Part 21

“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 pass. 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 circumstances to-morrow. It is not likely that any will occur--but it may be.”

XI.--THE TERMS OF THE TREATY ARE ACCEPTED.

|A DISMAL day dawned on Preston.

The inhabitants had heard of the capitulation, but did not feel sure it would be carried out--many of the more timid being apprehensive that the town would still be the scene of a most sanguinary conflict.

In the opinion of these persons the Highlanders would not submit, but would make a most desperate attempt to sally forth, which would end in their extermination.

The English insurgents had made up their minds to surrender, and seemed hardly able to realise the position in which they were placed, for most of them displayed unaccountable indifference.

Perhaps they persuaded themselves that clemency would be shown them. If so, they were mistaken. The town-hall was crowded with ladies who had passed the night there, and did not mean to quit the asylum till all was settled.

Once more, and for the last time, Captain Gordon ascended the church-tower at break of day, and looked around.

The besiegers had drawn so much nearer to the town, that they seemed now quite close at hand.

The militia had likewise quitted their position on the south bank of the Ribble, and stationed themselves near the upper end of the Wigan road.

In fact, the town was completely invested, and Captain

Gordon saw at a glance that it would be impossible to break through such a cordon.

In the Churchgate and Fishergate the barricades were undisturbed, but no preparations were made for the renewal of the fight.

Brigadier Mackintosh was no longer at his post, and most of the Highlanders had retired to the houses, anxious to snatch a few hours' rest, and certain they would be summoned when required.

No sound of bagpipes was heard.

The neglected batteries, deserted streets, and dejected air of such troopers as could be seen, offered a marked contrast to the formidable appearance of the besiegers. Captain Gordon felt that the contest was over, and desired to see no more.

Later on, all the English and Scottish leaders, with the exception of the two who had surrendered themselves as hostages, assembled at the Mitre, where it was finally agreed that the terms of the treaty should be accepted.

“My men are willing to submit,” said Mackintosh. “But they look upon themselves as sacrificed. Bitterly do I now reproach myself that I ever brought them to England against their will, and that I did not turn back at Lancaster. They might have helped the Earl of Mar to win a battle. Poor fellows! they will now be transported and sold as slaves. My heart bleeds for them.”

“We Scots have all cause to regret that we ever crossed the Border,” said Lord Kenmure. “But we have done our best for King James, and if we had been supported, we might have succeeded. We have had a High Tory general, yet not one of the party has joined us.”

“No one can have been more disappointed than myself,” said Forster. “If we had only reached Manchester----”

“Why did we not reach that town? tell us that,” cried Brigadier Mackintosh.

“I admit we ought not to have stayed so long in Preston,” said Forster. “But you all seemed unwilling to quit your quarters, and I apprehended no danger.”

“'Tis idle to regret the past,” said Lord Widdrington; “you have complained of the absence of the High Church Tories, my lord,” he added, to Lord Kenmure. “But you cannot say that the Roman Catholics have failed you.”

“No, they have proved our staunchest friends,” replied Lord Kenmure. “And a braver and a better commander cannot be found than Lord Derwentwater.”

“In that we all agree,” said Lord Nithsdale and the other Scottish nobles.

“The hour at which the armistice expires is close at hand,” said Forster, “and we must therefore prepare to conclude this painful business properly. We will remain here, but all the officers--English and Scotch--must forthwith assemble within the churchyard to deliver up their arms. Let immediate orders be given to that effect,” he added to Charles Radclyffe and Captain Dalziel, who at once departed on the errand.

XII.--THE INSURGENT OFFICERS DELIVER UP THEIR SWORDS.

|SHORTLY afterwards, in obedience to Forster's orders, all the officers of the insurgent force assembled in the churchyard, and though they endeavoured to assume a careless air, many of them looked very downcast. Among them were all those who had recently joined at Lancaster and Preston, and received the rank of captain--Mr. Townley, of Townley, Sir Francis Anderton, Ralph Standish, Gabriel Hesketh, John Tyldesley, John Dalton, and several others.

