Preston Fight Part 25

Owing to the crowded state of the room some inconvenience was experienced by the dancers, and interruptions occasionally occurred; but, on the whole, the ball went off remarkably well, and was long afterwards remembered at Preston. Many ladies, then in their bloom, used to boast to their grand-daughters, that they had danced with the rebels in 1715, and they invariably added, "Never was seen such a fine set of young fellows."

Amid that scene of gaiety and excitement, when all the young men yielded to the soft influence of beauty, few thought that vigorous preparations for attacking them were being made by their foes, and that within three days many of them would be slain, and the rest exiled. Had such thoughts intruded they would have been quickly banished.

But the revellers were not troubled by any such disagreeable reflections. Content with the enjoyment of the moment, they gave themselves no thought of the future. How could it be otherwise, when their general and most of their officers set them such an example!

But there was one person amid that thoughtless crowd who was oppressed with care, and felt the danger in which the invading army stood. He felt that, if this culpable indifference on the part of the general should continue, they were lost.

Of all that large a.s.semblage which boasted the presence of so many Scottish n.o.bles and gentlemen-so many wealthy English gentlemen-there was not one who had so much at stake as he.

As he looked at his lovely wife, who was then calling forth rapturous admiration in the Highland dance, and felt how soon he might lose her, he could scarcely repress the pang that crossed his breast.

But she seemed full of excitement, and when she came back to him with Dorothy, he strove to receive them with a smile.

Dorothy was not allowed much repose after her fatiguing dance. She was carried off by Charles Radclyffe, who since her arrival seemed to have fallen desperately in love with her. He told her that her image had been constantly before him during the march, and earnestly besought her to enter into an engagement with him.

To this Dorothy replied that she would not make any immediate engagement, but if he survived the campaign, and renewed his suit, she would consider the matter. The promise did not altogether satisfy him, but he was obliged to be content.

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VII.

Ralph Fairbrother

SOMEWHAT late in the evening, Captain Douglas, who, it may be remembered, had the command of one of the Northumbrian regiments, informed General Forster that a spy had been arrested, but the general was so much engrossed by Mrs. Scarisbrick that he paid no attention to the information. Captain Douglas then spoke to Brigadier Mackintosh, who at once went with him to a small room where the man was detained.

Meantime, the spy had been recognised as Ralph Fairbrother, for whose capture a reward had been offered, and who was supposed to have gone to General Carpenter at Newcastle. On being searched a letter was found on him addressed to General Wills, giving particulars of the exact state of the forces, and making some remarks on Forster's incompetency. The letter bore no signature, but was in a female hand. A few lines, traced in pencil, had evidently been added at the ball, and this important postscript recommended an immediate attack of the town, stating that it must be successful, since Forster was unprepared.

After reading this letter, and considering it for a moment, the brigadier handed it to Captain Douglas, who likewise read it carefully.

"Can ye guess by whom it is written?" inquired Mackintosh in a low tone.

"I can," replied the other.

"Hark ye, sirrah!" said Mackintosh to the prisoner, who was looking on anxiously, "if you desire to save your life, you will tell us who wrote this letter, and from whom you received it."

"It was slipped into my hand," replied the spy. "That is all I know about it."

"Were you not engaged by a lady to convey it to General Wills? Answer plainly."

"I betray no confidences," replied Fairbrother, firmly.

"Is General Wills at Wigan?" demanded Captain Douglas. "And how many regiments of infantry, horse, and dragoons, has he got with him?"

"You ask questions I cannot answer, captain," replied Fairbrother. "And I would not answer them, if I could."

"Very well, sir, then you must take the consequences," said Douglas. "In my opinion, brigadier, this man ought to be shot."

"Humph!" e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed Mackintosh. "We shall hear what General Forster says."

"I have nothing to fear from General Forster," observed Fairbrother.

"Aha! say you so?" exclaimed the brigadier. "We shall see."

