Preston Fight Part 38

The Escape

ALL eyes were turned in the direction whence the sound had come, and a single masted vessel could be imperfectly distinguished, about half a mile off.

"'Tis the sloop!" exclaimed Lord Widdrington.

"Yes, I am summoned, and must go," cried the prince. "Farewell! farewell!"

On hearing the signal, the two men instantly pushed down the boat into the water. All was ready, for the valise had been previously placed inside it by the porter, together with a couple of firelocks.

It had been arranged that the two n.o.bles should accompany the prince to the sloop. Accordingly they entered the boat with him.

As the bark quitted the strand, the prince stood up to wave an adieu to the ladies-but they were soon lost to sight.

Rowed by two strong men, the boat made good way towards the sloop, and it seemed would soon reach her, when an unlooked for interruption occurred.

A dark object was seen lying directly in their course, and as there could be no doubt it was a boat, much larger than their own, they turned aside to avoid it.

As they did so, the larger boat was put in motion, with the evident design of giving chase, while a loud authoritative voice called out to the occupants of the smaller bark to stop.

As may be imagined, the order was entirely disregarded, while Lord Widdrington urged the oarsmen to pull their hardest for the ship, and they made such exertion that they appeared to gain upon their pursuers.

Of the purpose of the latter no doubt could now be entertained. It was certain they were endeavouring to intercept the prince's flight, and effect his capture. How they had obtained information could only be surmised, but they had laid their plans well. The prince's companions were greatly alarmed, but he himself maintained perfect composure.

"'Tis the boat I beheld this morning from the castle walls," he said. "I felt sure it meant mischief, though Mr. Forster thought otherwise. The men within it are armed."

"Luckily, we have arms," said Lord Derwent.w.a.ter, giving Lord Widdrington one of the muskets and keeping the other himself. "Shall we use them?"

"Certainly," replied the prince. "I will never surrender to those men."

A conflict, indeed, appeared inevitable, if they were overtaken, for a voice called out from the larger boat: "Stop! or we will fire."

As no notice was taken of the threat, except that the rowers redoubled their efforts, a shot was fired, and a bullet whistled past the prince's head, but without doing any injury.

Exasperated by the audacious act the two n.o.bles discharged their muskets, and with good effect, as was shown by the outcries that followed.

Evidently a couple of men were wounded, and great confusion was caused among the rest.

In consequence of this they lost way, and the distance between the boats was perceptibly increased.

However, they soon recovered, and continued the chase with fresh ardour, again shouting to the fugitives to stop.

"Stand off, villains, or we will fire again!" cried Lord Derwent.w.a.ter. "What do you mean by molesting us thus?"

"We want the Pretender, and will have him," rejoined the voice that had first spoken. "You had best deliver him up quietly. He shall not escape."

Though very well inclined to answer this insolent speech by a shot, Lord Derwent.w.a.ter forbore, but the pursuers again fired, and this time one of the rowers was. .h.i.t in the arm, so that he could not pull at the oars, whereupon Lord Widdrington took his place.

But the change, though quickly effected, caused some little delay, and the pursuers gained upon them.

An encounter now seemed imminent, and since the prince was determined not to yield, it might be fraught with most serious consequences.

To avert these if possible, Lord Derwent.w.a.ter shouted l.u.s.tily to attract the attention of the captain of the sloop which was now not more than a furlong off.

Captain Hawker was already on the alert, and prepared to render a.s.sistance. The firing had shown him the relative position of the boats, and comprehending exactly how matters stood, he thought it high time to interfere.

Putting a speaking-trumpet, therefore, to his mouth, he roared out: "Sheer off, or I'll sink you!"

The warning reached the ears for which it was intended, but produced no effect.

The men went on, as boldly as ever, determined not to be baulked of their prey.

However, they were speedily checked, for Captain Hawker turned a swivel-gun upon them, and sent a shot through the bottom of their boat, which began presently to fill, and compelled them to look to their own safety.

Being now disembarra.s.sed from his pursuers, the prince got safely on board the sloop, after taking an affectionate leave of his friends.