They had had but a short campaign, and might now have to pay for their devotion with their lives. However, they bore themselves bravely under the distressing circumstances. The annoyance of the ceremonial was heightened by its publicity.

A large concourse was collected in the churchyard, and among the spectators were a great number of the fair sex, who flocked thither to manifest their sympathy with their lovers. They expressed their grief in the liveliest manner. Dryope was there, and Captain Shaftoe had some difficulty in inducing her to stand back. But she remained at a short distance gazing at him through her tears. The appearance of these fair damsels, who formed the foremost rank of the spectators, gave a curious character to the scene.

Precisely at the appointed hour, Lord Forrester, preceded by a trumpet and a drum, and attended by a guard, entered the town, and rode to the churchyard.

Alighting at the gate, and followed by a couple of men, he marched up to the rebel officers.

Lord Forrester was a tall, fine-looking man, well suited to the office, which he performed with courtesy.

“Gentlemen,” he said, addressing them, “I have a very painful duty to discharge. I have to receive the arms of brave and honourable men, which ought to have been used for their king.”

To this Colonel Oxburgh, who stood next him, replied as he delivered up his sword:

“Our arms have been used, my lord, for our rightful sovereign and against a usurper.”

Lord Forrester made no remark but consigned the sword to the custody of one of his men, and passed on.

He had received more than twenty swords, when he came to Captain Shaftoe, and as there seemed to be some hesitation on Shaftoe's part, he said:

“Your sword, sir?”

“Take it,” cried Shaftoe.

And plucking the blade from the sheath, he broke it, and flung the pieces at Lord Forrester's feet.

On this there were shouts of applause from the female spectators.

“I suppose it was to win that applause that this foolish act was done, Captain Shaftoe,” observed Lord Forrester.

“You have broken the treaty, and have rendered yourself liable to the punishment of death.”

“As these words were uttered, Dryope and three or four of the fair spectators rushed forward, and threw themselves at Lord Forrester's feet, exclaiming:

“Spare him! spare him!”

“Rise, ladies!” said Lord Forrester. “I am not about to order Captain Shaftoe's immediate execution. I am sorry so great a favourite of your sex should refuse to submit--but no doubt you can bring him to reason. I leave him in your hands.”

With this, he passed on to Sir Francis Anderton and Mr. Townley, who were next, and received their swords.

“Ah! gentlemen,” he said, “I am sorry to find you here. Had you remained quiet for a few days you would have escaped this disaster. You should have followed the example of the cautious High Church Tories!”

“We have done what seems right to us, my lord,” said Mr. Townley, haughtily, “and are prepared for the consequences.”

The last sword received by Lord Forrester was that of Captain Wogan, who said to him:

“Your looks reproach me, my lord, but I do not reproach myself. If I had had fifty swords, they should all have been devoted to King James.”

With a military salute to the unfortunate officers, Lord Forrester then quitted the churchyard, followed by his men, bearing two large bundles of swords, and proceeded to the Mitre, there to go through a like ceremony with General Forster and the lords.

XIII.--HOW BRIGADIER MACKINTOSH PARTED WITH HIS CLAYMORE.

|By this time, Lord Derwentwater and Colonel Mackintosh had returned, but were merely spectators of the scene--their swords having been delivered up at the time of their surrender.

The Scottish nobles behaved with great dignity, and were treated with the utmost respect by Lord Forrester, who made no remark calculated to give them pain.

For the first time in his life, Brigadier Mackintosh's courage forsook him.

Kissing the hilt of his claymore, as he gave up the weapon, he said in broken accents:

“Farewell, old friend! I never thought to part with you, save with life!”

The ceremony was soon over, for Lord Forrester did not needlessly prolong it. Before departing, he said, addressing the assemblage:

“An hour hence, General Carpenter will enter the town to receive his prisoners. By that time the entire rebel force must be drawn up in the market-place to surrender arms. None must be absent, on any pretence whatever, and on pain of severe punishment. For the execution of this order, I look to you, General Forster, to you, my Lord Derwentwater, to you, my Lord Widdrington, to you my lords,” turning to the Scottish nobles, “to you, brigadier, and to you, Colonel Mackintosh.”

