CHAPTER LIV. 177

High Sheriffs of Warwickshire and Worcestershire with _posse comitatus_ in pursuit——Plotters and rebels arrive at Holbeach (near Stourbridge) at ten of the clock on Thursday night——Early Friday morning explosion of drying gunpowder at Holbeach—— Catesby, Rookwood, and Grant burnt——Catesby unnerved—— Arch-conspirator and others betake themselves to prayers—— “Litanies and such like”——Make an hour’s “meditation”——About eleven of the clock on Friday, 8th November, Sheriff of Worcestershire and “hue and cry” surround Holbeach——Siege laid thereto——Thomas Winter disabled by an arrow from crossbow—— Catesby and Percy, standing sword in hand, shot by one musket—— Catesby expires——John Wright wounded unto death——Christopher Wright mortally wounded——Percy grievously wounded——Dies a day or two afterwards——Ambrose Rookwood wounded——Sir Everard Digby apprehended——Rest taken prisoners, except Stephen Littleton and Robert Winter, who escape.