Their duty being now performed, the two n.o.bles returned to Bamborough Castle without concerning themselves further about their pursuers, whose vociferations proved they were still afloat, and able no doubt, in some way or other, to reach the Home Island.

The sheriff had still to be dealt with, but now the prince was safe they had little fear of him.

Free from all peril, the sloop, with its important burden, pa.s.sed tranquilly through the Fairway, and entered the open sea.

END OF BOOK THE SECOND.

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X.

General Wills arrives at Preston

HAVING fully arranged his plans, General Wills, summoned the various commanders, and after explaining to them his views, made the following disposition of his forces.

The horse and dragoons were to be formed into three brigades: the first to consist of Wynn's and Honeywood's regiments, under the command of Brigadier Honeywood; the second to comprise Munden's and Stanhope's regiments, under the command of Brigadier Munden; and the third to comprehend Pitt and Dormer's regiments, under the command of Brigadier Dormer.

"We shall set out at break of day," said the general, "and this will be the order of march. In the front will be Preston's foot, with a vanguard of fifty men from the regiment, commanded by Lord Forrester. Then will follow the three brigades I have appointed, while the whole of the militia, under the command of Sir Henry Hoghton, will bring up the rear."

"Am I to cross the bridge, general?" inquired Sir Henry, who was present.

"Most probably the bridge and the approaches to it will be defended," replied Wills. "Post your men at various points on the south bank of the river. Station two parties of horse about a hundred yards apart on the left of the bridge, and place small parties along the bank as far as the ferry-house, extending them, if necessary, in the direction of Penwortham, where Parson Woods will be posted with his men. Thus the whole of the bank will be guarded, and no supplies can be conveyed to the rebels-nor can any of them escape."

"I quite understand, general," said Sir Henry, "and will carefully attend to your instructions."

"One word more, gentlemen, and I have done," said Wills, looking round. "As we shall set out as soon as it is light, you must all be on the alert an hour before daybreak, so as to prevent any chance of delay. This applies particularly to the foot and the advanced guard, who ought to start half an hour before the horse. We shall halt for an hour at Chorley, to breakfast."

In antic.i.p.ation of the day they had before them, the commanders and officers retired early to rest. But not till he had satisfied himself by personal inspection that all the regiments under his command were in good marching order did General Wills seek his couch.

Fully an hour before daybreak the reveille was sounded, and it was scarcely light when the vanguard, commanded by Lord Forrester, marched out of Wigan.

After a short interval, the advanced guard was followed by Preston's regiment of foot-known as the Old Cameronians-which could boast some of the finest men in the service. Then followed, after another pause, the three brigades of cavalry; and both men and horses being in excellent condition, these regiments looked remarkably well. General Wills rode with Brigadier Honeywood at the head of the first brigade.

After a long train of baggage wagons came the militia, numbering some six hundred horse and foot, commanded by Sir Henry Hoghton. Like the regular soldiers, the militiamen looked exceedingly well, and were loudly cheered by the inhabitants, most of whom-though the hour was so early-had a.s.sembled to witness the march forth of the troops.

The spectacle was rendered infinitely more impressive by the circ.u.mstance that the men were about to fight a battle. The result, however, of the impending contest seemed scarcely doubtful, and the general opinion was that the rebellion would be effectually crushed.

Confident in their leader, and animated by their officers, who promised them an easy victory over the insurgents, with the plunder of the rich town of Preston, the king's soldiers were in excellent spirits.

Nor did anything occur in the march to disquiet them. The morning being fine and the roads in tolerably good order, the infantry got on very well, and were very little fatigued on reaching Chorley.

During the halt at Chorley, word was brought to General Wills by a scout that the bridge over the Ribble was defended by Colonel John Farquharson of Invercauld, with a hundred picked men belonging to Colonel Mackintosh's battalion.

General Forster had likewise come forth to reconnoitre, and had been seen with a party of horse about two miles south of the bridge, on the Wigan road.

This intelligence did not seem to necessitate any alteration in General Wills's plans, but he ordered Lord Forrester and Captain Preston to halt at Walton-le-Dale till he himself should come up.

After this short halt the march was resumed, and on arriving at Walton-le-Dale, the general learnt that Colonel Farquharson had been strengthened by three hundred men sent to support him by the Earl of Derwent.w.a.ter.