“My lord,” remonstrated the brigadier, “an hour is but a short time to bring together a number of unruly Highlanders---”

“It must suffice,” interrupted Lord Forrester. “You could get them ready for action in that time.”

“True, my lord,” replied the brigadier. “But a surrender is different. They will have to be driven to the place.”

“Colonel Mackintosh, I trust you see no difficulty?” said Lord Forrester, turning to the chief.

“None, my lord,” was the reply. “My clansmen will die with me, if I bid them.”

“In an hour, then,” said Forrester as he quitted the room.

Mounting his horse, and attended by the guard, bearing the arms, he galloped off to General Carpenter's quarters.

“What has been done?” asked Carpenter.

“The business is settled,” replied Lord Forrester. “An hour hence the entire rebel force will surrender in the market-place.”

XIV.--THE TWO GENERALS ENTER THE TOWN.

|Amid the sound of trumpets and drums, General Carpenter entered the conquered town at the head of two regiments of dragoons. He was accompanied by the Earl of Carlisle and Lord Lumley, and had with him Colonels Churchill and Molesworth, and a brilliant staff of officers.

As he rode slowly along Church Street, by which avenue he made his entrance, he looked with some curiosity at the blackened remains of the houses, and other evidences of the fight. For a few minutes he halted on the spot where the barricade had been reared, and explained what had been done to the noblemen with him, giving Brigadier Mackintosh full credit for his plan of defence.

“The barriers could not have been better placed,” he said; “and though the town must have succumbed to Wills, it might have held out for another day--perhaps till now.”

With these remarks, with which Churchill and Molesworth entirely concurred, he proceeded towards the market-place, noticing everything as he rode on.

Meanwhile, martial strains resounding at the north side of the town, announced the entrance of General Wills and four regiments of dragoons by the Lancaster avenue.

Wills was attended by Brigadiers Pitt and Dormer, and, like General Carpenter, had a staff of officers with him. He had not the curiosity to look around, and scarcely troubled himself to consider where the Windmill barricade had been situated.

In addition to the dragoons, just mentioned, three regiments of foot, commanded by Lord Forrester, Captain Sabine, and Captain Fain, entered by the Fishergate avenue and proceeded towards the market-place.

Notwithstanding this imposing military display, very few persons were to be seen in the streets, and but few shouts welcomed the victors.

In the market-place, a very striking, but very sad spectacle was to be seen, and this attracted all the townsfolk who could find access thither.

Here, as enjoined by the conquerors, all the insurgent troops were drawn up preparatory to a general surrender.

Yes! they were all there--with the exception of General Forster. Lord Derwent water's troop, commanded by Charles Radclyffe and Captain Shaftoe, and comprising all the handsome young gentlemen, of whom so much has been said--Lord Widdrington's troop, commanded by Captain Errington and Captain Gascoigne--the mosstroopers and Borderers, commanded by Captain Douglas and Hunter, and the troop commanded by the brave Wogan.

Here also were the five troops of South Country Scots, respectively commanded by Lord Kenmure, the Honourable James Hume, Lord Wintoun, Lord Carnwath, and Captain Lockhart.

Here, also, were the whole of the Highlanders, with Brigadier Mackintosh, and his kinsman, Colonel Mackintosh, at their head.

We have said that General Forster was absent. He excused himself on the plea that his life was in danger from the Highlanders.

On this very spot, only a few days ago, all these troops had been assembled to proclaim King James. At that time they were confident of success. They felt certain of receiving large reinforcements, and believed they should be able to reach London without interruption. And, perhaps, they might But the delay at Preston proved fatal. Caught in a snare, they had allowed their enemies to check them--to overtake them.

The most painful reflection that forced itself upon all the insurgent officers and gentlemen was that they were destroyed by their own folly. Oh! that they had not yielded to the allurements of the fair sex, but had marched on resolutely!

As the ladies gazed at their lovers from the windows overlooking the place, they thought them woefully changed. Their gay galliard air was quite gone. Some appeared indifferent, but it was easy to be seen that their levity was assumed.