They then left him in custody, and returned to the ball-room. Forster was still at supper with Mrs. Scarisbrick, and declined to have a private consultation with the brigadier.

"I will attend to business in the morning-not now," he said.

"But we have discovered a spy," observed Mackintosh, looking fixedly at Mrs. Scarisbrick; "and have found this letter upon him."

"Give it me," cried Mrs. Scarisbrick, s.n.a.t.c.hing it from him. "I will read it to the general."

"Madam," cried the brigadier, sternly. "I insist that you place that letter in the general's own hands."

"I don't want to see it," observed Forster. "I won't be troubled to-night. To-morrow, will be quite time enough. Keep it for me till then."

"You will never see it," cried Mackintosh. "I desire, madam, that the letter may be at once returned to me. If not, I shall be compelled to take it from you."

"Am I to be exposed to this insult, general?" cried Mrs. Scarisbrick, indignantly.

"Certainly not," replied Forster, rising from his seat-though not without some difficulty. "Brigadier, I must request you to retire."

"I obey," replied Mackintosh. "But understand that I will shoot this spy. I am satisfied of his guilt."

"Do as you please," said Forster. "Shoot half a dozen spies if you find them."

"Nay, for Heaven's sake! don't let him shoot the man," cried Mrs. Scarisbrick.

"Don't be alarmed," said Forster, sitting down again. "The man will only be kept in the guardhouse to night. I'll settle the matter to-morrow. Take some more champagne."

Rea.s.sured by this promise, and having got the letter, Mrs. Scarisbrick said no more. But she had nothing to fear from poor Fairbrother.

At break of day, he was taken by a file of Highlanders to the fields near the Wigan-lane, and there shot. The new chaplain of the forces attended him in his last moments. In explanation of this summary act of justice, Brigadier Mackintosh caused it to be announced that the man was a spy.

This act might have been blamed, but circ.u.mstances occurred that seemed to justify its severity.

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VIII.

Apathy of General Forster

ON the same morning, the Earl of Derwent.w.a.ter, accompanied by the countess and Dorothy, and attended by Charles Radclyffe and Captain Gordon, but without any guard, rode down to the Ribble Bridge.

While the earl was inspecting the bridge, and the ladies were admiring the river, and the view of the town from the spot, their attention was aroused by the sound of horse's footsteps, and immediately afterwards a man galloped up.

He would have ridden on, but Captain Gordon stopped him, and led him to the earl. It appeared that he had left Wigan early in the morning, and brought very important intelligence. General Wills was undoubtedly there, and having been joined by six more regiments of dragoons on the preceding evening, it was certain he would make immediate arrangements to attack the insurgents, so that they must be prepared for him.

On receiving this intelligence, the earl at once returned to the town, and proceeded to General Forster's quarters, but could not see him, as the general had not yet risen, being much fatigued by the ball.

Instigated by the countess and Dorothy, the earl determined to take all the responsibility upon himself, and ordered Charles Radclyffe to take his regiment to defend Ribble Bridge. But before the order could be obeyed, Forster appeared and countermanded it.

"It seems to me," said the general, "that my authority is set at naught. A man has been shot as a spy by Brigadier Mackintosh without consulting me, and now orders are given that a guard shall advance towards Wigan. I suppose the next order will be that the whole army shall get ready to march."

"It ought to be," said Dorothy. "You are loitering here far too long, and will be surprised by the enemy. Are you aware that General Wills has just been joined by several more regiments?"

"I do not believe a word of it," rejoined Forster. "Had such been the case I should certainly have been informed of it."

"But a scout has just returned from Wigan," cried the countess. "We have seen him, and spoken with him. Will you not question him yourself?"

"'Tis needless," said Forster. "The man has been imposed upon."

"Then you will neither march against the enemy, nor take any steps for the defence of the town?" cried the Earl of Derwent.w.a.ter.

"Not unless I receive accurate intelligence," rejoined Forster. "I am under no apprehension."