Under the impression that the bridge would be stoutly defended, Wills prepared to attack it with Honeywood's brigade, but what was his surprise, on arriving at the spot, to find the pa.s.sage entirely unoccupied!

What had become of Colonel Farquharson and his Highlanders? Where were Lord Derwent.w.a.ter's three hundred men? Not one of them was to be seen. Though there was nothing to impede his progress, Wills hesitated for a few minutes, suspecting some stratagem might be intended. He then rode boldly across the bridge, and was followed by his whole force, with the exception of the militia, which remained on the south bank of the river, and took up the position a.s.signed.

After crossing the bridge Wills again halted before entering the deep lane that led to the town, and thinking the hedges might be lined, he caused them to be examined, but no skirmishers could be discovered.

Unable, otherwise, to account for such strange neglect of all precautions, he came to the conclusion that the rebels must have abandoned the town, and commenced a retreat to Scotland.

Should this prove to be the case, it would be a great disappointment to him, as well as to his soldiery, since it would deprive him of victory, and the men of the plunder they expected to obtain.

However, his alarm was quickly dispelled. A prisoner had been taken, and was brought before him.

The man had refused to answer the sergeant who first interrogated him, but as Wills threatened to have him shot, he became more compliant.

"Where are the rebels?" demanded the general.

"In the town," replied the man, sullenly.

"Is General Forster there?" continued Wills.

"I suppose so," said the prisoner.

"And Lord Derwent.w.a.ter?"

"Maybe," replied the man. "But I have not seen him."

"Take care how you answer, fellow!" cried Wills, sternly. "Are you quite sure Brigadier Mackintosh has not set out for Scotland?"

"Quite sure," replied the man. "I saw him not half an hour ago-helping to make a barricade."

"A barricade!" exclaimed Wills, glancing at Brigadier Honeywood. "Now we are coming to it. Where is the barricade formed?" he added to the prisoner.

"In the Churchgate," replied the man.

"Is that the only barrier?"

"No, there are three others. All the entrances to the town are barricaded."

"Then the rebels mean to defend themselves?" said Wills.

"To the last. You needn't expect them to surrender."

"If they don't, I shall cut them to pieces," said Wills, sternly. "Go back to the town and tell them so."

"I won't deliver any such message. It would cost me my life."

"No matter," cried Wills. "Obey me. Recollect what I have said. Not one of the rebels shall escape me-unless their leaders surrender at discretion. Now begone!"

The man was then set free, and driven towards the town, but he did not re-enter it.

General Wills then quitted the lane, which was shut in, as we have said, by high hedges, and led his troops to some fields on the left that commanded a full view of the town.

How peaceful and beautiful it looked! Even the stern Wills, who was about to deliver it up to fire and sword, felt a certain regret at the thought of destroying so pleasant a place.

Very few evidences of preparation on the part of the insurgents were visible, the barriers and intrenchments being all in the interior of the town.

A few soldiers could be descried at the outskirts, but no guard was placed at the extremity of the avenues. Wills quite understood what this meant, and judged correctly that the houses on either side of the streets must be filled with troops ready to pour a murderous fire upon the a.s.sailants as they entered the town.

Aware that cavalry could not act within the town, Wills gave orders that two regiments of dragoons should dismount, when the attack was made, in order to support the foot. His first business, however, was to dispose his men so as to prevent the rebels from sallying forth, and cut off their retreat in case they should make the attempt.

This done, he ordered two attacks to be made simultaneously upon the town; one by Brigadier Honeywood from the Wigan road on the south-the other by Brigadiers Dormer and Munden from the Lancaster road on the north.

His directions were thus conveyed to Honeywood: "You will have with you Preston's regiment of foot to be commanded by Lord Forrester, likewise two hundred and fifty dismounted dragoons, commanded by five captains. These are to support Preston's foot. You will sustain the whole with your regiment."

"Your orders shall be obeyed, general," replied Honeywood.

Wills then gave similar directions to Brigadiers Dormer and Munden, telling them they would have under their joint command three hundred dismounted dragoons for the attack on the Lancaster avenue, which would be sustained by two mounted regiments.