As soon as the two victorious generals arrived in the market-place, and had satisfied themselves that the whole of the rebel force was assembled, all the men were ordered to pile their arms, and this done the officers and gentlemen volunteers belonging to the Northumbrian force were secured, and removed to commodious houses, where they were strictly guarded, but allowed to see their fair friends, who quickly paid them a visit.

The noblemen and superior officers were taken to the inns and various private houses; but the common soldiers and Highlanders were marched off to the church, which served as their prison during their stay in Preston.

Here they were allowed no better fare than bread and water, supplied to them at the expense of the town, and as they suffered frightfully from the cold, they tore the linings from the pews to afford themselves a scanty covering.

XV.--THE TOWN IS PLUNDERED BY THE SOLDIERY.

|HAVING seen the prisoners disposed of and given all necessary orders respecting them, the two generals, accompanied by the Earl of Carlisle, Lord Lumley, Sir Henry Hoghton, Brigadier Honeywood, Colonel Stanhope, and several others entered the town-hall, where a cold collation was laid out for them.

To this repast Parson Woods, who had been presented to General Carpenter, was invited, and received many compliments on his bravery.

The generals were still at table, when they were informed that a deputation of the inhabitants of the town was without, and prayed for an immediate audience.

Wills guessed their errand, and if left to himself, would have refused to see them. But General Carpenter caused half a dozen of the applicants to be admitted, and then found that their object was to prevent the town from being plundered by the soldiery.

“The pillage has already commenced,” said one of the persons who acted as spokesman, “and unless the men are restrained, all our goods will be carried off. As faithful subjects of his Majesty King George we ought to be protected. We could not prevent the occupation of the town by the rebels, and it will be a great hardship if we suffer for their misdeeds.”

“You must address yourselves to General Wills--not to me, gentlemen,” said Carpenter. “He has had the conduct of the siege.”

“I cannot listen to the appeal,” remarked Wills, sternly. “By the rules of war the men are entitled to the plunder of a captured town, and I shall not restrain them. You profess fidelity to the king, but you have afforded every assistance to the rebels, and if you have not actually taken part with them, you have furnished them with provisions and supplies.”

“We were forced to do so, general,” said the others. “And we earnestly beseech you to spare our property.”

Wills, however, refused to listen to them, and they departed.

Thus was the ill-fated town delivered over to pillage.

Fortunately no excesses were committed by the soldiers all license being forbidden on pain of death.

The plunderers commenced with the shops of the goldsmiths, silversmiths, and jewellers, where they expected to find the greatest quantity of valuables.

These shops were all shut up, but were quickly broken open, and stripped of their contents--plate, watches, rings, and chains being carried off.

From this booty alone the soldiers obtained several hundred pounds.

They next entered all the best private houses in Church Street and Fishergate, breaking open closets and chests, and abstracting all the plate and valuables they could find.

While one set of plunderers were thus engaged, others were similarly employed in different parts of the town.

Everywhere the houses were ransacked, and no portable article was left behind.

Not till a late hour in the day, when they had carried off all they could, did the soldiers desist from the work.

Great was the indignation of the inhabitants at this treatment, but they did not dare to resist.

However, there were no cases of intoxication, for the men were prevented by the sergeants and corporals from breaking open the cellars.

But it was a woeful day for Preston, and such as its inhabitants never thought to experience. Wills's severity caused him to be held in universal detestation.

General Carpenter did not remain long in the town. Finding it inconveniently crowded, he set out for Wigan, immediately after the surrender, with the regiments under his command.

None of his men therefore shared in the plunder--nor would he have allowed them to share in it.

XVI.--CAPTAIN SHAFTOE IS SHOT.

|Preston might well be full. Without counting the Government troops, fifteen hundred and fifty prisoners of all ranks were detained within the town.

Some few escapes took place, and amongst those who got off was Tom Syddall. Unfortunately, he was afterwards captured.

After a few days' detention, General Forster, Lord Derwentwater, Lord Widdrington, Brigadier Mackintosh, the Scottish lords and chiefs, with the leading Northumbrian officers, were sent under a strong guard to Wigan on the way to London.