"Was there ever such obstinacy?" exclaimed the earl, turning away in disgust. "Nay, 'tis in vain to reason with him," he added to the countess.

"Your lords.h.i.+p will understand," said Forster, "that to-morrow I shall commence the march to Manchester."

"To-morrow we shall not be able to leave Preston," rejoined the earl.

"We shall see," replied Forster, laughing. "Meanwhile, I recommend you to make the most of your time, and enjoy yourself while you can. There is another banquet at the town-hall today."

"For the last time, I ask you if you are resolved not to move?"

"Not till to-morrow," replied Forster, positively. "I am about to give general orders to that effect."

And he quitted the room.

The countess and Dorothy looked aghast.

"What is to be done?" cried the former.

"Nothing," replied the earl. "Nothing can be done. We are doomed."

The announcement that the general did not mean to continue his march south till the morrow was very agreeable to the majority of the army-indeed a great many of the gentlemen troopers hoped that when the morrow came there would be another delay. They were quite as infatuated as the general, and spent the greater part of the day in the society of the ladies. A large party collected on the Ribble Bridge, but it was with no intention of defending it.

Another banquet was given at the town-hall, to which the leaders and officers were bidden. Amongst the few ladies invited, were the Countess of Derwent.w.a.ter, Dorothy Forster, and Mrs. Scarisbrick. Since the last-mentioned lady was present, the general was quite happy, and perfectly indifferent to the future.

Besides this festive meeting, there were innumerable tea-parties, where the gentlemen troopers were very agreeably entertained; while the Mitre, the White Bull, and the Windmill were filled to overflowing with guests.

With this pleasant evening pa.s.sed away the gaieties of Preston. No more flirting-no more carousing. All merriment was over.

The morrow's sun arose on a day of strife and slaughter.

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IX.

Parson Woods of Chowbent

WHILE the whole insurgent army is feasting and carousing, we shall repair to Wigan, and see what General Wills is about.

Wigan, a very different town from what it is at present, was filled with soldiers. Besides Sir Henry Hoghton's six hundred militiamen, and three regiments of foot, respectively commanded by Captains Sabine, Fane, and Preston, there was a fine regiment of horse, commanded by Colonel Pitt, and five regiments of dragoons, commanded by Major-General Wynn, Colonels Honeywood, Dormer, Munden, and Stanhope.

Whether Wills was an able general may be questioned, but he was an active and very determined man. Strongly built and well made, he had a military bearing, and a stern, inflexible countenance. Obstinate he was, but his obstinacy was very different from that of the incompetent Forster. He could not be turned from his purpose by advice, but his plans were carefully considered. He was in constant communication with General Carpenter, but feeling certain he could defeat the rebels unaided, his great desire was to attack them before Carpenter came up, so that he might gain all the glory of the victory. Therefore, he hurried on his preparations-though not unduly so. Having a secret correspondent in Preston, he knew the exact numbers of the force, and was also aware of the utter incompetency of Forster, but he thought the chief command might be taken, at the last moment, by the Earl of Derwent.w.a.ter. He had likewise some fears of Mackintosh, with whose valour and skill he was well acquainted. Still, he felt sure of an easy conquest, and was impatient to achieve it.

While General Wills was arranging his plans for the attack, Sir Henry Hoghton came into his room, and said: "Acting on a suggestion of your own, general, I have begged the Presbyterian ministers in this neighbourhood-many of whom are well known to me-to induce their congregations to a.s.sist me in this struggle against Popery, and I am extremely happy to say I have succeeded-at least, in one instance. The Reverend James Woods, Presbyterian minister of Chowbent, has promptly and energetically responded to my appeal. The worthy man has used such exertions that he has already got together a troop of some forty or fifty active young men. For the most part they are armed with scythes, fixed on straight poles, and bill-hooks, but they are stout active young fellows, and will undoubtedly do good service."

"Are they here?" inquired Wills.

"They are, general," replied Sir Henry. "And so is their pastor, the Reverend James Woods."