allow a strong body of his Highlanders to line the hedges on the Lancaster avenue, while he made a determined attempt at escape.

"I shall be accompanied by Major Nairn, Captain Philip Lockhart, Captain Shaftoe, and a dozen others, and we will either effect an escape or sell our lives dearly."

"It is too late," replied the brigadier. "My Highlanders could render you little a.s.sistance. The Lancaster avenue is now guarded by six squadrons of dragoons in addition to the former guard, so that you will infallibly be cut to pieces. Besides, hostages have been given, and that alone ought to deter you from making the attempt."

"Then we must remain tamely here?" said Lord Wintoun.

"There is no help for it, my lord," replied the brigadier. "If I had had my own way, things should never have come to this pa.s.s. We ought to have cut our way out before the arrival of General Carpenter."

"Have we any chance of escape now, think you?" asked Lord Wintoun.

"Very little, I fear," replied the brigadier. "But we must be prepared to take advantage of any unforeseen circ.u.mstances to-morrow. It is not likely that any will occur-but it may be!"

XI.