Other less important prisoners were sent to Lancaster, Chester, and Liverpool, and confined in the jails of those towns.

Six insurgent officers were detained at Preston, and subsequently tried by court-martial for desertion and taking up arms against the king.

These were Lord Charles Murray, Captain Dalziel, Major Nairn, Captain Philip Lockhart, Ensign Erskine, and Captain Shaftoe. The lives of the two first were spared, but the others were condemned to be shot next day.

As Captain Shaftoe was a great favourite in Preston, his sentence caused profound grief, and application was made for a reprieve, but General Wills refused to grant it unless Shaftoe would acknowledge that he had been guilty of rebellion, and sue for mercy from King George.

Captain Shaftoe, however, absolutely refused, declaring he had simply done his duty, and would not renounce King James, even if a pardon were offered him.

Next morning, at an early hour, the rebel officers were taken by a party of foot soldiers to a field below the church. Among the spectators, were some young women, whose distressed condition touched the hearts of all who beheld them.

A few moments were spent by the rebel officers in preparation. After they had embraced, and bade each other farewell, Major Nairn came forward, and begged of the officer in command that his eyes might not be bandaged, and that he himself might give the order to the men to fire.

Neither request was accorded.

Not till he had laid Major Nairn in his coffin, with his own hands, would Captain Lockhart submit to his fate and when all was over, he was cared for as anxiously as his friend.

Only one was left.

As the spectators beheld the tall handsome figure standing erect before them an irrepressible murmur arose.

Looking around, Shaftoe at once discovered the young women, and as his eye settled upon one of them he called out:

“Do not forget.”

A white kerchief was waved in reply.

A proud smile lighted up his handsome countenance when his eyes were bound, and his last words, distinctly heard by all were:

“Long live King James the Third.”

Half a dozen bullets were instantly lodged in his breast. For a moment he stood erect, and then fell.

Thereupon a very beautiful young woman, whose features were as white as her attire, stepped quickly forward, followed by two others, and motioning back the soldiers, took up Shaftoe's body and placed it in his coffin.

This done, she who had first come forward, and who was no other than Dryope, knelt down, and fixing a look of unalterable affection upon her dead lover, kissed his brow.

Placing a few flowers beside him, she then arose and disappeared with her companions.

Thus died, and thus was mourned, one of the most gallant gentlemen of the rebel army.

END OF BOOK THE NINTH.

_BOOK THE TENTH_--THE DUNGEON.

I--THE CHIEF INSURGENT PRISONERS ARE TAKEN TO LONDON.

|Sorrowful was the ride of the Earl of Derwentwater from Preston to Wigan; and his favourite dapple-grey steed that had borne him throughout the campaign, seemed to share his despondency.

Moreover, the weather was gloomy, and in accordance with the earl's sombre thoughts.

And, truly, there was enough to make him sad. All was lost. All his great estates would be confiscated, and the journey he had just commenced would inevitably end in the scaffold.

To add poignancy to his affliction, he could not help reflecting how different the result might have been, but for Forster's deplorable ignorance and obstinacy, and though he acquitted the general of absolute treachery, he could not help feeling that the insurgent army was entirely sacrificed by him.

These thoughts forced themselves upon the earl as he crossed the Ribble Bridge, and did not leave him till he reached Wigan.

Here Lord Derwentwater learnt that Forster had been allowed a carriage, and a seat was offered to him in the same conveyance, but he declined it--preferring to ride.

None of the Scottish lords would travel with Forster, but he found companions in his chaplain, Mr. Patten, Lord Widdrington, and Colonel Oxburgh.

The Earl of Derwentwater performed the whole journey on horseback.

From Wigan the rebel prisoners were conducted to Warrington, where a division took place, and upwards of a hundred were sent on to London, guarded by several detachments of horse. Amongst these prisoners were Sir Francis Anderton, Mr. Townley, Mr. Standish, Mr. Tyldesley, and other Lancashire gentlemen who had joined at Preston.